DESIGN Canberra will return next month for its fourth iteration, showcasing the best the ACT has to offer in all design disciplines.

Running between 6 and 26 November, the 2017 program from Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre will present over 100 events, exhibitions, talks, tours, activations, markets, collaborations, artist studios and open homes.

“Design is in Canberra’s DNA. From the time of Walter and Marion Griffin’s visionary design a century ago, to iconic experimental modernist architecture of the 1950s and 60s, and contemporary and sustainable design developments today, Canberra has been — and will always be — a living design laboratory,” says Rachael Coghlan, CEO and artistic director at Craft ACT.

“DESIGN Canberra is an incredibly important part of the arts community. It is so important to support local artists, designers and makers to forge unexpected collaborations and marketplace connections, and develop new and expanded audiences.”

Highlights from the 2017 program below:

AFFORDABLE HOUSING SEMINARS

When: 8, 15 and 22 November, 6pm
Where: ACT Chapter, Australian Institute of Architects, 2a Mugga Way, Red Hill

A lecture series hosted by the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) will explore designing, planning and delivering affordable housing. Speakers with extensive experience in housing development and affordable housing provision have been invited to present talks on the topic of planning for and delivering affordable housing in green field or brown field developments.

OBJECT SUBJECT: INAUGURAL NATIONAL DESIGN WRITING CONFERENCE

When: 10 November
Where: The Shine Dome, 15 Gordon Street, Acton

The inaugural national design writing conference will bring together designers, writers, critics, bloggers, researchers, collectors, makers, curators and design lovers to explore the creative and important ways that writing has become essential to the future of design. Keynotes will come from design critic Alice Rawsthorn (New York Times, Frieze magazines) and Dana Tomic Hughes, interior designer, curator and editor of Yellowtrace.

TOM SKEEHAN: OPEN STUDIO

When: 11 November, 11am – 4pm
Where: ANCA Mitchell, 96 Hoskins Street, Mitchell

SKEEHAN studio specialises in commercial furniture, lighting and product design. Directed by industrial designer Tom Skeehan, the studio takes a material driven approach resulting in an informed design process that considers the long term lived experience of the product and its environment.

MID-CENTURY MODERNIST BUS TOUR

When: 12, 19, 26 November, 12.45 – 4.30pm
Where: Various locations

Join renowned architecture enthusiast, Martin Miles on a series of bus tours around Canberra’s best architecture including mid-century modernist icons by architects such as Roy Grounds, Robin Boyd and Harry Seidler.

CANBERRA MODERN: PHOTOGRAPHY WALKING TOUR OF ANU

When: 12 November, 12 – 4pm
Where: Foyer, University House, The Australian National University, Canberra

Grab your camera and take a walk around the ANU Acton Campus and surrounds with award-winning photographer, Darren Bradley (@modarchitecture). He will share some tips and tricks for architectural photography, using several examples of modernist buildings on and around the ANU Campus.

CANBERRA MODERN: THE OTHER MODERNS

When: 14 November, 6pm
Where: The Drawing Room, University House, The Australian National University, Canberra

While Harry Seidler is one of Australia’s most famous architects, little is known of his European-born contemporaries. Author Rebecca Hawcroft will speak about her research for her book, The Other Moderns. The book uncovers the work of the forgotten émigré architects, interior designers, and furniture makers, and the impact they had on modernist design. 

AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS 2017 AWARDS BUS TOUR

When: 18 November, 10am – 4pm
Where: ACT Chapter, Australian Institute of Architects, 2a Mugga Way, Red Hill

This guided bus tour will showcase a selection of the best residential projects from this year’s ACT Architecture Awards. Awarded projects included MD House by Ben Walker Architects, McCarthy Purba House by Anthony Knobel Architect, and SG House by Ben Walker Architects.

ROB HENRY ARCHITECTS: OPEN STUDIO

When: 25 November, 11am – 4pm
Where: Unit 4, 23 Bentham Street, Yarralumla

Rob Henry Architects’ studio will be opened for visitors to see the workings of an architect, including a display of hand drawn designs. The studio will also be curating a photographic exhibition of residential architecture in Yarralumla, showcasing exemplar architectural houses designed by architects throughout the history of the suburb.