UO design students learn from visiting professor and New York architect David Ling

EUGENE, Ore. -- (Oct. 17, 2008) – UO students studying interior architecture are receiving unique perspectives in design from visiting professor and architect David Ling of New York as he asks them to study the cultural differences between New York City and Portland, Ore.

Ling is instructing an intensive seminar offered to interior architecture, architecture, art and product design students over two weekends, which began on Oct 10. He will deliver a public lecture along with an exhibition of student work to conclude his visit on Monday, Oct. 27. The free public lecture will be held at 6 p.m. in 177 Lawrence Hall, 1190 Franklin Blvd.

"David Ling’s interest in having students research sculptors in New York City and in the Pacific Northwest to prepare for their design project, which is to create exhibition spaces for both regions, is a fascinating approach," said Alison Snyder, director of the UO's interior architecture program. "His presence during the two weekend visits is an intense and exciting experience for students and faculty members."

Ling’s two-week visit to the UO campus is made possible with a gift from Peter and Julie Stott of Portland. The gift created the Julie Neupert Stott Professorship in Interior Architecture as a permanent endowment to bring internationally recognized designers to the UO to teach and lecture. Stott is the founder and owner of Julie Neupert Interior Design, a firm based in Portland. She is a graduate of the UO’s Interior Architecture program and received her bachelor's degree in interior architecture in 1977.

Ling is the first person appointed as the Stott Professor.

Educated in the U.S. and Europe and raised by Chinese immigrant parents, Ling sees design projects through the lens of different cultures. When designing for retailer Alberta Ferretti showrooms in Paris, New York, Tokyo, Milan, London and Rome, Ling finds a way to bring the Ferretti brand to each city, while still responding to the culture’s climate, street scene and ways of doing business. He founded his firm, David Ling Architects, in 1992 after training as an associate with Richard Meier and I.M. Pei.

Working on multiple building types including retail, hospitality and residential projects, Ling says “I find motivation in the richness and complex mix of these projects. The interaction with clients, the collaboration and exploration with them, and in some cases, the attention to developing a building with brand image, keeps me inspired."

Ling’s work has received numerous international awards such as Interior Design Magazine’s Future Furniture Award (2002), ICFF’s Best Exhibition Design (2001), Interiors Magazine’s Annual Awards for best retail design (2001), London’s Design Partnership Award for Best Retail Design (2000) and the and Best Office Design (1995).

About the University of Oregon
The University of Oregon is a world-class teaching and research institution and Oregon's flagship public university. The UO is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), an organization made up of 62 of the leading public and private research institutions in the United States and Canada. Membership in the AAU is by invitation only. The University of Oregon is one of only two AAU members in the Pacific Northwest.

Contact: Julie Brown, media relations, 541-346-3185, julbrown@uoregon.edu

Source: Karen Johnson, asst. dean, A&AA external relations and communications, 541-346-3603, karenjj@uoregon.edu


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