The second instalment of the annual ArchitectureAu Asks symposium, to be held at the Shine Dome in Canberra on Friday 7 November, features a provocation on the future of design competitions from Sydney architect and director of Durbach Block Jaggers Camilla Block.
Block's provocation asks leading practitioners from across Australia to consider the current state of the architectural competition system, noting that while competitions can be powerful vehicles for experimentation and the creation of exceptional architecture, many architects today find themselves grappling with opaque processes, disingenuous briefs, limited budgets, onerous deliverables and little protection against intellectual theft - all for projects that may never be realised.
Respondents will explore what needs to change to ensure fairness, transparency and value in the competition process, and what an ideal future for architectural competitions might look like.
Speakers to offer their insight include Australian Institute of Architects Gold Medallists John Wardle of Wardle (Melbourne), Kerry Clare of Clare Design (Gold Coast) and Phil Harris of Troppo Architects (Adelaide), alongside Bradley Mapiva Brown of Bagariin Ngunnawal Cultural Consulting (Canberra), Felicity Stewart of Stewart Architecture (Canberra and Sydney), Kevin Lloyd of Hassell (Sydney), Patrick Kosky of Kerry Hill Architects (Perth), and Sue Dugdale of Susan Dugdale and Associates (Alice Springs).
The ArchitectureAu Asks symposium is presented alongside a series of significant events that showcase excellence and innovation in Australian architecture. These include the Institute's National Architecture Awards ceremony at the National Gallery of Australia on the evening of Thursday 6 November, and the free-to-attend 2025 Griffin Lecture, presented by Gold Medallist Gregory Burgess and moderated by Shaneen Fantin, held immediately after the ArchitectureAu Asks symposium.
Concurrent with these events, the Canberra Museum and Gallery is hosting a series of talks and tours related to the Taglietti: Life In Design exhibition, which explores the work of architect and Gold Medallist Enrico Taglietti.
ArchitectureAu Asks attendees can earn 3.5 formal CPD points. To find out more about the event and opportunity to purchase a ticket bundle with the National Architecture Awards, visit here.
ArchitectureAu Asks is a Design Speaks program organised by Architecture Media and supported by premium partners Bondor Metecno and Planned Cover, and hotel partner Ovolo Nishi.
