The power of a simple ‘How?’ can have a massive impact on revolution, innovation and transformation, especially when it comes to the future of generations - an inspiring thought that will drive the discussion at the 5th ArchitectureZA event (AZA2015) taking place at The Sheds in Johannesburg from 24 – 26 September 2015.
Leading innovative thinkers in the architectural and design industry will be heading to the much-acclaimed and trendy space, The Sheds@1Fox in Johannesburg for this year’s “Future City” AZA2015. The event aspires to bring together all design fraternities to create awareness of the value and positive impact design disciplines have on the economy and society. Success stories, case studies, lessons learnt and international best practice will be shared by top pioneers.
Among the esteemed speakers at the event is Beatriz Colomina, professor of History and Theory of Architecture, director of Graduate Studies at Princeton University School of Architecture and founding director of the interdisciplinary Program in Media and Modernity at Princeton University. Colomina has written extensively on the subjects of architecture and media, which includes Domesticity at War (2007) and Privacy and Publicity: Modern Architecture as Mass Media (1994).
Alta Walker, head of innovation at PPC comments that architecture has the power to transform society and citizens’ lives, a key focus at this year’s ArchitectureZA. The event promises an insight into how architects contribute towards urban environments.
Engaging with SA’s various issues
“The various conference speakers represent original ways of architectural thinking, of identifying with their respective constituencies, and of practicing and engaging with the various contexts and pressing issues presented in South Africa and other developing countries. PPC is proud to be associated yet again with ArchitectureZA as a principal partner. PPC will continue to contribute both directly and indirectly towards the development of architecture and other creative disciplines in this country,” continues Walker.
As the founder and managing director of the highly respected non-profit organisation, DESIGNING_SOUTHAFRICA (D_ZA), Zahira Asmal is no stranger to design for social advancement. Having worked with governments, architects, designers and academics globally, Asmal will provide valuable insight on the impact architecture and design has on developing cities.
“The cities that best support their creative communities, from architects to city visionaries, tend to be the best known and most visible. A developing nation like South Africa desperately needs designers, urban thinkers, economists, engineers, artists and planning specialists, not only to create suitable responses to social challenges but also to seek collaboratively to construct and create a better society,” says Asmal.
Other exciting speakers that have been confirmed include Lesley Lokko, associate professor of architecture at the University of Johannesburg and the author of nine best-selling novels; Alfredo Brillembourg, co-founder of Urban-Think Tank (U-TT) in Caracas, Venezuela and professor of architecture and urban design at ETH Zürich; as well as Hannah le Roux, director of the architecture programme at the School of Architecture and Planning at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg.
AZA2015 is proudly sponsored by PPC Ltd. For more information on AZA2015, visit http://architectureza.org.
