The Severus Chapter of the architecture fraternity Alpha Rho Chi educated students and faculty on the dynamic of “Changing Spaces” in Bowman Hall Monday night.

William Willoughby, associate dean of the College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED), introduced different theories behind “Changing Spaces” through the use of visuals in the categories of architecture and art.

“Ultimately, the only way we can understand a building is to walk through it,” Willoughby said as he elaborated on the idea of phenomenology as “the description of lived experience.”

Throughout the lecture, Willoughby incorporated different elements of art. Willoughby wanted the audience to learn about changing spaces through effect, activism and architecture. He was able to construct a more vivid theory of effective architecture to the audience by showcasing pieces from different artists such as Yoko Ono, Marcel Duchamp and Joseph Beuys.

“At the very basis, architecture can affect the societies that it contains, and the tools we have are not limited to just buildings,” Willoughby said. “We use art to show us how we build and why we build.”

Many of Willoughby’s other examples displayed this type of idea. Pieces that encouraged social interaction were a big part of the lecture by conveying a sense of social interaction. They showed how environments work in an effective way.

“We can learn something from art about a way to translate architecture,” Willoughby said. “By changing society, architecture will follow.”

This lecture is a part of a miniseries that the fraternity is in charge of this semester. Ryan Carrick, president of Alpha Rho Chi and a senior architecture major, said the fraternity does many professional events throughout the semester.

Allison Huchko, the fraternity’s professional chair, was the first to introduce the idea of having Willoughby speak as a part of the series.

“We hold about two or three lectures a semester,” Huchko said. “We try to bring in a couple people of our own.”

This event, like many other events, is not considered mandatory for the members of the fraternity. However, a majority of the fraternity was in attendance for the lecture.

Keisha Burley in the architecture reporter for The Kent Stater. Contact her at [email protected]