Living in symbiosis: An archeology of the future

In the third Dean's Lecture of the year, renowned architect Lina Ghotmeh will speak to the “Archeology of the future” . More than a method of work, it is a true approach to the built landscape established by Ghotmeh throughout her practice.

Founder of Lina Ghotmeh — Architecture, a Paris-based discipline, Lina Ghotmeh’s designs develop from thorough historical research emerging as exquisite interventions that enliven our memories and senses. In this “Archeology of the future”, every architecture is drawn from its place and from the traces of its past. A link is drawn between time, memory, space establishing an anchored place drawing a strong tie between the Humane and Nature. The past meets the future as histories are unearthed and memories excavated to enable questioning, innovation, and a more sustainable architecture. Bearing a “humanist” approach, Lina Ghotmeh’s practice emphasises the power of craft and that of the hand in the making of Architecture. Through this, the built embraces the traditions of its localities, while uplifting the subjective experience and the collective memory of those it recalls.

About the speaker

Lebanese-born Lina Ghotmeh, founder of the internationally acclaimed firm Lina Ghotmeh — Architecture, is known for her award-winning, sustainable, and historically rooted designs. Her work blends traditional craftsmanship with innovation, shaping a forward-thinking, ecological, and inclusive approach to architecture. Her philosophy, “Archaeology of the Future,” fosters a deep connection between history, nature, and materials.

Notable projects include the redesign of the Western Range galleries of the British Museum ; the Qatar’s permanent pavilion of La Biennale di Venezi; the Bahrain Pavilion for Expo 2025 ; the 22nd Serpentine Pavilion in London (2023); Ateliers Hermès (2023) in Normandy, France’s first low-carbon, energy-positive industrial building; Stone Garden Housing tower in Beirut (2020); and the Estonian National Museum in Tartu (2016). Lina Ghotmeh’s work was exhibited in various institution including the MAXXI and the 17th & the 19th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia.

Lina Ghotmeh is a frequent speaker at global conferences and has held leading academic roles at Yale, the University of Toronto, and Harvard GSD. Her work has earned honours including the 2023 Great Arab Minds Award, the 2020 Schelling Architecture Award, and the French Architecture Académie's Prix Dejean (2016).

Supported by the Australian Institute of Architects

Image credits: 
Exhibition Olga de Amaral © Lina Ghotmeh Architecture, photo © Marc Domage
Lina Ghotmeh, photo © David Levene