04 November 2010

Big Ideas Forum: Berlin versus Melbourne

German and Australian architects compare notes on culture, climate and architecture in Berlin and Melbourne

What do these two cities on opposite sides of the world have in common?

Both Berlin and Melbourne are considered the ‘cultural capitals’ of their respective countries.

Top Melbourne and international architects take the stage to engage in a dialogue about how buildings, urban spaces and entire cities create this elusive thing we call ‘culture’.

This debate, as part of the German/Australian Arts Festival, will unpack how architecture, climate, infrastructure and finance play in the urban strategies of each city.

Battling it out with the Berlin perspective is Jürgen Mayer H, director of German architecture firm of the same name, and currently visiting professor at Columbia University in New York as well as German architect and academic Dr Claudia Perren from the University of Sydney.

Presenting the Melbourne side of things is Professor Richard Blythe from RMIT, and the two Melbourne architects, Shelley Penn and John Wardle.

To highlight the difference between Berlin and Melbourne housing, Perren singles out J. MAYER H. architects’ design of an apartment in Johannisstraße in Berlin:

“Berlin’s urban block structure supported a mix of people and uses from the beginning; I do not think it works the same way in Melbourne”.

6 - 7:30pm, Thursday 11 November, RMIT Gallery, Melbourne.

Tickets must be purchased PRIOR to the event.

$10 Concession/ $15 full price.

Jurgen Mayer apartment house