UPCOMING EVENTS
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FROM OUR FRIENDS AND COMMUNITY
Talks | Tours | Exhibitions | Workshops | Fundraisers | Fairs | Digital
Mayfield Heritage Walk – Highland Estate
Known as the “Toorak of Newcastle “ in the 1880-90s, Mayfield will once again be the site of a Heritage Walk organised by the Friends of Grossmann and Brough Houses as a part of the Australian Heritage Festival.
Commencing in the park at the corner of Bull and Cowie Streets, Mayfield, our knowledgeable guide Huck Campbell will take us through some of the historic streets of the area of Mayfield once known as Highland Estate which still retain many of the signs of its once grand history.
The 1880-90s saw the construction of magnificent properties such as Windeyer House, home to some of the leading business families of Newcastle, escaping the grime of city living to enjoy the fresh air and amenity of this then outer suburb. By 1915 and the emergence of industrial powerhouses such as BHP taking advantage of proximity to the river and railway, this area of Newcastle did change, but the vestiges of the once grand houses are still apparent with many in the process of restoration.
Following our walk will be afternoon tea in such a house, with a sumptuous spread prepared by the Friends of Grossmann House, and ambience provided by our generous hosts.
TICKETS: Bookings
Modernist Adelaide Walking Tour
Discover Adelaide's hip and happening architecture of the 1940s–1970s.
Immerse yourself in the mid-century jet age of Mad Men era Adelaide, when a new wave of modernist architecture redefined the city’s streetscapes and skyline. Many of Adelaide’s iconic examples of 50s, 60s and 70s architecture still stand, well preserved and well worth discovering on this relaxed and informative one-hour walk through downtown Adelaide.
TICKETS: Book Now
HOST: Modernist Adelaide
Stories set in brick and stone
Visit one of the oldest colonial buildings in Australia, view a rare sunken dairy and discover the history of Parramatta Park’s monuments on this tour. Examine original construction details, including lathe and plaster walls, colonial brickwork and a shingle roof. Delve into the daily lives of the humble and the elite of the colony.
After touring the dairy cottages, you will enjoy a walk encompassing the range of monuments in picturesque Parramatta Park to discover the stories and historic events they commemorate.
TICKETS: $20 Bookings Essential
SLM: DRAWING ON MODERNISM WITH ARTIST ELIZA GOSSE
In modernist philosophy, architecture and art are interchangeable. Come along to our inaugural Drawing on Modernism workshop and immerse yourself in architecture and design of the international style and mid-century modern to inspire your next drawings.
Join artist Eliza Gosse for an afternoon at Rose Seidler House, Harry Seidler’s first Australian architectural commission. With all original furnishings, carefully curated by Seidler himself, the house will transport you back to the 1950s. In her own work Gosse explores mid-century modern settings a through sleek and stylised paintings.
This small and relaxed drawing workshop is open to ages 15 years and over, and all experience levels. Bring along any favourite drawing materials; however, if you wish to work inside the house, please note that material use is limited for conservation reasons. Capacity is limited, and bookings are essential.
TICKETS: Bookings Essential
HOST: Sydney Living Museums
The life and times of Moir and Sutherland - with Peter Freeman
A presentation by Peter Freeman OAM
In this presentation, Peter will focus on the life and times of Malcolm Moir and Heather Sutherland – Canberra's 20th-century 'architectural power couple'; and the work of the two modernists Neville Ward and Ian Slater, who joined the practice following the tragic death of Heather Sutherland in 1951.
This will be a rare opportunity to hear from one of Australia's foremost heritage architects and historians.
Peter will be signing copies of his new book
Thoroughly Modern: The Life + Times of Moir + Sutherland Architects
TIME: Light refreshments from 6.00 pm for a 7.00 pm start
TICKETS: $35 - Book Now
HOSTED BY: Twentieth Century Heritage Society of NSW & ACT
Covid safety: Check in using QR code and provide proof of full vaccination. Wearing of face masks inside the Museum. (Powerhouse Museum guidelines current as at 4 March 2022, subject to change.)
