What's on in May 2024

From Melbourne Design Week and the Australian Architecture Conference to a birthday bash celebrating the Australian Design Centre, there is no shortage of powerful and compelling design-focused events this month.

The national architecture conference provides the setting for architects to network with industry, debate issues and consider the impact of architecture. Taking place in Melbourne from 8-11 May, the program features a two-day symposium on the wellbeing of architects in education and professional practice, followed by the two-day conference. Among the presenting international and national conference speakers are: Barbara Bestor (Bestor Architecture, USA), Paul Monaghan (Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM), UK), Nigel Bertram (NMBW, Australia), Dana Cuff (University of California, USA), Alberto Veiga (Barozzi Veiga, Spain), Louise Wright and Mauro Baracco (Baracco and Wright, Australia), and Yasmeen Lari (Heritage Foundation Pakistan and Chair of INTBAU, Pakistan) in conversation with Esther Charlesworth (Architects without Frontiers, Australia).

Commencing on 23 May, Melbourne Design Week returns to celebrate all things design through a series of discussions, tours, exhibitions, installations and workshops. Nigerian architect Tosin Oshinowo will be headlining the 2024 program with a keynote lecture on architecture and urbanism in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, and the diverse design approaches to meet cultural and climatic needs. Open House Melbourne will present its annual satellite program, with this year's program titled Design and Death, Time Immemorial to explore the relationship between design and death and how spaces of burial can provide insights on how we live. Open House Melbourne will also host a Design and Death Symposium to further explore this theme.

The Making Place exhibition presents historical and contemporary depictions of the Brisbane region from the Museum of Brisbane's archive. More than 100 artworks will be displayed, with each work prompting visitors to consider questions, such as: what makes a place? Which sites are significant for individuals and communities and why? Are the landmarks we recognise as characterising the city today the same landmarks we'll see in the future? Can memories make a place? Judy Watson, Richard Randall, Noel McKenna, Vida Lahey, Ruth Cho and Lloyd Rees are some of the artists to have works featured in the exhibition.

Established in 1964, the Australian Design Centre is celebrating its 60th year by throwing a birthday bash to mark the milestone. To be held at the Australian Design Centre's (ADC) Sydney headquarters, the evening will provide an opportunity for those within the design community to mingle and reflect on the achievements of the ADC over the past six decades. Speeches and an exhibition called Treasures will be presented during the evening to honour the occasion. The special guest MC will be professor Anthony Burke, the former ADC chair and current host of ABC television programs such as Restoration Australia, Grand Design Transformations and Grand Designs Australia.