Contemporary Australian Architects Speaker Series
First launched 35 years ago, the Contemporary Australian Architects Speaker Series at Canberra's National Gallery of Australia brings together local and countrywide architects to discuss socially engaging and eco-conscious architecture.
Words: Emma-Kate Wilson
‘Architecture is inspirational in its physicality, it enhances our ability to live, work and experience the world,’ says National Gallery of Australia Director Nick Mitzevich. Pictured: Hawthorn House by Edition Office. Photo: Tom Ross
Initiated in 1987 by Canberran architects Catherine and Bruce Townsend, the National Gallery of Australia's Contemporary Australian Architects Speaker Series opens the discourse on local design in the country's capital—in partnership with the ACT Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects.
The Townsends wanted to showcase Canberra's architecturally significant buildings with the rest of Australia. In particular, facilitating conversations between a city audience and their 'regional outpost' designed by Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin.
'35 years ago, the Contemporary Architects Series was launched in Canberra by local architect couple Brue and Catherine Townsend, and the Gallery has been hosting the series for 27 of those years' says the National Gallery. 'The idea behind the venture was to attract the “bright lights, the great and the good of architecture” to Canberra and has since become an invaluable annual program for the local design audience.'
At the forefront of 2022's Speaker Series is the discussion on the pressing need for well-designed homes to elevate the health and well-being of Australian communities in our climate crisis.
'Champions for sustainable design, the 2022 speakers are Kate Fitzgerald of Whispering Smith in South Fremantle, WA; Koichi Takada of Koichi Takada Architects in Sydney, NSW; Jo Best of Troppo Architects in Darwin, NT and Adelaide, SA; and Aaron Roberts and Kim Bridgland of Edition Office in Melbourne, Vic,' says the National Gallery. 'Each speaker will look to their own practices and shine a light on sustainability, public design, and the transformative power of architecture.'
‘It’s about why they work, how they work, what their drivers might be. In these lectures, the architect has enough time to tell us about the adventures they had along the way,’ says Catherine Townsend in conversation with the gallery. House A by Whispering Smith. Photo: Ben Hosking
Hawthorn House by Edition Office. Photo: Tom Ross
Australian Institute of Architects 2022 Gold Medal Winner Sean Godsell. Photo: Earl Carter
“There is a pressing need for well-designed homes to elevate the health and well-being of Australian communities amid the climate crisis is the focus for this year’s Contemporary Australian Architect Speakers Series.”
‘From what seemed like a small regional outpost in the 80s, the famously ‘planned’ city had more than its share to offer in terms of architecturally significant buildings and the Townsends wanted to make it known – to Canberrans and beyond.’ Pictured: Troppo Architects, The Bird Hide, Traditional Land Owners: The Larrakia People, image courtesy Australian Institute of Architects. Photo: Troppo Architects
The series launches with the feminist Perth-based architectural firm Whispering Smith on 7th September. 'They are champions for millennial housing, sustainable design and friendly minimalist architecture, and are renowned vocal advocates for gender equality,' says the National Gallery.
Following this, the nature-loving, urban-based Koichi Takada enter the stage on the 14th of September—opening the discussion for a closer relationship to the environment, their Norfolk Pine-inspired project launching this debate. 'Questioning the loss of nature in cities opens up new possibilities in architecture and design,' says the firm. 'In nature, we find our ability to regenerate. Nature constantly adapts to the changing environment.'
Following these, Troppo on 21 September and Edition Office on 28 September, highlight the importance of place and connection to Country and the long-lasting relationship to sustainability that transcends materiality.
'There has been an emphasis towards residential projects because we’re aware of our audience here in Canberra, and people love looking at residential developments,' says Catherine in an interview with the National Gallery. 'But we’ve felt it’s also important that the series has a sense of social responsibility, so we’ve programmed a range of speakers who’ve focused on the social, cultural, and ethical dimensions of contemporary architecture.'
Taking place in the iconic National Gallery, designed by Col Madigan AO and his team at Edwards Madigan Torzillo and Partners, the series proves the irrevocable link between architecture and life. As Catherine reveals, 'architecture doesn’t exist in isolation – it exists in a context and must be accountable.'
The Contemporary Australian Architecture Series
Wednesdays, 7–28 September: Check the starting time in your state: ACT, NSW, VIC, TAS, QLD: 6pm. SA, NT: 5.30pm. WA: 4pm. Book now
Norfolk, Burleigh Heads by Koichi Takada Architects. Photo: Scott Burrows