INSPIRE 2012, the third edition in the ten-volume series charting the best in peer-reviewed Australian architecture, was launched in Sydney on Thursday 6 December.

Showcasing the innovative projects that have been honoured through the Australian Institute of Architects’ 2012 National Architecture Awards, INSPIRE 2012 is a celebration of excellence in contemporary Australian architecture published in over 250 beautifully produced, full-colour pages.

The 2012 National Architecture Awards program attracted a record 956 entries from across all states and territories in 11 categories resulting in 157 awards given at state and territory level followed by 35 National Awards announced on November 1.

Charting leading Australian architecture projects over the course of a decade from 2010 through to 2019, the INSPIRE series is a unique portrayal of award-winning designs from concept to completion. Preliminary sketches, stunning photographs and quotes from architects and clients, give readers new insight into the design process.

Institute CEO David Parken noted ‘the National Awards are an important way of recognising the talents of the profession as expressed through architecture.

‘The Awards and INSPIRE 2012 encapsulate much of what the Institute represents – bringing people and architecture together; celebrating the energy, talent and tenacity of architects through recognition of their work; and raising awareness within the community of the value of excellent architecture.’

The INSPIRE series was developed by Institute CEO David Parken and German-born photographer and publisher, Katarina Stuebe. Each edition features individually numbered publications, with visual quirks linking all 10 in the series together – when lined up, an overall graphic theme will be revealed on the books’ spines.

‘It is a privilege producing the INSPIRE series and creating such a high profile book featuring Australia’s best architects and designs,’ said publisher Katarina Stuebe.

INSPIRE – Australian National Architecture Awards 2012 is available at Architext bookshops in Melbourne, Sydney or online at www.architext.com.au.

Limited copies of INSPIRE 2010 AND 2011 are also available.

CREATOR – David Parken
Architect, advocate and former National President, David Parken is the CEO of the Australian Institute of Architects. The Institute is Australia’s peak architectural body, representing more than 11,500 members across Australia and overseas. David is a Life Fellow of the Institute, with more than 20 years’ experience in private practice. David is an advocate for architecture, design and sustainability.

PUBLISHER – Katarina Stuebe
Katarina is an architectural photographer and founder of international publishing company REVEALbooks+fotos, under which she created and published Jørn Utzon’s Sydney Opera House, a memoir of Jørn Utzon and Australia’s famous icon. In 2010, Katarina documented various national pavilions at World Expo Shanghai that feature in the award winning book ‘The Unbeatable’ published in March 2012. She also creates and co-publishes the INSPIRE series, a collector’s edition featuring the annual Australian National Architecture Awards. All books in this 10-year series are joint publications with the Australian Institute of Architects.

————-

For media enquiries, interviews and high res images contact:

Alexandra Cato
National Media and Communications Officer
Australian Institute of Architects
P. +61 (0)3 8620 3813 | M. +61 (0)416 022 818
alexandra.cato@architecture.com.au

The Australian Institute of Architects is the peak body for the architectural profession, representing more than 11,500 members across Australia and overseas. The Institute actively works to improve the quality of our built environment by promoting quality, responsible and sustainable design. Learn more about the Institute, log on to www.architecture.com.au

Formations: New Practices in Australian Architecture, Australia’s exhibition at the 2012 Venice Architecture Biennale attracted over 70,000 visitors during the three month international event.

Coming to a close on Sunday 25 November, the 13th International Architecture Exhibition – Common Ground, curated by David Chipperfield, experienced a daily average of more than 2000 patrons taking final visitor figures to 178,000, an increase of 4.7 per cent compared to the last Architecture Biennale in 2010.

Formations, devised by Creative Directors Anthony Burke and Gerard Reinmuth with TOKO Concept Design, showcased six innovative architectural groups that inspired discussion and debate around the changing role of architects and the ways in which they influence the world around them in response to new economic, social and cultural challenges.

‘The Formations exhibition drew attention to, and applauded the incredible breadth and reach of diverse architectural approaches. It exposed the work many Australian Architects are doing beyond architecture in that traditional sense… significant work which extends our contribution to this place – our world – and to people’s lives,’ observed Shelley Penn, Australian Institute of Architects National President.

The six featured teams were Healthabitat (Paul Pholeros, Stephan Rainow, Paul Torzillo),Supermanoeuvre (Dave Pigram, Iain Maxwell, Chris Duffield), Richard Goodwin Pty Ltd (Richard Goodwin), 2112Ai 100YR City (Tom Kovac, Fleur Watson), The Architects Radio Show (Stuart Harrison, Simon Knott, Christine Philips, Rory Hyde), and Archrival (Claire McCaughan, Lucy Humphrey).

The team’s installations and concepts included a robotically fabricated structure, roaming radio broadcast, humanitarian aid work, a zip-line, sculptural Foosball tables, and a digital depiction of futuristic urban visions.

Major international design media were drawn to the exhibition in the Australian Pavilion for its dynamic display and in-depth themes, with coverage appearing in prestigious publications including World Architecture News, The Guardian, ArchDaily and Designboom, reaching audiences in excess of six million.

Visit www.architecture.com.au/formations/mediakit for the full Formations media kit that includes high resolution images of the exhibition, the full suite of media releases, biographies of the participants, and more.

————-

For media enquiries contact:

Alexandra Cato
National Media and Communications Officer
Australian Institute of Architects
P. +61 (3) 8620 3813 | M. +61 (0)416 022 818
alexandra.cato@architecture.com.au

Notes to the editor 

Australia’s attendance at the Venice Architecture Biennale is an initiative of the Australian Institute of Architects. The Institute has coordinated Australia’s presence at the Venice Architecture Biennale since 2006 and is committed to supporting the event until at least 2016.

The exhibition is supported by Brand Australia, the Victorian Government through Arts Victoria, NSW Department of Trade and Investment, the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, part of the Department of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts, the City of Sydney, Austral Bricks, Zip Industries, NSW Architects Registration Board, University of Technology Sydney, University of Canberra, Autodesk, Smeg, Steensen Varming, IBL Limited, Café di Stasio, ERCO and Architecture Media. In addition, the Institute gratefully acknowledges the support given by the Australia Council for the Arts, including the use of the Pavilion for the exhibition.

We also thank the architecture community through Network Venice practices and significant donors for the generous financial support they have contributed.