Innovate: Frank Barkow, MArch ’90

Innovation occurs on multiple scales, frequently crosses disciplines, and occasionally changes lives, cities, and culture. It is not a science, but requires design skills and must be informed by an eye for opportunity. “Innovate,” a noontime talk series, features 20-minute presentations followed by discussions with faculty and students. Organized by Iñaki Abalos, Chair of the Department of Architecture.

FRANK BARKOW, March ’90, studied architecture at Montana State University and the Harvard GSD. He has recently taught at the Royal College of Art in London, the EPFL in Lausanne, Harvard GSD, and University of Wisconsin in conjunction with his firm winning the Marcus Prize for Architecture. In 1993 Frank Barkow and Regine Leibinger founded their practice in Berlin. Their interdisciplinary, discursive attitude allows their work to expand and respond to advancing knowledge and technology. This know-how contributes to recent projects including a gatehouse and factorycampus event space in Stuttgart Germany and the TRUTEC Office Building in Seoul. Current research projects have focused on digital laser cutting; infra light concrete, facade systems, spaceframes, and ceramic elements. Recently completed projects include a high rise, Tour Total, near the Berlin main train station for CA Immo Developments. Current projects on the boards are an apartment and hotel complex in passive house standard and a multi-use extension for the Aufbau Haus in Berlin. Barkow Leibinger’s research work was shown recently at the 4th Marrakech Biennale and was included in the 11th Architecture Biennale, Venice, Arsenale Show. It was shown at the Architectural Association in London and 032c Gallery in Berlin as well as in recent publications “Atlas of Fabrication” and “Bricoleur Bricolage”, published by the Architectural Associations London. Their work is in the permanent collections of MoMA, the Heinz Architecture Center, Pittsburgh, and the Deutsches Architekturmuseum, Frankfurt.

image: ©Ina Reinecke

Anyone requiring accessibility accommodations should contact the Public Programs Office at (617) 496-2414 or [email protected].

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