March 31, 2017

Craig Dykers and Elaine Molinar, Principals of Snøhetta, the award-winning, internationally renowned design firm, will kick off their weekend long Charrette with the public lecture, Habitat: Large & Small, as part of the 2017 Farajollah & Maryam Badie ARFAA Lecture series. Widely recognized as one of the most exciting and innovative design firms in the world today, Snøhetta has built visually stunning works around the globe including the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Egypt, the Norwegian National Opera and Balletin Oslo Norway, the expansion of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art in California, and the redesign of Times Square in New York City, among many others. The firm’s many awards include the Mies van Der Rohe European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture, the World Architecture Award, the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, and the Wall Street Journal’s Innovator of the Year Award for Architecture in 2016.

Known for its collaborative office environment that incorporates the skills and ideas of all of its employees, Snøhetta is involved with a variety of creative endeavors that include architecture, landscape architecture, interiors, product design and brand design. Because of their broad interests and internationally recognized creativity, Elaine Molinar and Craig Dykers were selected as 2017 Rankin Scholars in Residence. Drawing from their extensive experience managing the complex psychology of public space, they will lead Communal Landscapes, a University-wide student design Charrette the weekend following their ARFAA Lecture."Snøhetta’s Rankin Scholar residency provides an extraordinary opportunity for both students and the design community at large to interact with some of the most acclaimed designers working in the world today. The Charrette’s focus on the Powelton and Mantua neighborhoods also reaffirms Drexel’s commitment to civic engagement,” noted Mark Brack, Architecture, Design & Urbanism Professor. All Drexel students are encouraged to participate; to learn more about Communal Landscapes and to register, click here.

Craig Dykers, Architect, AIA, LEED AP, Int FRIBA, FRSA, RAAR

Craig Dykers’ interest in design as a promoter of social and physical well-being is supported by ongoing observation and development of an innovative and sustainable design process.   As one of the Founding Partners of Snøhetta, Craig has led many of Snøhetta’s prominent projects internationally, including the Alexandria Library in Egypt, the Norwegian National  Opera and Ballet in Oslo, Norway, the National September 11 Memorial Museum Pavilion in New York City, and the recently completed San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Expansion in San Francisco, Times Square Reconstruction and Ryerson University Student Learning Centre in Toronto, Canada.  Craig’s work has led to numerous international awards and recognitions including the Mies van der Rohe European Union Prize for Architecture, the World Architecture Award, and the Aga Kahn Award for Architecture, among many others. 

Elaine Molinar, Architect, NCARB, AIA, LEED AP, 

Elaine Molinar began her career as a designer of the Alexandria Library in Egypt after participating in the initial conception for Snøhetta’s winning competition entry. Throughout her time with Snøhetta, Elaine has held key positions in major cultural projects and competitions in the Middle East, Europe and the United States.  In 2005, she helped found Snøhetta’s New York office after the firm was awarded the National September 11th Memorial Museum Pavilion at the World Trade Center in 2004, the office’s first commission in the Americas. After leading the Memorial Museum Pavilion through Schematic Design, Elaine managed the Wolfe Center for the Arts at Bowling Green State University in Ohio and acted as Project Director for the James B. Hunt Jr. Library at North Carolina State University.  As Managing Director, Elaine currently leads general management, strategic planning and business development of the studio.   Elaine’s work has led to numerous international awards and recognition including the Stanford Prize for Innovation in Research Libraries, AIA/ALA American Library Award and an AIA Presidential citation, among others. 

This lecture is made possible by the Sibby Brasler Distinguished Lecture Series and Peter Arfaa,a former Department Head of Architecture, Design & Urbanism, who endowed the ARFAA lecture series over two decades ago. The ARFAA lecture series was the first endowed lectures series at Drexel University and named in honor of Mr. Arfaa's parents. 

ARFAA Lecture // Thurs. April 13 // 6:30PM // Mandell Theater // Free & open to the public