Modernist Adelaide Walking Tour
Discover Adelaide's hip and happening architecture of the 1940s–1970s.
Immerse yourself in the mid-century jet age of Mad Men era Adelaide, when a new wave of modernist architecture redefined the city’s streetscapes and skyline. Many of Adelaide’s iconic examples of 50s, 60s and 70s architecture still stand, well preserved and well worth discovering on this relaxed and informative one-hour walk through downtown Adelaide.
TICKETS: Book Now
HOST: Modernist Adelaide
Heritage Architecture Tour of Parramatta
Put on your walking shoes to enjoy a tour taking in Parramatta’s diverse heritage architecture, both buildings and monuments. Located in the heart of Parramatta, this tour will look at historical buildings that contributed to the growth of today’s vibrant city.
You will discover the famous architects associated with Parramatta, along with a range of architecture styles and their outstanding features. Learn how the use of these buildings changed over time and delve into interesting stories of the people that lived or worked in them.
A tour not to be missed for those with an inquiring mind, an interest in architecture or a passion for Parramatta!
TICKETS: $10 Bookings Essential
Melbourne Design Week: LIGHT, SPACE, PLACE: THE ARCHITECTURE OF ROBIN GIBSON
Presented by Uro Publications
While many architects might aspire to profoundly transform their cities, very few ever manage to build at scales that would make this possible.
The architect Robin Gibson not only built prolifically and at expansive urban scales, his projects redefined the culture and identity of one of Australia’s major capital cities, Brisbane. ‘Light, Space, Place: The Architecture of Robin Gibson’ is the first book ever published on this immensely significant Australian architect, designer of some of Brisbane’s most important civic and commercial environments, including the Queensland Museum, the State Library of Queensland, the Performing Arts Complex and the renowned Queensland Art Gallery.
To commemorate the launch of the book, join editors Deborah van der Plaat and Lloyd Jones in a discussion of Gibson’s distinctive vision of Brisbane as a sub-tropical city, sensitive to climate and place, and alive with people.
TICKETS: Book Now
HOST: Melbourne Design Week | Bookshop by Uro
Melbourne Design Week: BAUHAUS X IKEA: LEGACIES OF MODERNISM
Presented by Uro Publications
The Bauhaus was founded in 1919 and disbanded in 1933, but in its short existence it served as a crucible for much of what came to be known as modernist design. It set out to transform daily life for the better by incorporating mass manufacturing techniques into the design of everything from single objects to buildings, putting in motion the democratisation of design.
Just 10 years after the Bauhaus’ closure, this principle would become the theoretical and functional foundation for IKEA. ‘Design for everyone’, IKEA’s motto, is both the embodiment of Bauhaus ideals and a business plan that has seen modernism repackaged in the form of a global consumer goods empire. Considered together, the Bauhaus and IKEA could be said to have profoundly transformed how our societies relate to and understand design and its artefacts. But as we grapple with climate change and the wreckage brought about by the consumer-driven, mass manufacturing models promulgated by the Bauhaus, and then perfected by IKEA, how might we reckon with this legacy, and what can we learn from it?
Through a carefully curated selection of essays and photography, the book ‘Bauhaus X IKEA’ traces the profound but not always benign influence of these global design icons across history, politics, pedagogy, art and society. To commemorate the launch of the book, join the editors in a discussion of these two icons of 20th century design and their mixed legacies.
TICKETS: Book Now
HOST: Melbourne Design Week | Bookshop by Uro
Macquarie Street – guided walk with heritage architect Roy Lumby.
The history of Macquarie Street is reflected in the buildings that line it – among them major public institutions, and significant examples of twentieth century architecture.
Discover buildings from many different eras and explore the history of this important street with heritage architect Dr Roy Lumby, president of The Twentieth Century Heritage Society of NSW & ACT.
On the day, Roy will start the walk outside the historic Hyde Park Barracks.
