Michael Pawlyn Biography
One of the lead architects on the Eden Project, and director of Exploration, Michael Pawlyn is a passionate advocate of, and keynote speaker on biomimicry and sustainable architecture.
Background and career
Michael Pawlyn established Exploration in 2007 to focus exclusively on environmentally sustainable projects that take their inspiration from nature. In 2008 Exploration was short-listed for the Young Architect of the Year Award and the internationally renowned Buckminster Fuller Challenge.
Prior to setting up the company Michael Pawlyn worked with Grimshaw for ten years and was central to the team that radically re-invented horticultural architecture for the Eden Project.
He was responsible for leading the design of the Warm Temperate and Humid Tropics Biomes and the subsequent phases that included proposals for a third Biome for plants from dry tropical regions. He initiated and developed the Grimshaw environmental management system resulting, in December 2000, in the company becoming the first firm of European architects to achieve certification to ISO14001.
He has lectured widely on the subject of sustainable design in the UK and abroad and in May 2005 delivered a talk at the Royal Society of Arts with Ray Anderson, CEO of Interface. In 2007 Michael Pawlyn delivered a talk at Google’s annual ‘Zeitgeist’ conference and, in 2011, became one of only a small handful of architects to have a talk posted on TED.com.
In the same year, his book 'Biomimicry in Architecture' was published by the Royal Institute of British Architects.
His Sahara Forest Project has moved ahead with two major studies in Jordan and Qatar and was covered in Science magazine and The Economist. At the end of 2011 he secured new commissions for a Catamaran project and a scheme inside a mountain in Norway worthy of James Bond.
Speaking Topics
Michael Pawlyn has lectured widely on the subject of sustainable design in the UK and abroad and is an adept and fascinating keynote speaker.
- Biomimicry
- Sustainability
- Green
- Eden Project
For further information or to book Michael Pawlyn, call us on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Michael Pawlyn News
A selection of relevant news related to Michael Pawlyn, Keynote Speakers, Property Speakers, Sustainability Speakers and Technology Speakers stories. For more information on Michael Pawlyn or details as to how to book Michael Pawlyn for your corporate event, please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Time’s Best Inventions of the Year 2012
27th December 2012
Time Magazine has released its list of the best inventions of 2012.
Innovative Speakers Gather at TED 2012
28th June 2012
California is once again the sunny location for TED, the most innovative and exciting conference on the planet, where speakers with ‘ideas worth spreading’ gather to share their thoughts on technology, design, science, media, politics, the arts, and other insights on how to shape a better word.
Tim Smit To Open College For New Construction Techniques
11th June 2012
Co-founder & Chief Executive of the amazing Eden Project, Tim Smit, spoke to the i magazine about a new technical college based at the Eden Project and opening in 2013.
Ruby Wax on Speaker Lineup for TEDGlobal 2012
11th May 2012
The TED website has announced the list of innovative speakers who will inspire at this year’s conference, exploring the theme of Radical Openness, including comedian and corporate host Ruby Wax.
California Hosts TED 2012 – The Full Spectrum
1st March 2012
Speakers Corner boasts a vast selection of TED speakers, including Dr. Rachel Armstrong, Chris Anderson, Rory Bremner, Tim Harford, Magnus Lindkvist, Charles Hazlewood and Nic Marks.
Thinkers50 Nominees Announced
29th July 2011
As the 2011 Thinkers50 Summit approaches, Speakers Corner proudly presents a varied catalogue of the highest caliber corporate speakers shortlisted for the prestigious accolade. Amongst the crème de la crème of management personalities are conductor Benjamin Zander, economics expert Kjell Nordstrom and entrepreneur Lucy Marcus.
Top Speakers Corner Talent at TED Global
14th July 2011
Speakers Corner’s varied and rich catalogue of unique and inspirational personalities is well represented at this year’s TED Global Summer conference in Edinburgh. Speakers in the Scottish capital include Nic Marks - Founder of the award winning centre for well-being; author and thinker Charles Leadbeater; percussionist Evelyn Glennie and TV scientist Brian Cox.
Tony Fernandes and Arianna Huffington Amongst 100 Most Creative People In Business
2nd June 2011
Entrepreneur Tony Fernandes; media mogul Arianna Huffington; facebook genius Chris Cox and happiness expert Tony Hsieh, are some of the top names on a list of the 100 Most Creative People In Business, compiled by industry magazine Fast Company.
