Dieter Leyssen

Conference, Sydney Opera House

Session Partners: Curtin University, University of Notre Dame and the University of Western Australia

Architect, Urban Sociologist and Partner, 51N4E

Dieter Leyssen is architect and urban sociologist. He is a partner at international Brussels-based practice 51N4E, where he co-founded studio Acte in 2019 focussing on projects in civic design, adaptive infrastructure and performative landscapes. At 51N4E he has been responsible for several adaptive re-use projects and studies, such as the re-use of the submarine base in Saint Nazaire, the viaduct B401 in Ghent or the former military base of Asiat in Vilvoorde. Through projects and writings, Dieter Leyssen investigates how the transformation of existing structures can contribute to the strengthening of communities. He contributed to several publications, books and exhibitions such as Architectural Review, Oase, Joelho, A+, Arch+, How Not to Demolish a Building, the International Architecture Biennal of Rotterdam and The Things Around us at the Canadian Center for Architecture. Dieter Leyssen holds a master’s in architecture from KULeuven and one in City Design and Social Sciences from the London School of Economics. He currently teaches at the KU Leuven and Hasselt University.