Editor's picks: 2024 MPavilion program

Melbourne's MPavilion celebrates its first decade by announcing a line-up of more than 100 free events to be held over five months, from November, 2023 to March, 2024.

Launching 16 November in the Queen Victoria Gardens, the festival has been divided into three themes inspired by the architect of the 2023 MPavilion, Tadao Ando. In November and December, programming will consider Memories of Place, the links between water, gardens and changing landscapes and how we benefit from nurturing their existence. In January and February, the festival will honour Craftsmanship, and the artistry and devotion required. A Blank Canvas in March will close out the festival with a celebration of Ando's design philosophy, sparking creativity through his minimalism, masterful conception of space and use of light, shadow and water.

ArchitectureAU rounds up the top architecture and design events:

Wednesday, 22 November, 6:30pm - 8:00pm

As Australia's housing crisis deepens, higher-density living will be a crucial part of any effective solution. Building upwards rather than outwards can be more economically and socially beneficial. In this discussion, experts Nemesia Kennett, Dr James Lesh, Dan McKenna, Colleen Peterson, and Gerhana Waty will delve into the merits and pitfalls of increasing density in urban areas, often characterized as the "Yes-In-My-Backyard" (YIMBY) or "Not-In-My-Backyard" (NIMBY) movements. Through the lenses of planning, design and community care, this discussion asks: how do we respect memories of place while also responding to the need for centrally-located, high-density housing?

Friday, 24 November, 6:30pm - 8:00pm

The Office of the Victorian Government Architect works to ensure Victoria's buildings, infrastructure, and public places are functional, durable, efficient, sustainable, inspiring, and enjoyable, now and into the future. The office will host a discussion with leading thinkers, researchers and design practitioners exploring the topic of holistic architecture and urban planning, with a focus on natural systems and environments.