Anna Grichting
Architect Urbanist Musician
EDUCATION
Harvard UniversityDoctor of Design Urbanism
Thesis title "Boundaryscapes. Recasting the Green Line of Cyprus.Thesis Director: Professor Juan Busquets. Co-Director: Professor Hashim Sarkis and Svetlana Boym.
University of GenevaD.E.S. Diploma of Advanced Studies in Urbanism & Planning
Diploma in Architecture
D.E.S. "Rupture, Trace, Memory. Reterritorializing a Border Brown Field. The Berlin Wall." Diploma in Architecture. "Berlin. The Walls of History. A Project for the Berlin Wall."
ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE
Qatar UniversityAssistant Professor, Department of Architecture and Urban Planning, School of Engineering – Sep 2018
Teaching courses on Sustainable Urban and Landscape Design, Urban Design in Practice, Regeneration Design and Design Studio. Courses Taught: Architecture and Allied Arts, Sustainable Urban & Landscape Design, Thesis focuses on Urban Design, Practical Training, Introduction to Urban Design and Planning, Architectural Design Studios, and Design and Regeneration.
HEAD University of Art and Design, GenevaVisiting Critic, Lecturer and Researcher – 2018
A member of the International Interdisciplinary Research Project "The Anthropocene Atlas of Geneva (TAAG)". TAAG is a research project at HEAD-Genève/Geneva School of Art and Design and is supported by the Swiss National Scientific Foundation (SNSF). Also participated in the research project "Memorial Policies, Initiatives & Artistic Practices: The Presence of Missing Persons in the Public Sphere. The project is initiated by the Critical Cross-Cultural Cyber Media Program at the University of Art and Design (HEAD), Geneva, Switzerland
University of VermontSenior Research Fellow 2012-present
Collaborating with researchers at the IEDS - Institute for Environmental Diplomacy and Security. Co-teaching a summer course on Environemntal Peace Building in the Balkans Peace Park between Kosovo, Montenegro and Albania in Summer 2012. The Institute for Environmental Diplomacy and Security (IEDS) is a transdisciplinary research center dedicated to both the study and practice of techniques that resolve environmental conflicts, and to using ecological processes as tools of peace-building.
Harvard UniversityTeaching and Research Fellow – Jun 2008Graduate School of Design. Teaching Fellow for the following courses: Graduate Urban Design ProSeminar with Professor Joan Busquets; Designing the American City with Professor Alex Krieger; Design Studio on a Harvard Campus in Cyprus for the Harvard School of Public Health with Professor Spiro Pollalis; Research Fellow for the publication and exhibition Cities X Lines: Approaches to City and Open Territory Design directed and edited by Professor Joan Busquets and Felipe Correa; Studio Instructor of the Career Discovery Summer Program at the Graduate School of Design. Invited lectures at the School of Public Health.
MITVisiting Researcher, Department of Urban Studies and Planning – Dec 2008Associated with the Jerusalem 2050 is a visionary and problem-solving project jointly sponsored by MIT's Department of Urban Studies & Planning and the Center for International Studies. Carried out research related to envisioning peace in divided cites and territories and was invited as a Guest Speaker at the Center for International Studies which hosted the Jerusalem Seminar Series to speak on peace parks and the reclamation of physical barriers in the urban built environment.
Columbia UniversityVisiting Design Critic – 2007Columbia University is one of the world's most important centers of research and at the same time a distinctive and distinguished learning environment for undergraduates and graduate students in many scholarly and professional fields. The University recognizes the importance of its location in New York City and seeks to link its research and teaching to the vast resources of a great metropolis.GRANTS, PRIZES & RECOGNITIONS
Belmont Forum
Lead Principle Investigator & Research Consultant 2018 - 2020
Awarded an International Research Grant for M-NEX. "The Moveable NEXUS: Design-led urban food, water and energy management innovation in new boundary conditions of change". M-NEX Doha is a Living Lab at Qatar University to Co-Design for the Food Water Energy Nexus. For more information please click here.
CWSP Qatar National Research Fund
Lead Principle Investigator. 2018
2018. Grant for a Conference Workshop CWSP for Productive Urbanism for Food Security in Qatar and Drylands. An International Workshop Grant in Qatar.
