Following on from the well-attended first two lectures in the University of Auckland’s Fast Forward series, Sarosh Mulla of Pac Studio will be speaking tonight on Pac’s recurrent design motifs as illustrated by recent projects, focusing on the way fun and levity pervade the way they practice. He will cover what characterises PAC’s work, the way the studio operates, and how that differs from other practices.

Next week will see Andre de Graaf and Helen Kerr, both principals of Isthmus’ Auckland studio, comparing growth challenges in changing environments, using project examples which include adaptation master planning in regional towns with declining populations, and measures of urban wellbeing in rapidly growing city neighbourhoods. The pair will challenge perceptions around what design interventions can make a difference and how to navigate uncertainty and will share their design kaupapa for regenerating communities, with examples of their urban design tools and mahi up and down the motu.

In the final week of the series, co-founder of Parlour Dr Gill Matthewson will be presenting the story of her path and an update on her recent research and advocacy work.

PAC Studio. Fun

Date: Wednesday 26 March 2025, 6.30pm
Venue: Lecture Theatre 342, Conference Centre building 423
Speaker: Sarosh Mulla, Pac Studio (Auckland)
Bio: After graduating at the top of his class from the School of Architecture & Planning of Auckland in 2008, Sarosh Mulla completed a PhD in Architecture by Practice at The University of Auckland, where he is now a Senior Lecturer. Alongside his academic endeavours, he is a director at Pac Studio, a practice building a reputation across a wide spectrum of architecture-related fields: residential projects, commercial buildings, heritage conservation, as well as innovative exhibition, installation and research work. These projects have been the recipients of NZIA National Awards, Here magazine’s Best House Award, and a Best Awards Purple Pin.

Register here for your free ticket.

Creating demand and meeting demand

Date: Wednesday 2 April 2025, 6.30pm
Venue: University of Auckland Engineering Atrium, Level 3, Building 401, 5 Grafton Road, Auckland City
Speakers: Andre de Graaf and Helen Kerr, Isthmus (Auckland)
Bio: Founded in 1988, Isthmus has staked a position among the nation’s leading urban design firms. They have expanded their field of operation well beyond traditional planning, urban design, and masterplanning disciplines to include architecture, landscape architecture, infrastructure and graphic design. Their work strives to generate positive social and environmental outcomes through a “kaupapa of regenerating Aotearoa by connecting land, people and culture.”

Register here for your free ticket.

The Path to Parlour

Date: Wednesday 9 April 2025, 6.30pm
Venue: University of Auckland Engineering Atrium, Level 3, Building 401, 5 Grafton Road, Auckland City
Speaker: Dr Gill Matthewson
Bio: Recently retired from Monash University in Melbourne, Dr Gill Matthewson is a graduate of the University of Auckland. After a decade in practice and decades of teaching, Gill completed a PhD at the University of Queensland on women’s careers in the architecture profession. Matthewson was a co-founder of Parlour: women, equity, architecture, a world-leading organisation devoted to studying and supporting gender equity in architecture. Her research extended into demographic studies of the Australian architecture profession as a whole. Matthewson also contributes regular commentary and analysis on contemporary issues in architecture to Parlour and other professional publications. As an activist, researcher, and writer, Matthewson has long advocated for women in architecture, Matthewson has been described as ‘the most persistent commentator to date’ on women in New Zealand architecture.

Register here for your free ticket.