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The proposed National Museum of African American History and Culture by David Adjaye Associates.

As the final countdown to the 2014 National Architecture Conference (Making) commences, the list of guest speakers is almost finalised, with British architect David Adjaye the latest to join the stellar lineup of one dozen international speakers.

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Guest speaker at Making 2014, David Adjaye.

Co-creative director of the 2014 conference, Adam Haddow, says Making “aims to take a view into the worlds of our nearest continental neighbours, to better understand the remarkable built outcomes from divergent economic, political and cultural inputs. With speakers from across Asia, South America and Africa, what we’re interested in doing with this program is showing remarkable work and practitioners – some of whom you will know very well, others are relatively unknown in Australia.”

Adjaye was a rising star of the early 1990s, winning the RIBA Bronze Medal for Part 1 students in 1993. Since then, his accolades have included the Stirling Prize for Whitechapel Idea Store in 2006, an OBE from Queen Elizabeth II in 2007 and Designer of the Year Award at Design Miami in 2011. Recent projects by David Adjaye Associates include the Nobel Peace Centre in Oslo, and his 2009 competition-winning scheme for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, scheduled to open in 2015.

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Top L-R: Gurjit Singh Matharoo, Richard Hassell, Wen Hsia and BC Ang, Andra Matin, Vo Trong Nghia. Bottom L-R: Cazu Zegers, Jo Noero, Beth Miller, Sek San Ng, Marina Tabassum.

He joins Making 2014 international speakers:

• Gurjit Singh Matharoo (Matharoo Associates), India
• Richard Hassell (WOHA), Singapore
• Wen Hsia & BC Ang (WHBC Architects), Malaysia
• Andra Matin (Andra Matin), Indonesia
• Vo Trong Nghia (Vo Trong Nghia Architects), Vietnam
• Sek San Ng (Seksan Design), Malaysia
• Marina Tabassum (Marina Tabassum Architects), Bangladesh
• Cazu Zegers (Cazu Zegers), Chile
• Jo Noero (Noero Architects), South Africa
• Beth Miller (Community Design Collective), USA

Making 2014 will explore four sub-themes, each to be anchored by a leading Australian practitioner. “These discussions around culture, life, connections and impact, will look at connecting the shifts in policy, culture and economics to built outcomes,” says Haddow. “Inherent in these discussions are some key questions: Under what conditions is excellence achieved? How do multiple, seemingly unrelated projects from across a city or region collaborate to celebrate cultural difference? And who has the ability to coordinate and curate such a move?”

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Australian guest speakers: Andrew Burns, Elizabeth Watson-Brown, Emma Williamson and Tim Horton.

Making culture will be lead by Sydney architect Andrew Burns, Making life with Elizabeth Watson-Brown, design director atArchitectus. Making connections will be lead by Emma Williamson of multi-disciplinary Perth practice CODA, and Making impact will be lead by Tim Horton, Australia’s first commissioner of integrated design, independent advisor to the South Australian Government.

“We are incredibly excited about the conference, and look forward to sharing the experience of Making with the architecture fraternity,” continues Haddow. “I think you’ll be amazed by the scale, depth and beauty of the work you will see – it will be delightful and challenging. It’s also an amazing opportunity to take time out from our individual practices and come together as a profession, committed to excellent built outcomes for our own respective communities.”

Making 2014 will be held in Perth 8-10 May at Perth Convention Centre. Satellite events include guided bike tours of Perth’s architectural treasures, the Cinecity architectural film project,Making fun: @SCALE exhibition as well as impromptu performances by an indi-pop choir and a dance trio. Registration and full program and event details available here.

> via architectureau.com