The John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design at the University of Toronto hosts a symposium celebrating the ideas and projects of George Baird on March 9–10, 2012.
Professor Emeritus George Baird retired in 2010, following a term as Dean of the Daniels Faculty and crowning a remarkable career as an educator that began in London in 1965. In 1993 he was named the George Travelstead Professor at the Graduate School of Design at Harvard University where he taught until 2003.
Baird’s continuing contribution to the field has inspired the Daniels Faculty to organize a two-day symposium to celebrate his ideas and projects over the past five decades, including the questions they raise in three arenas: theory, the city and design practice. The keynote event, “Questions of Influence,” will feature a discussion between George Baird and Kenneth Frampton, moderated by K. Michael Hays, concentrating on Baird’s career, contribution, and influence. The discussion will focus on what lies ahead, as well as reflect on the first fifty years of his career.
The symposium is convened by Dean Richard Sommer, professor of architecture and urbanism at the University of Toronto; Francesco Garofalo, professor and curator in Rome; and Bruce Kuwabara, founding partner of KPMB Architects.
Exhibition A parallel exhibition, “Meanings in Architecture: The Early Works of George Baird, 1957–1993,” will be held at the Eric Arthur Gallery at the Daniels Faculty, 230 College Street, Toronto, from February 2 to April 2, 2012. The public is invited to attend an opening on Thursday, February 2, from 6–8 pm. The exhibition is curated by Michael Prokopow, professor at Ontario College of Art and Design University. Symposium Registration Registration is required to attend the symposium. Participants can register online for the Friday sessions at the TIFF Bell Lightbox and the Saturday sessions at 230 College Street.
Friday, March 9 TIFF Bell Lightbox 350 King Street West, Toronto
Introduction by Dean Richard Sommer
Session 1: 2–4 pm “Debates over Modern Architecture and Instrumentality”
Moderator, Rodolphe El-Khoury, Daniels Faculty Amy Kulper, University of Michigan Louis Martin, Université du Québec à Montréal Pier Vittorio Aureli, Berlage Institute Respondent, Joan Ockman, Columbia University
Keynote event: 5:30–7 pm “Question of Influence” A dialogue between George Baird and Kenneth Frampton, introduced and moderated by K. Michael Hays Saturday, March 10 John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design 230 College Street, Room 103, Toronto
Seating is limited for this portion of the symposium and will be available on a first come, first served basis. Please arrive early to secure a seat. A simulcast will be set up in room 106 for late arrivals.
Session 2: 10 am–12 pm “Agent in the City: Toronto in Theory and Practice”
Moderator, Brigitte Shim, Daniels Faculty Ken Greenberg, Greenberg Consultants Barry Sampson, Daniels Faculty John Van Nostrand, planningAlliance Respondent, Robert Levit, Daniels Faculty
Lunch: 12:30 pm
Session 3: 1:30–3:30 pm “The Challenge of Research in the Realm of Practice”
Moderator, Mason White, Daniels Faculty Jamie Fobert, Jamie Fobert Architects Yoshiharu Tsukamoto, Atelier Bow-Wow Preston Scott Cohen, Harvard Graduate School of Design Respondent, Mirko Zardini, Canadian Centre for Architecture
Session 4: 4–5:30 pm George Baird Roundtable
Moderator, Richard Sommer, Daniels Faculty Kenneth Frampton, Columbia University Francesco Garofalo, Pescara Faculty of Architecture Bruce Kuwabara, KPMB Architects K. Michael Hays, Harvard Graduate School of Design Phyllis Lambert, Canadian Centre for Architecture
