Groundbreaking architecture leaders and boundary-testing practitioners will deliver fresh perspectives and challenge the status quo at Collective Agency, the Australian Institute of Architects’ 2019 National Architecture Conference.

The conference will feature a line-up of global architects, thinkers and designers including University of Johannesburg Director of Research, Lesley Lokko; Het Nieuwe Instituut Director of Research, Dr Marina Otero Verzier; aLL Design Director Marcos Rosello; and AD-WO co-Founding Partner Emanuel Admassu alongside his Australian born co-founder Jen Wood.

In a bold proclamation of the power of ideas, each speaker is tasked to empower and give a strength to the architecture collective.

Australian Institute of Architects National President Clare Cousins said the Collective Agency conference would focus on ways architects can transform contemporary challenges into opportunities.

‘Architects have the ability to influence the built environment and make the world better,’ she says.

‘This national conference will inspire architects with circuit-breaking ideas and fresh perspectives from leading designers and practitioners around the world and locally.

‘This conference is deliberately different. Its international and local speakers will challenge attendees to harness their collective strength, effect change and deliver social benefits.’

South Africa-based academic architect and best-selling novellist, Prof Lesley Lokko, is known for her discussions of race, identity, African urbanism and place-making.

Spanish architect and researcher, Dr Marina Otero Verzier, has focused on emerging architectures of automated labour and how work spaces will evolve.

aLL’s Marcos Rosello – whose practice designed an Alessi spoon as well as masterplanning and regenerating cities from England’s Manchester to Chongqing in China – blends sculpture, colour and function in his designs.

Acting NSW Government Architect Olivia Hyde’s experience includes the development and launch of the pilot NSW State Design Review Panel.

Sessions include speakers discussing concepts and actions for architects on collective agency, new protocols, human connectivity, changing the conversation, regenerative and disruptive economies, de-colonising practice, advocacy and influence, and action.

Co-curator Monique Woodward says the conference is political, environmental, optimistic and fresh.

‘What are the new territories for architecture, who should be given a platform and what is advocacy within a regenerative and disruptive economy?,’ she said.

‘This is about celebrating architects, thought leaders and projects that challenge the status quo.
‘We want to look at the world from new perspectives and determine what our collective agency can and will be in the future.’

In addition to the full program of speakers at the conference from June 20 to June 22 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, delegates can attend project tours, walking tours and the opening party.

Be challenged, be inspired and be part of something bigger.

Reduced rate early bird tickets to Collective Agency are on sale now until Friday, May 10.
Full conference passes, day rates, flexi tickets and group specials are available, along with concessional rates for members, graduates and students. Full conference passes include access to the official Opening Party on Thursday 20 June.

For full Collective Agency details, visit the Institute’s website www.wp.architecture.com.au/conference/

Speakers:

Lesley Lokko – University of Johannesburg, South Africa
Marina Otero Verzier – Het Nieuwe Instituut, Netherlands
Marcos Rosello – aLL Design, United Kingdom
Emanuel Admassu and Jen Wood – AD-WO, USA
Farzin Lotfi-Jam – Farzin, USA
Momoyo Kaikima – Atelier Bow-Wow, Japan
Sol Camacho – RADDAR, Brazil
Elisapeta Heta – Jasmax, New Zealand
Jeremy McLeod – Breathe Architecture, Australia
Olivia Hyde – NSW Government Architects Office, Australia
Sarah Lynne Rees – JCBA, Australia
Dhakshayini Sooriyakumaran – Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility, Australia
Laura Harding – Hill Thalis, Australia
Mauro Baracco and Louise Wright – Baracco+Wright, Australia
Genevieve Murray and Joel Sherwood-Spring – Future Method, Australia
Libby Porter – RMIT University, Australia
Scott Fry – Loving Earth, Australia
Cecille Weldon – Centre for Liveability Real Estate, Australia
David Tickle – HASSELL, Australia
Ros Moriarty – Balarinji, Australia
Poppy Taylor and Mat Hinds – Taylor and Hinds Architects, Australia
Gregory Burgess – Gregory Burgess Architects, Australia