SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — Lawrence Technological University’s College of Architecture and Design will welcome internationally noted architect Juan Miró to campus as part of its 2026 Design x Technology Series on Thursday, March 19.
Miró will be the fourth presenter in this semester-long series featuring noted architects and designers, and the only guest architect to hold an exhibition of his work. His month-long exhibition opens with a reception at 11:30 a.m. on March 19 and runs through April 19. His talk, titled “Reflections on the Landscape City,” begins at 12:30 p.m. in the campus’ University Technology and Learning Center. These events are free and open to the public.
Juan Miró is the Dick Clark Chair in Architecture and Distinguished Professor at the University of Texas, and co-founder of Miró Rivera Architects.
Nature has profoundly influenced the development of the built environment across America, serving as a constant thread weaving together the region’s history and storytelling to the present day. For over two decades, Miró Rivera Architects has crafted a distinguished body of work that celebrates this relationship. Their designs blend art and architecture in ways that honor history, engage the urban fabric, and harmonize with the natural world.
This lecture delves into the innovative contributions of Miró Rivera Architects, placing their projects within a global framework of ideas surrounding nature, urbanism, and historical continuity. It will highlight the city of Austin, Texas, as a modern “Arcadia.” This concept, a harmonious landscape where beauty and nature converge, offers a profound perspective on Austin’s evolving character and its deep connection to place.
The lecture will also cover the fight against windowless dormitories in Austin. It was in his classroom that Miró first learned of a disturbing trend—students, assigned to a simple exercise of sketching the window in their bedroom, revealed that many of them had none. Outraged, he wrote op-eds, spoke at City Council meetings, and mobilized students to push for a change. His relentless efforts led to a landmark decision in April 2024 when the Austin City Council officially banned the construction of bedrooms without windows. Since then, Juan has been working tirelessly to change the International Building Code, which allowed windowless bedrooms to be legally built in the first place.
CoAD Interim Dean Lilian Crum said, “Our Design x Technology Series is CoAD’s educational outreach to the community as well as an opportunity for our students to experience the work of noted architects and designers. Professional architects and designers can earn continuing education credits by attending our monthly series. Presenting the immense body of work and the philosophy of Professor Miró to our students and the public supports our mission to prepare architects and designers to address 21st-century challenges through critical inquiry, creative problem-solving, and applied practice. We welcome Professor Miró to Lawrence Tech.”
Guests can watch online or on campus at 21000 West 10 Mile Road, Southfield. Click here for location and viewing details or to register. A pizza lunch will be provided for all on-site registered guests.
Lawrence Technological University is one of only 13 independent, technological, comprehensive doctoral universities in the United States. Located in Southfield, Mich., LTU was founded in 1932, and offers more than 100 programs through its Colleges of Architecture and Design, Arts and Sciences, Business and Information Technology, Engineering, and Health Sciences, as well as Specs@LTU, which offers communication training programs of the former Specs Howard School, and LTU’s growing Center for Professional Development. PayScale lists Lawrence Tech among the nation’s top 11 percent of universities for alumni salaries. Forbes and The Wall Street Journal rank LTU among the nation’s top 10 percent. U.S. News and World Report lists it in the top tier of best in the Midwest colleges. Students benefit from small class sizes and a real-world, hands-on, “theory and practice” education with an emphasis on leadership. Activities on Lawrence Tech’s 107-acre campus include more than 60 student organizations and NAIA varsity sports.