TICKETS: Book Now
Melbourne Design Week: FRANCES BURKE: DESIGNER OF MODERN TEXTILES
Presented by Dr Nanette Carter and Robyn Oswald-Jacobs
This event is a collaboration between Dr Nanette Carter, independent scholar Robyn Oswald-Jacobs, authors of Frances Burke: Designer of Modern Textiles and curators of the NGV’s Department of Fashion and Textiles. Carter and Oswald-Jacobs will lead a group discussion focused on examples of the work of Australia’s leading textile designer of the post-war period chosen from the collection and made available for this special viewing by NGV staff.
As a young woman, Burke chose to ‘design the world she wanted’. During World War II when imported printed fabrics were scarce, she sold dress fabrics and hemmed lengths of furnishing fabric in her bright modern designs allowing Melbourne women to ‘make do’ in style. Afterwards Burke continued her business designing and printing while lecturing, writing about design, advocating for design through her work as a founding member of the Society of Designers for Industry from 1947 and collaborating with leading architects including Sir Roy Grounds.
TICKETS: Book Now
Melbourne Design Week: SUNSET COCKTAILS AT ROBIN BOYD’S WALSH STREET HOUSE
Presented by the Robin Boyd Foundation in conjunction with Four Pillars Gin and Haus of Fraser
Robin Boyd’s iconic Walsh Street residence was one of Melbourne’s hot-ticket party houses in the 1960’s. Now you can experience this modernist masterpiece as the dusk light dances across this unique architectural backdrop. On this informal tour, our guides will sharing anecdotes of parties past, as our mixologists serve signature 60’s inspired cocktails.
Robin and Patricia Boyd’s reputation for hosting was greatly admired and appreciated by Melbourne’s young & burgeoning creative establishment in the 1960’s. Designed to complement their bohemian lifestyle, with its floating salon and private central courtyard, Walsh Street lent itself to sophisticated entertainment. And the Boyd children, not always seen and heard in their own glass-fronted rear pavilion, were often enthralled spectators.
The Robin Boyd Foundation, in conjunction with Four Pillars Gin and Haus of Fraser, have curated some signature cocktails (and mocktails) for this unique experience. Consider making a special night of it – stop in for a unique sunset cocktail experience, then head out, perhaps rediscovering your favourite Melbourne restaurant.
TICKETS: Book Now
Melbourne Design Week: THE CHAIRITY PROJECT 2022 - Reinventing Design Icons
Presented by Cult Design
After a five-year hiatus, Cult’s celebrated fundraising event, The Chairity Project, returns during Melbourne Design Week.
The Chairity Project 2022 sees 18 creatives from a diverse cross-section of design disciplines reimagine the iconic Result Chair, designed by Friso Kramer and Wim Rietveld for Ahrend in the 1950s, and now in production by HAY. The designs will be exhibited at Cult Melbourne, then sold at auction with full proceeds shared between five charities: Cancer Council, Australian Red Cross, St Vincent de Paul, Greening Australia and Gunawirra.
With Melbourne Design Week as the launchpad for The Chairity Project 2022, Cult has aligned the creative brief for Chairity with the Melbourne Design Week theme of ‘Design the world you want’. Join Cult at the fourth instalment of The Chairity Project to explore the diverse ways in which 18 creatives, in their own unique way, show how design can work towards a better, healthier and more sustainable future.
The online auction runs from 17 March – 3 April, 2022. View designs and bid online at chairity.com.au
TICKETS: More Info
HOST: Melbourne Design Week | Cult Design
Melbourne Design Week: RETRO-FIT KIT
Presented by Monash Urban Lab, Monash University
This exhibition demonstrates how common Australian housing types, such as weatherboard and brick veneer houses, walk up flats, townhouses and garage houses, can be systematically modified to achieve seamless and dignified home environments for people with disability, their families and carers and future occupants. It highlights the strategic potential of architectural design in making homes more equitable and accessible to all.
The exhibition simulates a home environment and includes:
A kit of architectural parts at 1:1 scale that represent principles of accessibility through design strategies that enhance the home environment for all – a flexible, converted garage; a safe, dual key entry; a social kitchen; and a generous and dignified bathroom – are composed as a home within the gallery space.
