Building Democratic Cities

Architects for Peace 15 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Saturday 6th October 2018
The Red Stair Amphitheatre @ Queensbridge Square
10.30am - 4.30pm

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Curators:
Nicole Mechkaroff
Pauline Ng
Yang Bai
Lorenza Lazzati

Graphic Design:
Farah Rozhan

03.12.18

On 6th October 2018, Architects for Peace celebrated its 15th anniversary by hosting 'Building Democratic Cities' at the Queensbridge Square.

This day-long event provided us the opportunity to collaborate with other urban activists and practitioners and venture into the public space to meet and engage with the general public and built environment community. The free-to-public activities responded to the theme of Democratic Cities and we were privileged to be joined by other practices and experts who together offered a range of interactive activities throughout the day.

Munir Vahanvati from Giant Grass shared his vast knowledge on bamboo constructions and facilitated a bamboo installation.  With Munir’s guidance, the public was invited to freely contribute to the installation with AFP volunteers using the bamboo poles harvested by our volunteers during a fascinating trip arranged by Munir. Many people participated in this transforming sculpture.

Public Assembly's colourful van also attracted attention from people of all ages. Inside the specially fitted van, Lynda Roberts held thoughtful and creative conversations with visitors.  Outside, Ceri Hann encouraged everyone to add their creative strokes on the pavement using simply water and sponged sticks.

As an extension to our public talks and campaign against the Apple Store at the Federation Square, Tania Davidge and Shelley Freeman hosted a walking tour between Queensbridge Square and Federation Square.

Tania and Munir later joined Tanja Beer and Andrea Cooke as speakers at the public discussions. Each speaker provided lively and informative presentations on their projects designed to empower communities or to promote democratic discussions. This took place inside our display marquee, with an exhibition of posters curated by Nicole Mecharoff and Farah Rozhan from AFP which showcased the works of AFP, each of our participants mentioned above, as well as Visionary Design Development and STREAT.

To further encourage active public participations, volunteer Lara Brown led community rope jumps which was popular with with people of all ages and abilities.

Many volunteers dedicated countless hours to this successful event but special thanks must be given to Pauline, Nicole, Yang and Lorenza. 

- Pauline Ng, Architects for Peace volunteer

09.10.18

The Architects for Peace team would like to thank everyone who dropped by and supported Building Democratic Cities on October 6th. There were many familiar and new faces, curious of the playful and thought-provoking activities at the Red Stair Amphitheatre.

On the day there were opportunities to have creative discussions, connect with others and play games, skip, tour the city with someone you have never met, learn about another building tradition and laugh with friends.

We hope these experiences sparked new feelings of enjoyment, relaxation and inner peace!

- Nicole Mechkaroff, Architects for Peace volunteer

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Photo Journal

BUILDING DEMOCRATIC CITIES, October 6th 2018
Queensbridge Square, Melbourne

activities at Queensbridge Square

bamboo ties

Munir and Mittul Vahanvati teaching the team and curious public about lashing techniques

anniversary exhibition

community rope jump

community rope jump

"Party Lines" by Lynda Roberts and Ceri Hann

"Party Lines" by Lynda Roberts and Ceri Hann

public talks with Tanja Beer, Andrea Cook, Tania Davidge and Munir Vahanvati

public talks with Tanja Beer, Andrea Cook, Tania Davidge and Munir Vahanvati

Lorenza and Ran at the welcome pavilion!

lashing and tying

City tour with Shelley Freeman and Tania Davidge

City tour with Shelley Freeman and Tania Davidge

City mappings from Visionary Design Development and STREAT Melbourne

water games with Ceri Hann


Image credits
Farah Rozhan
Yang Bai
Pauline Ng
Nicole Mechkaroff
Saumya Kaushik
Bahar Zamani


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05.10.2018

"As architects, planners, urban designers, engineers, artists, landscape architects and citizens we all have the capacity and the responsibility to be agents of change for an equitable and environmentally sustainable society based on social justice, solidarity, respect and peace."

From the team at Architects for Peace

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04.10.2018

Event preparations are underway!

There are a few spots available for the city walking tour with Citizens for Melbourne (11.30am - 1.00pm)

Register on Eventbrite here: 
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/building-democratic-cities-city-tour-tickets-50720327866

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03.10.2018


"I see my role as one that facilitates re-connection and spurs contribution by creating moments of 'wonder', of 'awe-inspiring beauty' and potential' that reunites us with the natural world."
- Tanja Beer

Tanja will present for the public talk sessions between 1.30pm and 3.30pm.

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02.10.2018


"The street is our most immediate place of encounter and surprise, a place where complete strangers can share an experience and become neighbours, collaborators and friends"
- Andrea Cook

Andrea will present during the public talk sessions between 1.30pm and 3.30pm.

