A family-friendly weekend to explore regional architecture and design innovation.
see website: IFAD | Illawarra Festival of Architecture & Design. 26 + 27 Oct 2024.
26th October
Archibike Ride on Saturday
7am-10:30am
Stanwell Park
Our cycling tour is the perfect blend of adventure, culture and exercise, where people can discover our hidden architectural gems through charming seaside towns, and ocean bridges along the coal coast.
Led by festival Co-Founder, Ben Wollen and the Bike Mayor of Wollongong, Edward Birt, you’ll gain fascinating insights into the design behind each architectural gem you encounter, with the odd quirky abode too.
Learn some things about the architects who shaped them as well as what makes them particularly special. Setting off from Stanwell Park Village and meandering our way South passing over 15 homes the tour will end in Austinmer.
House Tours of the northern Illawarra
2:30pm-5pm
Wollongong
For a Grand Designs-esque tour of three homes, enjoy a leisurely afternoon in the northern Illawarra. Owners have been gracious enough to open their doors to our community for a behind-the-scenes exclusive tour from three local architects and builders behind these exceptional projects.
These reflect so much of the innovation in our local architecture and design industry. The Festival has handpicked these three homes, one in Mt Pleasant, then in Bulli and Austinmer.
It’s a short drive between them, or you might prefer to cycle. Their locations are under wraps for now, revealed to ticket holders. Trust, though, you’ll enjoy the sneak peek behind the curtains of these remarkable residences, and meet the brilliant minds who brought them to life. Prepare to be inspired by the fusion of form and function.
Furniture Forward: Studio Tour with Trent Jansen
Sat, Oct 26, 11:30 AM
Thirroul • Thirroul, NSW
Starts at A$25.00
Interiors showcase: Studio Tour with Gavin Hepper, Nelli Hegi & Rob Chapman
Sat, Oct 26, 11:30 AM
Wollongong • Wollongong, NSW
27th October
Designing Resilience
From the local masters, learn about how they are designing resilience into their projects. We celebrate the design and designers in the Illawarra that have charted a new course toward building resilience into their approach.
Keynote speaker – William Smart
By Brickworks
4:00pm-4:45am
William Smart is the Founder and Principal of Smart Design. Over the past 25 years he has delivered projects ranging from large-scale master planning, cultural buildings, offices, workplaces. He was recently awarded a spot in the 2024 Vogue Living Top 50 Australian architects, among the 50 awards he’s won in his career. Join William to talk about regional resilience in architecture.
Cultural Resilience panel
By Architectus
11am-11:45am
How can design facilitate a deeper connection and understanding of our cultural past and help direct future decision making? Join our discussion with Festival Co-Curator Dr Trent Jansen is both Vogue Living’s and Indesign magazine’s 2024 Product Designer of the Year and Lecturer at the University of NSW Art & Design.
Energy Resilience panel
12pm-12:45pm
How can designers understand how to better incorporate electrification into projects? Join to discuss with MC and Festival Co-Curator Davin Turner, Principal of Studio Weave, an established architecture firm driven to innovate in environmentally conscious design with an impressive residential portfolio.
Material Resilience panel
1:30am-2:15pm
This discussion led by Keinton Butler, Powerhouse Senior Curator and Creative Director of Sydney Design Week, will investigate the impact of sustainable materials on the built and natural environment. The panel will consider opportunities afforded by the circular economy and the significance of materials in social and environmental resilience.
Trend Resilience Panel
By Edmiston Jones
2:45pm-3:30pm
Are trends within the design industry promoting a throw away culture? How can buildings, furniture and more be designed with longevity in mind? Join MC Penny Keogh, Co-founder of the Illawarra Festival of Architecture & Design, to discuss if design is anchored to place, will it offer owners a stronger connection to their homes and objects?