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From Olmsted to the Future: Stewarding the Planning and Architecture of the Stanford Campus

Event Details:

Wednesday, November 10, 2021
4:30pm - 6:00pm PST

Presenter: David Lenox, Stanford University Architect

Stanford University was one of the few fortunate universities to have a master plan conceived by Frederick Law Olmsted prior to any building development. That brilliant framework plan continues to serve as the foundation for planning the Stanford campus in a cohesive and orderly manner. David "Dave" Lenox will highlight the key precepts of the original campus plan, lead us on a journey to demonstrate how projects built in the recent decade uphold the original planning tenets, and also illustrate the guiding principles that ground the architecture and design.

David Lenox has been the Stanford University Architect since 2005 and has focused on establishing a framework for continued physical growth of the campus to support the mission and vision of the University. In his tenure he has championed planning to restore the original  Olmsted Campus Master Plan and has guided all of the schools to plan for the future. His design leadership and influence on projects includes transformative projects such as the GSB Knight Management Center, the Bing Concert Hall, the Anderson Collection, the Denning House, and the Windhover Contemplative Center. Notable projects for the School of Medicine include the Li Ka Shing Center, Lokey Stem Cell, Biomedical Innovations, and Center for Academic Medicine. In addition to the Science & Engineering Quad, he has guided the design of the Bass Biology Building, the Sapp Center, and the CheM-H Neurosciences complex. Lenox was also intimately involved with the Stanford Redwood City Campus planning and design. Sustainable projects including the O’Donohue Family Stanford Educational Farm, the Central Energy Facility, and the Automotive Innovation Center also showcase Stanford’s commitment to sustainable facilities.

Mr. Lenox received his bachelor degree in environmental design from Miami University and his master degree in architecture from the Ohio State University. Prior to coming to Stanford, his work focused on architectural design in the corporate and transportation sectors. He has recently served as the president on the Board of the Association of University Architects and has served on design juries for AIA San Francisco, California Preservation Foundation, AIA National Interior Design Awards, and the Society for College and University Planning. Lenox also participates as a design critic for the Stanford Architectural Design Program and has served as a faculty leader with the Stanford Travel/Study Program.

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