Kjetil Trædal Thorsen Will Lecture Across Asia

Kjetil Trædal Thorsen, Founding Partner of Snøhetta, is set to embark on a lecture tour across Asia, underscoring the critical role of sustainable design in shaping a better and greener future. With a storied legacy dating back to 1989 and a commitment to integrating social progress with environmental sensitivity, Thorsen will present a series of lectures at some of the region’s most esteemed cultural and art institutions.

Kjetil Trædal Thorsen co-founded Snøhetta in Oslo, Norway in 1989 and has been instrumental in defining Snøhetta’s philosophy and growth into a transdisciplinary and global architecture and design practice. He has had large roles in major projects such as the new Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Egypt, the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet, Le Monde Group Headquarters in Paris, Europe's first underwater restaurant Under, the world's northernmost energy-positive building, Powerhouse Brattørkaia, the Beijing Library and the Shanghai Grand Opera House, currently under construction.

For his work, he has been awarded the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award, the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, the Global Award for Sustainable Architecture, the EY Entrepreneur of the year and the FRAME Lifetime Achievement Award amongst others.

Kjetil Trædal Thorsen is a frequent lecturer, and from 2004 to 2008, he was Professor of Architecture at the Institute of Experimental Architecture at the University of Innsbruck, Austria. In addition, he often acts as a jury member for international design and architecture competitions and awards, such as the Obel Award, the Zumtobel Group Award, the Frederick Kiesler Prize 2024, the National Monument to Freedom and Unity in Leipzig 2024 and the State Award for Architecture and Sustainability 2024, Austria. In 2024, he led the jury for the Obel Awards, and in 2025, he is the chairman for Holcim Awards.  

Hosted by the Central Academy of Fine Arts Art Museum, this evening session, “In Dialogue with Nature,” will be moderated by Pei Zhu, Founder of Studio Zhu Pei, former Dean and Professor of the School of Architecture at Central Academy of Fine Arts. The lecture will delve into the integration of natural elements within architectural design, highlighting the dynamic interplay between the built environment and the natural world. The event is open to the public and more information for registration to follow.

At Tokyo’s National Art Center, Thorsen will give a morning sharing titled “Continuous State of Reinvention”, moderated by Miryon Ko, Head of International Projects at the Art Center. The lecture will address the evolving nature of design and the continual efforts required to adapt to societal and environmental shifts. The event is open to the public and here is more information.

Concluding his tour in Asia, Thorsen will give a lecture titled “Environmental Adaptions” at the Power Station of Art (PSA). The event will be introduced by Yan Gong, Director of PSA, and will examine how innovative architectural practices can lead the industry toward a more sustainable future. The event is open to the public and more information for registration to follow.

Throughout his lectures, Thorsen will share insights into the history and philosophy of Snøhetta, from representative projects including the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Egypt, the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet, the redesign of Times Square in New York, to pioneering initiatives in Asia, such as the Beijing Library, Shanghai Grand Opera House, Busan Opera House, Shibuya Upper West Project in Tokyo, Not A Hotel Rusutsu in Hokkaido, AIRSIDE in Hong Kong, Cloud 11 in Bangkok, and among others.

Emphasizing the importance of sustainability in an industry responsible for nearly 40% of global carbon emissions, the series of lectures will present a compelling exploration of Snøhetta’s transdisciplinary design practice and its unwavering commitment to social and environmental sustainability.