Innovation is the new buzzword in architecture. Go on almost any firm’s website today, and you’ll find proclamations of how innovative, forward-thinking and experimental they are. Modern Methods of Construction are everywhere. Demands for ‘creativity’ are back in fashion. But what does it really mean? Can we really look to architecture for ground-breaking design and iconic landmarks when architects are constrained by fashionable policy priorities, such as safeguarding the environment and fostering social inclusion, for example? Or are 21st century architects truly breaking free from convention and imagining a positive, dynamic architectural future?

Two up-and-coming architects - Sean Griffiths, director of Architecture and Design Practice FAT; and CJ Lim, director, Studio 8 Architects - known for their innovative practice and designs put themselves under the spotlight: these architects will each present for five minutes, using real projects that exemplify their aspirational designs, to show what innovation means to them in theory and practice, before facing a roundtable panel of experts and the audience, who will challenge and probe their claims to innovation.

Part bear-pit, part celebrity wrestling, part rigorous review, the point of the discussion is to see if the architects – and panellists – can convey their ideas successfully, but also to see if those ideas themselves stand up to criticism.

Come along for a beer, a 7:30 start and the architectural challenge of the year. The event is free but please email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) to register your interest in attending.