MONDAY | SEPT 16 | 4PM | AB 100
In this lecture, Alvin Huang, AIA, NOMA, will showcase the work of architectural firm Synthesis Design + Architecture (SDA) through the theme “Form Follows Values,” building upon Louis Sullivan’s famous principle, “Form Follows Function.” SDA’s architectural approach highlights that design is more than a response to functional needs—it is also a reflection of the values, ideas, and cultural contexts that define our world.
Through a series of design projects framed as inquiries, attendees will discover how technology is employed not merely as a tool but as a catalyst for thought, how innovative design processes give shape to ideas, and how culture both influences and is represented within the built environment. This lecture will provide a deeper insight into how form, technology, ideas, and culture converge in SDA’s work to address pressing social, cultural, and environmental issues of today.
Discussion Points:
- How the interplay of technology, ideas, and culture influences architectural design.
- How technology is not just as a functional tool but can also be used as a means of provoking thought and generating new design opportunities.
- Analyzing the role of ideas in shaping architectural form and expression, emphasizing the autonomy of creative thinking in the design process.
- Discussing how architecture can both reflect and challenge cultural norms and values, using design as a tool to engage with contemporary issues in society.
BIO:
Alvin Huang, AIA, NOMA is the founder and principal of Synthesis Design + Architecture and an Associate Professor at the University of Southern California. He is an award-winning architect, designer, and educator who explores the intersections between technology and culture to produce innovative design work that challenges convention and expresses universal values. He is a vocal advocate for justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in design culture. His work spans all scales ranging from hi-rise towers and mixed-use developments to temporary pavilions and bespoke furnishings. He is also the Director of Graduate and Post-professional Architecture at the University of Southern California. Prior to establishing SDA, he gained significant experience working in the offices of Zaha Hadid Architects, Future Systems, AL_A, and AECOM. He received an M.Arch from the Graduate Design Research Laboratory at the Architectural Association in London and a B.Arch from the USC School of Architecture in Los Angeles.
ECAP lectures are free and open to the public. For more information email caplectures@bsu.edu.
