Goldsmith Talks: Impermanence - Bamboo Ad-hoc Construction

Henry Wen is a fifth year Bachelor of Architecture student in his final semester of the undergraduate program. He has been directly involved in the construction of several built works including Nexushaus - the University of Texas' submission to the 2015 Solar Decathlon competition - acting as the role of Construction Manager. 

The talk is on his ongoing thesis investigation on the topic of permanence of the built environment which, as a consequence, instigates an exploration into ad-hoc design thinking. By making instinctive decisions to address immediate problems throughout the construction process, one investigates the ontology of shaping the built environment. In a theoretical world where every individual possesses the same skills or talents as any architect/builder - antithetical to modern society's specialisation of skills - what is the role of a self-proclaimed architect in shaping poetic environments? 

The discussion will address the significance of architecture devoid of social implications by touching on topics of primitive architecture, construction, environmental sustainability, social stratification, and the role of an architect.

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Goldsmith Talks is an open-format series of presentations organized by UTSOA faculty, staff, and students. the series aims to encourage and promote presentations that are outside of the scope of the main lecture series. Examples are: invited seminar presentations, book talks, lectures by designers and scholars who may be in Austin for another engagement, round-table discussions, film screenings, product demonstrations, or any other activity related to research, scholarship, and teaching activities and at the school. The format provides a platform for encouraging the dissemination of work by visitors and members of our community. The goal is to raise awareness, increase access, and better integrate such events within the public life of the school.