Sydney Architecture Festival 2018

Overview

Lovers of Australian architecture take note, the Sydney Architecture Festival 2018 is looking inwards for its 12th edition, with a celebration of two of Australia's most iconic buildings: the Sydney Opera House and Parliament House. Running from Friday, September 28, to Monday, October 1, the festival sets out to explore 'What Makes a Building Truly Great?' with a wide-ranging program of talks, tours and exhibits.

The festival also coincides with two landmark birthdays: the Sydney Opera House turns 45 and Parliament House enters its 30th year. Presenting the pair's largely unexplored intertwined history, the festival will consider how these Australian monuments — alongside many others — can be preserved for generations to come. A lineup of leading local and international architectural voices will also explores how Australia can remain at the global forefront of urban development.

Highlights include a striking revision of the Opera House's history with architectural historian Dr Anne Watson; a panel discussion on what equals great design with Australian Institute of Architects Gold Medal winners Richard Leplastrier, Brit Andresen and Peter Stutchbury; and the previously untold challenges behind Parliament House with original architect Ric Thorpe AM and ABC's Annabel Crabb.

For the first time, an architecture critic will deliver the 'World Architecture Day' address at the Sydney Opera House. Acclaimed New York-based writer Karen Stein will present the speech, drawing from her decade-long experience as a panel member for The Pritkzer Architecture Prize, and as a contributor to many of the world's leading architecture publications.

Images: Hamilton Lund