Norwich University of the Arts to Host AHRA 21st International Conference in 2024

Norwich University of the Arts (NUA) will host the Architectural Humanities Research Association (AHRA) 21st International Conference from 21–23 November 2024.

The prestigious event will take place at our Duke Street Riverside and Duke Street buildings, located in the heart of Norwich.

The conference, themed Body Matters, will explore contemporary architectural discourses surrounding the body, challenging traditional frameworks and engaging with innovative materialist perspectives. The convenors for the event are Professor Teresa Stoppani, Director of Architecture and Interior Design; Dr. George Themistokleous, Senior Lecturer in Architecture; and Dr. Ellie Nixon, Programme Director of Film and Performing Arts.

Exploring the Theme: Body Matters

The conference will interrogate the concept of the body as a pivotal element in architecture. Moving beyond conventional materialist and phenomenological paradigms, Body Matters seeks to examine the body as a creative, material, and philosophical entity in flux. The event will explore how the body’s boundaries blur with the environment and question architecture’s role within evolving, pluralist perspectives.

Key topics to be addressed include:

• The body’s form, function, and performance.
• The fluid interplay between human and nonhuman entities.
• The significance of bodies in architecture and their resonance with their surroundings.

Keynote Speakers

An internationally renowned lineup of academics and practitioners has been confirmed to deliver keynote addresses:

• Professor Andrew Benjamin
  Honorary Professor, School of Communication and Cultural Studies, University of Melbourne, and a distinguished voice in architecture and philosophy.
• Professor Andreas Philippopoulos-Mihalopoulos
  Artist, academic, and fiction author; Professor of Law & Theory at the University of Westminster and Director of The Westminster Law & Theory Lab.
• Professor Meredith TenHoor
  Architectural and urban historian; Professor in the School of Architecture at Pratt Institute and a founding member of the Aggregate Architectural History Collaborative.
• Professor Lucy Orta
  Visual artist and Professor at the London College of Fashion; Chair of Art and the Environment at the University of the Arts London and founder of the Art for the Environment Artist in Residency Program.

In the lead-up to the main conference, ten pre-conference seminars were held in-person and online, offering rich discussions aligned with the conference themes. These seminars will feature curated talks, texts, videos, and archival materials, providing a comprehensive foundation for attendees. Further details are available on the AHRA 2024 seminar page.

Hosting the AHRA 21st International Conference underscores Norwich University of the Arts commitment to fostering groundbreaking research and dialogue in the architectural humanities. With its thought-provoking theme and diverse expert speakers, Body Matters promises to be a landmark event in the academic calendar of 2024.

For more information, visit the official conference website at www.ahra2024.org.