Assemble Papers ‘Living Closer Together’ Symposium

Our publication, Assemble Papers, hosted an all-day series of panel sessions exploring the intersection between the way we experience, design and plan for a lively and equitable city.

Panel #1 – New pathways to affordable housing

What is the future of the Australian dream, and can we do better housing for people? Old and new finance and ownership models are being designed by innovators across architecture, planning and finance.

Speakers: Andy Fergus (City of Melbourne, Nightingale), Ben Keck (Assemble, Fieldwork), Dr Andrea Sharam (RMIT University) and Dave Martin (The Sociable Weaver)

Panel #2 – What makes a good apartment building?

What do we know about apartment life in Australia and internationally; about design standards, enforced and common sense; and explore the spectrum of design responses that emerge from both public and private housing projects?

Speakers: Mitra Anderson Oliver (urban planner and policy advisor), Quino Holland (Assemble, Fieldwork), Monique Woodward (Wowowa Architecture) and Katherine Sundermann (MGS Architects)

Panel #3 – What would an open city look like?

Who has the right to the city – and how can this right be more equally shared and distributed in future? From embedding Indigenous knowledge, culture and connection to place into the DNA of contemporary architecture to design with and for a diverse and ageing population, join active thinkers working towards more people-centred cities.

Speakers: Sarah Lynn Rees (Palawa/Plangermaireener, Indigenous Architecture and Design Victoria, MPavilion, JCB Architects), Jane Caught (Sibling Architecture) and Bree Trevena (Arup)

Panel #4 – Music makes cities.

How does music shape the city as a civic force? We surround ourselves with it daily but don’t often think of music as something that leads to more open and democratic planning, policy, education and city systems.

Speakers: Andrea Baker (Monash University), Bec Hornsby (3RRR), Helen Marcou (Bakehouse Studios) and more to be announced.

More about the Symposium here.