MEDIA RELEASE
21 April 2017
The Australian Institute of Architects Foundation is delighted to welcome distinguished architect Dr Alberto Pérez-Gómez to Australia as part of the 2017 Droga Residency Program. Dr Pérez-Gómez holds the position of Saidye Rosner Bronfman Professor of the History of Architecture, Founding Director of the post-professional MArch and PhD, History and Theory of Architecture Option, School of Architecture, McGill University, Montréal, Canada.
Foundation Chairman, Alec Tzannes AM, said, ‘The Foundation Board is delighted to welcome Dr Pérez-Gómez to Australia and the Droga Residency program. He joins our distinguished list of residents who through their program, have contributed to the advancement of ideas about architecture to the benefit of the broader community, the practice of architecture and design and many Australian university students.’
For his 24 April to 3 July residency, Dr Pérez-Gómez will deliver six lectures as well as engaging in several student seminars at accredited architecture schools nationally. Dr Pérez-Gómez’ first public event will be a floor talk held in Sydney, on Wednesday 3 May at 6pm, as part of a social evening, hosted in the stunning Droga apartment, with drinks and catering included. Dr Pérez-Gómez will be ‘in conversation’ with Professor Anthony Burke, Head, School of Architecture UTS, and Dr Adrian Carter, Professor, Abedian School of Architecture, Bond University. This event is held in conjunction with the PRAXIS National Architecture Conference and is open for bookings.
The full schedule of Dr Pérez-Gómez’ lecture series includes events in Adelaide, Canberra, Perth, Brisbane and Melbourne with details and bookings available from The Foundation’s website.
Paul Berkemeier, Droga Jury Member, said the selection Jury is honoured that Dr Pérez-Gómez has accepted the invitation to be the first Architect in Residence for 2017. ‘Dr Pérez-Gómez follows six eminent predecessors, including Professor Juhani Pallasmaa. His busy schedule of public lectures and engagements during his residency will allow audiences around the country to engage directly with one of the world’s pre-eminent architectural scholars and educators.’
Dr Pérez-Gómez has an extensive teaching background and has published widely, including his most recent publications listed here http://foundation.architecture.com.au/current-residencies/
His numerous awards include the Alice Davies Hitchcock Book Award, 1983, granted by the Society of Architectural Historians for Architecture and the Crisis of Modern Science. The publication was attributed as ‘the most distinguished work of scholarship in the history of architecture published in North America between Nov. 1, 1981 to Oct. 31, 1983.’