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Sydney staff feature across Sydney Design Week 2023 program

31 August 2023
Celebrating design in Sydney
Sydney Design Week 2023 returns from September 15 to 24, celebrating the creative forces that shape our city. The program features exhibitions, symposiums, and workshops exploring the intricate relationship between design, community, and the spaces we inhabit.

During the week, don't miss the chance to engage with groundbreaking ideas and innovative design practices from staff at the School of Architecture, Design and Planning. Take a look at some of the program highlights featuring our School colleagues.

Lacaton & Vassal: Living in the City exhibition

Resident standing in her apartment winter garden

Transformation of 530 Dwellings, Bordeaux, France. Photo: Philippe Ruault

Currently running until 23 September, Lacaton & Vassal: Living in the City at the Tin Sheds Gallery showcases the incredible work of French architects and our inaugural Rothwell Co-Chairs Anne Lacaton and Jean-Philippe Vassal. 

Anne Lacaton and Jean-Philippe Vassal are renowned for their innovative architectural approach, which emphasises close attention, transforming spaces without demolition, and creating high-quality living areas. This exhibition, curated by Lacaton and Vassal, as well as Dr Hannes Frykholm, and Catherine Lassen from the Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning, explores the duo's work and philosophy through architectural works, documentary footage and recent studio investigations with the School.

Learn more about the exhibition here: Lacaton & Vassal: Living in the City

Building Communities Symposium

PHIVE Community, Cultural and Civic Hub. Photo: Brett Boardman

PHIVE Community, Cultural and Civic Hub. Photo: Brett Boardman 

On 16 September, Parramatta's new civic hub PHIVE will host the Building Communities Symposium. Across a series of thought-provoking sessions, architects, policy-makers, community activists and creative practitioners will delve into the dynamic relationship between built environments and the communities they serve.

This symposium is curated by Kate Goodwin and Qianyi Lim from Architecture Amplified. Architecture Amplified is a forum for an inclusive, inspiring and critical examination of architecture and society today, conceived by Goodwin, Lim, and Olivia Hyde during their tenure as Professors of Practice at the School of Architecture, Design and Planning.

Learn more about the symposium here: Building Communities Symposium

Imagine a City: Drawing Workshop

Cityscape at night

Photo: Powerhouse Museum

This interactive workshop offers a unique opportunity to collaborate with artists and architects to envision cities that foster meaningful connections between people, the environment, and stories. Led by Chris Fox and Yuxiao Wang from Studio Chris Fox, this hands-on workshop introduces participants to innovative design processes that combine technical expertise with artistic imagination.

Chris Fox is a senior lecturer in art processes and architecture at the University of Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning.

Learn more about the workshop here: Imagine a City Drawing Workshop

Satellite event

Responsible Design Thinking Symposium

Responsible Design Thinking Symposium, 18-20 September 2023, Rethinking design thinking education

Coinciding with Sydney Design Week, the School's Design Lab will hold its Responsible Design Thinking Symposium from 18 to 20 September. The symposium seeks to unravel the intricate concept of responsible design thinking – an exploration into the role of responsibility within the design thought process.

Experts from the University of Sydney and Monash University will lead a series of presentations, collaborative design workshops and discussions to engage with issues around design criticality, ethics, and the environment.

Learn more and register for the symposium here: Responsible Design Thinking Symposium


Sydney Design Week will be held across Sydney from 15-24 September. Explore the full program and book tickets at the Powerhouse Museum website.

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