Explore the west Mexican city of Guadalajara with Diego Ramírez-Lovering, Deputy Dean and Associate Dean (Engagement) of Monash Art Design and Architecture (MADA) and Co-founding Managing Director of Monash Architecture Studio (MAS).

Guadalajara is a culturally compelling metropolis, home to a beautiful and rich architectural culture, best known for the work of architect Luis Barragán (as well as its tequila and mariachi). As of one Latin America’s fastest-growing cities, Guadalajara is a combination of the old and new where the city’s rich cultural background of strong tradition and folklore works together with the country’s emerging contemporary arts and architecture scene.

However, the city also faces growing challenges stemming from societal problems and poverty. In his talk, Professor Diego Ramírez-Lovering will explore the city’s ‘Opportunistic Urbanism’, how Guadalajara is increasingly governed by opportunity, and shaped by the ad hoc, the contingent and the easily obtainable.

Our thoughts are with the people of Guadalajara and Mexico after the recent devastating earthquakes.

Our Event Partners Melbourne Gin Company will be serving Pearl of the West cocktails inspired by Guadalajara from 5pm.

Explore the central Iranian city of Isfahan with Justine Clark, editor, writer and honorary senior research fellow at the University of Melbourne and Maryam Gusheh, Director of Architecture at The University of New South Wales.

Once the capital of ancient Persia, Isfahan has a fascinating architectural history, unlike any other Iranian city with historic bazaars and bridges, tree-lined boulevards, Persian gardens and the famous Meidan Emam Isfahan’s Unesco-listed central square.

Our Event Partners STARWARD Whisky will be serving cocktails inspired by Isfahan from 5pm.

Join Mark Burry, Executive Architect and Researcher at the Sagrada Familia basilica, Barcelona and Professor of Urban Futures at the Melbourne School of Design at The University of Melbourne for a lecture about the culture, history and architecture of Barcelona.

Our event partners Starward Whisky will be serving Barcelona-inspired cocktails from 5pm.

Presented by James Brearley, Director Brearley Architects & Urbanists (BAU).

Enjoy a Shanghai-inspired cocktail created by Starward Whisky from 5pm, complimentary with your ticket.

View the full Cities of Architecture series for 2017 here »

Explore one of the largest urban centres in Europe with Qianyi Lim, Founding Partner and Architect at SIBLING.

Qianyi Lim will present a personal selection of architectural and cultural marvels of Madrid including SelgasCano office by SelgasCano, Silicon House by SelgasCano and Madrid Barajas Airport by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners.

Come along at 5pm to enjoy a Madrid-inspired cocktail generously provided by Starward Whisky and Capi.

View the full Cities of Architecture series for 2017 here »

Survey the urban, architectural and cultural contexts of Texas’ most populous city with Don Bates, Director of LAB Architecture Studio and Chair of Architectural Design at the University of Melbourne. Highlights include an insight into some of Houston’s art galleries and museums, as well as the little known correspondence between Houston and Melbourne.

Enjoy a complimentary cocktail with your ticket. A taste of Houston created by Melbourne Gin Company from 5pm.

View the full Cities of Architecture series for 2017 here »

Join Stuart Harrison, co-founder and co-host of ‘The Architects’ (2004–14) on Melbourne 3RRR and Director of Melbourne architecture practice HAW, for personal insights into the iconic floating city.

Stuart Harrison explores the different histories and personalities of the city that shape an experience of contemporary life, living and architecture in Venice from the quintessential cultural epicentre to the metropolitan outer.

Enjoy a complimentary Venice-inspired cocktail created by Melbourne Gin Company with your ticket from 5pm.

View the full Cities of Architecture series for 2017 here »

Presented by Marika Neustupny, Director NMBW Architecture Studio.

Enjoy a complimentary cocktail created for each city by the Melbourne Gin Company and Starward Whisky from 5pm.

View the full Cities of Architecture series for 2017 here »

The Cities of Architecture series of talks, presented monthly at ACCA from March through to October, explores the recent architectural, urban and cultural history of some of the world’s most inspiring destinations.

Join us for the free program launch and forum at MPavilion discussing urbanism and architecture through the vehicle of the city. Presented by Diego Ramírez-Lovering, Head of Department (Architecture) of Monash Art, Design and Architecture and Co-founding Managing Director of Monash Architecture Studio (MAS) together with John Denton, Joint Managing Director of Denton Corker Marshall Pty Ltd and Qianyi Lim, Founding Partner and Architect at SIBLING.

View the full Cities of Architecture series for 2017 here »