30 October 2006

`Energising Cities’ - School of Architecture Inaugural Lecture

D'Arcy Thompson Lecture Theatre, University of Dundee
6 pm, Wednesday November 1st.

The elements which must come together for the successful development of cities will be explored in the inaugural lecture of the new School of Architecture at the University of Dundee this week.

Leon van Schaik, Professor of Architecture at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, will deliver the inaugural lecture on Wednesday November 1st as part of the School’s "Energising Cities" series.

The redevelopment of a city and how it can help enhance and sustain an active local culture is particularly relevant in Dundee, where plans are underway for a massive redesign of the central waterfront area.

Professor van Schaik is an influential international voice in architecture and education, and he has been a central figure in Melbourne’s emergence as the design hub of Australia.

His lecture will concentrate on the need for cities to reflect their own cultures rather than rely solely on imported talent.

"Really it is a challenge to this idea that architecture is globalising, that four or five big international stars are all that is needed. What really matters in the longer term is that the local culture is enhanced and the city then sustains that," said Professor van Schaik ahead of his visit to Dundee.

"It is about working with local architects to build a sustainable community of practice, and how important it is to have architecture that grows out of the local culture and is about that expression of local culture."

"That is something that must happen in concert with what is happening in arts, fashion, design and so on. If you get these things to build together and relate to each other then you can develop and sustain something which becomes recognised internationally, something we have seen relatively recently in cities like Barcelona, Amsterdam and indeed Melbourne."

The new School of Architecture was formed as a result of the academic restructuring of the University earlier this year.

While in Dundee, Professor van Schaik will also contribute to "Exploring the digital city: space, culture, politics", the Arts & Humanities Research Council-funded workshop being run by the Geddes Institute for Urban Research at the University.

The inaugural lecture of the School of Architecture takes place at 6 pm on Wednesday November 1st in the D’Arcy Thompson Lecture Theatre, University tower building, Perth Road. All are welcome to attend and admission is free.

NOTES TO EDITORS

Leon van Schaik studied at the Architectural Association (AA) in London and is professor of architecture at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) where he holds an innovation chair. From his base in Melbourne, he has promoted local and international architectural culture through practice-based research. In 2005, at the 75th anniversary awards of the RAIA he was awarded the inaugural Neville Quarry Prize for Architectural Education. On 26 January 2006 Leon van Schaik was awarded an Order of Australia, Officer (AO) in the General Division, for service to architecture as an academic, practitioner and educator, and to the community through involvement with a wide range of boards and organisations related to architecture, culture and the arts.

He is the author of Mastering Architecture: Becoming a Creative Innovator in Practice (Wiley-Academy, 2005), and his latest book is Design City Melbourne, (Wiley-Academy, 2006).

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University of Dundee
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