Join the experts behind Imagine Bamboo at Keele University as they give you a fascinating glimpse into why bamboo is rapidly gaining a reputation as the next big thing in sustainable building materials, garnering commitment from scientists to engineers, climate activists to circus performers!

Access: All talks take place in Horwood Energy Centre, Keele campus, which is wheelchair accessible. For more information, view their accessibility page here. There are two blue badge parking bays directly outside the venue. 

Other parking is available on campus for this talk at the pay and display car park adjacent to the Student Union. 

Can Creative Structural Engineering Help Fight the Climate Crisis? Chris Matthews, Atelier One

Thursday 16 March, 2pm (40 mins)

The portfolio of Atelier One, renowned as one of the UK's most creative structural engineering consultancies, spans across buildings, art and entertainment. Structural engineer Chris Matthews has work on such varied projects as the London 2012 Olympic Ceremonies, touring sets for U2 and Beyonce, and the First Light Pavilion at Jodrell Bank. Chris will talk about these fascinating projects, and explain how Atelier One's drive to utilise better performing and lower carbon materials has led them to pursue the structural use of bamboo.

BSL interpretation is available for this talk

This event is part of Imagine Bamboo at Keele. Appetite, ArtsKeele and Imagineer are collaborating with a whole host of world-class experts to build a giant bamboo arch! Made from UK-grown borinda bamboo the arch will be built and raised over four days. If all goes to plan, on Saturday 18 March you can come along from 11am-2pm to have a swing from it! This impressive experiment will take place outdoors at Keele University campus during their Green Festival.

There will be two swings available on the day including one for wheelchair users. A circus aerial performer will also be giving us a show on the arch! Think you can build with bamboo? Have a go making your own models with bamboo build activities led by local artists ideal for everyone. Discover the versatility of this amazing material and see what you can create. There are also other interesting and exciting things to visit whilst on campus including our Observatory, Energy Park, Arboretum, Heritage Trails and Collection of Flowering Cherries. 

To find out more please visit Imagine Bamboo at Keele.

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