Newsroom
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Contact: Anthony Fusarelli 703-228-3548 (voice) 703-228-4611(TTY)
Enrique Norten Keynotes Architecture Speaker Series in Arlington
County offers free series to spark dialogue on design excellence
ARLINGTON, VA – Internationally renowned Mexican architect Enrique Norten will launch Arlington County’s new Architecture Speaker Series with an interactive forum on his recent work and the elements of great architectural design from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday, Oct. 27 at the Rosslyn Spectrum.
Norten is the recipient of the Architecture Prize of the National Fund for the Arts and the Gold Medal from the Society of American Registered Architects. He holds the Miller Chair at the University of Pennsylvania and is the founder and principal of the firm TEN Arquitectos, with offices in New York and Mexico. Recent architectural news stories have described him as a “red hot starchitect.”
TEN Arquitectos’ most recognized projects include the National School of Theater at the National Center of the Arts; Hotel HABITA; and Parque España Residential Building – all in Mexico City. In 2005, the firm won the international design competition for the Guggenheim Museum in Guadalajara. TEN Arquitectos is currently designing the Visual and Performing Arts Library in Brooklyn, New York, the James Hotel in Los Angeles and many other significant buildings.
Norten’s presentation is free and open to the public. The Spectrum, located 2 blocks from the Rosslyn Metro station (Orange and Blue lines), is at 1611 N. Kent St. in Arlington. Free parking is available in the building garage, accessible from Arlington Ridge Road, one block east of Kent Street.
Speaker Series to Explore Architectural Design Excellence
The Architecture Speaker Series is meant to spark public discussion on aspects of great architectural design.
“We hope this series will serve as a catalyst for a county-wide discussion among residents, developers, architects, County officials and staff members on what makes for great public and private architectural design,’’ said County Board Chairman Christopher Zimmerman. “Several years ago, we offered a similar series to stimulate discussion of the urban village conception Arlington. Today, Arlington is nationally recognizes a model of New Urbanism. I believe our County can also become known for creating distinctive, sustainable public and private buildings.”
Other presentations in the series will focus on sub-areas of architecture that are particularly relevant to Arlington. On a bi-monthly schedule, well-known architects will discuss Security Design, Universal Design and Sustainable Design. The next presentation, on Excellent Architectural Design for Building Security, is planned for January, 2007.
Clearinghouse for Information on Regional Architectural Events
As part of the Architecture Speaker Series, Arlington has established a Web site with information about the lectures and presenters. The site also will feature information and links to architecture-related organizations in the Washington Metropolitan area and to events, including lectures, workshops and conferences.
For more information on the Architecture Speaker Series, visit the County Web site.
Arlington, Va., is a world-class residential, business and tourist location that was originally part of the "10 miles square" parcel of land surveyed in 1791 to be the Nation's Capital. It is the geographically smallest self-governing county in the United States, occupying slightly less than 26 square miles. Arlington maintains a rich variety of stable neighborhoods, quality schools and enlightened land use, and received the Environmental Protection Agency's highest award for "Smart Growth" in 2002. Home to some of the most influential organizations in the world - including the Pentagon - Arlington stands out as one of America's preeminent places to live, visit and do business.