The Creative, the Computer and the Conversation: a thrilling line-up for the ‘Conversations on Architecture’ design seminar at Decorex Cape Town in April.
What’s to learn from film? What is ‘popcorn architecture’? Can design integrate man, nature, culture and technology with humanism? The design seminar Conversations on Architecture – (COA) Cape Town 2012 – will challenge conventional thinking with a stellar line-up of leading international and local design creatives speaking their minds and raising thought-provoking questions.
Themed ‘Architectural Expression in the 4G Phase: Exuberant. Experimental. Explicit’, the conference shines a provocative searchlight on contemporary issues facing the global and local built environment.
Tailor-made for architects and anyone working in the building and related design industries, the seminar features speakers from Saraben-Studio, one of the UK’s most promising young architectural and design firms, alongside local design mavens Porky Hefer and Haldane Martin; architect-filmmaker Robert Silke and film buff Alexandra Parker. Architecture students will also share their fresh insights to the huge opportunities ahead.
“After two decades of marvelling in the possibilities of computers, enough time has passed to appreciate that they often don’t make better buildings”, says architect Hugh Fraser, seminar host. “Using the work of Saraben Studio as a departure point, the COA conference explores what is possible now that we better understand digital rendering, modelling and fabrication. The boundaries between the design fields have also blurred allowing architecture, interior and furniture design to blend with product and graphic design more seamlessly.”
Sara Shafiei and Ben Cowd of Saraben-Studio have built their reputation on producing highly crafted, ornate and layered drawings and models that have led to major exhibitions worldwide.
Porky Hefer, undoubtedly one of the country’s most awarded creative people, designs concepts rather than products. Winner of an Elle Decoration Designer of the Year, Hefer will be speaking about living, not working – to include biomimicry and crossing disciplines.
Haldane Martin, award winning contemporary furniture and interior designer, will illustrate the use of digital design and manufacturing, combined with handwork to echo the beautiful, complex, organic forms found in nature.
With his growing reputation as one of SA’s most promising young architects, Robert Silke, design director at Louis Karol, has seen his work awarded and his design commentary published in blue chip design journals. He will address the potential of architecture to sell dreams, and the possibility for development in Africa.
Alexandra Parker of the Architect Africa Film Festival, researches the role of film and television in shaping urban representation. She serves on the board for the Architects’ Collective organizing, among other events, the Architect Africa Film Festival. At this conference she looks at what architects can learn from filmmaking.
Date: Thursday 26 April 2012
Time: 08h30-13h00 (Registration from 07h30)
Followed by Caesarstone midday-cocktail with snacks from 13h00 to 14h00
Venue: CTICC
Cost: R741.00 incl. Vat. Includes refreshments and entrance to Decorex exhibition
More info: www.decorex.co.za
