Pritzker laureates Anne Lacaton and Jean-Philippe Vassal are curating the inaugural Rothwell Chair Symposium in April 2021, alongside the University of Sydney’s School of Architecture, Design and Planning.
The pair, renowned for their “never demolish” approach, were appointed the university’s inaugural Garry and Susan Rothwell chairs in architectural design leadership in 2020, prior winning architecture’s global top prize in 2021. As chairs, they propose “to deal with contemporary urban conditions of living in the city’.
Running from 27 to 29 April, the symposium will mark the beginning of their tenure and will explore the topic: Living in the city – exemplary social and affordable housing design.
The French architects will present their projects over three evening online sessions.
Also presenting will be Swiss architect Andreas Hofer, director for the International Building Exhibition in Stuttgart; Christophe Hutin, architect and curator of the French pavilion at the 2021 Venice Architecture Biennale; as well as Nicole Gurran from the Sydney School of Architecture, Design, and Planning who has written extensively on urban planning and housing affordability in Australia.
Funding for the program comes from a gift from university alumni and architects turned property developers Garry and Susan Rothwell.
“I am delighted that through the Rothwell gift and the involvement of Lacaton and Vassal, the school will be able to accelerate our thought leadership in architectural and urban professions,” said Robyn Dowling, dean of the School of Architecture, Design and Planning.
The symposium will be online and free.
