The Architecture of Place: In Conversation with John Smylie

The ICAA, INTBAU, and The King's Foundation are pleased to continue their collaboration with The Architecture of Place: In Conversation with..., a series of interviews featuring three architects and scholars from different backgrounds and points of view: John Smylie, Tiffany Abernathy, and Dr. Patricia Canelas. Over the three-part series, each speaker has the chance to play the role of both interviewer and interviewee. In each installment, one of the three architects interviews another about the influences, experiences, and projects that have led to their design perspective on the architecture of place. At the end of each session, students from partnering university departments pose additional questions to the speakers, followed by an open Q&A with attendees.

In this iteration of the series, Dr. Patricia Canelas interviews John Smylie about his professional work and design background.

John Smylie is Director of Place Lab, a design practice focused on place-making. The science of place-making involves adopting a contextual approach to architecture and urban design, strengthening local character and delivering spaces that are attractive to people and are vibrant and sustainable.

Over the years John’s projects have achieved a number of design awards. More recently, his work received an international Charter Award (Congress for the New Urbanism), RTPI Award for Best Regeneration Project in the UK and RICS Award for Best Regeneration Project in Northern Ireland.

John is also the Chapter Chair of INTBAU Ireland, an all-island chapter of the network.

John has previously served as Northern Ireland Advisor to the Prince’s Foundation for Building Community, now The King’s Foundation, an international organisation that teaches and demonstrates sustainable development, placing community engagement at the heart of its work.

Presented as part of The Richard H. Driehaus Curricula for the Built Environment at the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art. The ICAA is very grateful to The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation for its generous support of this program.

Tags: architecture of place, recorded event, architecture of place in conversation with, world of classicism, sustainability