February 26, 2024
Ekdahl Lecture Series to feature Grace La and James Dallman
The College of Architecture, Planning & Design, or APDesign, at Kansas State University will host the Ekdahl Lecture Series with acclaimed architects Grace La and James Dallman. This marks the second lecture in the series and will take place at 4:30 p.m. Feb. 28 in Regnier Forum, Room 1117 of Regnier Hall. The event is open to the public, free of charge.
La and Dallman are principals of LA DALLMAN, a pioneering architectural practice known for its innovative integration of architecture, engineering and landscape. La and Dallman's lecture titled "LA DALLMAN's Middle Front: Navigating Architecture's Transformative Realm" will offer a profound exploration into the evolving landscape of contemporary architecture.
The lecture will delve into LA DALLMAN's theoretical and practical approach, encapsulated in their forthcoming book "The Middle Front," which challenges the prevailing notion of architectural exceptionalism. La and Dallman will discuss the concept of the "middle front," which recognizes the importance of architectural interventions that lie between the realms of exceptional and ordinary. By drawing examples from their extensive portfolio and ongoing research, they will elucidate how architecture can play a transformative role in shaping our cities and communities.
La, professor of architecture and chair of the department of architecture at Harvard University Graduate School of Design, and James Dallman, design critic at Harvard University, bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the lecture. Their collaborative work has garnered international acclaim, earning them more than 50 professional honors and recognition from prestigious institutions such as the Architectural League of New York and the Rice Design Alliance.
Attendees can expect an enlightening discourse on architecture's potential to address pressing societal challenges, informed by LA DALLMAN's multidisciplinary approach and commitment to civic engagement. The lecture will appeal to students, faculty, professionals and anyone with an interest in the intersection of architecture, engineering and urbanism.
The Ekdahl Lecture Series, named in honor of the esteemed architect Oscar S. Ekdahl, aims to showcase the transformative power of design and planning in addressing global challenges. Ekdahl, a distinguished alumnus of Kansas State University, graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture in 1933. This series seeks to uphold his legacy by inviting renowned architects and thinkers to share their insights and expertise with the university community and the public.