C20 Architecture Slam 2026
West Midlands Architecture Slam 2026
Saturday 31 January 2026,
Time: 10am–4.30pm
Place: C087, Curzon Building, Birmingham City University, Eastside Campus, Birmingham B4 7BD
This is a day of short presentations regarding 20th-century+ buildings and design from members, holidayers, academics alike. The theme this year is ‘Diverse Voices’ to focus on work by women, working class, Black, Asian and other underrepresented groups, non-authored architecture etc.
Draft programme:
10.00Registration (tea/coffee)
10.30 Introduction Katriona Byrne Chair C20 Society West Midlands
Draft Programme 10.40-13.00 (15 min slots)
Alice Keyse: Swedish Pre-fabs in Stroud
Matthew Bliss: Queer working-class West Midlands architect Stanley Sellars
Michael Harrison: The lesser-known churches of Harvey and Wicks
Alan van Wijgerden: Sheriff Avenue Houses, Coventry – designed for war
Rebecca Preston and Fiona Fisher: London’s roof gardens 1900-1945: a new architectural and social space for women?
Viv Astling: Bloye, the Civic Sculptor - emerging evidence carves a new profile
Geraldine Hammersley: Emigre sculptor Hans Feibusch
Graham Malcolm: The work of Lyndall Leet of Thurso, Scotland
13.00-14.00 Lunch [included]
Draft Programme 14.00-16.00 (15 min slots)
John Chapman: Victor H Bisharat, a Middle-eastern architect in New England
Ana Araujo: Writing about American designer Florence Knoll
Joe Holyoak: Inspired by Jane Jacobs writer/activist
Ashley Barlow: Arab Modernism in Iraq
BHWN Multiple communities: The work of Black Heritage Walks Network
Katriona Byrne: Two ladies at the Church of Santa Josefina, Motril, Spain
Close Katriona Byrne
Katriona Byrne is Senior Lecturer in the Department of Architecture and the Built Environment at Birmingham City University (BCU). This is an annual event which has been running since 2019. Devinder Matharu is Conservation Officer in Walsall Borough Council.
Speakers: Free ticket + lunch
C20 Members: £30 (including lunch)
Non-members: £45 (including lunch)
Click here for our cancellation policy.
Not a member yet? Join here and benefit from event ticket discounts. Looking to support our campaigning? Donate to our casework here.
The Twentieth Century Society is an IHBC (Institute of Historic Building conservation) recognised CPD provider.
Twentieth Century Society is a registered charity, no 1110244
Above: One of the talks will focus on the work of architect and designer Florence Knoll. Image courtesy of Knoll, Inc.