International and local architects line up for Diversity + Community 2017

Drawing speakers from Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America and Australia, Diversity + Community is a unique opportunity to join with groundbreaking architects to explore some of the less-charted terrains of architectural practice and to consider the role of architecture as a positive force in uncertain times.

Looking globally and thinking locally, this two-day conference provides a range of informative and inspirational talks revealing the shifting priorities and emerging opportunities for responsive, culturally and socially engaged architecture.

Emphasising architecture that is open-minded, context specific and capable of empowering diversity and community, this event reveals an optimistic band of highly-engaged architects, who are working across diverse conditions, scales and geographies.

Following the success of the Deerubbin conferences on the Hawkesbury River (2014, 2016), Diversity + Community breaks with conference traditions to offer a relaxed social environment for delegates to meet and engage directly with speakers.

Diversity + Community is developed in partnership with the NGV Department of Contemporary Design and Architecture and is stimulated by the current exhibition Architecture of Faith – exploring the people, process and implications of Glenn Murcutt’s much anticipated Australian Islamic Centre in Newport, Victoria.

Day-3 offers delegates the unique opportunity to tour the soon to be completed Australian Islamic Centre guided by architects Glenn Murcutt AO and Hakan Elevli of Elevli Plus.

International Keynote Speakers:

Marina Tabassum (Bangladesh), recipient of a 2016 Aga Khan Award for her Bait Ur Rouf Mosque in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Niall-McLoughlin (Ireland and UK), recipient of the 2016 RIBA Charles Jencks Award for an architect ‘who has recently made a major contribution internationally to both the theory and practice of architecture’.

International Speakers:

Meredith Bowles (England), award-winning architect, residential, urban housing, projects in Taiwan executive architect with Alain de Botton’s ‘Living Architecture’ program.

Mphethi Morojele (South Africa and Lesoto), leading indigenous practice, Berlin Embassy, Freedom Park Pretoria, exhibitions at RIBA, Venice Biennale.

Per Arnold Andersen (Denmark), one of the editorial ‘troika’ of the provocative journal ‘Daylight and Architecture’ Velux.

Wim Goes (Belgium), award-winning practice, public and residential buildings, community project for client with degenerative ALS, exhibitions, publications.

Mette Lang (Denmark and India), award-winning architect, projects in Denmark and Iceland, modular mini house system, moveable schools, floating and tent schools in India.

Diego Montero Espina (Uruguay and Argentina), “all that moves me – literature, art, music, lifestyle and, of course, architecture”.

Bijoy Ramachandran (India), emerging major practice, residential, housing, master planning, film making.

Erik Sommerfeld (USA), University of Colorado design and build program with students.

Piers Taylor (England), award-winning practice, residential and institutional projects, design build studio with AA students, TV programs.

Camilo Moraes Zambrano (Chile), young practitioner, tourist projects in Atacama Desert and Cochiguaz, voluntary emergency housing in Valparaiso after the fires.

Special Guests:

Special guests at the event include Glenn Murcutt (Australia), Professor Brit Andresen (Australia), Richard Leplastrier (Australia), and Peter Stutchbury (Australia).

Date: 10th – 12th February 2017

Cost: AUS$745 (including unfortunately 10% GST) – including all social events, and the tour of the Australian Islamic Centre Mosque – but excluding accommodation and meals.

Booking: Book through Eventbrite. One fee package only, due to seating limits, no one day tickets.