President's Lecture Series: Cameron Sinclair January 9, 2008

Cameron Sinclair:
"When Being Sustainable is a Matter of Survival"
Wed., Jan. 9, 2008, 6:30 pm

"As we enter the 21st century the field of architecture is at a crossroads. From Hurricane Katrina to the war in Iraq, large-scale urbanization, disaster and conflict has destabilized not only our political structures but also the built environment prompting many to question the building practices of the past. Is the role of the architect to create the signature monuments that define and exalt our cultural and economic values? Or, is there an alternative path to building in the world today, one that engages people where they live and work and recognizes that sustainability is not a luxury but a necessity?"

Ontario College of Art & Design (OCAD) President Sara Diamond invites you to attend a thought-provoking lecture series responding to some of the key themes of OCAD’s strategic plan, Leading in the Age of Imagination. The President’s Lecture Series features speakers who will discuss the impact of art and design on sustainability, aging and wellness, and contemporary ethics.

Cameron Sinclair is the co-founder and Executive Director of Architecture for Humanity. He is working on projects ranging from health centers in Sub-Saharan Africa to post-Tsunami reconstruction in South East Asia.

Sinclair is also co-founder of the Open Architecture Network, an online, open source community dedicated to improving living standards around the world. He is the co-editor of Design Like You Give A Damn and a contributing writer for Worldchanging. He was the 2005 Target Emerging Designer of the Year and recipient of the 2006 TED Prize, which honors visionaries from any field who have shown they can “positively impact life on this planet”.

All are welcome to attend, and admission is free. Limited seating available; guests are advised to arrive early.

Ontario College of Art & Design
100 McCaul Street, Toronto
www.ocad.ca | 416-977-6000

Official Website: http://www.ocad.ca