Date: 24 June 2017
Company: American Institute of Architects (AIA) Hong Kong Chapter
In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Hong Kong Chapter, The American Institute of Architects presented the Symposium on Architectural Education and Practice: Educating Practice | Practicing Education at the Asia Society Hong Kong on 24 June 2017.
The education of an architect and the practice of architecture have always enjoyed a cyclical, if not polemical relationship since the introduction of the Beaux-Arts system of teaching, learning and practicing more than two and a half centuries ago. Most architecture students acquire the skill of out-of-the-box thinking at school, yet encounter the reality of building science, construction technologies, market demands, building codes and regulations upon entering the professional arena. More than ever before, the discipline is facing a rapidly changing society and built environment that demand a redefinition of professional practice as well as pedagogy.
The symposium brought together an ensemble of international architects, who are also award-winning practitioners and educators of leading institutions, to share their professional works and views on teaching and research in an academic environment. It was a thought-provoking afternoon with presentations and panel discussions.
Symposium speakers included: Laura Briggs, Head and Associate Professor, Department of Architecture, Rhode Island School of Design Partner, BriggsKnowles Studio; Nelson Chen, Director and Professor of Practice, School of Architecture, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Principal Architect, Nelson Chen Architects Ltd; Preston Scott Cohen, Former Chair and Professor of Architecture, Harvard University Graduate School of Design, Founder, Preston Scott Cohen, Inc.; Brian McGrath, Former Dean and Professor of Urban Design, Parsons School of Constructed Environments, Founder, Urban-Interface, LLC; Nasrine Seraji, Head of Department and Professor, Faculty of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong, Founding Partner, Atelier Seraji Architectes & Associes; Richard Sommer, Dean and Professor, John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design, University of Toronto; Nader Tehrani, Dean and Professor, Cooper Union Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture, Founder, NADAAA; and Li Zhang, Associate Dean and Professor, Tsinghua University School of Architecture, Partner, TeamMinus, Beijing.
Asia Society Hong Kong and Rhode Island School of Design Hong Kong Alumni Association were partnering organisations of this symposium. For more information, please visit www.aiahk.org/2017symposium.
