Heather Viles:
Linking life and buildings: A biogeomorphological perspective

Biogeomorphology addresses the two-way relationships between life and the physical landscape and has many applications to the conservation and management of historic buildings and contemporary architecture. This talk introduces a biogeomorphological framework and some foundational concepts (including biodeterioration, bioprotection and bioreceptivity), and explores their meaning and utility for architectural theory and practice. Case studies from around the world are used to illustrate the challenges and necessity of linking life and buildings in the context of the climate emergency and biodiversity crisis.

Heather Viles is Professor of Biogeomorphology and Heritage Conservation in the School of Geography and the Environment at the University of Oxford, and Visiting Professor at the Institute of Sustainable Heritage, University College London. Her research focuses on improving the understanding of links between life, the physical landscape and the built environment. She leads OxRBL (Oxford Resilient Buildings and Landscapes lab) – a small, but vibrant and highly interdisciplinary group of researchers and doctoral students. She has a long track record of working closely with heritage organisations, such as English Heritage, Historic England, the Dunhuang Academy and the Getty Conservation Institute.