Examine Contemporary Architecture and Urban Revitalization: University of Kansas Architecture Lecture Series on Mexican Practice

The University of Kansas School of Architecture & Design will host its Fall 2026 Architecture Lecture Series, “Re-Generations: Current Architecture Practices in Mexico,” from September through November on the Lawrence campus in Lawrence, Kansas, USA. The architecture lecture series gathers four internationally recognized architects and firms whose work addresses contemporary architecture, cultural identity, sustainability, and urban revitalization. Every lecture takes place in The John C. Gaunt Forum inside Marvin Hall, and admission is free and open to students, faculty, professionals, and members of the public.

For anyone studying or practicing architecture, the series offers direct access to leaders who are actively shaping how cities grow, how neighborhoods recover, and how buildings express culture. Review the full schedule below, then plan to attend the sessions most relevant to your interests. Visit the KU School of Architecture & Design website for the latest schedule details and speaker updates before the fall semester begins.

Re-Generations: How Mexican Architects Are Redefining Practice

The theme “Re-Generations” points to a central question in contemporary architecture: how does professional practice evolve across generations of designers working in the same place? Mexico offers a compelling case study. The country carries an architectural lineage that stretches from ancient Mesoamerican construction to twentieth-century modernism and into a present-day scene recognized at biennales and museums worldwide.

The series frames Mexican architecture not as an isolated tradition but as part of an ongoing exchange with the United States. Architects in both countries have borrowed, adapted, and responded to one another’s ideas for more than a century. That reciprocal influence — between Mexico and the USA — shapes everything from housing typologies to material palettes to strategies for urban revitalization.

Fall 2026 marks the moment when the University of Kansas brings these conversations to Lawrence. Each speaker represents a different generation, city, and design philosophy, giving audiences a layered view of contemporary architecture rather than a single narrative.

The Fall 2026 Speaker Lineup at the University of Kansas

Alejandro Aptilon Opens the Series with Historical Context — Sept. 18

The series opens at 1 p.m. on Sept. 18 with a faculty spotlight featuring Alejandro Aptilon, assistant teaching professor of architecture at KU and principal of an award-winning practice founded in Mexico City in 1998. Aptilon will trace the historical trajectory of architectural practice in Mexico, from its ancient origins to the present day, and introduce the ideas, intentions, and cultural forces behind the work of the guest speakers who follow.

Aptilon’s firm has completed projects in Mexico, Israel, and the United States, and his current research examines the reciprocal architectural influences between Mexico and the USA. He holds degrees from the Israel Institute of Technology and Columbia University, and he co-authored the influential book Las Casas del Pedregal 1947–1968, which documents a landmark modernist housing project in Mexico City. His lecture provides essential context for anyone planning to attend the later sessions.

Enrique Norten of TEN Arquitectos — Oct. 23

At 1 p.m. on Oct. 23, Enrique Norten, founder and director of TEN Arquitectos, takes the Gaunt Forum stage. Established in Mexico City in 1986, TEN Arquitectos has become one of the most internationally recognized architecture and urban design practices in the Americas, with projects spanning the continent.

Norten graduated from Universidad Iberoamericana and Cornell University and has maintained a parallel career in education, holding faculty appointments at the University of Pennsylvania, Harvard University, Yale University, and the University of Michigan. His honors include the Premio Luis Barragán, the Medalla Bellas Artes, and the Richard J. Neutra Award for Professional Excellence. Students interested in large-scale contemporary architecture and in the business of running an international practice will find his session particularly valuable.

Estudio Macías Peredo on Architecture, Landscape, and Place — Nov. 6

The third lecture, at 2 p.m. on Nov. 6, features founding partners Salvador Macías and Magui Peredo along with partner Diego Quirarte of Estudio Macías Peredo, an award-winning practice based in Guadalajara, Mexico. The firm is known for work that explores the relationship among architecture, landscape, art, and place — a sensitivity that has made it a reference point for a younger generation of Mexican designers.

Beyond their professional practice, Macías and Peredo serve on the faculty at ITESO, continuing the cycle of teaching and making that defines the “Re-Generations” theme. The firm’s work has been exhibited internationally at institutions including the Palacio de Bellas Artes, the Illinois Institute of Technology, and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

Javier Sánchez Corral and Micro-Urbanism — Nov. 13

The series concludes at 1 p.m. on Nov. 13 with Javier Sánchez Corral, Hon. FAIA, founding partner and director of JSa Arquitectura, a Mexico City practice established in 1996. Sánchez is known for his “micro-urbanism” approach: small-scale, strategically placed projects in housing, cultural facilities, hospitality, and mixed-use development that collectively contribute to the revitalization of urban neighborhoods.

