Bio
Trained as an engineer-architect at KULeuven, Johan De Walsche combined studio teaching with professional practice for many years, to become a fulltime academic in 2008. His research interest focusses on methodologies of practice-based and architectural design research, and their transformative and emancipatory agencies. At an applied level, this interest translates itself into design-driven actor-oriented approaches in the interdisciplinary research unit ISTT (Interdisciplinary Studio for Territories in Transition), in cooperation with Urban Development and ARCHES research groups, and focussing on both Western and non-Western contexts (Suriname and Brazil). Next to his membership of Henry van de Velde, he is also a member of the research board of the Antwerp Research Institute for the Arts (ARIA).
Johan is co-editor of ONTO, a peer-reviewed journal on methodology of architectural design education, founding member of ARENA, and member of the scientific committee of CA²RE.
Until 2021 Johan De Walsche has been head of the architecture programme of the faculty of design sciences, and member of the education board of the university of Antwerp. He was council member and project leader of the EAAE and main coordinator of the EAAE Education Academy. Next to his teaching at the University of Antwerp, he taught a research methodology course at AHO, Oslo School of Architecture, and acted as a guest lecturer and external examiner at several European schools. He organized several workshops, conferences and symposia on design research and education.
Johan De Walsche was/is (co-)supervisor of the PhD of Menatalla Ahmed, Nathan De Feyter, Elien Vissers-Similon and Steven Schenk, and part of the doctoral committee and juries at TU Delft, NTNU Norway, University of Witwatersrand, Politecnico di Milano, KULeuven, and Ain Shams Cairo.
Favourite (interior) architecture projec
Tamarin, 2017. A small Maroon settlement at the banks of the Cottica River in Suriname. Transitory state. Nature first. Here, men adapt to nature. Not the other way round. The house had to move, as the tree was gradually bowing down. So, first they removed the roof. Then the walls. Furniture will follow. Maybe the remaining inner door first…. A moment where interior meets architecture meets nature.
Contact & Links
Campus Mutsaard, H.1.1. Mutsaardstraat 31 - 2000 Antwerpen - België
johan.dewalsche@uantwerpen.be
Visit Johan's UAntwerpen web page
Johan is involved in the following associations:
http://www.arena-architecture.eu/about/