Modernists believed that “form follows function.” In their new book Form Follows Fuel, Florian Urban and Barnabas Calder show throughout history it is, in fact, energy which has been the biggest influence on the world’s architecture.
Join the authors to hear about their work to quantify energy inputs on a range of historical and modern buildings and discuss how this research can offer practical solutions to current ecological challenges with architect Chris Stewart PPRIAS.
About the book:
The book consists of 14 accessibly written case studies, illustrated with beautiful and revealing new measured drawings of each project by John Joseph Burns. Each chapter focuses on a single structure in a particular historical context, sometimes contrasted to similar buildings, from subsistence farming to advanced global capitalism. The chapters analyse the consumption of embodied and operational energy in these buildings, and also discuss questions of recycling and adaptive reuse.
About the event:
Date: Wednesday 24th September 2025
Doors open: 18:00
Talk begins: 18:30
Venue: RIAS Bookshop, 15 Rutland Square, Edinburgh, EH1 2BE
Tickets: £3 (FREE for Members)
*Our building has stepped access from the street and our event space is located on the first floor, please let us know in advance if you have any access needs and we will do our best to accommodate you.
