Roland Batten Memorial Lecture Series: “Design from the Heart”
The Roland Batten Memorial Lecture Series returns for its 21st year, continuing a tradition that celebrates thoughtful design, craft, and the deeply human impulse to make. This year’s lecture, Design from the Heart, will be presented by architect, maker, and creative Ted Montgomery in conjunction with the Architecture + Design Film Series.
Ted’s work resists easy categorization. As Ted describes it, his life has been shaped by “so many opportunities to create, design, fabricate, install, and rejoice in dozens of heartfelt projects – with family, friends, clients who became friends, and others simply passing through.” Design, for him, is not just a profession, but a central force in a healthy, creative existence.
Ted has followed a path that continually challenges his skills and assumptions with an unwavering commitment to craft. That spirit of exploration is evident in the work he will share during the lecture, including several of his constructed design pieces – handmade telescopes, mobile and overnight benches, and other inventive objects that blur the line between utility and delight. These works embody a hands‑on approach to design that values making, testing, and learning through doing.
This annual gathering honors the legacy of Roland Batten by bringing the architecture and design community together around ideas that matter – ideas rooted in generosity, curiosity, and care. Whether you are a practicing architect, a student, a maker, or simply someone who loves design, this promises to be an evening of inspiration and connection.
This year’s lecture will be held on Thursday May 21st at the newly created BCA Studio Building at 405 Pine Street in Burlington. The Community Room is entered from the rear of the building. The lecture starts at 6 pm and there will be snacks and refreshments.