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01.10.2018


"200 hands is a democratic art project that will explore how people from different backgrounds come together to build something following simple rules"
- Munir and Mittul from Giant Grass

Munir and Mittul will teach public participants about bamboo lashing and tying techniques and make a bamboo sculpture as part of this event.

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30.09.2018


Event Program: 10.15am - 10.30am
Welcome and opening ALL DAY:
bamboo sculpture and community building workshop with Giant Grass ALL DAY
Interactive arts laboratories with Public Assembly ALL DAY
Community rope jumping activity with Architects for Peace ALL DAY
Exhibition - including Visionary Design Development and STREAT Melbourne 11.30am-1.00pm
City walking tour with Citizens for Melbourne Reserve your spot on eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/building-democratic-cities-city-tour-tickets-50720327866 1.30pm - 3.30pm
Public talk sessions with Tanja Beer, Andrea Cook, Munir Vahanvatni and Citizens for Melbourne


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27.09.2018

"Public space is the space in which democracy plays out - it is for all people"
- Tania and Shelley from Citizens for Melbourne

Tania and Shelley will run a city tour on the event day leaving from the Red Stair Amphitheatre at 11.30am and ending at Federation Square. Reservations are essential - please follow the link to Eventbrite:

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/building-democratic-cities-city-tour-tickets-50720327866


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26.09.2018

"Democracy is not consensus but the process of re-articulating difference through ongoing dialogue and sustained action"
- Lynda and Ceri from Public Assembly

Lynda and Ceri will run a number of interactive arts activities and laboratories as part of this event.

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24.09.2018

BUILDING DEMOCRATIC CITIES is a day long event marking the 15 year Anniversary of Architects for Peace. It aims to explore the ways in which we all - as citizens and builders of cities, heritage and history - can come together and exercise a collective power to reshape processes for sustainable urbanisation, one based upon solidarity, respect and peace.

On the 6th October 2018 we invite all members of public, as well as, architects, planners, urban designers, landscape architects, engineers, environmentalists and artists to join us at the Red Stair Amphitheatre at Queensbridge Square, Melbourne, for a day of celebration, conversation and collaboration.

We would like to express our most sincere thanks to our sponsors: FytoGreen, Genton, Architectus, and Dimase Architects, as well as, our supporters: Cast RMIT and Giant Grass for making this event possible.

Saturday 6th October 2018

"Red Stair Amphitheatre" at Queensbridge Square

10am - 4.30pm

Free public activities, talks and exhibitions will include:
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Exhibition and community rope jumping activity with Architects for Peace
Interactive public art activities with Public Assembly
Bamboo sculpture with Giant Grass
City tour with Citizens for Melbourne
Public talk with Tanja Beer
Public talk with Andrea Cook
Exhibition - city map by Visionary Design Development
Exhibition - city map by Streat Melbourne
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Hope to see you there!

From the team at Architects for Peace.

Slow Cities: Changing Pace Through Design

SLOW CITIES: CHANGING PACE THROUGH DESIGN

How can urban planning, architecture and public art intervention help to slow down the pace of our urban lives and in turn improve city design? How can we respectfully preserve and cultivate Melbourne’s urban culture? What types of local knowledge, practice and design ideologies are valuable in creating inclusive, resilient and healthy communities? Who should be involved in shaping the slow city?

As part of Neapoli Wine Bar’s Sunday Salon Sessions, Architects for Peace invites you to a panel discussion on the value of slow design by looking at “green” design, wellbeing in the city, and policy-making through indigenous and other sources of knowledge and values.

GUEST SPEAKERS:

Dr. Claire Boulange, Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Healthy Liveable Cities Group, RMIT Centre for Urban Research

Dr. Janet McGaw, Senior Lecturer - Architectural Design & Practice, University of Melbourne

Dr. David Nichols, Associate Professor - Urban Planning, University of Melbourne

Julie Francis, Sustainable Farmer - Moffits Farm, Land Use & Green Cities expert


DATE & TIME:
Sunday 25 March 2018
3.30pm - 5.30pm

LOCATION:
Neapoli Wine Bar
30 Russell Place, Melbourne VIC 3000

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST THROUGH EVENTBRITE:
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/slow-cities-tickets-42165994625

THIS EVENT IS PART OF MELBOURNE DESIGN WEEK 2018
Melbourne Design Week 2018 is an initiative by Creative Victoria in collaboration with the NGV.

