2014 Symposium Schedule

Pdf of the complete symposium schedule

Coral Courts Lecture
WUSTL Assembly Series Lecture
Nasrine Seraji, founding partner, Atelier Seraji, Architects and Partners
As a woman I have no country, as a woman my country is the world of architecture

Nasrine Seraji, AA dipl RIBA, founding partner of Atelier Seraji, Architects and Partners in Paris, will deliver the Coral Courts Lecture, titled As a woman I have no country, as a woman my country is the world of architecture, which will serve as the keynote for Women in Architecture 1974 | 2014. The lecture is also part of the WUSTL Assembly Series.

After studying at the Architectural Association and practicing in London, Seraji moved to Paris in 1989 to establish her studio, where architecture is treated as both a cultural debate and a practice. Since then, she has pursued a path constantly enriched by her simultaneous engagement in architectural practice, teaching, and research. She has lectured and exhibited her work widely in Europe and North America, as well as in China and Southeast Asia.

Between 1993 and 2001, Seraji taught at Columbia University in New York, at the Architectural Association in London (as diploma unit master), and at Princeton University (as visiting professor). Seraji was professor and chair of the Department of Architecture at Cornell University from 2001-2005. In 2006, she became dean of the École Nationale Supérieure d'Architecture de Paris-Malaquais (formerly the École des Beaux-Arts). That same year, she returned to the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna, where she held the position of professor of ecology, sustainability, and conservation, as well as head of the Institute for Art and Architecture, through 2012. She was appointed centennial visiting professor of design at Hong Kong University in January 2014.

Architect of the award-winning Temporary American Centre in Paris, Seraji has completed several notable buildings and projects, including apartment buildings in Vienna, student housing in Paris, and an extension to the School of Architecture in Lille; the latter two projects were both nominated for the Mies Van der Rohe Prize. She continues to participate in competitions of varying types and complexities, ranging from urban design master plans and institutional buildings to small houses and installations.

Current projects in progress include a building complex in Paris for the Paris Transportation Authority comprised of 212 housing units and a bus depot, competitions for student housing and affordable housing, as well as large-scale urban plans in the French cities of Le Rheu and Pau. This year her practice received the prestigious prize of Mention de l’Équerre d’Argent for a recent housing project.

Seraji first received the medal for Chevalier des Arts et des Letters from the Minister of Culture in France in 2006 for her role as an architect contributing to excellence in art and humanities. In 2008, she was awarded the medal of Chevalier dans l'Ordre National du Mérite by Presidential decree. In the same year, she was also awarded the Médaille d'Argent by the French Academy of Architecture for her contribution to academic endeavours in architecture. In July 2011, she received the Chevalier de l'Ordre National de la Légion d'Honneur, one of the highest degrees of honour in France.

Explore and contextualize the dynamic histories and discourses of feminism over the past 40 years as broad and complex spheres of action across professional and social realms.

Panelists
Sherry Ahrentzen, PhD, DPACSA, Shimberg Professor of Housing Studies, University of Florida
Mary McLeod, Professor of Architecture, Columbia University
Andrea Merrett, Ph.D. candidate, Columbia University
Daphne Spain, James M. Page Professor of Urban and Environmental Planning, School of Architecture, University of Virginia

Moderator
Mary McLeod, Professor of Architecture, Columbia University
Eric Mumford, PhD, Professor of Architecture, Washington University

Examine the contributions made by women to architectural education over the last 40 years, the challenges that remain, and the impact and influence of a shifting student population.

Panelists
Ila Berman, O'Donovan Director, School of Architecture, University of Waterloo; Principal, Scaleshift design
Laura Briggs, Head and Associate Professor, Department of Architecture, RISD
Bruce Lindsey, Dean, College of Architecture and Graduate School of Architecture & Urban Design, Washington University
Nasrine Seraji, Founding Partner, Atelier Seraji, Architects and Partners
Cynthia Weese, FAIA, BS62/BArch65, Professor and Dean, School of Architecture, Washington University 1993-2005; Founding Partner, Weese Langley Weese

Moderators
Cynthia Weese, FAIA, BS62/BArch65, Professor and Dean, School of Architecture, Washington University 1993-2005; founding partner, Weese Langley Weese
Heather Woofter, Associate Professor and Chair of Graduate Architecture, Washington University; Founding Director and Owner, Axi:Ome

Discuss diversity as a catalyst for architecture. Consider the experience of the individual in practice in light of the growing representation of women and minorities, globalization, LGBT awareness, and shifting socioeconomic conditions.

Panelists
Kathryn Anthony, DPACSA, Professor, School of Architecture, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Wendy Ornelas, FAIA, DPACSA, Associate Dean and Professor, College of Architecture, Kansas State University; Principal, Condia + Ornelas Architects
Tom Polucci, MArch94, Director of Interior Design, HOK New York
Michael Willis, FAIA, BA73/MSW76/MArch76, Principal In Charge, MWA Architects Inc.

Moderators
Patty Heyda, Assistant Professor of Architecture and Urban Design, Washington University
Zeuler Lima, Associate Professor of Architecture, Washington University

Celebrate the achievements of women in the design professions, contemplate remaining challenges, and suggest potential transformations of industry practices.

Panelists
Yolande Daniels, Visiting Professor of Architecture, Washington University; Co-Founding Design Principal, studioSUMO
Kathryn Dean, JoAnne Stolaroff Cotsen Professor of Architecture, Washington University; Co-Founding Principal, Dean/Wolf
Sheila Kennedy, Professor of the Practice of Architecture, MIT; Principal, Kennedy & Violich
Beverly Willis, FAIA, Founder, Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation

Moderators
Elena Cánovas, Senior Lecturer in Architecture, Washington University; Principal, asZ arquitectes
Mary Ann Lazarus, FAIA, MArch78, AIA Resident Fellow

Toast the 40th anniversary of the 1974 symposium and join wrap-up discussions
that feature the day’s panelists and women organizers of the inaugural event.

Toast the 40th anniversary of the 1974 symposium and join wrap-up discussions that feature the day’s panelists and women organizers of the inaugural event.

Moderators
Robert Duffy, BA67, Campaign Director, St. Louis Public Radio
Janet Hurwitz, BA72/MArch75/MSW75, Owner/Principal, Janet Hurwitz Architecture
Lindsay Nencheck, BS05/MArch10, Project Coordinator, AMAI Architecture

Learn and enhance professional skills in areas including Negotiations, Working with Diversity, Cross-cultural Communication, Mentors & Mentoring, Presentations, and Creating & Living an Integrated Life. Open to all.