The Australian Institute of Architects Foundation is delighted to welcome talented German architect Martin Ostermann as the next Droga Architect in Residence. Ostermann will be joined on the residency by designer Lena Kleinheinz, co -founder and director of their Berlin-based practice, Magma Architecture.
Magma Architecture have earned international recognition for their innovative and award-winning designs, including the Olympic Shooting Arena designed for the 2012 London Games (American Institute of Architects UK, Excellence in Design).
The recurrent theme in their practice is the unconventional ephemeral notion of architecture, producing designs that are temporary, lightweight, changeable, adaptable and even mobile buildings, in small and larger scales. Their 12-week residency project aims to question the permanence of architecture and develop prospects of a new or revived mobile understanding of architecture. Their research by design project will culminate in a public exhibition to be held in Sydney, week commencing 18 October.
During their residency – 24 July to 24 October – the pair will also engage with Australian university students in design workshops hosted by architecture schools nationally. Their first public event will be a floor talk held in Perth on Thursday 27 July, at 6pm, hosted at the Institute’s WA Chapter Office. Details and tickets are available here.
Applications for the 2018 Droga Program are now open to internationally based candidates. Submissions, closing 18 September, will be considered by a distinguished jury panel before successful candidates are announced on 30 September. Registration link and details are available here.
The residency offers applicants a unique opportunity to engage with the Australian public and architecture community through a 10-12 week curated program, incorporating a ‘research by design’ project. Residents are expected to contribute to the Foundation’s commitment to supporting and communicating the value of architecture and design to the benefit of the Australian community.
Successful applicants will receive return flights to Australia, a generous stipend and are accommodated in the stunning Droga apartment, an award winning warehouse apartment located in vibrant inner Sydney.