The Australian Institute of Architects’ national conference in Melbourne, from Thursday 14 April to Saturday 16 April, will bring together 9 architects from 5 continents and 3 generations.

Creative directors Angelo Candalepas (pictured above), Andrew Scott and David Neustein have selected some of the best minds in the industry to take part in the forum.

This year’s conference marks a change in direction as the theme embodies more abstract, intangible ideas than in previous years.

“I didn’t want to have a plethora of people talking to us about what they are about to do,” Candalepas explained.

The theme – natural artifice – represents the duality inherent in our position at this point in time, where knowledge and technology enables us to deal with nature in new ways.

“This begs the question – has nature ever existed? Is it all nature or is it all not nature?” Candalepas said.

The line-up of speakers is a huge drawcard for this year’s event, crossing continents and generations.

“What we are trying to do is apprehend this moment in time,” Candalepas explained.

“We have to draw in the wisdom of people who are wise at this time. The people whose wisdom is being presented are within the crux of what we’re talking.”

Headlining speaker Fumihiko Maki

Candalepas describes all the speakers – Fumihiko Maki, Teresa Moller, Juhani Pallasmaa, Luis Mansilla, Francois Roche, Lisa Iwamoto, Manuel Aires Mateus, Luis Callejas and Sebastian Mejia – as people who possess “arrogance through knowledge – the correct sort of arrogance –and who understand the culture and subtlety of abstract thinking in architecture.”

The ensuing debate and discussion is sure to be challenging and stimulating to anyone working in the industry.

“In many instances architects don’t ever delve into the abstract in a commercial practice; all we do is consider things that sit on our desk. Oftentimes there are moments when we yearn to look at abstractions of ideas that are the core theme of thinking of any great architecture.”

Hero image by Anson Smart

Australian Institute of Architects
architecture.com.au

Natural Artifice
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