2016. Grant for Conference Workshop CWSP for Sustainable Urbanism: New Directions. An International Workshop held on 21st March 2016 at QNCC and a panel at ARC16 Conference. Digital Proceedings published at https://www.urbanista.org/issues/sustainable-urbanism
2014. Grant from UREP Undergraduate Research Experience Program for the project entitled The Role of Public Art in Doha's Contemporary
Urban Realm. With students Urshi Khan, Noof Al Thani, Angelica Caccayam, Sara Al-Sada. https://www.facebook.com/PublicArtInQatar/2013. Grant from UREP Undergraduate Research Experience Program for the project entitled Designing for Food Security. Investigating Productive Landscapes in Doha. With students Nussyba Abdalgader Eribi, Asmaa Saleh AL-Mohannadi, Reem Awwad. http://blogs.qu.edu.qa/foodurbanismdoha/
Cultural Ambassador - Out of Valais
Bicentennial of the Canton of Valais 2015
Nominated as an Cultural Ambassador for the Swiss Abroad to represent the Valaisans living out of the Canton of Valais in celebration of the 200 year celebration of joining the Swiss Confederation in 1815. The project was sponsored by the Fondation pour le development durable des regions de Montagne. FDDRD. A Film produced by Mauro Losa on Anna's life in Qatar was screened at the Bicentenary Celebrations in Valais on 7th and 8th August 2015. The Music on the Video is by Desert Bridges.
Watch the film here https://vimeo.com/136286449
IMERA Art-Science Residency Grant
Principal Investigator. 2014
Grant for the Art-Science Residency Program at the Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies Marseille for the project The Cyprus GreenLineScapes Laboratory. A Digital and Dynamic Atlas of Ecological Cooperation. Conducted with six international artists and scientists.
http://rfiea.fr/fellows/equipe-cyprus-greenlinescapes-laboratory
Ministry of Culture Qatar
Project Co-Leader. 2013
Funding for the Cultural Exchange Project and Performance Desert Bridges at the Qatar National Theater with local and international musicians and artists. In collaboration with the Swiss Embassy in Qatar. April 2013. Watch the full video of the performance here https://vimeo.com/201826456 see the facebook page here https://www.facebook.com/DesertBridges
Start Up Grant
Principal Investigator. 2011-2012
Funding for the research project Qatarscapes. Landscapes of Seven Ecologies.
Swiss Young TalentsAnna was recognized as a Swiss Young Talent during her time at Harvard GSD and invited to present her work to Swiss Academic Leaders at the Scientific Consulate. Swissnex is a public-private venture and is part of a network of outposts in San Francisco, Bangalore, Shanghai and Rio de Janeiro. Along with individual science and technology counselors around the world, Swissnex works on behalf of Switzerland to expand education, research, and innovation.
Penny White Prize GSD Harvard
2007
Recipient of a grant from the Penny White Prize by the Department of Landscape Architecture at the Graduate School of Design, Harvard University for the research project. The Penny White Prize was awarded to document the Buffer Zone that separates North and South Cyprus as a physical and cultural landscape, as a means of investigating the opportunities and potential of this dividing line as a backbone of a future reunification of the island and as a catalyst for reconciliation articulated around environmental landscape projects.
World Knowledge Dialogue
Workshop and Project Leader. 2010
Grant for a workshop. Interdisciplinarity in Action: A Practical Experience of Interdisciplinary Research. An Atlas Beyond Borders: Zones of Peace and Ecological Cooperation. In collaboration with Dr. Saleem Ali, Institute of Environmental Diplomacy and Security, University of Vermont. 2010.
https://issuu.com/adrien.moreillon/docs/world_knowledge_dialogue_2010/12
UNESCO Switzerland
Project Leader and Performer. 2002
Cultural Grant for the Sufi Moon Cultural Laboratory, Switzerland/Pakistan to support the launch concert of the Sufi Moon CD at Usine a Gaz in Nyon, Switzerland. To listen to the recording or buy the CD please click here.
ProHelvetia. Swiss Arts Council
Project Leader and Performer. 2002
Cultural Grant for the Sufi Moon Cultural Laboratory, Switzerland/Pakistan to support a CD Recording and performances in Switzerland and Pakistan. To listen to the recording or buy the CD please click here.
Swiss Agency for Development & Cooperation
Project Leader and Performer. 2002
Cultural Grant for the Sufi Moon Cultural Laboratory, Switzerland/Pakistan to support a CD Recording and performances in Switzerland and Pakistan. To listen to the recording or buy the CD please click here.
