[Architalk Webinar Series x ACC]
#4 Building Community through Contemporary Architecture and Design

The International House of Japan (IHJ) and the Asian Cultural Council (ACC) are proud to present Architalk Webinar Series, an online series analyzing the role of architecture within the context of contemporary, global themes.

We aim to highlight how architecture both reflects and responds to critical issues around the globe—exploring the societal impact of environmental, social, cultural, and economic issues through the lens of architecture, public spaces, and the arts.

Both founded by John D. Rockefeller 3rd, IHJ and ACC are committed to advancing international understanding, dialogue, and respect across Asia and the United States. We have partnered with renowned architects and artists to join us for this six-part series featuring ACC alumni, including: Kengo Kuma (ACC 1985, 2019), Kohei Nawa (ACC 2004), Lawrence Chua (ACC 2015), Pen Sereypagna (ACC 2012), Savinee Buranasilapin (ACC 2017), Sarah Sze-Wa Mui (ACC 2016), and Jusuck Koh (ACC 1978, 1979).

The series will launch in early 2022. Stay tuned for more!

Savinee Buranasilapin studied architecture at the University of Wisconsin (1996, Alpha Rho Chi) and at Princeton University (2001), and is a co-founder of the Bangkok-based design studio thingsmatter. The practice is committed to architecture as both a critical discipline and a fine art, as an instrument for cultural enlightenment rather than narrow economic gain. The studio’s early work in Bangkok includes a series of temporary interventions in commercial spaces which criticized the consumer culture that hosted them, while celebrating the opportunity for communication to a diverse audience, and the material extravagance that only shopping malls can realistically provide. Recent work extends the working methods, tactility, and human scale of thingsmatter’s event architecture to more conventional building programs, including private residences that offer public statements on the nature of the contemporary city. Together with her partner, Tom Dannecker, she has worked with numerous academic institutions. Savinee Buranasilapin received an ACC Fellowship in 2017 to explore land art in the American West and New York to enhance her architectural studio practice in Thailand.
www.thingsmatter.com

Sarah Mui is a catalytic architect. Being the co-founder & Design Director of One Bite Design Studio, she brings collaborative creations that are grounded in human-design thinking, to connect people to the space in their community and strengthen the social fabric. She focuses on public space, social design and cross-disciplinary creative strategy. Leading the first B Corp in Hong Kong from the architectural industry, she and her team at onebite bridges commercial & public sector with the community through their creative ideas. From the Kai Yip Play Space in Kowloon Bay, to the latest intergenerational play space in Tuen Mun Siu Hei Couty, onebite has been leading in innovative public space design in the city. A new one opening next week at Ming Tak Estate in Tseung Kwan O will be the first women-priority sportsground. On the other hand, during the COVID, the team has rolled out two initiatives with other community groups to promote good food with dignity which has served over 2000 meals and to produce eco-mask holders with social benefits, sold over 5000 pcs.

Mary Kay Judy is an award-winning architectural conservator and cultural heritage consultant. As Principal of Mary Kay Judy – Architectural & Cultural Heritage Conservation, she has served as conservation consultant on National Historic Landmarks and UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the United States, Europe, and Asia. Ms. Judy has lectured internationally on her practice’s case studies, the politics of preservation and the contributions of contemporary artists on emerging preservation narratives. Her writing on these subjects has appeared in a variety of publications including the National Trust Preservation Forum Journal and the Journal of Architectural Conservation. Ms. Judy has an M.S. in Historic Preservation from Columbia University and a B.A. in Architectural History from the University of Cincinnati.

Mary Kay Judy received ACC Fellowships in 2002 and 2005 leading conservation seminars in Indian architecture schools focusing on the documentation of the Islamic heritage of the Awadh, the urban aftermath of the First War of Independence in 1857 and the evolution of the vernacular Modern Movement post-Independence.
www.marykayjudy.com