Influential figures in the architectural field from around the globe will visit Ball State University's campus this week for an international conference.
The College of Architecture and Planning will play host to Education for an Open Architecture, a conference that will feature lectures from professionals, student and professional work in open-ended architecture and an award presentation for an international student contest.
Stephen Kendall, director of the master's of architecture program, said open architecture is an international phenomenon among architects.
The idea is to design and build structures that are durable and adaptable to the needs of different occupants as they come and go.
Office buildings, hospitals, shopping centers and housing projects are several examples of open architecture, he said.
A good example of open architecture in Muncie would be many of the buildings on Walnut Street, Kendall said.
The buildings used to be department stores but have been turned into lofts and apartments, he said.
"Those buildings have been able to survive and last because they have accommodated changing functions," Kendall said.
He said the conference will focus on the international aspects of the trend and teaching students how to prepare for clients who want that kind of structure.
Kendall said students, professors, researchers and architects from every continent would attend the conference and some would give lectures on general architectural interests.
Graduate student Joe Schmidt said he will volunteer at the conference but also plans to attend the guest lectures.
He said he was interested in hearing well-known people from all over the world speak about an architectural trend that hasn't yet caught on in North America.
"We're really lucky to be hosting a conference like that," Schmidt said.
Winners of the Education for an Open Architecture International Student Competition will be recognized at the conference, he said.
Hundreds of students from around the world entered their design work based on open architecture.
Kendall said the conference will be free and open to all Ball State students and faculty.
Schmidt said the college wanted to see a lot of students at the conference because they had a chance to learn about an emerging trend.
"It's a really good opportunity for students," Schmidt said, "but it's an international conference for scholars."
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