Now in its second year, the Vision Awards is a program developed by glass manufacturer Viridian™ to celebrate and promote innovative uses of glass for commercial and residential applications.

“As we face a new world of climate change, with a greater emphasis on environmental stewardship, the Vision Awards continue to place the spotlight on energy efficiency as a key consideration of entrants’ submissions.”  

This year, Viridian has extended the number of categories from 2 to 4 to include the creative use of glass in interior applications.  

A total of $15,000 prize money will be awarded in the following categories:

• Energy Efficiency & Glass Innovation (Commercial Design) $5,000
• Energy Efficiency & Glass Innovation (Residential Design) $5,000
• Creative Use of Glass in Interior Applications (Commercial Design) $2,500
• Creative Use of Glass in Interior Applications (Residential Design) $2,500

Submissions close on 31 March 2010, for projects completed between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2009, with the awards presented on 23 April 2010 at Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, as part of the 2010 National Architecture Conference.

Download an application form     

For more information visit viridianglass.com/visionawards

Multi-disciplinary and award winning architecture and interior design firm, design world partnership (dwp), have created a dedicated showcase of projects and case studies that best reflect their professional creative diversity to be hosted in Bahrain.

The five Design Talks will take place on Tuesday 16 March 2010 at The Capital Club Bahrain, one of dwp’s most acclaimed projects in the Middle East to date, on the following subjects:

The Art of Renovation: An Architectural Perspective, by  Sue Hensen

Design Styles: Finding the Balance, by Melissa Messmer
                                                                           
Paradigm Shifts in Workplace Design, by Alexander Marrs-Armstrong

Energy Efficient Design, by Dr. Seed Zaki
                                                                                 
The Making of The Capital Club Bahrain, by Vicki Braham

“This will be the first of a series of dwp Design Excellence talks we currently have planned for dwp as a group, throughout our 14 offices in 10 countries,” says Kristina Zanic, dwp's founder.

“We believe that the topics we are covering are very relevant to today’s market covering industry issues such as Paradigm Shifts in Workplace Design”.

dwp
dwp.com

Offering the unique opportunity to snoop inside some of New South Wales' finest architectural projects, Archi Tours is holding a full day tour of some iconic residences, departing from Tusculum on 27 March 2010.

Projects visited include the Utz Sanby home at Willoughby, Edward Szewcyks home in Woollahra and Fivewinds by Johannsen Associates at Northbridge.

Each architect will be available to give a brief overview of each project and answer questions.

To book a place visit the AIA website or contact Lee Baker-Lewis on Contact: Lee Baker-Louis on 02 9246 4005.

Archi Tours
architecture.com.au

The State of Design website is now live.

Visit stateofdesign.com for all the latest news on Victoria's Design Festival which kicks off on 14 July 2010.

Applications are now open for the 11th edition of Melbourne Design Market.

Around 50 stalls are carefully selected to get the perfect balance of quality homewares, fashion, furniture, graphic design, designer gadgets, gifts and jewellery for visitors to the event.

As a stallholder, there is a significant opportunity to launch new products and ideas to the public and to those from business and industry looking for designers and new products.

The event will be held from 10am-5pm, Sunday 11 July at Federation Square undercover car park in Melbourne.

Go to the website now to look through the FAQs and make your application or contact Elizabeth Collins at info@melbournedesignmarket.com.au for
further information.

Application deadline closes Friday 31 May 2010.

Melbourne Design Market
melbournedesignmarket.com.au

Experts from all over the world will be joining in the debate to establish some of the hottest talents in the Australian design industry.
 
Industrial design experts from New York, Seattle, New Zealand, the Netherlands and Japan will join forces with Australian practitioners in the final round assessment of the Australian Design Awards 2010.
 
“We are very excited to be able to showcase Australian ingenuity, innovation and design excellence to these international design figureheads,” said Stephanie Pemberton, Program Director of the Australian International Design Awards.
 
Stefanie Kubanek from New York’s Pentagram Design; Andrew Hartman, Design Director from Philips Design Netherlands; Kazuo Tanaka from Tokyo-based GK Design Group; Mark Elmore of New Zealand’s Fisher & Paykel and John Barrett from award-winning Seattle design studio Teague will bring their international expertise to the 2010 judging panel.
 
The 2010 Australian International Design Awards Final Round Assessment will take place in Sydney from Monday 1 March to Friday 5 March.
 
For full biographies of 2010 Judging Panel click here.
 
Australian International Design Awards
designawards.com.au

Step into a world of glamour, entertainment and magic at Kids For Life’s 6th Annual Black Tie Ball.

Themed ‘Enchanted Forest’, the fundraiser will be held on Saturday, 27 March 2010 at the Horden Pavilion, Sydney.

Proceeds from the ball will go to Kids’ For Life’s 2010 projects: the new Kids For Life Down Syndrome Resource Centre and the Kids For Life Sydney Children's Hospital Epilepsy Program.  

Hosted by Adam Spencer, the event will also feature live and silent auctions, a raffle and some ‘magical’ surprises.

Kids For Life is dedicated to raising funds for research and awareness of life-threatening childhood diseases, and also helping to enrich the lives of underprivileged children and their families.

To purchase tickets, go to kidsforlife.com.au/content_common/payment.aspx

Explore the role of sustainability in design with professionals in a relaxed environment at GreenUps’ March event: Explaining Sustainable Design.

The event will be held on Tuesday, 2nd March 2010 from 6pm to 8pm at the Object Gallery in Surry Hills, Sydney.

As part of Object Gallery’s State. Respond. exhibition, the event will feature speakers from five NSW-based design studios, including strategic design agency Digital Eskimo, graphic design agency one8one7, architecture firm Lava, textile design agency Bird Textile and furniture design studio schamburg + alvisse.
 
Brian Parkes, curator of the exhibition and Object’s Associate Director, will also be giving a talk.

Originally known as Sydney Green Drinks, GreenUps is held on the first Tuesday of each month. The objective of GreenUps is to provide a discussion space for people from a spectrum of backgrounds to trade ideas on sustainability over drinks.

GreenUps is part of Green Drinks International, which consists of 45 countries around the world with green drinks gatherings.

RSVP for this event is essential as spaces at the gallery are limited. Book your spot at greenupsmarch2010.eventbrite.com

GreenUps
greenups.net

Object Gallery
417 Bourke St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
object.com.au

(61 2) 9361 4555

New MD for Southern Australia’s JamFactory

The Board of JamFactory Contemporary Craft & Design announces the appointment of Brian Parkes as the organisation’s next Managing Director.
 


For the last 10 years Brian has been the Associate Director of Object, Sydney’s renowned craft and design organisation.

Leading many major exhibition projects – including 'Freestyle: new Australian design for living and Menagerie: contemporary Indigenous sculpture' – Parkes is a renowned curator, writer and mentor.

Prior to his role at Object he managed retail and merchandising operations at the National Gallery of Australia and the Museum of Contemporary Art.


“I am very excited about Brian’s appointment” enthused Jane Yuile, JamFactory’s Chair.

“His background and skills are ideally suited to continue Stephen Bowers’ fabulous achievements and success, ensuring JamFactory plays a significant role in the Government’s newly announced Integrated Design Commission, as well as continuing to grow its leadership position locally, throughout Australia and internationally.”


Brian will replace Stephen Bowers as Managing Director after Easter, who leaves the role after 6 years to resume his career as a reputed ceramic artist.

JamFactory Contemporary Craft and Design
jamfactory.com.au