The Asia Pacific Architecture Festival (APAF) returns to Brisbane from 12 to 25 March 2022 in a collaboration between founding partners Architecture Media and State Library of Queensland.
The festival will deliver an exciting program of exhibitions, installations, symposia, lectures and workshops that promote and celebrate architecture’s contribution to the culture, sustainability and economy of the Asia Pacific region.
The theme co-operate, co-design, co-exist will urge attendees to really define these three pillars of collaboration and how they can best be used to positively impact the design process. Particularly relevant to the Asia Pacific — given its rich diversity of cultures and languages — the theme will interrogate how our shared challenges and experiences can benefit from more collective and inclusive design strategies.
The festival will return to its regular base in Brisbane with satellite events planned in Queensland’s regions and further afield in the Asia Pacific. In addition to in-person events, patrons will have the opportunity to log-on to ‘virtual’ experiences too.
State Librarian and CEO Vicki McDonald AM said the 2022 theme aligned with State Library’s commitment to collect, preserve and make accessible an inclusive picture of Queensland’s diverse history and people.
“State Library is a cultural institution of global influence, committed to sharing and celebrating the authentic stories of all Queenslanders now and into the future,” Ms McDonald said.
“With its impressive open spaces and striking façade, our award-winning South Bank building is a hub for ideas and possibilities.”
“We’re pleased to partner with Architecture Media to welcome globally renowned architects and designers as they share their insights on the benefits of cooperative and collaborative design,” Ms McDonald said.
Architecture Media Editorial Director Katelin Butler believes collaboration is the catalyst for innovation. She points to the synergy that’s sparked when architects, designers, clients, cultural representatives and technical experts all work together.
“It will take a myriad of minds to unlock ways to deepen cultural understanding, alleviate environmental destruction and address the globe’s greatest challenges,” Ms Butler said.
“As we strive for a more sustainable and inclusive future, it’s imperative our architects and designers commit to looking through an alternate lens,” Ms Butler says. “Collectively, their impact can and will be stronger and more powerful.”
Returning for its seventh year, APAF has established itself as an important event on Brisbane’s cultural calendar. The program is curated by industry representatives Georgia Birks, associate editor, Architecture Media, and Christina Cho, director, Cox Architecture.