The Sydney Architecture Festival kicks off Friday 2 October and will run for four days, culminating with an industry summit on Monday 5 October.

There are a host of events that encourage the community to participate in and enjoy the history, culture and future of Sydney architecture and others that aim to develop and strengthen relationships and the distribution of information among the architecture community.

FRIDAY

Friday kicks off with an early morning reveal of the ‘George St 2020: re-imagine Sydney’s main street’ global ideas competition, before heading into a day of housing focussed discussions with some of Australia’s prominent architectural figures, political faces and media personalities.

Don’t miss: 'Architecture and structure - just a simple love affair'

Need to know: Friday, 12:30 - 01:30pm Customs House, Alfred St, Circular Quay . Free but booking essential. Register here.

About: Renowned German engineer Prof Manfred Grohmann of Bollinger Grohmann shares 30 years of design secrets behind some of the world’s great works of architecture and engineering

Manfred Grohmann and his team have been working with a large number of internationally recognized architects on structurally challenging projects including Peter Cook, Coop Himmelb(l)au, Frank Gehry, LAVA, Dominique Perrault, SANAA,  Snøhetta,  Zaha Hadid and scores of others.


SATURDAY

Saturday will be jam-packed with consumer focussed events aimed to position Sydney's cultural identity as a contemporary city of quality architecture.  Photography and drawing classes, meet an architect and landscape architect events, and outdoor exercise workouts on some of Sydney’s premier architectural landmarks are all scheduled.

Don’t miss: 'Measuring up: the architecture of Innovation'

Need to know: Saturday 03 October, 03:00 - 05:00pm, Chau Chak Wing, UTS Business School, Ultimo Road. Free but booking essential. Register here.

About: Working with UTS schools of Architecture and Business, this symposium will launch the results of a first-of-its-kind, year-long research project looking at case studies that will answer where architecture fits in with Australia’s innovation agenda, and how it contributes.

Former Sustainability Awards judge and Terroir director, Professor Gerard Reinmuth will be a co-leader of the discussion.


SUNDAY

Sunday's events will be tour focused and will include excursions to a variety of architect's own homes, explorations of recently gentrified areas of Sydney’s working-class suburbs and tours of recently added major projects in the CBD.

Don’t Miss: 'Legendary New Zealand Architect - Sir Ian Athfield - a Tribute'

Need to know: Sunday 04 October, 01:30 - 05:00pm, Warrane Theatre, Museum of Sydney, Cnr Philip & Bridge Streets. Costs: $20, Register here.

About:  Richard Leplastrier, Professor Xing Ruan and Lindsay Johnston have organised a tribute to the recently passed and renowned architect Ian Athfield.  Hear from Leplastrier, Peter Stutchbury and Johnston on what we can learn from a life devoted to designing for closer communities and a richer social sustainability.


MONDAY

Monday coincides with World Architecture Day 2015 and SAF will be bringing together some of the industry’s biggest names to discuss and brainstorm the city’s position as a global force in architecture.

Don’t Miss: 'Architecture at the table: an industry summit'

Need to know: Monday 05 October, 02:00 - 04:00pm, Utzon Room, Sydney Opera House Bennelong Point, Sydney Places strictly limited: Register here

About: Industry leaders from architecture, development and infrastructure; policymakers and universities; and Australian design practices operating across the world will come together for a summit in a bid to build a better baseline to connect industry to sources of support that allow us to compete in the global game for trade and investment along the Silk Highway.

The summit will include presentations by:

  • Shaun Carter, NSW Chapter President, Australian Institute of Architects
  • Peter Poulet, NSW Government Architect
  • Leone Lorrimer, CEO, dwp|suters (representing the Association of Consulting Architects)
  • Kate Doyle, CEO, Architects Accreditation Council (AACA)
  • Prof Ken Maher, President-elect, Australian Institute of Architects, President, Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC), Ambassador, Business Events Sydney
  • Prof Alec Tzannes AM, Dean of the Faculty of Built Environment (UNSW)
  • Megan Motto, CEO, Consult Australia
  • Tim Williams, CEO, Committee for Sydney
  • Clare Sowden, Director of Property Development, PwC