The tyranny of (in)accessibility: perspectives from Australia and Papua New Guinea

Date: Thursday 5 September, 2013 
Time: 7.00pm 
Venue: Elisabeth Murdoch Building, Victorian College of the Arts, 234 St Kilda Road, Melbourne

Proponents of democratic governance often point to the notion of the greatest good for the largest number of people as a key advantage compared to more authoritarian political systems. An important and problematic concept within democracy is that of the “Tyranny of the Majority” in which a democratic majority forces its will on the minority.  In effect, society itself becomes the tyrant by seeking to inflict its will and values on minorities: racial, religious, political and lower socio-economic groups to name a few. For people with disabilities, barriers to accessing the built environment arise when the majority de-values the needs of people within a wide spectrum of physical and sensory abilities. 

One way of countering this spatial injustice is through a broader recognition that some regulations in danger of neglect by the majority must be captured in a broader legal framework. Human rights agreements often serve this purpose, and many countries are signatories to United Nations agreements concerning disability; bound by international law to provide an accessible built environment. Yet the tyranny of the majority continues to manifest itself in both the developed and developing worlds, with access inequalities often going unrecognised.

Three speakers will share insights into the experience of space for people with disabilities, in differing theoretical, geographical and scale contexts. 

With:

Ralph Green. Social Scientist and Director of Research, Visionary Design Development

Dennis Hogan. Director, Regulatory Development, Victorian Building Authority

Carolyn Whitzman. Associate Professor in Urban Planning, The University of Melbourne

Chaired by:

Mary Ann Jackson. Architect, Planner and Access Consultant, Visionary Design Development

Speaker bios:

Ralph Green is a Vision Scientist with Therapeutic endorsement and has a Master of Social Science (International Development). He completed his thesis on the subject of Universal Mobility and has worked as Director of Research with Visionary Design Development to develop a Universal Mobility Index.

Dennis Hogan worked in local government building control for nineteen years, following fourteen years experience as a foreman, leading hand, supervisor, draftsman and estimator after completing an apprenticeship in carpentry and joinery. Dennis has worked for the Victorian Building Commission since 2001, and is currently Director of Regulatory Development. Dennis will speak about the objectives of Livable Housing Australia: safer, more comfortable, easier to access homes for everybody, everyday, at all stages of life.

Dr. Carolyn Whitzman is Associate Professor in Urban Planning at the University of Melbourne and has an international reputation for her work on the prevention of violence. She was principal investigator of the ‘Travelling Together’ research project, and will share her experiences of partnerships for disability inclusive road development in Papua New Guinea. Carolyn is the lead editor of Building Inclusive Cities: Women's Safety and the Right to the City, author of Suburb, Slum, Urban Village: Transformations in a Toronto Neighbourhood 1875-2002 and The Handbook of Community Safety, Gender, and Violence Prevention: practical planning tools, and the co-author of Safe Cities: guidelines for planning, design, and management. Current research interests include the policy implications of planning for healthy and equitable cities in a national and international context, planning interventions to increase independent mobility for children, and the development of participatory planning tools with women, children, and people with disabilities.

Refreshments provided/gold coin donations welcome!

Housing Tactics | Diego Ramirez-Lovering | Thursday 8 March 2012

 Housing Tactics

Diego Ramirez-Lovering

Senior Lecturer and Acting Head of Department, 

Department of Architecture. Monash University

Thursday 8 March

7.00pm

 RMIT building 50

Orr Street, Carlton

This presentation examines spatial flexibility within the provision of volume housing. Spatial flexibility in volume housing, it is argued, can lead to more sustainable housing outcomes within this market. The volume housing market, characterised by conservatism and low cost construction, has historically been delivered with little design input. The presentation presents a body of housing designs that have been developed over 6 years of practice for delivery in the context of volume housing. Through an examination of these housing projects, I will articulate the different strategies for incorporating spatial flexibility in different housing typologies, detached, duplex, townhouse and apartment. It focuses on adaptability, which is characterised by the ability to change use or occupation patterns without costly modifications to the physical fabric of the building. Spatial flexibility presents a particularly relevant design strategy within the highly constrained cost and development parameters of the volume housing and presents a productive strategy for improving the overall spatial design of these housing projects and demonstrating an enhancement to both social and environmental sustainability.

Impromptu-2: Sabbagh Architects | Recent Projects | 13.05.10

Chilean Pavilion in Shanghai

Architects for Peace and The University of Melbourne, School of Design present:

SABBAGH ARCHITECTS
(Recent Projects 2001-2010)

By Juan Pedro Sabbagh
Sabbagh Architects, Santiago, Chile

Thursday 13 May at 6.30pm
Prince Philip Theatre
Ground Floor, Architecture Building
The University of Melbourne
(Note that this presentation is not taking place at our usual location)

Juan Pedro Sabbagh became partner of Sabbagh Architects in 2001. Opened in 1984, Sabbagh Architects is today one of the most influential architectural practices in Chile. The typology of their architectural work covers industrial, commercial, housing, educational and heritage projects.

