Speaker Series presents future vision

Some of Australia’s leading design practitioners will present their vision for our built environment at the National Gallery of Australia for the 35th Contemporary Australian Architects Speaker Series.

Hosted by the Australian Institute of Architects’ ACT Chapter in a long-standing partnership with the National Gallery of Australia, four lectures in September will spotlight the critical importance of sustainable design, equitable environments and designing with Country to enhance the health and well-being of Australian communities.

The Contemporary Australian Architects Speaker Series has discussed innovative ideas about design, art and architecture throughout the last three decades.

Institute Immediate Past President Shannon Battisson said the Series served as a platform for distinguished Australian architects to delve into the pressing issues affecting the profession, communities and broader society.

This year, the Series’ past and present convenors – Catherine Townsend, Bruce Townsend, Dominic Pelle, and Nathan Judd – were awarded the Institute’s 2023 National President’s Prize in recognition of their contribution to the program over a combined 34 years.

“This Series is a highly anticipated event for the Australian design community,” she said. “We are thrilled at the opportunity to hear the important and innovative ideas from these thought leaders.”

National Gallery of Australia Director Dr Nick Mitzevich said this enduring partnership highlighted the intersection between art, design and architecture.

“One of the oldest forms of public art, architecture can transform our feelings and thoughts. Inspirational in its physicality, architecture, like art, enhances lives and it is an honour to host the Contemporary Australian Architects Speaker Series annually,” he said.

The Series starts tonight, with award-winning registered architect, educator and critic, Qianyi Lim. She has worked in practices across Australia, China and Denmark over the last 15 years and co-founded Sibling Architecture in 2017. Her vision is for inclusive and equitable environments that are ecologically sustainable and culturally enriching for diverse communities.

The following week, Architects Ink’s Directors Mladen Zujic and Marco Spinelli will speak to their collaborative design approach, in which the process is as important as the final product.

On September 20, Studio Ilk’s Founding Director Kate Symons will present her speech. Her practice seeks to create unique responses to a range of projects both big and small in the residential and commercial spheres whilst fostering an approach of inclusion and equality.

The final event will be the presentation from Greenaway Architects’ Jefa Greenaway, a champion of Indigenous-led design thinking. He is the Director of Indigenous Architecture + Design Australia (IADA), and as co-author of the International Indigenous Design Charter, with a particular interest in design equity and Country-centred design.

The series is supported by long-time sponsor, BCA Certifiers. In-person and virtual tickets are on sale at the National Gallery of Australia website.