Institute announces second keynote speaker for 2023 conference

The Australian Institute of Architects has announced a second keynote speaker for its 2023 Australian Architecture Conference, to be held in Canberra.

London-based Australian architect Kevin Carmody will be returning to his hometown of Canberra to share his memories of its modernist buildings and unique landscape - and discuss how they've influenced his architectural career.

Carmody studied at the University of Canberra and RMIT University in Melbourne before relocating to London in 2000. He worked for David Chipperfield Architects until 2006, when he established Carmody Groarke with Andy Groarke.

The practice has designed a wide range of arts, cultural heritage and residential projects, and it has won a number of design competitions and awards. Its Windermere Jetty Museum was awarded Design of the Year by the Architects Journal in 2019. The project was also shortlisted for the 2021 RIBA Stirling Prize.

The Hill House Box, a temporary protective scaffold over Charles Rennie Mackintosh's Hill House, was also shortlisted for the 2022 European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture.

In 2018, the practice was named Architect of the Year by Building Design magazine.

Carmody Groarke won an international design competition for the refurbishment and new wing at Design Museum Gent in Belgium. The project is due for completion in 2024.

Carmody has also lectured internationally and taught at several architectural schools, including the Bartlett School of Architecture, Cornell University, Yale School of Architecture and Harvard School of Design.

Carmody joins fellow keynote speaker Denise Scott Brown for the 2023 Australian Architecture Conference, which will be held at the Australian National University, Kambri Cultural Centre from 29 to 31 October. Early bird registrations close 7 July.