Research Institute for
Sustainability | at GFZ

Eduardo Kairuz

Eduardo Kairuz

Senior Fellow

© priv.

E-Mail

eduardo [dot] antonio [dot] kairuz [dot] gonzalez [at] rifs-potsdam [dot] de

Dr Eduardo Kairuz is an architect, artist, and scholar, and co-director of the Global Extraction Observatory (GEO). His work explores how crises transform space, opening ways to address social and climate justice. His practice-based research has featured in major international events, including the Venice Architecture Biennale and the Gwangju Design Biennale. Solo shows include Variations at The Substation, Melbourne, and Dismantled at Centro Cultural Chacao, Caracas.

His current research focuses on representation in the new climatic regime and how undisciplined forms of spatial practice can shape a resistance aesthetics. Before joining Monash University's Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture in 2011, he was a Visiting Lecturer at the University of Technology Sydney and Assistant Professor at Universidad Central de Venezuela. Earlier, he practised in Venezuela, where he designed award-winning slum rehabilitation projects.

Publications prior to joining the RIFS

BOOKS Kairuz, E. Undisciplined: Of Architectural Nomadism and the Rebellious Practice. London: Anthem Press, (forthcoming) 2025. Kairuz, E., Spurr, S. (GEO) w/Therese Keogh (Ed.). Fossil Fables. Sydney: Tin Sheds Gallery/The University of Sydney, 2023. Kairuz, E., De Rogatis, C., Kaji-O'Grady, S., Sainz Borgo, K. and S. Spurr. Eduardo Kairuz: Dismantled. Melbourne: Uro Publications, 2016.

BOOK CHAPTERS Kairuz, E., and S. Spurr (GEO). "Energy Sites (Yallourn)." In Repair Stories, ed. by Benjamin, L., Frichot, H., and V. Mannerin. Melbourne: Perimeter Books, (forthcoming) 2026. Kairuz, E. "Fuitives and Nomads: Practice as Escape." In Artistic Research in Practice, ed. by Haylock, B., Wilkinson, J., and C. Anderson. Amsterdam: Valiz, (forthcoming) 2025. Kairuz, E., and S. Spurr (GEO). "Mining Mining [sic]: Ideology, Representation, and Critical Spatial Practice." In Critical Practices in Architecture: The Unexamined, ed. by Bean, J., Dickinson, S., and A. Ida, 97-118. Newcastle: Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2020.

JOURNAL ARTICLES Kairuz, E., and S. Spurr (GEO). "Notes Toward the Construction of a Typology of Protest." arq: Architecture Research Quarterly 26, no. 4 (forthcoming, 2025). Kairuz, E., and S. Spurr (GEO). "CO2 interiors." IDEA Journal 18, no. 1 (2021): 87-112.

NON-TRADITIONAL RESEARCH OUTPUTS Kairuz E., & S. Spurr (GEO, Sandscapes. Copenhagen Architecture Festival: Commission on Circularity. Copenhagen, Denmark. Kairuz E., & S. Spurr (GEO, Ground Melbourne/Biik Naarm. National Gallery of Victoria. Melbourne, 2024. Kairuz E., & S. Spurr (GEO), Fossil Fables. Tin Sheds Gallery, The University of Sydney. Sydney, 2023. Kairuz E., & S. Spurr (GEO), Ground Melbourne, Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism 2023. Seoul, South Korea, 2023.

  • 2025, Resistance Aesthetics. Borders & Territories. TU Delft. Delft, Netherlands.
  • 2025, Lithium Unearthed. Research Institute of Sustainability - Helmholtz Centre. Potsdam, Germany.
  • 2025, Resistance Aesthetics. Melbourne School of Design. The University of Melbourne. Melbourne, Australia.
  • 2024, Resistance Aesthetics. Process: Architecture: Settler Colonialism and Violence, Melbourne, Australia.
  • 2023, Ravaged Ground: Terminal Void (Lignite). Common Ground: Seoul & Melbourne in Dialogue, Seoul, South Korea.
  • 2023, Minefields. Tin Sheds Gallery. The University of Sydney. Sydney, Australia.
  • 2022, Side Effects. MPavilion. Melbourne, Australia.
  • 2022, Minefields. MPavilion. Melbourne, Australia.
  • 2021, Minefields. School of Architecture, Umeå University. Umeå, Sweden.
  • 2021, Undisciplined. Zürcher Hochschule der Künste. Zurich, Switzerland.
  • 2019, Minefields. Centre for 21st Century Humanities, University of Newcastle. Australia.
  • 2019, Minefields. The 2019 Architecture & Design Research Conference. Monash University. Melbourne, Australia.
  • 2019, Minefields. Artforum Lecture Series, Monash University. Melbourne.
  • 2019, Undisciplined: Of Architectural Nomadism and the Rebellious Practice. RMIT Design Hub. Melbourne, Australia.
  • 2018, Minefields. Centre for Research Architecture, Goldsmiths. London, UK.
  • 2018, Minefields. Architecture Guest Lecture Series. Royal College of Art. London, UK.

  • 2025 Planetary Transitions: Arts Residency in Potsdam. Project: "Lithium Unearthed: Navigating the Hope and Hazards for a Green Future." Funding: Research Institute for Sustainability - Helmholtz Centre Potsdam, City of Potsdam, & DAAD
  • 2024 Gold Winner (Installation Design). Australian Good Design Awards. Sydney.
  • 2018 MADA Education Award for Teaching Excellence. Faculty of Art Design & Architecture, Monash University. Melbourne.
  • 2012 Honourable Mention. La Carlota: A Green Metropolitan Park (international competition). Caracas.
  • 2008 1st Prize. Competition for Assistant Professor in Architectural Design. Universidad Central de Venezuela. Caracas.
  • 2007 Honourable Mention. 1st Salón Caroní of Young Visual Artists. Museo Alejandro Otero. Caracas.
  • 2004 3rd Prize. In Real Time: VI Salón Pirelli of Young Contemporary Artists. Museo de Arte Contemporáneo. Caracas