City of Geneva
Project Leader and Performer. 1999
Cultural Grant for the Border Meetings Project to support a CD Recording and performances in Switzerland. To listen to or buy the CD please click here.
City of Nyon
Project Leader and Performer. 1999
Cultural Grant for the Border Meetings Project to support a CD Recording and performances in Switzerland. To listen to or buy the CD please click here.
Canton of Geneva
Project Leader and Performer. 1999
Cultural Grant for the Border Meetings Project to support a CD Recording and performances in Switzerland. To listen to or buy the CD please click here.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
M-NEX Doha Living LabLead PI and Lead Research Consultant 2018 - present
Grant Recipient and Lead Research consultant for the Belmont Forum SUGI Sustainable Urbanism Global Initiative project M-NEX. Moveable Nexus Doha Living Lab funded by QNRF.
Aga Khan FoundationEducation Officer, Technical Reviewer, Nominator. – Present.
Technical Reviewer for the Aga Khan Award for Architecture 2019. Development of an Education Initiative for the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, in collaboration with the Aga Khan programs on Architecture at MIT and Harvard University (2009). Nominator for the Aga Khan Award for Architecture.
Lusail Consultants, DohaConsultant on Park Projects. 2013Design Consultant on three Urban Parks in Doha. Preliminary Concept Design and Park Programming. Sustainability and Ecology.
Charles River Conservancy, BostonArchitect Consultant
Research and concept for an open-air exhibit along the Charles River. Entitled Think Swiss, Think Swim, the project proposed to exhibit examples of Swiss river and lake bathing facilities in selected sites along the Charles River, with the aim of promoting the idea of River Swimming in Boston.
Frederick Douglass Peace Garden, RoxburyArchitect-Urbanist and Community Leader.Pro-Bono urban design and grant writing for public spaces of reconciliation and commemoration in Lower Roxbury, including the Frederick Douglas Peace Garden, the Bessie Barnes Memorial Garden and the United Neighbours of Lower Roxbury Community Centre
Swissnex BostonArchitect Consultant
The project consisted in the installation of a traveling exhibit -Inventioneering Architecture -on the subject of Swiss Architectural Education, in the arrival hall of Logan Airport in Boston. The work included designing the exhibition space, curating the opening event, as well as coordinating and training Architectural Guides to accompany visitors through the exhibit
City of Geneva Department of Cultural Affairs
Architect-Urbanist, Project Manager & Steering Committee. – 2002
Concept, Design, Construction and Project Management of infrastructures and lighting for the Annual Music Festival in the Old City of Geneva "Fete de la Musique". Reactivating public spaces and requalifying the city's history through temporary installations, structures and lighting. Staging multi-cultural music performances and spaces for community interaction.
Gerber & Ellenberger Architects
Architect
Design and construction of a Regional Air Traffic Control Centre at Geneva International Airport. Design studies for a new extension of Geneva Airport. Villa extension and swimming pool for Nana Mouskouri in Cologny, Geneva, Switzerland.
Wood Frame Eco-House, Arzier
Architect and Project Manager.
Architectural design and project management for an Ecological Wood Frame House in Arzier-le-Muids for Thiel-Grichting family. In association with Thomas Buchi, Wooden Structural Engineers.
World Economic Forum
Trilingual Executive Assistant to the Director of programs.
Design and construction of a Regional Air Traffic Control Centre at Geneva International Airport. Design studies for a new extension of Geneva Airport. Villa extension and swimming pool for Nana Mouskouri in Cologny, Geneva, Switzerland.
DHL Regional Office, GenevaAssistant to Operations Manager Europe – 1982DHL Express is a division of the German logistics company Deutsche Post DHL providing international express mail services. Deutsche Post DHL is the world's largest logistics company operating around the world, particularly in sea and air mail.AFFILIATIONS
Harvard Arab Alumni Association
Member. 2011 - present
Member of the Harvard Arab Alumni Association and moderator and panel speaker at the HAA Conferences, for example Harvard Arab World Conference 2017 in Jordan. https://www.sajilni.com/event/harvard-arab-world-conference-2017
AIA Middle East
Member and Jury for AIA Middle East Design Awards. 2015 - present
The American Institute of Architects is the voice of the architectural profession in the US and the resource for its members in service to society. Through a culture of innovation, AIA empowers its members and inspires creation of a better built environment.
