Woolston Riverside architect to lecture at the University of Southampton

The internationally renowned architect Richard Rogers is presenting a lecture entitled The work of Richard Rogers: Cities and Buildings at the University of Southampton on Thursday 12 May. The event is the second in a series of lectures to be organised jointly by the University of Southampton and Southampton City Council.

Lord Rogers is one of the foremost living architects and is best known for such pioneering buildings as the Centre Pompidou in Paris, the HQ for Lloyd's of London, the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg and the Millennium Dome in London. He is also masterplanning the much-anticipated Woolston Riverside development in Southampton. This flagship project is a major waterside regeneration scheme based on the site of the former Vospers shipyard. The project aims to create new employment, housing and leisure opportunities for the people of Southampton.

The lecture will detail the work of Richard Rogers' international award-winning architectural practice, Richard Rogers Partnership, which has offices in London, Barcelona, Madrid and Tokyo. The firm handles significant urban design commissions and masterplanning forms which make up approximately one third of all work undertaken by the practice. Current proposals include a section of Manhattan's East River waterfront, a masterplan for the area surrounding the new Wembley Stadium in London and the regeneration of a dockland area in Lisbon.

Furthermore, it will highlight how the Richard Rogers Partnership brings to these projects an innovative and sustainable approach to the urban environment that has often attracted praise from the leaders of many of the world's most dynamic cities.

The lecture will provide an opportunity to hear one of the leading thinkers on architecture and the way cities develop, as well to bring together representatives of the region's leading business, academic and government institutions.

The Southampton City Council and University of Southampton Annual Lecture takes place on Thursday 12 May at the Turner Sims Concert Hall on the University of Southampton's Highfield Campus. An informal Buffet Reception will be held at 5pm prior to the start of the Lecture, which will begin at 6pm.

It is a ticket only event and there is limited seating available for members of the press. If you wish to attend please contact Lisa Chung in advance on (023) 8059 4993 or email L.C.Chung@soton.ac.uk