The theme for 2024’s ASAC was ‘Floor Issues’. Representing a twin which means, members had been oriented to issues of the bottom and to issues of truth. Acknowledging the inextricable hyperlinks between the pure world and the constructed type, the theme inspired discourse surrounding the linking factor of floor. Floor Issues fostered concepts of sustainable structure for the long run and the way it pertains to the bottom and our quick pure contexts asking:
“If structure is the top, the bottom is the start. So how can we reframe our architectural pondering to make sure that floor is on the forefront of our work?”
Day 1
Kicking off the primary day on the College of Tasmania was DIY merch-making with ice being sufficiently damaged as college students started to share design inspiration and paint colors.
Following this, college students moved right into a workshop session led by Aboriginal architectural lecturer Michael Mossman and architect Genevieve Murray. The workshop actually set the theme for the week, with intense discussions arising across the design connections to the Nation and the state of architectural schooling in Australia.
After one unexpectedly sung “Joyful Birthday” to Mossman, attendees moved to the native haunt. Notably, Queenslanders huddled across the hearth pit whereas we Aucklanders bore the chilly with a stiff higher lip. Rodney Dillon, a well-respected Aboriginal elder who lives on Palawa Nation, welcomed us onto Nation with a smoking ceremony and a reminder that Floor Issues isn’t just a theme for a convention however a dedication to better respect for the lands we construct on.
Day 2
Convention day began with back-to-back keynotes and round-table (or cozy chair) discussions across the theme “Floor Issues.” Helsinki-based observe, Collaboratorio, founders Kristiina Kuusiluoma and Martino De Rossi spoke first on their mission to reintroduce pure supplies in modern contexts. Andrew Steen, lecturer on the College of Tasmania, documented the presence of brick and bluestone in Tasmania’s constructing vernacular.
Following on, Matt Hinds, of the Lutruwita Tasmania-based observe of Taylor + Hinds, described his work as a non-Aboriginal designer engaged on Aboriginal tasks with a key quote; “to know a spot, we should stay in it.” After Hinds, Louise Wright and Mauro Baracco of Baracco + Wright spoke to structure’s relationship with the bottom and explorations performed via their studio labs at Monash College.
Picture by Nina Hamilton Images
After a much-needed lunch break, Sarah Lyn Rees, a Palawa architect and indigenous advisor at Jackson Clement Burrows, walked attendees via the design course of behind a number of of her tasks. Malaysian architect Eleena Jamil spoke on her observe’s deal with bamboo buildings and collaborations with native artisans to return to the nation’s vernacular, echoing Collaboratorio’s earlier sentiments round pure supplies.
With solely an hour and a half on the clock, Timothy Hill tried to persuade a bunch of college college students that the plan was an important drawing via a radical clarification of Walter Burley Griffen’s plan for Canberra. An intense dialogue after the occasion implied that he might have failed to take action. Kerstin Thompson rounded out the day together with her tackle the theme: Grounds (ideas) and groundings (foundations).
The extreme back-to-back speaker periods actually left attendees buzzing with new info, prompting wealthy dialogue because the occasion moved in direction of drinks on the Tasman Resort that evening.
Picture by Nina Hamilton Images
Day 3
Christopher Kelly of Structure Workshop began the subsequent morning along with his keynote, talking on the architect’s obsession with narrative and showcasing the observe’s tasks. Congress attendees then moved into varied workshop periods, starting from rammed earth-making with Collaboratorio to photomontage with Andrew Steen. A chat-show-style occasion with workshop facilitators wrapped up the day, with attendees relocating to a dive bar to study concerning the great world of unions.
Day 4
Strolling excursions commenced to all corners of the town, with some attendees sharing quite scrumptious shortbread cookies with the Tasmanian Governor whereas others visiting the Hobart Rivulet. Attendees had been then handled to a Pecha Kucha facilitated by the Worldwide Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects, displaying the broad vary of members and practices that had been primarily based overseas. The day concluded with a super-secret bonfire get together within the Aussie outback (25 minutes from the CBD).
Picture by Nina Hamilton Images
Day 5
The ultimate day noticed a noticeable absence of attendees, struggling the consequences of final evening’s good time. Others had been fortunate sufficient to attain free tickets to the infamous Museum of Outdated and New Artwork, which included a guided tour from Fender Katsalidis undertaking architect James Pearce. The not-so-lucky opted for a sluggish stroll via the Salamanca Markets earlier than heading again to the college for pitch time.
With 4 pitches introduced from Auckland, Sydney, Melbourne and Newcastle, voters had a tough determination to make earlier than heading off to dress for his or her evening out. The Tasmanian Chapter of AIA and the Floor Issues group collaborated on the closing get together, merging it with the native and worldwide chapter structure awards. Awards goers had been handled to in-the-air acrobatics and a stay band (NZIA take notes) with dinner consisting of a giant banquet desk crammed to the brim. There was some structure as nicely.
Picture by Nina Hamilton Images
An important announcement of the evening concluded the occasion with Floor Issues organisers asserting the subsequent hosts had been… the Auckland group! Pleasure was palpable as college students realised they might be heading to Tāmaki Makaurau for the summer time of 2026 however the true thrilling information quickly got here that the afterparty could be held at Tim Hill’s workplace.
I have to thank the wonderful Floor Issues group for placing on a shocking congress. The standard of audio system and content material was unimaginable and it was nice to construct relationships with our pals over the ditch. We stay up for internet hosting the subsequent congress in a lot hotter climate in 2026.
Be taught extra about Floor Issues Australasian Pupil Structure Congress right here.
