The Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (MAAS) has revealed the 2018 program for Sydney Design Festival.

Celebrating its 20^th anniversary in March, the annual festival brings together people, ideas and activities across creative industry sectors.

Taking on a new format from previous years, the 2018 festival will be a collaborative platform where the majority of the events – exhibitions, installations, talks, workshops and tours – will be presented by practitioners. These events respond to the theme of ‘Call to Action’, and considers the role of design in addressing global issues.

Sydney Design Festival will run between 2 and 11 March. Here are a few of our favourite events:

FOUR PERISCOPES: ARCHITECTURAL COMMISSION

When: 2 – 11 March, 10am – 5pm
Where: Powerhouse Museum, 500 Harris Street, Ultimo

In November last year, it was announced that emerging Sydney-based studio, TRIAS, would design the Powerhouse Museum’s inaugural architecture commission (the Turbine Hall Commission). The installation titled ‘Four Periscopes’ will consist of four internal skyscraper-like towers made from sustainable cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels. Suspended above the ground, the towers will be filled with a series of periscopic mirrors.

DESIGN NATION

When: 2 – 11 March, 10am – 5pm
Where: Powerhouse Museum, 500 Harris Street, Ultimo

Design Nation will showcase a selection of iconic Australian inventions and design objects from the MAAS Collection. Co-curated with comedian and design enthusiast Tim Ross, the exhibition will celebrate classic Australian objects and the stories behind their creation. Items on display will include the Stackhat bike helmet, the Wiltshire Staysharp Knife and the Eveready Dolphin torch.

A CONVERSATION ABOUT PASSIVE HOUSE: RESIDENTIAL

When: 3 March, 10am – 4pm
Where: Nirimba Green Skills Hub

This event will discuss what Passive House is, and showcase examples from throughout Australia. Attendees will come away with a new found understanding of Australia’s future of building, and knowledge on creating comfortable, healthy living and work environments.

SYDNEY OBSERVATORY ARCHITECTURE TOUR

When: 4 March, 11am – 3.30pm
Where: Sydney Observatory, 1003 Upper Fort Street, Millers Point

Join the Australia Architecture Association (AAA) for a historical tour of Sydney Observatory. The 1858-built structure was designed by architects William Weaver and Alexander Dawson. Sydney Observatory is recognised as an item of ‘state significance’ by the New South Wales Government and is heritage listed.

DAVID GIANOTTEN KEYNOTE PRESENTATION

When: 4 March, 6.30 – 8pm
Where: Powerhouse Museum, 500 Harris Street, Ultimo

The festival’s keynote event is a presentation from architect David Gianotten. As partner-in-charge of Netherlands-based firm OMA, Gianotten has overseen some of the world’s leading architectural projects including the Taipei Performing Arts Centre, the masterplan of Feyenoord City and the upcoming New Museum for Western Australia. He designed the 2017 MPavilion in Melbourne with Rem Koolhaas.

WHERE DO THE CHILDREN PLAY?

When: 6 March, 6 – 7.30pm
Where: Australian Institute of Architects – NSW Chapter, 3 Manning Street, Potts Point

This event will tackle the topic of how we can design spaces to promote play and prioritise the well-being of children in cities. Speakers include Lucinda Hartley from Play Streets Australia, Kate Bishop from UNSW and Natalia Krysiak from Hayball Architects.

THE ROCKS ARCHITECTURE TOUR

When: 10 March, 10am – 12pm
Where: The Rocks

The AAA will guide attendees on a two-hour tour of Sydney’s oldest suburb, The Rocks. Discover the marks left on the district by the plague of 1900 and by major infrastructure projects such as the wharves and the Harbour Bridge.

ARCHITECTURE AS AGENCY: HUMANITARIAN DESIGN

When: 10 March, 10am – 4pm
Where: Wilkinson Building, University of Sydney School of Architecture, Design & Planning, 148 City Road, Darlington

Architecture as Agency: humanitarian design will consist of two sessions. Session one will be a panel discussion featuring presentations from the likes of Jacqueline Thomas, (Humanitarian Engineering, University of Sydney) and David Anderson (Architects Without Frontiers). Session two will see groups team together in a hands-on workshop to develop creative solutions to real-world challenges.

Images: Sydney Design Festival

Nicholas Rider

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