Architecture abounds

Would you like to get a firsthand glimpse of award-winning architecture in your own neighbourhood?

The intriguing AB House – just across the bridge in Barwon Heads – is among two homes that will open to the public later this month as part of Geelong Design Week.

Architects Office MI-JI and their clients will open the home for three 30-minute tours on November 24, giving the public an opportunity to immerse themselves in its innovative and unique design.

The two-storey corrugated fibreglass and galvanised steel building won the National Award for Steel Architecture at the Australian Institute of Architects’ 2023 National Architecture Awards.

The building also earned multiple awards, commendations and shortlistings at the institute’s Victorian awards.

Raised off the ground due to a flood overlay and set inside a perimeter of columns, the house is built in a way that allows it to expand and contract to accommodate its ever-changing occupancy.

Those in search of other nearby architectural wonders can also sign up to A Celebration of Local Architecture.

This audiovisual self-guided tour offers a look at the Bellarine Peninsula’s coastal seaside havens and some of Geelong’s most remarkable architecture.

The tour showcases exemplary buildings and designs while exploring the interconnectivity of Country and sustainability.

And prospective homeowners and renovators can explore ways to create their own piece of architectural splendour in a ‘Speed Date with an Architect’.

This unique event on 22 November involves 15-minute “dates” with one of four local architects or a town planning specialist – each offering advice, inspiration and a distinct approach to design.

Stonehouse + Irons Architecture will also open their studio in Point Lonsdale from noon to 4pm on November 23, to give an insight into their design process.

Alternatively, if you have a project or conundrum with your home, you can book a one-on-one session for some design consultation instead.

These events, and many more, are all part of Geelong Design Week 2024, which celebrates design excellence, innovation and creativity across our region.

This year’s event is set to be the biggest yet, with more than 70 exhibitions, workshops, talks, tours and unique experiences to inspire the community.

As Australia’s only UNESCO Creative City of Design, Geelong is proud to bring the community together for a program highlighting design’s importance in our everyday lives.

Design is more than just architecture or fashion. It impacts us on a day-to-day basis, from the buildings we live in to the footpaths we walk on and even the sewerage systems that keep our city running.

Geelong Design Week brings local designers, industry leaders, design enthusiasts, Wadawurrung Traditional Owners, students, creatives and the broader community together to collaborate, network and inspire new ideas to solve design issues.

Last year’s Geelong Design Week drew 17,288 attendances, up 172 per cent from the previous year, and saw attendees from outside of our region inject $1.6 million in revenue alone into our local economy.

Geelong Design Week runs from November 21 to 30. For the full list of events and to purchase tickets, visit the event’s website at geelongdesignweek.com.au