Featuring some of Australia’s leading architectural minds and insightful social commentators, the series will delve deeper into the stories and themes behind Superhouse and answer the question: ‘what makes a house super?’. The series will reveal how some of our most influential architects, including some whose projects are featured in the exhibition, think about place, materials, size, heritage and so much more when designing spaces for living. Each talk will include illustrated presentations from the speakers, followed by a conversation hosted by Karen McCartney.
Does Size Matter?
Friday 11 September, 6.30-8pm
A tiny footprint can still have a powerful architectural impact. The Superhouse exhibition showcases several houses where lack of dimension does not diminish their architectural impact. In an era of ever-expanding floor plans, and pressure on resources, the panel will discuss the issue of size through the lens of architects Paul Morgan (Trunk House, 2011) and Alec Tzannes, and researcher and author Dr Rebecca Huntley.
Re Imagining the House
Friday 9 October, 6.30-8pm
As the repurposing of buildings becomes a strong architectural focus, the panel will discuss how this is achieved for residential spaces and some of the challenges and benefits that it presents. The discussion will broaden to the impact on urban environments and how large-scale developments can take a more sustainable approach to the reinvigoration of buildings. Speakers include Dom Alvaro, Woods Bagot (Small House, 2010), William Smart, Smart Design Studio and Ian Innes, Director Heritage, Sydney Living Museums.
Designing for Place
Friday 13 November, 6.30-8pm
Whether it is the direct relationship with the land, and the climate, and how it informs the siting, form and materials or, in an urban context, the history and constraints of a site, designing for place is one of the foremost considerations for an architect. The panel will discuss how both situations inform the outcome and the processes they explore along the way. Speakers include Hannah Tribe, Tribe Studios, James Stockwell, Stockwell Design (Croft House, 2013) and Virginia Kerridge, Virginia Kerridge Architects (House in Country NSW, 2010).
Individual talk: $40 adult, $35 conc/member
Series ticket: $80 adult, $70 conc/member
Location: Museum of Sydney, cnr Phillip and Bridge Streets, Sydney. All talks are held at the Museum of Sydney and include entry to the Superhouse exhibition.
Book: slm.is/superhouse or 1300 448 849
