February 3, 2025
APDesign announces 2025 Ekdahl Distinguished Lecture Series
Kansas State University's College of Architecture, Planning & Design, or APDesign, announces the spring 2025 Ekdahl Distinguished Lecture Series, featuring Hsin-Chun Wang, co-founder of HCWD Studio in New York City, as the recipient of the Ekdahl Lecture Visiting Professorship.
This prestigious appointment is part of the Oscar S. Ekdahl Distinguished Lecture Series in Architecture and Design, which brings visionary design professionals to engage with the K-State community.
Wang will deliver the first Ekdahl Lecture at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, in the Regnier Forum, Room 1117 of Regnier Hall.
An internationally acclaimed designer, Wang is renowned for groundbreaking contributions to art, furniture and architectural design. HCWD Studio has received global recognition, including being named among the 50 Young Professionals of Red Dot 2016, winning Best Designers/Best Design Studio at the International Furniture Fair Singapore, and earning nominations for the German Design Awards.
As the creator of HYFEN, a celebrated design collection, Wang — alongside collaborator Ye Liu — redefines how humans interact with their surroundings by transforming everyday objects into "strange-familiar" creations.
"The Ekdahl Lecture Visiting Professorship is designed to inspire and challenge our community to explore the transformative potential of design," said Michael McClure, dean of APDesign. "Hsin-Chun Wang exemplifies this mission with his innovative approach to design and commitment to enhancing the way we experience and interact with our world."
The Ekdahl Lecture Series honors the legacy of Oscar S. Ekdahl, a 1933 graduate of Kansas State University, recognizing design as a vital tool for addressing global challenges. As Ekdahl Visiting Professor, Wang will lead lectures, workshops and collaborative projects at K-State.
Additional lectures in the series:
- "Care and Curiosity" presented by Anna B. Ives, Eric R. Hoffman and Tony A. Patterson, partners of Patterhn Ives, at 4:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24, in Regnier Forum at Regnier Hall. Through three short stories, the partners will explore the timeless spirit of place and showcase work that creates a positive, lasting impact. Their discussion will focus on:
- Care and curiosity
- Memory and meaning
- Poetic and pragmatic
- Obstacles and opportunities
This talk will highlight Patterhn Ives' collaborative, thoughtful and environmentally conscious approach to design.
- Andrew Rumbach, senior fellow at the Urban Institute, at 4:30 p.m. Monday, April 7, in Regnier Forum at Regnier Hall. Rumbach will discuss how federal, state and local policies impact hazard mitigation, climate adaptation and community disaster recovery. His research covers topics such as affordable housing, land-use policy and disaster governance. With a doctorate and Master of Regional Planning in city and regional planning from Cornell University, Rumbach has worked on disaster events nationwide and published extensively on climate resilience and urban policy.
APDesign's continued encouragement of faculty, staff and student participation in events like these aligns with the Next-Gen K-State strategic plan's initiative to deliver impactful experiences through participation and interaction with the professional community.