The 2016 Stephen Lawrence Memorial Lecture

There is an ever increasing emphasis on businesses in all disciplines within our country in respect of being socially responsible. This emphasis comes in the form of being aware of the fact that what each of us does impacts our communities and in respect of supporting causes which strive to shape a better society for future generations. We were honoured to be able to increase our efforts in both regards when we were invited to both participate in and sponsor the 2016 Stephen Lawrence Memorial Lecture. It would be fair to suggest that the annual Stephen Lawrence Memorial Lecture is one of, if not the, most important dates on the calendar of all of the residential architects London is home to. The occasion allows us to remember a talent so cruelly lost to us, and to honour him by ensuring the important relationship between architecture and the communities it serves is preserved. In this respect, the primary focus of this years' Memorial Lecture was on the way in which architecture is both influenced by and impacts on the communities within which it exists.In order to best explore the area of focus, this year the event moved away from the standard one keynote speaker in order to hear several different perspectives. This was an interesting dynamic, as it allowed those of us present to be informed by how differing experiences of communities and society influenced architectural approaches. With much of the audience being made up of students coming into the field, it was a unique opportunity to see how the concept of community had influenced the architecture we experience today, and what legacy that would have on the work and designs of tomorrow.We will, sadly, never know how Stephen Lawrence would have channelled his experience of community into the work of residential architecture across London. It is, however, an honour and a privilege for us to ensure that his name is kept alive across society in association with the field he was so passionate about.Once again we would like to thank the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust for the opportunity to directly support and participate in the 2016 event. It was truly an honour to be an active part of the event.