International Lecture Series: Peter Cook

Open lecture by the architect Peter Cook. The lecture is part of the ‘International Lecture Series’ at the Royal Danish Academy where prominent international architects are invited to present their views on significant topics in architecture.

As one of the founding members of Archigram, the avant-garde neo-futurist architecture group of the 1960s, the British architect, professor, and writer Sir Peter Cook (born 22 October 1936) has been a pivotal figure within the global architectural world for over half a century.

The most precise expression for future visions and the best way to discuss these are through drawing, says Peter Cook. It is precisely here, on paper, that there is the most excellent chance of moving away from the prevailing notions of cities and ways of life – detached from the demands and obligations that lie in thinking of concrete solutions and materials. He has thus, to a large extent, remained a so-called “Paper Architect” – a general term for the theoretical thinkers, who from their studio desk have managed to influence architecture and institute new directions.

Though Cook gained significant international recognition for his unbuilt works with Archigram, he has now also been recognized for his built works around the world. His recent works, including the construction of his Art Museum in Graz, Austria (Kunsthaus) has brought his radical ideas to a wider public audience. He currently practices with Gavin Robotham as part of CRAB Studio (Cook Robotham Architectural Bureau).

As professor of architecture at the Bartlett School, part of UCL since 1990, he brought in staff and attracted students from across the world, turning an academically solid school into a leading centre of creative design. Before that he was long associated with the Architectural Association in London, where he had completed his studies after starting at the Bournemouth College of Art. He was also a professor at Frankfurt’s Stadelschule from 1984-2002 and visiting professor at various universities across the world.

The event is moderated by head of the master programme Architecture and Extreme Environments, David Garcia.

About the International Lecture Series
The lecture series forms part of the Academy’s engagement in the UIA2023CPH World Congress which will be hosted in Copenhagen in July 2023. The world congress has dedicated its programme to articulate the profound agency architecture has in shaping our societies; securing human and non-human wellbeing, shaping behavior and innovating practice to enable a sustainable, equitable and inclusive future for all.

The Royal Danish Academy is leading the Science Track of the World Congress, fostering new research and knowledge exchanges across the breadth of architectural research and practice with the aim to provoke new perspectives and concrete actions.