‘Architecture is a social art’: Urs Meister bids farewell – Michael Wagner takes over as Dean
‘Architecture is a social art’: Urs Meister bids farewell – Michael Wagner takes over as Dean
At the start of the semester on 5 February, the Liechtenstein School of Architecture (LSA) hosted a celebration that combined farewells and new beginnings. The focus was on the retirement of Urs Meister, the change in the dean's office and the welcoming of new lecturers.
Farewell to Urs Meister: An architect with principles
After 24 years at the University of Liechtenstein, during which he influenced over 1,000 students, Prof. Urs Meister retired. Rector Christian Frommelt praised him as the ‘prototype of an architect’ – a man of style and principles who has left his mark on Liechtenstein at many different levels. One of these, according to Frommelt, is the prominent wooden tower on Dux in Schaan, which he can see from his window. Meister, co-owner of the Zurich-based firm Käferstein & Meister, emphasised his guiding principle in his farewell speech: ‘Architecture is a social art.’ He always advocated architecture that focuses on quality, sustainability and robust materials rather than excessive technical comfort.
Change of dean: Michael Wagner takes over
Another highlight of the evening was the change in the dean's office. Michael Wagner replaces Daniel Stockhammer, who shaped the LSA for four and a half years and transformed it from an institute into a school. Rector Frommelt thanked Stockhammer for his work, which had sharpened the school's profile and provided new momentum. Stockhammer will remain at the university as a professor.
Michael Wagner, the new dean, views his role with passion and responsibility. In his inaugural speech, he emphasised the importance of architecture in the face of global challenges such as sustainability. The era of ‘star architects’ is over, he said. The future lies in collaboration, research and experimentation. Architecture today must be part of the solution.
New faces at the LSA
The LSA also welcomes new colleagues. Reem Almannai joins the faculty as Associate Professor of Architecture and Society. In addition, Ivo Barão and Lando Rossmaier are starting as professors of practice, Sanna Kattenbeck as a postdoctoral researcher, and Felix Ledergerber, Felix Schaller and Dominic Spalt as lecturers of practice.
After the official part, students, staff and friends of the university celebrated in the Red Pavilion. The farewell party in honour of Urs Meister provided an opportunity for conversation and a vibrant start to the new semester.
