Professor Carter has relocated from Aalborg in Denmark to take up the position of Professor of Architecture at the Gold Coast-based independent university and will assume the role of Head of Discipline of the University’s Abedian School of Architecture from next year.

He has more than 30 years experience working across the globe and is recognised internationally for founding and heading the Utzon Research Center, establishing the Utzon Symposiums and realising the Utzon Center building in Aalborg, which was designed in collaboration with Jørn Utzon.

He also worked as Associate Professor at the University of Aalborg before taking up his tenure at Bond University.

Bond University’s Executive Dean of the Faculty of Society & Design, Professor Raoul Mortley, said it was a coup to attract such a highly respected figure on the international architecture scene to head the new Abedian School of Architecture, which was officially launched in January (2014).

“Growing our architecture program is a key focus in the coming years, as well-planned and sustainable design becomes an increasingly important focus of society,” said Professor Mortley.

“We opened the doors to a true state-of-the-art architecture facility earlier this year, which allows students to learn in an inspiring and creative space.

“The appointment of an architect of the standing and reputation of Professor Carter to head the school is the next step in making the program a leader, not just in Australia but internationally.”

Professor Carter’s extensive portfolio of major architecture projects includes the Finnish Embassy in New Delhi, Sief’s Palace in Kuwait, Tampere Library in Finland, Aker Brygge harbour development in Oslo, housing proposals for Walsh Bay in Sydney, the Storebælt Suspension Bridge in Denmark and the European Embassies of the European Union in Nigeria.

He was also an advisor and contributor to the Australian Government in its nomination of the Sydney Opera House for inscription on the World Heritage List.

Professor Carter has studied alongside some of the world’s most recognised architectural theorists, including Jan Gehl – known for re-orientating city design to focus on pedestrians and cyclists – at The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen, Geoffrey Broadbent at Portsmouth School of Architecture and Dalibor Vessily at the University of Cambridge.

He has worked with significant international architects including Professor Reima and Raili Pietilä in Finland, Niels Torp in Norway, Henning Larsen and Dissing+Weitling in Denmark and Ancher, Mortlock and Woolley in Sydney on an array of urban design projects including public buildings, architectural design competitions, master-planning and civil-engineering projects.

Along with Aalborg University in Denmark, Professor Carter has taught at a number of respected architecture schools including Denmark’s Aarhus School of Architecture and, in a visiting capacity, the University of Sydney, Portsmouth University and University of Tasmania.
Dr Soheil Abedian, Patron and visionary behind the Abedian School of Architecture, said he was delighted to welcome Professor Carter to the School’s team of high-calibre international academics.

“From the inception of the School of Architecture at Bond, it has always been our desire to create a centre of learning whose form and quality of teaching were world-class and unique,” Dr Abedian said. “This motivated us to engage world renowned architect, Sir Peter Cook, to design the award-winning building.

“Professor Carter’s recognition in academic circles, and his long term collaboration with the Jørn Utzon Foundation, is indeed a new milestone for the benefit of our School and students.

“I am delighted to join all the academic members of our faculty in extending a warm welcome to Adrian, and wish him much success in his new role as the School pursues an exciting path forward under his expert guidance.”

Professor Carter said he was greatly impressed by the new Abedian School of Architecture at Bond University, which he sees as potentially leading architectural education internationally.

“It is an incredible building with remarkable facilities and great studio based ethos; and it is not every day you get the opportunity to be involved in such an exciting new architecture program, so I’m very delighted to take up this position,” he said.

“I have had connections to Australia for more than 25 years and have long wanted to be more involved with the architecture industry in this country; which is very dynamic and with a great deal of original talent.

“My focus will be on forging new connections between the Abedian School of Architecture and other disciplines at Bond University, as well as with the wider community and bringing in high profile practicing architects on a local, national and international level.”

Professor Carter said he had an interest in Utzon prior to going to Denmark, but it was not until he came to Australia 25 years ago and met architect Richard Leplastrier, who had worked with Utzon, that he gained a greater appreciation of his work. He came to know Utzon personally when he delivered a gift to his family on behalf of Leplastrier upon his return to Denmark.

“As a result, I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to come to know both him and his family,” said Professor Carter.

“12 years ago I started a project based on Utzon in his home town of Aalborg in Denmark, with initial financial support from Australia, and went on to build the Utzon Center, with the involvement of Utzon in not only the design of the building, but also his visions for a creative and dynamic working environment for young architects and designers to learn through actually making and realising their design ideas.

“He was more highly recognised in Australia and internationally, due to his design of the Sydney Opera House, than he was in Denmark, so to have the opportunity to educate those back in his own country about his work became a real labour of love for me.

“He has been a great inspiration to me and everyone who has had the chance to work with him; which I have been keen to pass on to coming generations.”

ENDS

For further information, please contact:
Terri Fellowes, Public Relations Manager, Bond University Mobile: 0420 927 941 Email: tfellowe@bond.edu.au
Tanya Waite, Promedia Public Relations. Mobile: 0407 021 067 Email: tanya@promedia.com.au