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Thom Mayne - Cersaie 2008

Architecture is becoming more fluid. The square tile no longer exists as a standard. Formal language emerges from lines of force and space develops fluidly in response to rapidly evolving conditions and technologies.  Process and materials need to evolve and adapt to contemporary conditions to remain relevant and current in architecture. Fluidity enables the continued emergence of innovation of materials; materials that accommodate the double curve or the 3rd dimension for curvilinear spaces represent immense potential and creativity for architecture and design.

Thom Mayne received his Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Southern California in 1968 and his Master of Architecture from Harvard University in 1978. He was a founder of the Southern California Institute of Architecture and has held teaching positions at Columbia University, Harvard University (Elliot Noyes Chair, 1998), Yale University (Eliel Saarinen Chair, 1991), the Berlage Institute in the Netherlands and the Bartlett School of Architecture in London. Currently, he holds a tenured faculty position at the UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture.

His distinguished honors include the National Design Award for Architecture (2006), Pritzker Prize Laureate (2005), Rome Prize Fellowship from the American Academy of Design in Rome (1987), the Alumni of the Year Award from USC (1992), Member Elect from the American Academy of Arts and Letters (1992), and the 2000 American Institute of Architects / Los Angeles Gold Medal in Architecture.

With Morphosis, Thom Mayne has been the recipient of 25 Progressive Architecture Awards, 60 AIA Awards and numerous other design recognitions.  Under his direction, the firm has been the subject of extensive publications and exhibitions throughout the world.