Gracing the Sky, Enriching the City: Engaging the Community with Tall Building Design

Jon Pickard, principal at Pickard Chilton, will open the 2020 Fazlur Rahman Khan Distinguished Lecture Series at Lehigh University on February 28, 2020 with his presentation, “Gracing the Sky, Enriching the City,” Mr. Pickard will cite examples of tall buildings he has designed across the world as he addresses the responsibility architects of skyscrapers have in reimagining ground-level experiences to benefit both the public and the environment.

“As iconic as some towers may be perceived, their true success is in how they positively contribute to their cityscape and, perhaps most importantly, how they improve and enrich the lives of those who live and work every day in the community. As noted by [structural engineer and architect] Fazlur Rahman Khan, ‘Life is art, drama, music, and most importantly, people.’”

The Khan Lecture Series, co-sponsored by the Departments of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Art, Architecture, and Design, honors Dr. Fazlur Rahman Khan’s legacy of excellence in structural engineering and architecture. Mr. Khan’s pragmatic vision ushered in a renaissance in skyscraper construction during the second half of the 20th century. His progressive ideas for efficient high-rise construction resulted in many works, including Chicago’s 100-story John Hancock Center as well as the 110-story Willis (formerly Sears) Tower, the second-tallest building in the United States after One World Trade Center and the 16th tallest in the world.