‘Exchanging Ideas in CONTEXT: Colour, Growth, Form’ is the next RAA experience, set to take place in Canberra from March 20^th to 22^nd. With six formal CPD points available on the Friday, the event takes its cues from questions around the design history of the city. The main speaker day will be Friday 21^st March, beginning with a Welcome to Country from local elder Aunty Joy before the main seminar on the past, present and future of the ‘bush capital’.

During the main Friday session, Canberra-based Landscape Architect Dr Julian Raxworthy will introduce the location as a place and environment; Molonglo Director Nikos Kalogeropoulos will speak about directing growth at the periphery; Rob Stefanic will discuss managing the structures and environments (including heritage) of the Parliament and similar institutions; University of Canberra lecturer Adam Wigg will speak about how people are teaching in the face of growth and change, and the impact of AI; architect Joanna Nelson​​​​​​​ will discuss finely crafted interventions across multiple locations through the lens of her projects; and Australian architectural photographer Thurston Empson will talk about his sensitive and carefully curated approach to photography of the environment.

A panel discussion – open to the general public – will then conclude the day, covering the question how a planned city can develop into a capital example of regional growth. Delegates and panel discussion ticket holders will then be invited to view a local Lymesmith mural, ‘Between Mountains’, in the Centro Building not far away, before delegates head for dinner at Parlour Dining Room.

“In school we always said: ‘growth and change,'” says co-creative director, Hal Guida of Guida Moseley Brown. “The speakers will bring an extremely wide range of interests and works from across the breadth of the national capital.”

Related: Canberra, lessons from a planned city

RAA president and fellow co-creative director, Tim Lee, also comments: “Canberra encapsulates a case study for regional growth and presents an opportunity to investigate what this means for the present and future city. “The capital is also known for its public artworks and the program will examine the impact of this on the fabric of the city’s landscape through its fringe events.”

Meanwhile, the event features a fringe program on the Thursday and Saturday. It kicks off at the National Arboretum, where Lee will lead a walk to view and discuss the growth of Canberra from a hilltop vantage point. From there, delegates can join a workshop with contemporary jeweller Phoebe Porter or joining a walking tour with Canberra-based artist Ham Darroch.

On Saturday 22^nd March, the events start at the Bookplate Café before Assistant Director of Capital Works, David Priddle, speaks about the National Library of Australia’s ‘New Formalist’ style and the current façade restoration works. Delegates can then choose to ride or drive over to the Dairy Road Precinct, where MolongloDirector Nikos Kalogeropoulos will speak about the current and future development of the area, with an opportunity for exploration. Proceedings will wrap up with a final community lunch at Capital Brewing.

Bookings are available here.

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Read about landscape design at the National Gallery Sculpture Garden