Borrowing its name from Charles Kingsley’s seminal 1855 novel, Contemporary is bringing a series of hot-topic panel discussions to the West for Contemporary Wine In Design, October 15th. Entitled Westward Ho! these seminars are imbued with as much spirit and reflection as Kingsley’s tale of adventure, the New World and the inquisitive nature of reaching out to new frontiers. Butting in on the design discussion across Western Australia, these lively and heated industry talks put a spotlight on A+D in a wholly new way. Surrounding topics relevant to the disciplines and professions of A+D today, the foci may be West Coast, but the insightfulness is valid worldwide.

Seats are filling up fast for these talks, so be sure to register your attendance via the links below:

East v West
@ Arthur G

Design discussion often throws the words ‘collaboration’ and ‘co-operation’ around a little too recklessly. In Western Australia, the word ‘competition’ should be added to the mix. The focus and hype around A+D in this country is undeniably skewed in favour of the East Coast. But what does the West do differently? What is the distinction between the two orientations toward design? What can we learn?

Speakers: Richard Misso (The Stylesmiths), David Weir (David Weir Architects), Steve Cordony (Arthur G) and David Congram (Contemporary Editor)

Reserve your seat here.

Design Democracy: ! or ?
@ Living Edge

The way the public perceives design is often very different to how the industry perceives it. This comes as no shock whatsoever. With huge projects like the New Museum or the revamped Perth Stadium on the cards, the design discussion in WA is not in the studio: it’s on the street. What does designing for the public sphere actually mean? Is this the only public? Meanwhile, in Europe, there is heated debate on the designer-side too. With landmark legislation that attempts to finally do away with ‘the replica’, democracy in design has come full circle to include the producer-side as well. When we talk about democracy in design, just how far-reaching are the ramifications?

Speakers: Alec Coles OBE (Western Australia Museum, New Museum), Peter Lee (Hassell), David Caon (Caon Studio), Sandy Anghie (Sandy Anghie Home Design), Andrew Thornton Hick (Ultimo)

Reserve your seat here.

West-Side Stor(e)y
@ Innerspace

Looking backward, moving forward, Perth’s cityscape has a unique architectural identity. But, alongside massive redevelopments of some of the city’s old icons – The Treasury, Allendale Square, the Walsh Family Residence – we have to think about what architecture is worth protecting. How important is creating or maintaining an architectural identity? How much of a role should architects and designers have in the story of Perth’s identity?

Speakers: Clinton Matthews (Lantern Creative), Jemma Green (Curtin University), Suzanne Hunt (Suzanne Hunt Achitect), Benjamin Braham (Braham Architects)

Reserve your seat here.

Go West!
@ Artedomus

With the increased investment in Western Australia’s cultural and civil infrastructure, we have to ask what our A+D community is doing that seems to be getting the world’s attention. Tourism on the West Coast is growing from strength to strength annually, and the unique skyline of Perth is luring visitors from all over the globe. What did A+D do that has helped make Perth an international destination? How have they done this? Or, simply, why?

Speakers: Michael Woodhams and Phillip Griffiths (AIA WA Chapter), Neil Cownie (Neil Cownie Architects), Jack Flanagan (Jack Flanagan)

Reserve your seat here.

With full CPD accreditation, the biggest names in A+D today, and the most controversial issues we’re currently facing, be sure to register your attendance at Contemporary Wine In Design now.