November 2, 2015
Portuguese architect to present for APDesign
World-renowned Portuguese architect, Gonçalo Byrne, will present as part of the APDesign Distinguished Lecture Series at Kansas State University at 5 p.m. Nov. 9 in Forum Hall at the K-State Student Union. Byrne is responsible for a vast accomplishment of architectural work, and has been awarded with many national and international prizes. This lecture is free and open to the public.
In 2005, Byrne was awarded the title of Doctor Honoris Causa from the Lisbon Faculty of Architecture, Technical University of Lisbon, and was awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of Santiago da Espada by the president of the Portuguese Republic.
Included in his diversified body of work, in terms of scale, theme and program, the more relevant examples are the recent interventions in the Monastery of Alcobaça and its surrounding areas, the building for the headquarters of the government of the Province of Vlaams-Brabant in Leuven, Belgium, the marine traffic control tower for the Port of Lisbon Authority, the "Império" Quarter in the Chiado area of Lisbon, the Faro Theatre in the Algarve, and the National Museum Machado de Castro, in Coimbra, this latter project currently under construction.
Within the area of urban planning he carried out the detailed plans for the surrounding areas of the Ajuda National Palace in Lisbon, the Higher City University in Coimbra, the "Cava do Viriato" within the scope of the Polis Program in Viseu, as well as the plan for the town of Trancoso — within the scope of the program for the historical villages of Portugal. He is currently developing relevant projects such as the Estoi Inn and Charm Hotel in Algarve, the Viseu Inn, the Estoril – Sol Building Complex, the "Jade" Building Complex in Lisbon, the New Central Laboratory for EPAL, or Lisbon Water Distribution Company, and several single family villas in the Bom Sucesso Resort in Óbidos.
Matthew Knox, architecture department head for APDesign said, "Portugal has an amazingly rich architectural heritage. Gonçalo has been a leader providing works of architecture and urban design that are inspiring. We are delighted to have him come to share this work with our students and those interested in the role of good design in shaping our lives."
Founded more than 35 years ago as a memorial honoring Topeka architect and university alumnus Oscar Ekdahl, the Ekdahl Lectures bring practitioners, teachers, critics, theorists and artists to campus for interaction with students, faculty and alumni. The lecture series focuses on issues affecting the quality of the physical environment and the leadership roles played by the speakers. The purpose of the series is to inform and challenge as well as to reinforce and complement the educational programs of the College of Architecture, Planning & Design.
The APDesign Lecture Series is funded in part by the K-State fine arts fee with support from the Ekdahl family.