Synopsis

In this presentation Anthony will give a brief summary of his doctoral thesis - “Touching Architecture: a felt phenomenology of affective atmospheres and embodied encounters,” – and offer a window into doctoral research from the other side of the world. His thesis explores the sense modality of touch (and embodied perception) in the design and experience of contemporary architecture, and addresses the question “(How) can a more-than visual architecture generate more touching experiences?” His current research explores ideas concerning phenomenology, (im)materiality, embodiment and situated (4e) cognition, atmosphere, and emotions.​

Bio

Anthony Brand completed his Bachelor of Architecture and Diploma in Architecture at the University of Nottingham (UK), where his final year thesis work received an honourable mention in a national student design competition: 3DReid (2009). After coming to New Zealand in 2009 and working with Habitat for Humanity, he joined the University of Auckland in 2011, where he completed his PhD and was awarded Best in Faculty (2018).

Anthony then gained employment in an award-winning architectural firm (Rowe Baetens) before returning to academia as a full-time lecturer in History Theory and Criticism (HTC) at the University of Auckland in 2019.