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Keynote SpeakerMichael Pawlyn

Architect noted for his work in the field biomimetic architecture and innovation

Michael Pawlyn is an architect, writer, and public speaker who was appointed as a Design Council expert. He has been described as an expert in regenerative design and biomimicry. He established his firm Exploration Architecture in 2007 to focus on high performance buildings and solutions for the circular economy. The... Read more

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Popular Talks by Michael Pawlyn

  • Harnessing AI to shape a positive future

    It is crucial that we make AI work for us in bringing about the kind of world we want – helping us design cities, buildings and products that perform better in terms of energy use, material efficiency and in protecting the living world.

More talks

  • From sustainable to regenerative – the next essential shift for business
  • Biologically-inspired innovation
  • Rising to the challenge of the planetary emergency
  • How change happens and how to transform our agency
  • Regenerative Design
  • Nature-based solutions and innovation - particularly biomimicry
  • Beyond conventional sustainability – towards a regenerative approach
  • Business leadership on the environment

Biography

Michael Pawlyn is an architect, writer, and public speaker who was appointed as a Design Council expert. He has been described as an expert in regenerative design and biomimicry. He established his firm Exploration Architecture in 2007 to focus on high performance buildings and solutions for the circular economy. The company has developed a ground-breaking office project, an ultra-low energy data centre, a zero waste textiles factory and progressive solutions for green cities. Michael Pawlyn jointly initiated the widely acclaimed Sahara Forest Project; the latest version of which was opened by the King of Jordan.

Prior to setting up Exploration, Michael Pawlyn worked with Grimshaw for ten years and was central to the team that designed the Eden Project. He is regularly booked as a keynote speaker on innovation and his TED talk has had over 2 million views. He has written two books – Flourish: Design Paradigms for Our Planetary Emergency (co-authored with Sarah Ichioka) and Biomimicry in Architecture – both of which have been the respective publisher’s best-selling title. In 2019 he jointly initiated ‘Architects Declare a Climate and Biodiversity Emergency’ – a global call to action which has spread to 28 countries with over 7,000 firms signed up.

He has been featured in The Financial Times, National Geographic, The Economist, Wired and The Guardian as well as in a large number of design magazines. His television and radio appearances include ‘Animal Einsteins’ on BBC television and a number of programmes on BBC Radio 4.

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What clients say about Michael Pawlyn

“One of the finest talks I've ever seen on nature and design.”
“We asked Michael to give an opening keynote for our most important event of 2022 - a three-day conference attended by 250 of our most senior colleagues. He rose to the challenge brilliantly with a talk that was informative, inspiring and energising.”
“Your talk was a tremendous inspiration to all and the response has been fantastic. Personally it was the best presentation I have ever experienced - thank you Michael.”
“Michael was fantastic! The audience absolutely loved his lecture. Couldn’t have been a better way to launch the series.”
“We had excellent feedback on your talk. It was a highlight of the conference and one person said it was the most important presentation they’d seen in the last 10 years.”
“We just wanted to send a quick note to thank you again so much for your brilliant address at yesterday’s Heat Conference. I’ve heard nothing but praise for your presentation. It really helped to energise the whole day: some have even said it was the best Heat Conference we’ve had!"
“Michael, Thank you! It was a very inspiring talk and you received very positive feedback from many of the participants. Well done!”
"Michael was excellent. There was lots of glowing verbal feedback on him with a lot of questions at the end. Personally, I really love the positive and practical approach to sustainability that he promotes and the sheer beauty of nature which he expresses through his excellent slides. Very well done."
“Thank you for your contribution at the CE100 Annual Summit, the feedback has been exceptional with many people commenting that your talk was a particular highlight.”
“Thanks so much for coming to speak at our event yesterday. You did a fantastic job. A lot of people mentioned to me how much they appreciated your talk.”
“I thought it was the best session of the conference. You were calm, rational, evidential and forceful. 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 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”."
“In addition to his skills as an architect he is a first rate public speaker who both assisted me in preparing lectures and regularly stood in for me at international conferences. I could always trust Michael to inspire an audience to look at the environmental debate from a fresh perspective and he would achieve this through wit and imagination rather than dogma and doom-mongering.”

How to book Michael Pawlyn as a keynote speaker

How do I book Michael Pawlyn for a keynote speech?

You can book Michael Pawlyn through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Michael's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.

What are Michael Pawlyn's speaking fees?

Michael Pawlyn's speaking fees depend on the event format (in-person or virtual), the location, the length of the engagement and the level of customisation required. Please contact London Speaker Bureau for an up-to-date fee quote for Michael tailored to your event.

What topics does Michael Pawlyn speak about?

Michael Pawlyn speaks on Innovation & Creativity, Sustainability, Transformation. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Michael to align the content with your delegates and goals.

Is Michael Pawlyn available for international events?

London Speaker Bureau can book Michael Pawlyn for events worldwide, subject to Michael's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.

Does Michael Pawlyn deliver virtual or online keynotes?

Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether Michael Pawlyn is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).

How long is a typical keynote by Michael Pawlyn?

Most keynote speeches run between 45 and 60 minutes, often followed by a 15-30 minute Q&A. Other formats - shorter conference slots, panel appearances or longer workshop sessions - may also be possible. Share your agenda with London Speaker Bureau and we will confirm what Michael can accommodate.

Can Michael Pawlyn tailor the keynote to our industry and audience?

London Speaker Bureau will brief Michael Pawlyn on your audience profile, sector and objectives so the keynote can be shaped around your event. The level of customisation possible depends on the speaker and the lead time - contact us with your brief and we will confirm what Michael can offer.

What languages does Michael Pawlyn present in?

Michael Pawlyn delivers keynotes in English. This profile may not list every language available; ask London Speaker Bureau to confirm. If you require simultaneous interpretation or a multilingual format, please mention this in your enquiry and London Speaker Bureau will arrange it for you.

What makes Michael Pawlyn a strong fit as a keynote speaker?

Michael Pawlyn's areas of expertise include Innovation & Creativity, Sustainability, Transformation. To get a clear sense of Michael's style, credentials and how they engage an audience, please review the biography, popular talks and any videos or testimonials shown on this page, or request a detailed speaker brief from London Speaker Bureau.

What kind of events can Michael Pawlyn speak at?

Michael Pawlyn can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in Innovation & Creativity, Sustainability, Transformation is relevant. Details of Michael's background and previous engagements are included in the biography above; contact us if you would like a more detailed list of past clients or case studies.

Does Michael Pawlyn offer workshops, panels or fireside chats in addition to keynotes?

Beyond keynote speeches, many of the speakers on our roster also take part in workshops, executive masterclasses, panel discussions and fireside chats. Contact London Speaker Bureau with your preferred format and we will confirm what Michael Pawlyn is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.

How far in advance should we book Michael Pawlyn?

We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Michael Pawlyn, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Michael's current availability for your dates.