APDesign program links K-State students with prominent design professionals
Forgettable lectures are a dime a dozen — but a truly great one leaves a lasting mark.
Returning for its 51st cycle, K-State’s Ekdahl Distinguished Lecture Series proves that big ideas deserve a big stage and that the right voices can spark curiosity, shape future workforces and address global challenges.
Established in 1974, this premier event for the College of Architecture, Planning and Design honors K-State alumni Oscar S. Ekdahl’s passion for design innovation.
Michael McClure, dean of APDesign, says the program “is designed to inspire and challenge our community to explore the transformative potential of design.”
In addition to guest speakers, each series features one professional who is selected to receive the Ekdahl Lecture Visiting Professorship. The spring 2025 awardee, Hsin-Chung Wang, co-founder of HCWD Studio in New York City, will lead several lectures, workshops and collaborative projects on K-State’s campus.
“Hsin-Chun Wang exemplifies the mission of the series with his innovative approach to design and commitment to enhancing the way we experience and interact with our world,” McClure said.
Known for his contributions to art, furniture and design, Wang will be joined by collaborator Ye Liu for his main lecture, sharing how their HYFEN design collection redefines how humans interact with their surroundings by transforming everyday objects into “strange-familiar” creations.
The series will also include lectures from Patterhn Ives — Anna B. Ives, Eric R. Hoffman and Tony A Patterson — and Andrew Rumbach, senior fellow at the Urban Institute. The guests will cover topics related to architectural practice such as environmental stewardship, climate adaptation and community innovation. The spring 2025 lineup promises to reinforce students’ passion for innovation, proving that transformative design shapes more than just structures — it can change how we experience the world.
Written By: Abbigail Marshall
Curated from: https://www.k-state.edu/today/announcement/?id=101840