IFLA Advisory Circle
Member. 2017 - present
The IFLA International Federation of Landscape Architects Advisory Circle has two roles: one is to write policy papers to develop IFLA policy on issues relevant to the landscape architecture profession such as for instance blue green infrastructure.The other is a monitor to advise on impacts of change and write policy/provide other advice in the case of anticipated or actual impacts. The monitoring group has yet to be developed.
IFLA Middle East
Member. 2016 - present
The American Institute of Architects is the voice of the architectural profession in the US and the resource for its members in service to society. Through a culture of innovation, AIA empowers its members and inspires creation of a better built environment.
Harvard 3WD: Women in Defense, Diplomacy and Development
Member of the Alumni Network. 2018 - Present
Global Leaders Working Together Toward Sustainable Peace. The mission of W3D is three-pronged: (1) cultivate women leaders; (2) build a trusted network of defense, diplomacy, and development experts; and (3) foster sustainable peace and security solutions.
Friends of HumanityConsultant and Member of the Board – PresentConsultant for the development of Ecotourism projects in Brazil and Bhutan. Friends of Humanity SA is a Geneva-based non-profit organization (bylaws - PDF) supporting initiatives and projects in four key areas: Human rights and dignity, Education and training, Healthcare and medicine (including alternative medicine), Environmental protection and conservation
DMZ CouncilMember of the Advisory Board – PresentKorea DMZ Council is a consultative body that consists of about 30 public and private organizations such as Education Center for Unification, Korea Institute for Defense Analyses, and DMZ United. The purpose of the council is to preserve the ecology of DMZ and to contribute to bring peace on the Korean peninsula through inter-Korean collaboration, so that we can develop DMZ as a world heritage.
Qatar Green Building CouncilMember Green Infrastructure Group – 2017Qatar Green Building Council (QGBC) is a non-profit, membership-driven organization providing leadership and encouraging collaboration in conducting environmentally sustainable practices for green building design and development in Qatar. QGBC also aims to support the overall health and sustainability of the environment, the people, and economic security in Qatar for generations to come. The council, a member of Qatar Foundation, was formally established in 2009 by a decree signed by H.H. Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser and is helping Qatar on its journey to establish a post-hydrocarbon, knowledge economy and progressive society.
Reconstruction and Resettlement Council CyprusConsultant. – 2017
Proposing new future uses for the Buffer Zone and conceptualising a planning workshop and strategies to research and implement the project.
Swiss Business Council Qatar
Member 2016 - present
The aim of the SwissBCQ is to support commercial and personal relationships between its members and to promote economic, social and cultural relations between the state of Qatar and Switzerland.
http://swissbcq.org/4th-april-book-launch-and-signing-by-dr-anna-gritchting/
CONFERENCES
Shiftin' 2020
Keynote Speech 18 November 2020
Keynote Lecture: Co-creating and regenerating our planet for a peaceful and purposeful future.
Round Table: The role of education to nurture the future leader’s sustainable mindset.
https://lesroches.edu/shiftin/
Resilient and Regenerative Food Systems
Keynote Speech. 28 October 2020
Keynote: Regenerative Design for the Food Water Waste and Energy nexus in times of crisis. The Case of Qatar.
To increase Food Security in Qatar and to develop better urban systems related to the Food Water, Water, Energy and Waste nexus it is necessary to integrate the production of food into spatial design. This cannot be done from only a technical and engineering approach, but must be integrated in holistic strategies that include interdisciplinary approaches and that work with, and not against, Nature to address. We present a series of urban and landscape design projects in Qatar that focus on the Food-Water-Energy and Waste nexus, using both natural and technological food production systems. The projects will highlight the different approaches and scales of urban and landscape design as well as the cultural and community aspects that are related to urban agriculture.
IHC2014Delegate – 2014The IHC 2014 Organising Committee have worked tirelessly on the 2014 Congress for many years, always continuing to work with determination, enthusiasm and passion to ensure that a world class event was delivered for all involved. We would like to thank the 3200 delegates, sponsors & exhibitors for their support & attendance at the Congress. The program was delivered to the highest of standards with 1400 oral presentations and 1350 poster presentations, from delegates from more than 100 different countries.
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