Case study models and drawings that explore the latent potential of common building types – free standing dwellings, walk-up flats, townhouses, garage houses – for adaptation and demonstrates the application of the retrofit kit within a specific home context.
Genealogy of housing types and urban visualisation demonstrate the potential of at scale adaptations – from house to neighbourhood to suburb to city at large.
Catalogue of a series of individual instructive brochures document provide how to guides.
TICKETS: More Info
HOST: Melbourne Design Week | MADA Gallery
Bill Lucas: Architect Utopian
“This exhibition takes us into the extensive archive of Bill Lucas (1924–2001), revealing the aspirations, ideals and works of one of Sydney’s foremost late 20th century architects. It includes a feast of previously unseen archival drawings, photographs, artworks, private writings and public documents, illustrating his trajectory from conventional to increasingly unconventional practice with projects that were invariably ahead of their time.”
LUST FOR LIFESTYLE - MODERN ADELAIDE HOMES 1950 -1965
Explore the allure of modern living in a changing South Australia after World War II. A booming economy and emerging consumer culture led to a desire for enjoyment and a celebration of the pleasures of ‘everyday life’. A new generation of socially mobile individuals sought to define themselves through modern architecture.
Discover what the relationship was between the owners and their new homes. Who were these people and what inspired them to leave (or demolish) their traditional family home to commission or move into a modern, architect-designed home? What were their backgrounds and social network?
Bringing together photographs, drawings and plans, and newspaper and magazine articles from the State Library’s collections, as well as material from other organisations and private family records, this exhibition celebrates the diverse work of architects and firms, including John S Chappel, Robin Boyd, Dickson & Platten, Peter Muller, Lawson, Cheesman & Doley, and others.
Also features video interviews with people who lived and worked in these remarkable buildings.
Curated by Dr James Curry (School of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Adelaide), and the State Library of South Australia.
ENTRY: Free
OPEN HOUSE HOBART
“Open House is an free annual architecture program that opens some of Tasmania’s most unique and interesting buildings to the public, including private homes and historic buildings in Hobart (nipaluna).”
Program Launching in October 2021
SLM: COLLECTED: SYDNEY LIVING MUSEUMS ACQUISITIONS
Sydney Living Museums seeks to tell diverse stories about Australia’s past, from a broad range of voices and perspectives, through the 12 museums and heritage sites, and rich and varied collections in its care.
Collected showcases a selection of over 40 collection items, from simple household objects to dynamic contemporary artworks, from Sydney Living Museums’ active acquisitions program. Each item has found its way into the collection along different and carefully considered pathways. Many have been generously funded or gifted by donors and benefactors – some of whom are descendants of those who lived in the places now under Sydney Living Museums’ care. Others have been purchased or specially commissioned to add new layers of meaning and understanding to our existing histories.
Reflecting the layered and sometimes contested histories of our sites, their legacies, and the countless stories of people connected to them, these items add to the rich tapestry that is the story of Sydney and NSW. Collected allows visitors to connect with and consider our shared and individual identities – in the present and into the future.
TICKETS: Book
HOST: Sydney Living Museum
QLD OPEN HOUSE - Sunshine Coast
“Sunshine Coast Open House is a free community event which offers rare behind-the-scenes access to the Sunshine Coast’s best buildings ranging from private homes, corporate buildings, heritage treasures and sustainable spaces.
Following a brief hiatus in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the fourth annual Sunshine Coast Open House weekend will be held on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 October 2021. It will showcase historic, contemporary and sustainable buildings from Caloundra to the Hinterland and Cooran.”
2021 Buildings - Announced 27th September
SLM Present: A sea of beige: colour in the Australlian home with Michael Lech
DISCOVER SLM: TALK SERIES
Each week a different curator will tackle subjects ranging from architecture to cookery.
“Join Sydney Living Museums’ curatorial team as they take you behind-the-scenes and discuss their current research in this free online talk series.”
