Symposium on Architecture: “Design Techniques,” with Sharon Johnston, Jeannette Kuo, Mark Lee, Philippe Rahm, and Camilo Restrepo Ochoa; moderated by Iñaki Ábalos

At a moment of dissolution in design, technique is all an architect can grasp. Techniques occupy a beautifully indeterminate void on the fault line between theory and practice. Spared of reductive allegiance to either, design techniques are uniquely powerful. A technique may disrupt, innovate, communicate, or surprise.  At the same time, techniques stand as silent markers of membership—opaque envelops delimiting communities of colleagues. This symposium, the first event in the series “All that is solid…,” interrogates the motivations, instruments, influences, justifications, effects, and origins of contemporary design techniques. Ultimately technique is how novelty manifests itself in architecture, expanding and advancing the inner core of our discipline. 

Introduction by Iñaki Abalos, with presentations by:

Sharon Johnston and Mark Lee, Johnston Marklee & Associates, Los Angeles, California, Harvard GSD Design Critic in Architecture 

Jeannette Kuo, Karamuk Kuo Architekten, Zurich, Switzerland 

Philippe Rahm, Philippe Rahm Architectes, Paris, France, Harvard GSD Design Critic in Architecture 

Camilo Restrepo Ochoa, Camilo Restrepo Arquitectos, Medellin, Colombia, Harvard GSD Design Critic in Architecture 

Responses and panel discussion moderated by:

Neil Leach, European Graduate School Professor, University of Southern California Adjunct Professor, NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts Fellow, Harvard GSD Visiting Professor in Architecture

Carles Muro, architects Barcelona, Harvard GSD Design Critic in Architecture and Urban Design

Supported by the Harvard Center for Green Buildings and Cities

For accessibility accommodations please contact the events office two weeks in advance at (617)-496-2414 or [email protected] 

Principal Speaker: 1582

Additional Speakers: 3062, 2389, 5899, 5973, 5898

Jeannette Kuo

Harvard University welcomes individuals with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you would like to request accommodations or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact the Public Programs Office at (617) 496-2414 or [email protected] in advance of your participation or visit. Requests for American Sign Language interpreters and/or CART providers should be made at least two weeks in advance. Please note that the University will make every effort to secure services, but that services are subject to availability.

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