Sam Jacob has long been a central figure in the international architectural debate. Through his acclaimed blog Strange Harvest and his columns in publications such as Dezeen and ArtReview, he has for decades explored how taste, aesthetics, and visual culture are deeply intertwined with class and democracy. For Jacob, architecture is never just about buildings—it is a form of communication and a way of making political ideas real.
Recently, he was appointed Dean of the prestigious Institute of Architecture (IoA) at Die Angewandte in Vienna, a role where he is now shaping the future of architectural education with a focus on architecture as a form of representation—technically, culturally, and politically.
During the evening, we will delve into Jacob's thoughts on how architects can reclaim their social significance by daring to be "un-architectural" and learning from everything from advertising to pop art. We will discuss his journey from the pioneering firm FAT Architecture to his current Sam Jacob Studio, and how his projects—ranging from social housing to museum entrances—use familiar references to create places with character, humor, and a strong civic focus.
Who is represented in the public space? What does a façade tell us about our view of democracy? And how can we use our imagination to build a better reality?
Program
17.30
Doors open – bar and mingling.
18.00
Sam Jacob: Architecture as Representation – a lecture on aesthetics, power, and democracy.
18.45
Conversation and Q&A.
19.00–21.00
Bar, book table, and mingling.