The Great Great Australian Dream – SOLD OUT

The confused pastiche of incoherent architecture and how it failed to represent a national identity or culture was a topic that Boyd passionately interrogated right through to his last book, The Great Great Australian Dream.

This ‘Design Matters’ panel will explore how we can design sensitive architecture that speaks to our identity and culture to celebrate connections with the environment, Country and heritage. Expect a discussion that traverses civic architecture, public space, graphic design, expos and biennales to delve into design’s critical shift from aesthetics and symbolism to materiality and place.

Following the conversation, attendees can explore the Walsh Street House – an iconic modernist residence designed by Robin Boyd in 1957.

Speakers

Dr Christine Phillips
Christine Phillips is a registered architect, academic and writer. As a co-director of OoPLA with Tania Davidge, her architectural practice focuses on creative ways to engage the public with architecture through public, playful and political projects. With an interest in architectural and cultural heritage, Christine was a member of the Heritage Council of Victoria for six years. Christine is passionate about Australian architectural design and in co-authored a book with Dr Peter Raisbeck on one of Australia’s most celebrated architects, Robin Boyd, entitled Robin Boyd: Late Works (2020). With a commitment to reach broad audiences, Christine was also a co-host of RRR’s weekly radio show, ‘The Architects’ from 2010-2015 where she interviewed a range of esteemed international and local guests. As Senior Lecturer within RMIT’s Architecture Program, Christine is currently working on innovative ways of transforming design education to celebrate the 60,000+ years of our First Nations culture in Australia. Through her partnerships with Indigenous communities, Christine is connecting and advancing the way architecture students engage with Indigenous knowledge to build their cultural capacity and develop transformative educational experiences while also working to support and advance the communities she is working with.

Georgia Birks
Georgia Birks is an associate editor at Architecture Media, a graduate of architecture and a proud descendant of the Birpai, Dunghutti and Kamilaroi people. Prior to her role as associate editor, Georgia practised architecture in Brisbane, assisting the delivery of a range of projects across Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia. Georgia completed her Bachelor of Architectural Design and Master of Architecture from the University of Queensland. In 2022 she received the University of Queensland’s Indigenous Community Impact Award for advocacy for architecture that welcomes people of all cultural backgrounds. She is currently a co-curator for the Asia Pacific Architecture Festival, a member of the Australian Institute of Architects First Nations Advisory Committee and a member of the City of Melbourne’s Design Excellence Advisory Committee.

Jamileh Jahangiri
Jamileh Jahangiri is the founder of Studio Orsi, a research based, invention friendly design studio based in Sydney. She an enthusiastic contributor to the Australian architectural community, having been a Juror for the Australian Institute of Architects, chair of the NSW sustainability working group and previous associate contributor of Architecture Bulletin. She is also passionate about mentoring and teaching as she continues teaching at different Sydney Universities. With a strong passion for creating Public spaces, her interest in architecture lies on social and cultural dimensions of built environment. She is committed on creating places that engage with its cultural and social values. This design ethos drives her to advocate for a sensitive architecture that promotes cultural identities to encourage social changes.

Mimmo Cozzolino
Mimmo Cozzolino multi-faceted career has embraced design practice, cultural research and publishing, fine art photography, pedagogy and more. Mimmo’s studio collaborations with Con Aslanis, initially as All Australian Graphics (1972–73), and then the seven person illustration collective All Australian Graffiti (1975–78), resulted in some of the most influential local work of the 1970s. The Kevin Pappas Tear Out Postcard Book, an irreverent look at Australian culture, personified the studio’s output. Mimmo’s fixation with culture continued in the best-selling book, Symbols of Australia, an archive of over 1700 Australian trademarks Mimmo researched and recorded over eight years. It remains one of the few published documentations of Australian graphic design. He has taught, lectured, supervised, work-shopped and assessed in many leading design schools. Determined to raise the standards of the design profession, he has invested countless hours in industry events and schemes. Significantly, he was one of the five founding members of AGDA in 1987. Today Mimmo is pursuing his passion making art.

Jill Garner AM (Convenor)
Jill Garner took the helm of the Office of the Victorian Government Architect in 2015, stepping into the role as a public advocate for architecture and design after more than twenty years in practice. As an architect, her practice – Garner Davis – has received numerous industry awards for delivering sensitive, crafted public and private work. As a design advisor and advocate in government, she strongly promotes the value of contextual, integrated design thinking and a collaborative approach across design disciplines. Jill has taught at both RMIT and Melbourne University in architectural design, theory and contemporary history; she is one of the first graduates of the innovative practice-based Masters by Design at RMIT; she is a past board member and examiner for the Architects Registration Board Victoria; in 2018 she chaired the national Committee for the Venice Architecture Biennale. She is a Life Fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects and in 2021 she was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia, recognising her distinguished service to architecture , education and professional associations. In December 2022, Jill joined the Robin Boyd Foundation Board of Directors.

This event is part of Melbourne Design Week 2023, an initiative of the Victorian Government in collaboration with the NGV. Our event is generously supported by Konpira Maru Wines and Molly Rose Brewing.

Entry to the Australian Pavilion, Montreal Expo ’67, Canada. Mural by Clifton Pugh. Slide taken by Robin Boyd, 1967. © Estate of Robin Boyd. Item digitised by Restore Conservation Services.

This event is generously supported by Konpira Maru Wines and Molly Rose Brewing.

We offer discounted tickets to our RBF Friends and Boyd Circle members.

Prior to your visit, please note:
– Attendees must be 16 years and over.
– No external food or drink may be brought into the house.
– Large bags and backpacks will need to be checked in at entry.
– Stiletto heels cannot be worn in the house due to our cork flooring.
– If you are experiencing Covid symptoms or test positive Covid prior to the event, please contact us.