Architectural historian Robert Bruegmann to headline UT Arlington’s Second Annual David Dillon Symposium
The symposium highlights the David Dillon Center for Texas Architecture and the legacy of the beloved architecture critic
ARLINGTON – Chicago architecture historian Robert Bruegmann, a provocative figure in urban design, headlines UT Arlington’s Second Annual David Dillon Symposium scheduled April 18-19 in Dallas.
Proceeds benefit the David Dillon Center for Texas Architecture, which was established in 2012 as an initiative of the UT Arlington School of Architecture to honor the legacy of the longtime architecture critic for The Dallas Morning News. Symposium sponsors include the Dallas Architecture Forum, The Dallas Morning News, Dallas Center for Architecture and Nasher Sculpture Center.
Bruegmann is author of the 2006 book “Sprawl, A Compact History” and is a contrarian of note in the architecture world. A professor emeritus at the University of Illinois at Chicago, argues that sprawl was what the market demanded. Bruegmann has argued that sprawl has a long and rich history, dating to the Roman Empire and is not a recent phenomenon.
Don Gatzke, dean of the UT Arlington School of Architecture, said Buregmann represents the important, seminal ideas that the symposium wants to offer.
“Most in the development, design and architecture sectors see sprawl as something of a dirty word,” Gatzke said. “Bruegmann is provocative and controversial. I’m sure we’ll have great debate.”
Bruegmann is to speak at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 18, at the Magnolia Theater, 3699 McKinney Ave., in Dallas. The symposium continues from 11:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Friday, April 19, at the Nasher Sculpture Center, 2001 Flora St., in Dallas.
Visit http://www.uta.edu/architecture/research/dillon/symposium.php to register to attend the symposium. Admission fees range from $5 to $40 for parts or all of the symposium.
The Dillon Center supports the research of faculty and students as they investigate how the region and its architecture have evolved. It also promotes public dialogue about architecture and urbanism in North Texas and beyond.
Dillon’s family has donated his meticulous notes, manuscripts and recorded interviews about Texas architecture and architectural journalism itself to UT Arlington. He died in 2010.
Kate Holliday, an architectural historian and director of the David Dillon Center, said early sessions scheduled Friday focus on historical aspects of the urban landscape. The afternoon session will focus on the information infrastructure and digital connectivity in the built environment, she said.
About the David Dillon Symposium
When: April 18-19, 2013
Where: Magnolia Theater and Nasher Sculpture Center in downtown Dallas
Who: The symposium is open to the public, but attendees must pay nominal registration fees. Details are available online at http://www.uta.edu/architecture/research/dillon/symposium.php or by calling 817-272-2313.
About The University of Texas at Arlington and the School of Architecture
The University of Texas at Arlington is a comprehensive research institution of more than 33,800 students and 2,200 faculty members in the heart of North Texas and the second largest member of The University of Texas System. Visit www.uta.edu to learn more.
The UT Arlington School of Architecture offers professionally accredited and internationally recognized degrees in Architecture, Interior Design and Landscape Architecture.
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Herb Booth, hbooth@uta.edu, 817-272-7075
The University of Texas at Arlington, www.uta.edu
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