World-renowned British architect Prof. Ian Ritchie, founder of Ian Ritchie Architects, will deliver a keynote at Glass Performance Days (GPD) in Istanbul on March 8, 2018, which will be held in conjunction with the Eurasia Glass Expo at Tüyap Fair Convention and Congress Center.

Ritchie's lecture will focus on "The story of inventing with glass – glass future trends society/philosophy and design direction" - best known for his glass structures, material-technical innovation and intelligent environmental and sustainable design. Ian Ritchie Architects' new Sainsbury Wellcome Centre in London propelled the the firm's career on evolution in that respect.

Sainsbury Wellcome Centre in London, completed in 2015. Image courtesy of Ian Ritchie Architects

GPD Istanbul 2018 will be held on 7– 9 March 2018 in conjunction with the Eurasia Glass Expo in Tuyap Fair Convention and Congress Center. The seminar will focus on presenting high-level professional views on the latest global trends, the new Istanbul Airport case study and the use of glass in construction as well as new construction practices. The event will also explore the quality production of laminated and tempered glass products and their various applications.

On March 9, 2018, Ian Ritchie will give a talk at Yildiz Teknik University in Istanbul. His lecture will discuss "Innovation, Designing with the Mind in Mind and a little on Designing for Music." The event is open to all architecture students in Istanbul on Friday, March 9 at 15:00.

Ian Ritchie established his own practice in 1981 in London, Ian Ritchie Architects (iRAL). Ian Ritchie’s first building – Fluy House, exploiting solar energy – had been completed in 1978 in France.

At that times, he was working as a consultant at Arup within Peter Rice’s Lightweight Structures Group, after setting up Chrysalis Architects London with Alan Stanton and Mike Davies. He was also collaborating with Peter Rice on the Shelterspan system, and teaching at the Architectural Association.

Albert Sport & Cultural Centre, opened in 1993. Image © iRAL

iRAL completed several more projects in France through the 1990s. These included the multi-million pound Albert Cultural Centre – also construction managed by iRAL; the Boves Pharmacy – a totally pre-fabricated building designed and engineered only by telephone and fax between London and Epinal; offices in Amiens, Daours nursery and primary school; and in collaboration with Kathryn Gustafson, the Cultural Greenhouse in the Jardins de l’Imaginaire (Gardens of the Imagination) at Terrasson-Lavilledieu.

iRAL is currently working on the transformation the Royal Academy of Music (RAM)' existing theatre. Image © iRAL

Current projects include an opera-musical theatre and recital hall at the Royal Academy of Music, an 80hectare master plan and new business park in Malta, mixed-use residential led developments and football stadia.

Top image: Ian Ritchie, courtesy of Landscape Institute Scotland

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