Michael Graves, one of the most important American architects of the 20th century, died yesterday at the age of 80. Graves, known for his postmodern design and commitment to designing for health, was a member of the Harvard University Graduate School of Design's class of '59.
In his Abitare review of lecturer Luis Callejas's "small but striking exhibition" in Medellín, "Excursiones," Fabrizio Gallanti notes that Callejas's "recent rise has been meteoric."
In "Making Print Matter," Harvard Gazette staff writer Cory Ireland notes that Harvard Design Magazine—whose 39th issue, "Wet Matter," was launched at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design last week—"fervently embraces the thingness of print."
Frei Otto was named winner of the 2015 Pritzker Prize, one of architecture’s premier prizes. Frei Otto sadly passed away on Monday at the age of 89, shortly after the Pritzker Prize committee informed him of the award. Due to the unfortunate and unconventional circumstances, the Pritzker Prize committee decided to to award the prize to Mr. Otto posthumosly. Hanif Kara, professor in practice of architectural technology at the Harvard GSD, pays tribute to the impact of Frei Otto's work.
In the last century, stereotypes and attempts at social engineering have narrowed housing options in America, to the detriment of our ability to provide housing for all segments of society, argues Barbara Knecht (LF ‘93). But new middle class norms and well-designed small housing configurations are changing attitudes and providing hope for dealing with our current housing crisis. Read her contribution to the LOEBlog series, "Loeb Lab: From SROs to Micro-Units."
The American Planning Association’s (APA) Economic Development Division has awarded Jon Springfield (MUP ’15) a Holzheimer Memorial Student Scholarship.
In her recent contribution the Beirut-based Portal 9's "Forest" issue, Rosetta S. Elkin, assistant professor of landscape architecture, explores the history and usage of the term "desertification," with a particular lens to the Middle East and Africa.
Students at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design teamed up with the Harvard Ceramics Program to design innovative techniques for ceramic materials. Led by Leire Asensio-Villoria, lecturer in architecture and landscape architecture, and DDes candidate Felix Raspall, the “Ceramic Materials Formations” exhibition at Gallery 224 in Allston showcased the students' exploration of fabrication techniques and the behavior of different ceramic materials.
Working with Loeb Fellow Thaddeus Pawlowski during J Term on their Boston Living with Water submission paid off for Lindsay Woodson (MArch), Jon Springfield (MUP) and Kira Sargent (MLA). Their entry, No Building is an Island, is a finalist in the building category, along with another entry by GSD alums Stephanie Goldberg (MArch ’93) and Mark Reed (MArch ’92), Prince Building Piers. There was GSD representation in the Neighborhood category with Resilient Linkages by Alex Krieger (professor of urban design), Kelly Lynema (MUP 13) and Brandon Cuffy (MArch) of NBBJ; and Chris Reed (associate professor of landscape architecture) was awarded Honorable Mention for Fort Point’s Living Basin in collaboration with Perkins and Will. Read more in the LOEBlog.
Urban Design and Planning Professor Rahul Mehrotra’s Extreme Urbanism III studio explores possible interventions at the intersection between critical conservation and urban planning and design for Agra, India, an exemplar of contemporary urban challenges. At this moment, Loeb Fellows, studio students and students in the MDes Critical Conservation Program are in Agra conducting a close study of the conditions and opportunities that can propel the city forward toward a more sustainable future for its citizens, its historical treasures and its environment. Read more and see photos in the LOEBlog.