A graduate of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México and Columbia University, Sánchez has received more than 120 national and international honors, including the Golden Lion for Best Urban Project at the Venice Architecture Biennale and the Gold Medal of the National Biennial of Mexican Architecture. His lecture offers a working model for urban revitalization that does not depend on megaprojects — a lesson applicable to cities of any size, including mid-sized communities across the USA Midwest.

Urban Revitalization Lessons from Contemporary Mexican Architecture

Urban revitalization runs through the entire series, and attendees should pay close attention to the methods each speaker describes. In many Mexican cities, revitalization happens incrementally: a housing project here, a cultural venue there, a mixed-use building that returns foot traffic to a quiet street. This approach contrasts with the large-scale redevelopment models common in North American planning and offers practical alternatives for communities working with limited budgets.

Several lessons stand out:

• Scale with intention. Sánchez’s micro-urbanism demonstrates that small projects, positioned carefully, can change the trajectory of an entire neighborhood.
• Design with landscape, not against it. Estudio Macías Peredo’s work shows how architecture can respond to climate, terrain, and local craft traditions rather than imposing a uniform aesthetic.
• Plan across generations. The series title itself is a reminder that firms that teach, mentor, and document their own history build practices that outlast individual projects.
• Honor cultural identity. Contemporary Mexican architects consistently treat local history and identity as design material rather than decoration — an approach relevant to any city pursuing revitalization without displacement.

What Students and Professionals Gain from the Architecture Lecture Series

The architecture lecture series serves several audiences at once. For students at the University of Kansas and neighboring institutions, the lectures provide direct exposure to practitioners whose built work they might otherwise only see in photographs. Hearing how a firm wins commissions, manages construction within a specific economic context, and balances design ambition with real budgets adds a dimension that studio coursework alone cannot supply.

For practicing architects, planners, and developers in the Kansas City region and across the USA, the sessions function as accessible professional development. Strategies for infill housing, adaptive reuse, and community-engaged design transfer directly to Midwestern contexts where urban revitalization remains an ongoing priority. For members of the public, the lectures require no technical background — each speaker presents work and ideas in terms accessible to a general audience.

Because all lectures are free, the barrier to entry is simply showing up. Seating in The John C. Gaunt Forum is limited, so arriving early is a sensible plan. If you intend to bring a class, an office team, or a community group, coordinate attendance in advance. Check the lecture series page for updates as the fall dates approach.

Marvin Hall: Where Tradition Meets Contemporary Architecture

The setting reinforces the theme. Marvin Hall, home of the KU School of Architecture & Design, pairs its historic limestone walls with the glass exterior of The John C. Gaunt Forum — a visible contrast between traditional construction and contemporary practice. Attendees will experience that dialogue in person: a historic material language meeting a twenty-first-century one, much as the lecture series pairs Mexico’s architectural heritage with its current generation of designers.

The Lawrence campus itself makes the trip worthwhile. Located in northeast Kansas, USA, the University of Kansas is the state’s flagship public research university, and its design school has educated generations of architects who now practice across the country. Prospective students considering an architecture degree can use the lecture series as a first introduction to the school’s culture and community.

If you are evaluating architecture programs, attending a lecture is one of the most efficient ways to assess a school. Observe how faculty engage with guests, how students ask questions, and what kind of work the community celebrates. Explore the KU School of Architecture & Design’s academic programs to determine whether its degrees align with your goals.

Plan to Attend the Fall 2026 Architecture Lecture Series

Mark the calendar for the four dates: Sept. 18, Oct. 23, Nov. 6, and Nov. 13, all in The John C. Gaunt Forum in Marvin Hall on the KU Lawrence campus. Each session begins in the early afternoon, making it feasible for professionals to attend over a lunch break and for students to attend between classes.

Before you go:

• Review each speaker’s practice through the links provided by KU: Alejandro Aptilon, TEN Arquitectos (Enrique Norten), Estudio Macías Peredo, and JSa Arquitectura (Javier Sánchez Corral).
• Prepare questions — each lecture includes engagement with the audience.
• Follow the school’s channels for any schedule or room changes.

Contemporary architecture in Mexico is producing some of the most consequential built work in the Americas, and the University of Kansas has assembled four of its leading voices in a single series. Whether your interest is design technique, urban revitalization, or the future of architectural education, the Fall 2026 Architecture Lecture Series delivers substance without an admission fee.

Take the next step: reserve the dates, share this schedule with classmates or colleagues who would benefit from attending, and follow KU News for announcements about this and other public programs at the University of Kansas. Have questions about the series? Contact the School of Architecture & Design directly through its website.