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Fall Ekdahl Lecture Series Symposium:From Skyline to Streetlife
by APD Pro
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10:00 AM – Laurie Olin, FASLA | The Olin Studio
A legendary figure in landscape architecture, will share insights from his vast career in designing public parks, residential gardens, and corporate campuses. A professor at the University of Pennsylvania and founder of the renowned firm OLIN, Olin has left a lasting mark on the world of landscape architecture.
The College of Architecture, Planning & Design (APDesign) at Kansas State University is proud to announce the 50th Anniversary of the Ekdahl Lecture Series. This milestone will be celebrated with a series of special lectures and a discussion panel from October 23 to October 24, 2024, featuring prominent speakers from the fields of landscape architecture, design, and structural engineering.
The Ekdahl Lecture Series, named in honor of the distinguished architect Oscar S. Ekdahl, continues to serve as a forum for students, professionals, and the public to explore innovative ideas that address some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Ekdahl, a Kansas State University alumnus, graduated in 1933 with a Bachelor of Architecture. His dedication to excellence in architecture and design is embodied through this lecture series, which annually invites thought leaders from across the globe to share their expertise and vision.
Where
Regnier Forum
1117 Regnier Hall
Speakers
Gordon Gill
Founding Partner
Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture (AS+GG)
Gordon Gill, FAIA, is one of the world’s foremost exponents of performance-based architecture. Ranging from the world’s tallest buildings to sustainable communities, his work is driven by his philosophy that there is a purposeful relationship between formal design and performance; that there is a Language of Performance, which is the basis of his practice: Form Follows Performance.
His approach is based on an ecologically conscious philosophy that sets new standards for the relationships between the built and natural environment. His buildings and urban projects have transformed cityscapes and defined as well as restored city centers around the world.
A founding partner of award-winning Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture (AS+GG), Gordon’s work includes the design of the world’s first net zero-energy skyscraper, Pearl River Tower in Guangzhou, China (designed at SOM Chicago); the world’s first large-scale positive energy building, Masdar Headquarters; the next world’s tallest tower, Jeddah Tower in Jeddah Saudi Arabia; and most recently Al Wasl Plaza, the open space for the centerpiece of Expo 2020 Dubai featuring an intricate domed trellis that is the world’s largest immersive projection experience and the design of Astana Expo 2017 and its sustainable legacy community in Astana, Kazakhstan. These landmark projects pursue energy independence by harnessing the power of natural forces on site and striking a balance with their environmental contexts.
Michael Townsend
Principal, Design Director and Mixed Use & Retail Centers Leader
Gensler’s North Central
Michael Townsend, LEED AP, AIA, Mixed Use & Retail Centers Leader, Design Director, Principal is an award-winning Design Director and Mixed Use & Retail Centers Leader for Gensler’s North Central region. A Principal based in Gensler’s Chicago office, he brings nearly 20 years of design experience on large-scale commercial, retail, workplace, civic, aviation, hospitality, and education work across the U.S. and Asia. He strives to bring thoughtful investigation to every facet of projects and demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainability. Michael develops, shepherds, and communicates design and vision on some of the firm’s most complex projects, balancing forward-thinking creativity with a foundation of informed strategy.
Michael Friebele
Associate Principal
Perkins Eastman
Michael Friebele, Associate Principal at Perkins Eastman and K-State alumnus ‘09, offering attendees a chance to engage with the speakers and explore the future of tall building design.
“This symposium brings together two distinct but complementary perspectives — one pushing the boundaries of new tall building design and performance, the other rethinking and reinvigorating an iconic urban landmark,” said Michael McClure, Dean of APDesign. “It’s an incredible opportunity for our students and community to hear directly from leaders shaping the cities of tomorrow.”