Whiteling on a Caracas Highway and other tales in urbanism

This talk will give an account of experiences of the work of Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners  in Venezuela, while dwelling on a recent masterplanning competition in India and, by way of conclusion, looking at a project by the practice that is just about to begin work on again in Madrid.

Simon Smithson joined Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners in 1991. He was project architect for the Stirling Prize-winning Terminal 4, Madrid Barajas Airport, moving to Madrid with the team when the project went on site. In 2004 RSHP opened an office in Madrid with Simon as director. Here, he worked on a wide range of urban design, architecture and industrial design projects. Simon led the design team on Campus Palmas Altas, the headquarters for green energy company Abengoa and a model for more sustainable office complexes on the outskirts of Seville.

He has played a key role in major projects including ParcBit sustainable masterplan (Palma de Mallorca), the redevelopment of the South Bank Centre in London, the National Assembly for Wales, and Antwerp Law Courts. In 2011 Simon became a partner and moved back to London where he is currently leading the development of the practice’s work in Latin America. At the moment Simon is heading-up a multi-lingual team on a large mixed-use scheme in central Bogota, Colombia, the practice’s fi rst project in South America. Work is also due to start soon on a new stadium for Caracas in Venezuela. In addition, he is leading the project team for the new third terminal and multifunction building at Taoyuan Airport Taiwan. Simon also oversees the graphic design and visualisation department.