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Julia Louis-Dreyfus + Terry Gross replace Kevin Spacey as AIA keynote speakers

2016-05-12T13:15:00-04:00

Going for the obvious choice, the AIA has replaced Kevin Spacey, who had to cancel his appearance, with thespian Julia Louis-Dreyfus as its first day keynote speaker for the 2016 Philadelphia convention on May 19th. Dreyfus will be interviewed by NPR's Terry Gross. As the AIA noted on its official convention website, "In her personal life, Julia is a social activist who is passionate about climate change, water conservation, children’s education, and the power of design. Important topics that we connect with, too." Neri Oxman and Rem Koolhaas are still scheduled for keynote speakers on days two and three, respectively.

All the latest on the AIA:

Keyser Söze keynote speaker at 2016 AIA convention (okay, Kevin Spacey, but still)

2016-02-11T14:50:00-05:00

What can architects learn from an award-winning producer and actor whose Netflix Original Series made appointment TV obsolete? A lot.

Kevin Spacey will be the keynote speaker for the upcoming 2016 AIA Convention in Philadelphia, partly because he is described on the AIA's website as having a "talent for disruption and drive to challenge the status quo." Disruption seems to be trendy in the architectural community of late. Apparently, "This keynote is where you learn to be a game changer from a master innovator, collaborator, and disruptor." Here's Mr. Spacey with 2015 AIA Convention keynote speaker, President Bill Clinton:

Here's what happened at the 2015 AIA Convention, as covered in person by Archinect:

President Bill Clinton to deliver keynote address at 2015 AIA National Convention

2015-01-06T15:14:00-05:00

President Bill Clinton will deliver the keynote address during the 2015 AIA National Convention and Design Exposition in Atlanta on May 14th. The theme of this year’s AIA Convention is Impact, focusing on how architects impact their communities both locally and globally. Through learning the essential skills to become successful entrepreneurs, the AIA Convention will provide attendees the skills to grow, sell and promote their firm’s business.

Last year, it was Pharrell Williams, artist and urban planner Theaster Gates, and Jeanne Gang. 2013's keynotes were a professionally diverse set, including former Secretary of State Colin Powell, Architecture for Humanity co-founder Cameron Sinclair, and Blake Myoskie, founder of TOMS shoes. 2012's included a 6-piece set of architects involved in 9/11 memorials or rebuilding projects, along with the historian David McCullough and Hon. Shaun Donovan, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

2015's National Convention will take place May 14-16 in Atlanta, Georgia. The AIA has yet to announce whether it will flesh out 2015's keynote line-up with representatives from the architectural or urban planning professions.

Upcoming IIDEXCanada 2014 adds Gehry Partners’ David Mirvish + David Nam as keynote speakers

2014-11-19T15:48:00-05:00

IIDEXCANADA is almost here! Canada's national architecture and design expo and conference will be celebrating its 30th anniversary at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on December 3-4. The two-day event is a great opportunity to network, exchange ideas, and socialize with over 20,000 fellow attendees. Over 350 exhibitors, more than 50 accredited seminars, and special feature exhibitions on multiple disciplines in the architecture and design community will be featured this year.

It's almost a lineup of Davids for the 2014 keynote speakers. Joining David Rockwell and Daniel Libeskind are David Mirvish and David Nam of Gehry Partners. Mirvish and Nam will be in conversation with Globe and Mail Publisher and CEO Phillip Crawley about Mirvish's new development, Mirvish + Gehry Toronto.

Read more about IIDEXCANADA and how to register over on Bustler.

UPDATE: World Architecture Festival 2014 adds Ole Scheeren as speaker + new conference sessions

2014-09-08T18:28:00-04:00

The anticipated 2014 World Architecture Festival is less than a month away! Taking place at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore on October 1-3, WAF is expecting over 2,000 visitors from over 60 countries to experience a jam-packed program of conferences, seminars, workshops, and exhibitions. This year's WAF Awards shortlisters will also be preparing their live presentations to the Super Jury for the WAF Competition.

Just recently, WAF announced Ole Scheeren — the principal of Buro Ole Scheeren — as the latest addition to the notable lineup of keynote speakers. New sessions that were added to the program highlight building sustainable cities, a look into Heatherwick Studio's work, and a series of networking sessions titled "Meet your next client".

Details below.

Ole Scheeren announced as 2014 keynote speaker:

"The festival will start at 10am on Wednesday 1st from Ole Scheeren, Principal, Buro Ole Scheeren. Ole will give his unique perspective on the relationship between architects, architectur...

Zaha Hadid joins keynote speaker lineup at ACADIA 2014: DESIGN AGENCY – Registration now open

2014-08-19T20:54:00-04:00

If you're in the Los Angeles area this fall, make sure not to miss this top notch event: the ACADIA 2014 Design Agency Conference, to be held at the USC School of Architecture October 23-25, just confirmed that Pritzker Prize winner Zaha Hadid will join the roster of high profile keynote speakers, including game designer Will Wright (creator of SimCity), programmer Casey Reas (creator of Processing), computational architect Marc Fornes (Principal of TheVeryMany) and structural engineer Greg Otto (Principal of Walter P. Moore).

Archinect and our sister site Bustler are proud to be media partners of ACADIA 2014, so be sure to learn more right here.

Read on for more details from the organizers.

"Co-chaired by Dr. David Jason Gerber (USC School of Architecture), Alvin Huang, AIA (Synthesis Design + Architecture/USC School of Architecture) and Jose Sanchez (Plethora Project/USC School of Architecture), this highly anticipated event will bring an international audience of innovative design e...

Pharrell Williams Will Give the AIA 2014 National Convention Keynote Address

2014-03-24T13:39:00-04:00

Williams joins artist and urban planner Theaster Gates and MacArthur Genius and architect Jeanne Gang, FAIA, as speakers who will deliver keynote addresses. ARCHITECT Live host Stephen Chung, AIA, and 2014 AIA President Helene Combs Dreiling, FAIA, will also give talks. And Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel may put in an appearance as well, but who ever knows with that guy.

Colin L. Powell, Blake Mycoskie, and Cameron Sinclair to speak at 2013 AIA National Convention

2012-12-04T12:41:00-05:00

General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.), former Secretary of State (2001 – 2005), joins Cameron Sinclair, co-founder and chief eternal optimist of Architects For Humanity, and Blake Mycoskie, founder and chief shoe giver of TOMS, as keynote speakers for the 2013 AIA National Convention. The nation’s architects and design industry meet June 20-22, 2013 in Denver.

The AIA Convention is architecture’s largest annual gathering to keep current with innovative design solutions and the latest products and services that architects specify for the clients and communities they serve. The 2013 “Building Leaders” theme will give architects and design professionals opportunities to learn, share, and demonstrate the essential qualities that define leadership today. Learn more at the AIA Convention site.

“Architects are more likely leading teams of talented professionals than working in the isolated, stereotypical way we see them in popular culture,” said AIA President-elect, Mickey Jacob, FAIA. “The ‘Building Leaders’ convention theme is focused on better preparing architects to contribute creative solutions with lasting positive impact on the health and well being of society. General Powell, Blake Mycoskie, and Cameron Sinclair will inspire us through their insights and experiences to bring more to our roles in business, architecture, and civic li...