News
Tuesday 27 November 2007
Building for the future concludes 2007 Distinguished Lecture Series
Sir Michael Hopkins, CBE RA, concludes Nottingham Trent University's 2007 Distinguished Lecture Series with his lecture entitled, ‘Building in the Back Yard - Opportunities for Architecture in the 21st Century’ (28 November). The lecture will explore how the past can connect with the future with architecture that intelligently integrates traditional elements such as stone and wood, with advanced and environmentally responsible technology.
Sir Michael Hopkins is one of the leading international practitioners of high-tech architecture. Through his continuous re-evaluation of design solutions and his contribution to the debate about the delicate relationship between modernity and tradition he has developed into one of the most sensitive exponents in Northern Europe of architectural practice in both historic centres and the landscape.
After 1976, the year his studio was founded, his work was characterised by a sophisticated use of glass and steel in residential and industrial buildings that followed the principles of the radical modernists and as well as being in the forefront of technology.
In the mid Eighties, Sir Michael changed emphasis onto what he called the ‘updating of the traditional materials’. This influenced the second generation of his projects such as the Mound Stand, Lord's Cricket Ground in London, the Queen's Building, Emmanuel College in Cambridge, the Jubilee Campus, University of Nottingham and above all Portcullis House, the building for the British Parliament in London.
His contribution to the architectural profession has been recognised both with a CBE for Services to Architecture (1989) and a Knighthood for Services to Architecture (1995). He was elected a Royal Academician in 1992.
In 1994, Michael Hopkins was awarded the Royal Institute of British Architects Gold Medal for Architecture with his wife Patricia Hopkins. He also received The Prince Philip Prize for Designer of the Year in 1994.
The Practice is currently working on projects in America for Yale, Princeton and Rice universities. In addition to these, other recent projects include the Velodrome for the 2012 Olympic Games, a 60,000 seat circular stadium in India for the 2011 World Cup and a new Concert Hall in Cyprus.
ENDS
For more information please contact Dave Rogers, Press Officer, on telephone +44 (0)115 848 8782, or via email or Therese Easom, Press and Media Relations Manager, on telephone +44 (0)115 848 8774, or via email.
