Daniel M. Millette teaches history and theory. His primary focus is on exploring the ways through which architectural theory and knowledge are produced. He questions “standards” such as Vitruvius’ De architectura, and examines the ways theoreticians and practitioners turn to unquestioned theoretic and in turn apply the same theories to discourse around design, memory, historic preservation and architectural conservation.
Field research follows two primary streams: The first is centered in Rome and its colonies, where early planning precedents and monument reconstructions are investigated. Specifically, the role of the theatre and other monuments of spectacle within the urban fabric provides case-studies. A substantial related monograph is in its final production phase. The second stream of field research is sited closer to home, where early (and present-day) planning precedents on traditional lands are studied by meshing together archaeology, traditional use studies and land use planning. Land Use Plans are developed as case-studies, informed by close work with First Nation community members.
The research has brought him to direct projects in Canada, France, Italy and Tunisia, with an emphasis on looking at the ways early urban plans and monuments are redesigned, rebuilt, and in turn, used to reshape the collective memory. Millette has worked extensivelly on related projects with the Institut de recherche sur l'architecture antique (Aix-en-Provence), La Sapienza University's School of Architecture (Rome) and the Université de Provence's École d'architecture (Marseilles). The goal is to generate a critical field within which publications, course work, field studies and student involvement are interconnected in order to inform a wider sphere of inquiry into the manipulation of the collective memory.
Millette also advises First Nation communities in heritage policy, land use planning, land management, traditional use knowledge studies and economic development.