Make Good Symposium 2026: Rethinking Material Futures at V&A
The Victoria and Albert Museum in London hosted the fifth Make Good symposium, bringing together UK specialists from diverse sectors to explore the use of local timber and climate-resilient, mixed-species forests. Jonas Lencer of dRMM opened the event, which included discussions on Construction, Civic Infrastructure, and Materials and Making. Wood scientist Marlene Cramer focused on native tree species in the UK, while Nick Gant and Je Ahn highlighted local resources and biodiversity. Louise Rogers from BE-ST discussed scaling manufacturing with domestically sourced materials, and Jonathan Smales introduced a new neighborhood concept. Paul Powlesland from Lawyers for Nature and Immy Kaur from Civic Square addressed nature rights and ecological transition. This symposium is part of the Make Good programme, initiated in 2022 and spanning ten years.
Key facts
- Fifth Make Good symposium held at V&A, London
- Theme: growing climate-resilient, mixed-species forests and using timber locally
- Introduced by Jonas Lencer of dRMM, referencing 'Building from Forests' display
- Sessions: Materials and Making, Construction, Civic Infrastructure
- Speakers: Marlene Cramer, Nick Gant, Je Ahn, Louise Rogers, Jonathan Smales, Paul Powlesland, Immy Kaur
- Part of Make Good: Rethinking Material Futures programme, supported by John Makepeace OBE
- Programme launched in 2022, ten-year project
- Annual display in Dr Susan Weber Gallery of Furniture, annual symposium, acquisitions programme
Entities
Artists
- Jonas Lencer
- Marlene Cramer
- Nick Gant
- Je Ahn
- Louise Rogers
- Jonathan Smales
- Paul Powlesland
- Immy Kaur
- John Makepeace
Institutions
- Victoria and Albert Museum
- dRMM
- Studio Weave
- BE-ST
- Human Nature
- Lawyers for Nature
- Civic Square
- Dr Susan Weber Gallery of Furniture
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom