PennDesign at Genspace, TEDxPenn, and Accent on Architecture

Assistant Professor of Fine Arts Orkan Telhan celebrates the publication of his new book Designature (Revolver Publishing) with a book release party on Friday, March 31 in New York City at Genspace. Designature explores the nature of agency—the essential “signature” found in everything, from the simplest forms of life to humans, machines, and everyday objects. These new kinds of signatures are designed in light of new theories and technologies, and these designs ultimately serve as critical reflections on society, offering alternative forms of critique to urgent issues such as xenophobia, religious fundamentalism, and the ethics of manipulating nature.

Assistant Professor of City and Regional Planning and Electrical and Systems Engineering Megan Ryerson will speak at TEDxPenn on Saturday, April 1. Inspired by the TED Conference and series of talks, TEDxPenn was founded in 2010 by Penn students and drew over 1,000 attendees last year. At this year’s conference, organized around the theme of Rise and Run, Ryerson will discuss generating momentum for air transportation.

Professor of Architecture and Urban Design Marilyn Jordan Taylor was interviewed by CBN Weekly, China’s leading business publication, on the trend of global tech giants designing futuristic new headquarters. The report considers the corporate symbolism of these high-profile designs and the socioeconomic reasons for their construction. On April 13, Taylor will receive the 2017 George M. White Award from the American Architectural Foundation at the 2017 Accent on Architecture Gala in New York City.