The Forum Jim Olson Lecture May 28, 2026

LECTURE / Jim OLSON Olson Kundig

The Frank Welch Memorial Lecture

The founder of Olson Kundig, Jim Olson, FAIA explores the interplay of nature, architecture and art. His illustrious career is marked by significant projects throughout the western United States and around the world, as well as worldwide publication and speaking engagements, and exhibitions of his designs. Under his leadership, Olson Kundig has become a multi-disciplinary practice, globally renowned for its design and craft. Inspired by the relationship between light and space, Jim has designed residential projects around the globe, often for art collectors. He creates homes that offer intimate settings for living with art and nature, characterized by a keen sensitivity to proportion and scale.

Olson’s work has been widely published in The New York Times, AD, Architectural Record, Art + Auction, Dwell, Monocle, Interior Design, and the Wall Street Journal. Jim’s projects have received numerous national and international awards, including citations from the American Institute of Architects, the Chicago Athenaeum, and the American Association of Museums. He has received honors including the AIA Seattle Medal of Honor, Interior Design magazine’s Hall of Fame, and an American tastemaker designation by Wallpaper* magazine. Under his leadership, the studio was awarded the 2009 National AIA Architecture Firm Award.

Olson Kundig

Farquhar Residence by Frank Welch, FAIA

The Forum’s Eighth Annual

The Forum’s Ninth Annual

The Forum’s Eighth Annual

Frank Welch Memorial Lecture

Thank You to Our Lecture Fund Donors

The Boeckman Family Foundation

Woo Caroland

Irma and Reggie Graham

W. Mark Gunderson, Architect

Janet + Terry Kafka

Deedie Rose

Liz Tirrell

Ward Family Foundation

Liz Tirrell Ward Family Foundation

Photo by W. Mark Gunderson

Season Sponsors

Maharger Development Reggie Graham

Series Sponsors

Lecture Sponsors

Lecture Supporters

Who we are

The Forum educates, enriches, and connects our community by presenting programs and events; creating experiences; and engaging global and local thought-leaders from the design fields to enhance how we live.

Engage Educate Experience Enjoy

The Dallas Architecture Forum is for everyone who wants to experience inspired design. The Forum presents an award-winning Lecture Series that brings outstanding architects,interior designers, landscape architects, and urban planners from around the world; as well as Symposia, Receptions at architecturally significant residences, and Panel Discussions on issues impacting North Texas.

Photo Credits:

Pp 74-75: Aaron Leitz

All other photos courtesy of Olson Kundig

Cover: Tim Bies

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The Forum Jim Olson Lecture May 28, 2026

Published on May 15, 2026

Nate Eudaly

Jim Olson, FAIA, founder of Olson Kundig, explores the interplay of nature, architecture and art in significant projects throughout the western United States and around the world, as well as in worldwide publications and exhibitions of his designs. Under his leadership, Olson Kundig has become a multi-disciplinary practice, globally renowned for its design and craft. He creates homes that offer intimate settings for living with art and nature. Olson’s work has been widely published in The New York Times, AD, Architectural Record, Dwell, Monocle, ID and the WSJ. Jim’s projects have received numerous national and international awards, including citations from the American Institute of Architects, the Chicago Athenaeum, and the American Association of Museums. His many honors include Interior Design magazine’s Hall of Fame and an American tastemaker designation by Wallpaper* magazine, and the studio was awarded the 2009 National AIA Architecture Firm Award. Olson spoke for The Forum on May 28, 2026.