(Burbank, CA ­ November 1, 2001) Woodbury University will host two free lectures this month that explore environmental issues related to architecture and design.

The lectures, sponsored by the Woodbury University School of Architecture and Design and Toyota Motor Sales USA, are open to the public.

“A Talk: Current Projects” by internationally renowned artist Jorge Pardo will begin at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, November 13 at Woodbury University, 7500 Glenoaks Blvd., Burbank.

The Los Angeles-based Pardo was recognized earlier this year by the Smithsonian Museum as the inaugural winner of the Lucelia Artist Award to encourage leading contemporary American artists.

“Pardo’s work blurs the distinction between art, architecture and design,” said Lynda Roscoe Hartigan, chief curator at the Smithsonian, in announcing Pardo as the award winner. “By using everyday objects in his installations, Pardo encourages shifting perceptions toward looking for beauty outside of traditional art spaces.”

Early in his career, the Cuban-born Pardo examined issues of interior space and human scale using pin-hole cameras. His work -- which he calls sculptures -- varies from hanging lamps and furniture to architectural projects, such as the house that he designed and built as an exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles. His installations can be found throughout the United States, Japan and Europe. His most recent projects include “Project” at the Dia Center for the Arts in New York City and “Lamps” at Sotheby's New York headquarters.

“Building Ecology: Towards a New Paradigm for Environmental Design” by research architect Hal Levin of the Building Ecology Research Group, Santa Cruz, will begin at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, November 27 at Woodbury University, 7500 Glenoaks Blvd., Burbank.

Levin is a noted architect who advocates “green” building practices that protect the environment. During the past 25 years, Levin has been sought as a consultant by the government, industry and design community on indoor environmental quality and broader environmental issues. He has lectured and published extensively in the United States and Europe and is credited with coining the term "building ecology," the title of his 1981 Progressive Architecture article.

Woodbury’s “Green Voices” lecture series will continue during 2002 with an additional five programs scheduled for January, February, March and April. The lectures will focus on architecture, fashion design and landscape architecture.

This marks the third year that Woodbury and Toyota Motor Sales USA, which calls the environment one of its primary concerns, have hosted the lecture series.

For more information about the lectures, please call 818.767.0888.

Founded in 1884, Woodbury University is one of the oldest institutions of higher education in Southern California. An accredited, nonprofit university, Woodbury is located on a 22-acre residential campus in Burbank and offers bachelor's degrees from the School of Architecture and Design, Business and Management, and Arts and Sciences. Woodbury also offers a master of business administration as well as weekend and evening study for working adults. A San Diego campus was established in 1998 to offer bachelor of architecture degrees.