Dallas Architecture Forum, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing public education about architecture, design and the urban environment, will present “Design Directions, A Dialogue with Design Leaders,” a Panel Discussion on Tuesday, January 27, moderated by Rick del Monte, AIA.
“The Dallas Architecture Forum is pleased to present this next event in its 2014-15 series of thought-provoking Panel Discussions on topics impacting the citizens of Dallas both locally and globally” stated Forum Executive Director Nate Eudaly. “Cutting edge technology has altered and expanded what is possible in the field of architecture. Some of the largest architecture firms in the country are based in Dallas, or have a major regional presence here, so hearing from their design directors on the future direction of design will be both educational as well as producing thought-provoking discussion. This Panel will be of interest both to those in the profession as well as to the general public who want to learn more about these important design developments.”
The Dallas Architecture Forum Panels are offered at no charge to both Forum members and to the general public as a public outreach of the Forum. Join us for a cold beverage and lively dialogue! The venue for this Panel, presented by the Dallas Architecture Forum, is 1909 Woodall Rogers Freeway, Suite 100, Dallas, TX 75201 (Dallas Center for Architecture offices). This free Dallas Architecture Forum Panel will be held at 6:30 pm, with an informal reception beginning at 6:15 pm. No reservations are needed to attend the Panel.
Eight of the ten largest architecture firms in the United States claim a presence in Dallas, and some of these firms are leading projects in our city, in our state, around the country – and beyond. It is therefore fair to say that the work that Dallas architects and designers create has a tangible impact on the built environment and consequently on the current architectural discourse. How does being in Dallas influence the work that large firms create here? How is it done and who is doing it? Is it possible for a large firm to work within the limits of the local cultural context? How does such context influence the work that is now spread throughout the country and the world? What is the role of local design leaders in large firms with global corporate agendas? And how does their work influence – assuming that it influences at all – the work that Dallas architects do? Design Leaders of some of Dallas’ largest firms will discuss these and other issues at this Panel. Come and join in what promises to be a relevant and lively conversation.
Rick del Monte, AIA, is a Managing Director and the Chief Design Officer at the Beck Group, an integrated architecture, construction, and technology firm. Rick directs the architectural design for six offices and 130 architects. Rick chairs the Strategic Innovations Group in the company which directs the effort to implement innovative technology into the integrated design and construction process. As a senior partner at Urban Architecture Rick helped lead the merger with Beck in 1999. Before joining Urban Architecture, Rick spent nine years at KPF in New York as an Associate Principal in design. There he led the design efforts on a series of high rise and corporate projects.
Rick has been active in the development and growth of integrated practice in the AIA. He is currently the Chairman of the Project Delivery Knowledge Community, the Center for Integrated Practice, and is a founding member of the Design Excellence Council of the DBIA. He has been a speaker on design, integration, and technology at AIA and DBIA national and regional conventions. Rick has taught design studios at the University of Texas at Arlington and served as a visiting Juror at UT Austin, Texas A&M, University of Houston, and NJIT.
For more information on the Dallas Architecture Forum, or the Panel Discussion Series, visit www.dallasarchitectureforum.org or call 214-764-2406. Advance registration is not necessary to attend any of the Panels in the Panel Series.
Panel Season Sponsors are Balfour Beatty Construction, John Eagle Dealerships, HOSSLEY Lighting Associates, Purdy McGuire, Inc., Cindy + Armond Schwartz, Talley Associates and WDG Architects.
Sponsors for this Panel are Wendy Konradi Interior Design; LEMCO Construction; and Datum Engineers.