Sabbagh's architectural projects have enriched the Chilean architectural panorama and have endowed the firm with several awards, including: first place in office Category in the World Architecture Festival de Barcelona with the Antonio Varas Building. One of their recent and iconic projects is the design of the Chilean Pavilion at the Shanghai Expo 2010 named "Sprout of a New City".

In his presentation, Sabbagh will discuss the firm's most recent works which testify to the diversity of their technical skills and design processes. These qualities have given Sabbagh Architects a leading role locally and among American countries.

More information: www.sabbagharquitectos.com

« download poster here

Impromptu: In Conversation with Mathias Klotz

Friday, 19 March 2010-6:30pm

Mathias Klotz Germain was born on April 1965 in Viña del Mar (Chile). In 1991 he graduated as an architect from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. He has been awarded numerous awards and has major projects in Chile, Mexico, Italy, Lebanon, China, Uruguay, Argentina, Spain...

"I am interested in belonging to a place… That is what my work is about…
I have no idea if I have found a place, but I think there are some projects that do have one.
The Reutter House has one by climbing up the trees. The Las Niñas Winery has one by illuminating the industrial space with natural light. The Mulchnick House has one by constructing an inhabitable terrace. The Ponce House has one on the River Plate." (From Mathias Klotz website)

This is an informal presentation/talk by Mathias Klotz. This is gonna be a chilled out, after work/study conversation about architecture and Mathias's work. A great way to welcome the weekend!

Venue: RMIT Building 50, Orr St, Carlton (the usual place we have Words series)
Time: 6:30 PM
Date: Friday, 19 March 2010
RSVP: words@bld50

Snacks, drinks, and friendly atmosphere will be provided!

*image from dezeen.com

The Victorian Bushfires: Recovery + Reconstruction

PANEL TALK

+

EXHIBITION

At RMIT bldg 50, Orr St, Carlton (off Victoria St, between Lygon and Cardigan)

Thursday, 5 November 2009

Exhibition opens from 6:30 PM

Talk starts at 7:00 PM

This is our last words event for 2009 and it's going to be a big one! Another bushfire season has recently commenced and we've secured four speakers to address the recovery process since Black Saturday and the challenges that lie ahead, each from a unique professional perspective. It's also an opportunity to exhibit the work of those architects who rose to the challenge responding to the aftermath through design, many in a pro bono capacity, and 17 projects will be exhibited on the night.

The wake of the devastating Victorian bushfires of 2009 was met with a massive public outpouring of emotion and support and an equally powerful wave of criticism of existing defence mechanisms and political rhetoric that produced the 'we will rebuild' mantra. Nine months on, we will reflect on the progress and lessons learnt thus far and the ongoing longterm recovery process. What are the prospects for the longterm recovery and rebuilding of devastated communities? Are vulnerable communities any better prepared for this summer? How might built environment professionals respond to the challenge of planning and designing for areas at risk? These are just some of the questions that we will discuss in our November edition of Words@bldg50.

The panel consists of:

DR SUSIE BURKE BA(Hons), PHD, MAPS. A psychologist working at the Australian Psychological Society. A significant focus of her work in the Public Interest Team at the APS is looking at the role that psychology can play in helping us understand the causes, impacts and solutions to climate change and other environmental threats, including natural disasters.

GREG BOX Manager of Arts, Culture & Heritage, Shire of Yarra Ranges. Greg oversees six cultural facilities, a cultural development program, an indigenous collection, public art and festivals and events. He was in control of the Healesville Relief Centre on Sunday, 8 February.

BEATRIZ MATURANA Architect, MA in Urban Design. President of Architects for Peace. Beatriz has worked in community development in countries including Nicaragua and East Timor, and is a passionate advocate for social justice. Her paper 'Victoria's Bushfires: isn't it time to reflect on new urban strategies?' was written in response to the 2009 Victorian bushfires.

Chair ANTHONY MCINNENY Practicing urban artist, studio leader in the RMIT Art in Public Space program and Coordinator, Cultural Planning and Development at the City of Knox. Anothny has worked in the developing world in the area of cultural restoration after human-made and natural disaster.

An exhibition of 17 design projects for areas affected by the bushfires this year will be presented on the night. These projects showcase different responses and solutions to the reconstruction process.

The exhibitors are:

Zen Architects
Irons McDuff Architecture
Tom Morgan/Sharkmouse
Hayball Pty Ltd
Splinter Society
Architects Eat
Edwards Moore
Julie Firkin Architect
John Wardle Architects
Clare Cousins Architecture + Interior Design
Monash University Architecture students
Umberto Emoli
John Henry
Emergency Architects Australia (with Antarctica/BVN/ARG/Architectus)
Clinton Murray (with S2F)
John King Architects
pH Architects

Entry by gold coin donation, refreshments provided. We hope you can join us for the last time in 2009!