October Long Weekend – Visit to Orange, NSW (TBC)
“A trip to Orange in Western NSW, led by Heritage Architect Dr. Roy Lumby.”
Details: TBC - Sign up to their mailing list and follow them on eventbrite to stay in the loop!
SYDNEY DESIGN WEEK 2021 - POWERHOUSE MUSEUM LIVESTREAM
HYPERCONNECTIVITY
“2 DAYS OF CONVERSATIONS connecting local and international designers and global design centres. In the depths of different degrees of isolation we explore the ties that bind us — from the Internet of Things to the deeply held beliefs that unite and define communities.”
Book: More Info
Host: Powerhouse Museum
Modernist Adelaide Walking Tour
Discover Adelaide's hip and happening architecture of the 1940s–1970s.
Immerse yourself in the mid-century jet age of Mad Men era Adelaide, when a new wave of modernist architecture redefined the city’s streetscapes and skyline. Many of Adelaide’s iconic examples of 50s, 60s and 70s architecture still stand, well preserved and well worth discovering on this relaxed and informative one-hour walk through downtown Adelaide.
Tickets: Book Now
Host: Modernist Adelaide
Heritage Fencing - Alexandrina Council Heritage Advisory Committee
“Local Adelaide Hills Heritage Architect Pippa Buckberry from Anaglypta Architecture will present an engaging and informative talk around what is and is not appropriate when it comes to fencing in heritage areas. She will explore some characteristics of local fencing as well as examples from broader South Australia.”
AIA: EMAGN ELEVATE SERIES: MOSS HOTEL
PRESENTED BY THE AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS
“Come and spend your lunch break with EmAGN for a guided tour of the award winning Moss Hotel by Circa Morris-Nunn Chua Architects. Hosted by Access Solutions and Alex Nielsen from Circa Morris-Nunn Chua, attendees will score a sneak peak into the hotel as well as insider knowledge about the installation of a modern lift in a heritage building!”
“MOSS 39 is a 21-suite boutique hotel tucked away in the upper floors of a historic sandstone building and its adjacent turn-of-the-20th century neighbour in the very centre of Salamanca Place.”
SLM Present: Cooking with Rose Seidler, with Dr Jacqui Newling
DISCOVER SLM: TALK SERIES
Each week a different curator will tackle subjects ranging from architecture to cookery.
“Join Sydney Living Museums’ curatorial team as they take you behind-the-scenes and discuss their current research in this free online talk series.”
Macquarie Street – guided walk with heritage architect Roy Lumby.
The history of Macquarie Street is reflected in the buildings that line it – among them major public institutions, and significant examples of twentieth century architecture.
Discover buildings from many different eras and explore the history of this important street with heritage architect Dr Roy Lumby, president of The Twentieth Century Heritage Society of NSW & ACT.
On the day, Roy will start the walk outside the historic Hyde Park Barracks.
Tickets: Book Now
Modernist Adelaide Walking Tour
Discover Adelaide's hip and happening architecture of the 1940s–1970s.
Immerse yourself in the mid-century jet age of Mad Men era Adelaide, when a new wave of modernist architecture redefined the city’s streetscapes and skyline. Many of Adelaide’s iconic examples of 50s, 60s and 70s architecture still stand, well preserved and well worth discovering on this relaxed and informative one-hour walk through downtown Adelaide.
Tickets: Book Now
Host: Modernist Adelaide
Iconic House Tours On Demand - DIGITAL EVENT
Inside Iconic Houses is presented by Iconic Houses
“Iconic Houses is the international network connecting architecturally significant houses and artists’ homes and studios from the 20th century that are open to the public as house museum.
The tours are a way for those who run the special houses and hidden gems that make up our global network to stay engaged with our community.”
Art Deco Festival Leeton
CANCELLED - See event website for further details
“Australia’s largest art-deco festival celebrating all things 1910-1940 within stunning Art Deco buildings is set to return in 2021! Treat your senses and family to exhibitions, markets, music, jazz, swing and immerse yourself in the fashion, food, vehicles and culture of the town in the ’20s and ’30s.”