Grab your pencils—AN editors have rounded up the talks and lectures scheduled at architecture and design schools across the country this spring semester. On theme with the current topics defining the architecture and design landscape are discussions related to climate change, artificial intelligence, and building materials. As always, these in-person, online, and hybrid lectures examine the work and approach of practicing design professionals, and proffer new ways of engaging with the built environment.
AN will update this page as more schools release details on spring lectures.
University of Pennsylvania Stuart Weitzman School of Design
This semester University of Pennsylvania’s Weitzman School of Design has a strong list of academic programming. Speakers include Rossana Hu, the architecture department chair and founder of architecture practice Neri & Hu; Mark Lee of Johnston Marklee; and others. Lectures touch on topics related to preservation, technology, and artificial intelligence, and range in geography and scope from high-tech British architecture to the built environment in Los Angeles as seen by Ed Ruscha.
Yale School of Architecture
Nader Tehrani, Tatiana Bilbao, and Sara Zewde are just a few of the design professionals speaking at Yale this spring. Yale is also putting together exhibitions and coinciding gallery talks to supplement academic lectures and coursework. Forthcoming design shows include a display of models by Le Corbusier.
Cooper Union
At Cooper Union this semester, look out for a discussion on artificial intelligence; hear from leading museum curators and exhibition designers on how to design inclusive museums; and celebrate the legacy of Anthony Vidler, who passed away last year.
University of Southern California
At USC this spring a number of talks center on social issues and race. Bryan Lee Jr. of Colloqate Design is among the scheduled speakers, along with Charles L. Davis II from UT Austin School of Architecture. Other lectures will look at the relationship between building materials and technology and what went into the world’s first outdoor radiant cooling pavilion.
Rice Architecture
The academic lecture season at Rice Architecture kicks off with a talk from Amale Andraos of New York–based firm WORKac and concludes with a presentation on the work of New Delhi practice Studio Lotus from its founder. In Paris, through the Rice University Office of Research, a symposium focuses on to how write about urban design.
University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture
A blockbuster list of architects are scheduled to discuss their work and approach to practice at UT Austin this spring. Katherine Chia and Arjun Desai of Desai Chia Architecture, Lisa Iwamoto and Craig Scott of Iwamoto Scott Architecture, and Chris Cornelius of studio:indigenous are all included. Lindsay Wikstrom will speak on her work examining the supply chain of mass timber.
SCI-Arc
SCI-Arc’s event listings consist of talks, book releases, and exhibitions. Lecture programming featuring Hernán Díaz Alonso and Sir Peter Cook will focus on the practice of drawing, Elena Manferdini and Jasmine Benyamin will discuss their book Full Spectrum: Colour in Contemporary Architecture, and Gordon Kipping has curated an exhibition, Maison de Cartes.
Syracuse University School of Architecture
At Syracuse University this spring tune into a number of lectures and symposia on timely topics. Landscape architect Julie Bargmann will speak on chemicals and their environmental history. In March an afternoon-long symposium hosted by professor Lori Brown, women and gender studies professors, and a doula will discuss reproductive rights in the U.S. In April hear from Kory Bieg and Matias del Campo as they partake in a roundtable discussion on harnessing the power (and shortcomings) of artificial intelligence.
Columbia University GSAAP
GSAPP continues its AFFIRMATIONS series launched in September 2023 with a number of talks and lectures on climate issues and the built environment. Interlocutors include architectural historian Edward Denison speaking about heritage buildings in Africa; a discussion with Samia Henni and Rob Nixon; and a talk about the 40th anniversary of Parc de La Villette with its architect Bernard Tschumi alongside Andrés Jaque, Mario Gooden, and others.
Harvard GSD
A range of voices and design professionals are lined up to speak at Harvard this spring. Marlon Blackwell kicks of the program schedule with a talk on his practice, followed up by a two-day events on the future of forests. Other lectures events include a talk from Malkit Shoshan on designing amidst conflict and other talks on artificial intelligence, climate topics, and issues related to race.
