The Australian Institute of Architects’ (AIA) 2018 Gold Medallist, Alec Tzannes, is set to commence his national architecture speaking tour in Darwin on 16 August, starting with a conversation around the nature of architecture and its often-underestimated benefits for Australian cities and towns.
The AIA’s Gold Medal recognises distinguished service by architects who have designed or executed buildings of high merit, produced work of great distinction resulting in the advancement of architecture or endowed the profession of architecture in a distinguished manner.
Tzannes is the academic and founder of Tzannes architecture and is recognised for designing some of Australia’s most iconic contemporary buildings. Earlier this year, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to architecture and education, he was awarded the AIA’s highest honour, the 2018 Gold Medal. Some of his best-known projects in Sydney include the Federation Pavilion at Centennial Park, Cathy Freeman Park at Homebush, the Brewery Yard at Central Park, urban furniture for the City of Sydney and numerous educational and residential works.
Over the duration of his trip, Alec Tzannes will create a dialogue about what inspires him and drives his passion for design. Tzannes’ talks will reflect on his firm’s body of work exploring themes that emerge and their relevance to the future of architecture. The final tour date is the AS Hook address in Sydney on 24 October, in which he will consolidate his views on architecture, adding to the archive of ideas which were recorded from the award’s previous recipients.
Throughout the Gold Medal tour, Tzannes will explore themes that influence contemporary design thinking, and language, the way we work and the role of architecture in the community. He is inviting discussion about how Australia’s architects can be at the forefront of shaping a new aesthetic – one that brings on the challenge of being recognised by the broader community as ‘ethical and trusted stewards of the design and built environment’.
“Architecture is an expressive medium. It also is central to delivering a more sustainable, livable urban environment to secure Australia’s future from social and economic perspectives. Good design is far more valuable than is commonly understood as the value proposition is inter-generational and hard to imagine with certainty in the creation process,” Tzannes said.
“A deeper discussion of what we design and why, and how we design, and for whom, is something I see as important as we face new challenges within the profession and in the world we can influence. I’m keen to use the Gold Medal Tour as an opportunity to seek a wide range of views on this theme to explore the role and contribution of the profession in the broader community,” he shared.
The AIA Jury also commented on his work for the profession, stating that ‘Alec Tzannes is an outstanding practitioner and academic. His dedication to teaching, research and pedagogy have contributed significantly to the health of the profession in the future. Alec’s engagement in a wide range of advisory roles continues to strengthen the value and standing of architects within government and the community’.
Here is the full list of 2018 Gold Medal Tour dates:
Darwin – Thursday 16 August
Canberra – Thursday 30 August
Hobart – Wednesday 5 September
Melbourne – Wednesday 12 September
Adelaide – Thursday 13 September
Brisbane – Thursday 4 October
Perth – Thursday 18 October
Sydney – Wednesday 24 October
You can register for the event here.