Herman Hertzberger to speak Nov. 10

Pre-eminent ‘sociological’ architect to present Sam Fox School’s annual Fumihiko Maki Lecture

Herman Hertzberger, described by sociologist Abram de Swaan as today’s pre-eminent “sociological” architect, will discuss “Social Space” for the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts’ Public Lecture Series at Washington University in St. Louis.

NHL University in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands, one of Hertzberger’s buildings.

The talk — the school’s annual Fumihiko Maki Lecture — is free and open to the public and will begin at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10, in Steinberg Hall Auditorium. A reception for Hertzberger will precede the lecture, at 6 p.m.

The founder and principal of Architectuurstudio HH in Amsterdam, Hertzberger is known for cultural, educational and residential projects throughout the Netherlands and abroad. Major buildings include the Centraal Beheer office in Apeldoorn; the Music Centre Vredenburg in Utrecht; the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment office in The Hague; and the Chassé Theatre in Breda.

In addition, Hertzberger has written widely on contemporary architecture and from 1959-1963 served as editor, with Aldo van Eyck and Jaap Bakem, of FORUM magazine. His most recent books are Space and Learning (2008), a theoretical study of the spatial conditions of learning; and The Schools of Herman Hertzberger (2009), which collects both built and unbuilt educational designs.

Other books include Lessons for Students in Architecture (1991) and a sequel, Space and the Architect, Lessons in Architecture 2 (2000), as well as Articulations (2002); Shelter for Culture: Herman Hertzberger & Apeldoorn (2004); The Theatres of Herman Hertzberger (2005); Waternet Double Tower (2006); and Hertzberger’s Amsterdam (2007).

Hertzberger graduated from the Technical University of Delft in 1958 and established his practice two years later. In addition, he has been a teacher at the Academy of Architecture in Amsterdam (1965-69); a professor at the Technical University of Delft (1970-1999); a visiting professor at the University of Geneva (1982-1993); and chair of the Postgraduate Laboratory of Architecture at the Berlage Institute in Rotterdam (1990-95).

Hertzberger’s numerous honors include the Leone d’Oro for Best Foreign Pavilion at the 8th International Architecture Biennale of Venice (2002); the Oeuvre Award for Architecture from the Netherlands Foundation for Visual Arts, Design and Architecture (2004); and the Richard Neutra Medal for Professional Excellence (1989). He is an honorary fellow of the American Institute of Architects.

Fumihiko Maki Lecture

The Fumihiko Maki Lecture annually recognizes an architect of international reputation whose work advances the optimism and strength of modern architecture. WUSTL’s Graduate School of Architecture & Urban Design established the lecture to honor renowned architect and former faculty member Fumihiko Maki, architect of Steinberg Hall, Earl E. and Myrtle E. Walker Hall and the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, all part of the Sam Fox School complex.

Past Maki lecturers have included Ben van Berkel, David Chipperfield, Charles Correa, Steven Holl, Tom Kundig and James Polshek.

Steinberg Hall Auditorium, located near the intersection of Skinker and Forsyth boulevards, is adjacent to the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum. For more information, call (314) 935-9300 or visit samfoxschool.wustl.edu.

Leave a Comment

Comments and respectful dialogue are encouraged, but content will be moderated. Please, no personal attacks, obscenity or profanity, selling of commercial products, or endorsements of political candidates or positions. We reserve the right to remove any inappropriate comments. We also cannot address individual medical concerns or provide medical advice in this forum.