Ian Livingstone, Ajaz Ahmed, and other Speakers Corner Talent in Wired Top 100
3rd May 2011
Speakers Corner’s top talent is elevated to the technology elite as Wired Magazine publishes its second annual survey of the UK’s digital power brokers. Featured as leaders in the field are Ian Livingstone , Ajaz Ahmed, Brent Hoberman, Bruno Giussani, Jamie Murray Wells and Stephen Fry.
Bill Gates Amongst Hosts at TED 2011
3rd March 2011
Bill Gates, technology pioneer, businessman and philanthropist, is amongst the acclaimed hosts at this year’s TED Conference in California.
Michael Pawlyn Reviews
Michael Pawlyn has spoken and appeared at a number of recent corporate events. Please find some client speaker testimonials and reviews for Michael Pawlyn for a number of these events and conferences. If you would like some additional information as to how to book Michael Pawlyn for your corporate event, then please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
The feedback from the Innovation seminar was so positive, the attendees labelling it 'the best event to date
I thought it was the best session of the conference. You were calm, rational, evidential and forceful. You really gave Bjorn a jolt. His body language said it all. Thank you for taking up the challenge so well
Two of the cultural stand-outs of the year were the products of visionaries - individuals creating worlds at the edges and the in-betweens of standard practice. A lecture by Michael Pawlyn at Grimshaw Architects during the London Festival of Architecture energised the audience with case studies demonstrating the radical potential of a generative, rather than a restrictive, approach to design that surpasses sustainability. Like Braungart and McDonough, Pawlyn work embraces change and growth.
Excellent presentation style, content engaging and very 'now' - leaves the audience feeling optimistic about the future!
Q & A with Michael Pawlyn
Michael Pawlyn answered some probing questions for Speakers Corner. For speaking secrets revealed - read on! To book Michael Pawlyn for your event, please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Speakers Corner: How did the corporate speaking all start?
Michael Pawlyn: How did the corporate speaking all start? It started in earnest after I gave a talk at Google’s Zeitgeist conference. It was a great opportunity so I did a lot of preparation with a presentation skills coach. It worked out fairly well and it led to a number of recommendations to speaking agencies.
Speakers Corner: Can you remember your first speaking engagement?
Michael Pawlyn: When I first started I deliberately put myself forward for some fairly obscure events so that I could practice my speaking skills. The European General Galvanisers Association Annual Dinner was one such event!
Speakers Corner: And your last event?
Michael Pawlyn: I’ve been doing quite a lot of talks recently for the Royal Institute of British Architects at schools of architecture around the country. The subject matter has been about climate change and how architects can respond in a positive and creative way.
Speakers Corner: Which event has been your favourite and why?
Michael Pawlyn: The one that I am most proud of was my rebuttal to Bjorn Lomborg at the BCO conference in 2009. He is one of the world’s best known environmental sceptics – a very tricky character and way above my level in terms of profile but, according to the feedback, I more than held my own against him. I did my best to not just point out the flaws in his analysis but also show a very positive way of responding to the environmental challenges that lie ahead.
Speakers Corner: If you could speak at any event, past or future, what would it be?
Michael Pawlyn: I would guess that most people who engage in public speaking dream of one day delivering a speech that changes the course of history. For me it would be at an event that concerned global environmental issues.
Speakers Corner: Who would you most like to share a platform with?
Michael Pawlyn: Amory Lovins, Paul Hawken, Janine Benyus, Dayna Baumeister, Michael Braungart
Speakers Corner: Do you use powerpoint?
Michael Pawlyn: Yes – my subject matter comes across much more clearly when backed up with good images
Speakers Corner: Are you as happy speaking to 50 as to 1,000 people?
Michael Pawlyn: Yes. In some ways the more people there are, the more energising it is
Speakers Corner: How do you like to be introduced?
Michael Pawlyn: As an innovator
Speakers Corner: Do you always like to do a briefing call before the event?
Michael Pawlyn: Yes, a briefing call always helps me to tune my talks to the specifics of the event
Speakers Corner: What are the most asked for topics?
Michael Pawlyn: Biomimicry, innovation, creative responses to climate change
Speakers Corner: Is your speech at all interactive with audience participation?
Michael Pawlyn: When it suits the occasion and subject matter.
Speakers Corner: Your favourite film?
Michael Pawlyn: Dersu Uzala by Akira Kurosawa
Speakers Corner: Favourite book?
Michael Pawlyn: The Magus by John Fowles
Speakers Corner: Favourite holiday destination?
Michael Pawlyn: Italy
Speakers Corner: What’s your tipple – wine, beer, champagne?
Michael Pawlyn: Brunello di Montalcino
For further information or to book Michael Pawlyn, call us on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
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