Tom Kundig in conversation
Monday 23 September 2019 6.30 - 8pm
The Benjamin West Lecture Theatre, Burlington Gardens, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly
£15, £9
Supported by
What makes for truly meaningful architecture that stands the test of time? Join Tom Kundig in conversation with Kate Goodwin to understand why nuance is an essential ingredient for timeless architecture.
While many in the field focus on the “big move,” Kundig believes successful design occurs on the level beneath the first impressions – especially when that first impression is potentially negative. Kundig seeks to uncover the value of unloved or “ugly” buildings: the decommissioned warehouses, strip malls, and out-of-use parking garages that dot the American landscape. Repurposing existing building stock represents a vastly more sustainable future, and while architects comfortably embrace repurposing old, beautiful buildings, Kundig makes a case for considering “ugly” buildings as perhaps the most exciting and meaningful architecture.
Speakers
Tom Kundig, FAIA, RIBA is one of the most widely recognised architects in North America and is an owner and design principal at Olson Kundig – an award-winning collaborative global design practice whose work expands the context of built and natural landscapes. His buildings are a direct response to place, often serving as a backdrop to the built, cultural or natural landscapes that surround them.
Kate Goodwin (chair) is the Drue Heinz curator and Head of Architecture at the Royal Academy of Arts.