The guest speakers list for the Australian Institute of Architects 2013 National Architecture Conference – Material – has been finalized. Artists, academics, practising architects, historians, researchers and problem solvers are among the fourteen presenters selected by creative directors Sandra Kaji-O’Grady and John de Manincor.
This year’s conference will explore contemporary applications and ideas surrounding materials in architecture. “Material seems an obvious theme for discussion for the profession given the everyday engagement architects have with material selection and assembly,” say the creative directors. “Our ambition for the conference is to expand the discourse on materiality beyond phenomena and affect to explore political, environmental and technological concerns.”
Creative directors Sandra Kaji-O’Grady and John de Manincor.
Image: Adam Russell
“Having worked solidly seeking speakers for more than a year now, we know their work intimately. We are particularly excited knowing that, while many of the speakers may not be household names (yet), their work will be of great interest to the audience. And the variety of materials used in their presentations will be pretty astounding.” From Philippe Rahm expect coloured light, heat and gas; from Jorge Otero-Pailos – latex, pollution and time; from Virginia San Fratello – printed ceramics, straw and cardboard; and from Matthias Kohler – brick-laying helicopters. The 2013 guest speakers are:
- Carey Lyon (Lyons) Australia
- Emma Young (PHOOEY Architects) Australia
- Jorge Otero-Pailos (Columbia University) USA
- Billie Faircloth (KieranTimberlake Research Group) USA
- Cesare Peeren (Superuse Studios) Netherlands
- Kathrin Aste (LAAC Architects) Austria
- Nader Tehrani (NADAAA) USA
- Ma Yansong (MAD Architects) China
- Manuelle Gautrand (Manuelle Gautrand Architecture) France
- Matthias Kohler (Gramazio and Kohler) Switzerland
- Virginia San Fratello (Rael San Fratello) USA
- Tim Greer (Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects) Australia
- Lucia Cano (SeglasCano Arquitectos) Spain
- Philippe Rahm (Philippe Rahm Architectes) France
In conjunction with the creative directorship of the conference, Kaji-O’Grady and de Manincor will guest-edit the special May/June edition of Architecture Australia, featuring their reflections on the conference theme, alongside projects from across Australia that demonstrate the way materials and products contribute to the creation of innovative architecture.
Supporting the conference are fringe events including film screenings, bicycle tours, a symposium on women’s leadership in the profession, and of course, the opening and closing parties.
The National Architecture Conference will be held in Melbourne from 30 May to 1 June 2013, co-located with Designex. Download the conference program, read speaker profiles, or purchase tickets here.
