The Paul S. Byard Memorial Lecture: Flores & Prats Architects

The annual Paul S. Byard Lecture will be delivered by Ricardo Flores (Flores & Prats Architects) with a response by Jorge Otero-Pailos (GSAPP, Jorge Otero-Pailos Studio).

Flores & Prats Architects, led by Ricardo Flores and Eva Prats, is celebrated for its innovative approach to blending contemporary design with the conservation of historic structures, aligning closely with Byard’s vision of preservation as a creative act. Their award-winning projects, such as the Sala Beckett Theatre and the Casal Balaguer Cultural Center, exemplify a sensitive yet bold reimagining of architectural heritage, fostering new uses while honoring existing narratives. Flores & Prats’ practice spans architecture, preservation, and design research, making them particularly relevant to GSAPP’s interdisciplinary ethos. Known for their collaborative methods, attention to materiality, and storytelling through architecture, the duo inspires critical dialogue about the role of preservation in today’s dynamic cultural and urban contexts.

The Paul S. Byard Memorial Lecture celebrates the legacy of Paul S. Byard, Director of Historic Preservation at Columbia GSAPP from 2000-2008. The lecture has previously been given by Annabelle Selldorf, Tod Williams and Billie Tsien, Cruz y Ortiz, Francine Houben, and Nieto Sobejano among others.