In Summary

  • Internationally-renowned architect Professor Mark Burry joins Swinburne
  • Professor Burry will lead new Smart Cities Research Institute
  • He is also the lead architect of Sagrada Família Basilica

Professor Mark Burry has been appointed as the new Foundation Director of Swinburne’s Smart Cities Research Institute.

Professor Burry joins Swinburne from the Melbourne School of Design at University of Melbourne where he has been Professor of Urban Futures prior to his Swinburne appointment. He is also the executive architect and lead researcher at the Sagrada Familia Basilica in Barcelona, Spain.

Professor Burry has held an Australian Federation Fellowship and was Founding Director of the Design Research Institute at RMIT University and is considered a thought leader in the domain of cities research.

He is also an ambassador for the Swiss National Science Foundation and a member of the review panel for the National Centres of Competence in Research for Digital Fabrication – Innovative Building Processes in Architecture.

Sagrada Família Basilica 
Sagrada Família Basilica

“The Smart Cities Research Institute will focus on the grand urban challenges facing Australia and the world, on reducing congestion, improving economic productivity, reducing our current dependency on fossil fuels and improving human health and mobility." Professor Aleksandar Subic, Swinburne Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Development) says.  

“The Sagrada Família Basilica is one of the most iconic buildings in the world and Professor Burry is internationally acclaimed for his work as executive architect on this important international building.

“We are looking forward to having Professor Burry join Swinburne, where he will continue his work in Barcelona, while establishing and growing Swinburne’s Smart Cities Research Institute that aims to connect Swinburne’s research to leading development around the globe in this domain.

Professor Burry will commence at Swinburne in May.