This special podcast recording was a part of Arch + Dsgn Summit and took place at the İzmir Architecture Center, Turkey on 26 September 2019. Moderated by Nurgul Yardim, the talk explored Kirsten Lees’ thoughts on the role of the global architect, the inter-relationship between architecture, place and the city. Kirsten Lees is the Grimshaw London studio’s Managing Partner and Partner in Charge of the design Arter Museum, opened in İstanbul, Turkey. Kirsten is a highly experienced architect with over 25 years’ experience in architecture, strategic planning, urban design and regeneration in sensitive environments within the arts, sports and master planning sectors. She brings insight and creativity to the development of strategic projects, and she demonstrates strong conceptual judgment when integrating buildings into sensitive settings, both urban and rural. Her work has been acknowledged for its subtle response to place, the pre-eminence of the cultural agenda and its unique expressive and material qualities. She was shortlisted for the AJ Woman Architect of the Year award in 2014. She is currently developing the Koç Contemporary Art Museum in Istanbul, and a new grandstand for Curragh Racecourse. Enjoy our conversation.