Tom Emerson, 6a Architects
'We Were Never Modern'
Tom Emerson (b. Paris 1970) studied architecture at the
University of Bath, the Royal College of Art and the University of
Cambridge. In 2010, he was appointed professor in architecture at
the ETH in Zurich following 10 years of teaching at the
Architectural Association in London and the University of
Cambridge. He has lectured widely in the UK and published articles
on architecture, literature and art.
6a Architects was founded by Tom Emerson and Stephanie Macdonald
in 2001 after meeting at the Royal College of Art. The practice
works at varied scales from product design to large scale urban
projects but has developed a particular reputation for contemporary
arts buildings and working in sensitive historic environments.
Recent projects include the critically acclaimed extension of the
South London Gallery and Raven Row, a new contemporary art centre
in Spitalfields. 6a Architects is currently working on new
galleries for the V&A Museum and the Institute of Contemporary
Arts (ICA). Recently 6a Architects has won three major
architectural competitions: a new sustainable country house and
park in Cambridgeshire, the redevelopment of a large industrial
complex in Oval for the London Development Agency and a new
building for Churchill College in Cambridge. 6a has won several
European design awards including an RIBA Award 2011 and New London
Architecture Award 2011 and has been published and exhibited
extensively.
Hosted by The Mackintosh School of Architecture, the Architecture
Friday Lecture Series looks beyond buildings and makes connections
between architecture and wider issues like culture and the urban
environment.