Spotlight on architecture on Tuesday nights in Brisbane

The free public lecture series "North by Northwest: Local and Global Architectural Culture" will commence on Tuesday, March 15, ensuring that Architectural Culture will be a hot topic in Brisbane over the coming months.

The public architecture lecture series will be presented by The University of Queensland (UQ) in partnership with the State Library of Queensland (SLQ) and will showcase both Australian and international architectural talent.

The series of 10 design focused lectures will be held every Tuesday night from March through to the end of May.

Convenor Andrew Wilson, from UQ’s School of Architecture, said the public lecture series would cover a range of architectural and design topics, ensuring there is something on offer for everyone.

"This lecture series will not disappoint, with local, national and international speakers invited to share their thoughts and expertise about architectural culture," Mr Wilson said.

"The first public lecture, held on March 15, features renowned New York-based architect Anupama Kundoo, who will provide an insight into material matters in architecture.

"Given worldwide concern about depleting resources in the wake of an unprecedented rate of urbanisation, ideas about drawing from local materials and local skills using low embodied energy are being globally recognised, making Ms Kundoo’s lecture all the more pertinent."

The following week Brisbane architect Hamilton Wilson will outline the research and practice methods behind the next generation of learning spaces, with a focus on the award-winning Lilley Centre at Brisbane Grammar School.

On March 29, Sydney-based architect Neil Durbach will discuss his architecture firm Durbach Block Jaggers and their commitment to the search for the possibilities of architecture itself – its power and poetry; its pleasure and necessity.

The Architecture Public Lecture Series will take place on Tuesday evenings at the State Library of Queensland until May 24.

All lectures will be held from 6.30pm-8.pm in Auditorium 1 of the State Library of Queensland, with light refreshments served from 6pm-6.30pm.

All lectures are open to the public and admission is free.

For more information and a complete list of scheduled speakers for the 2011 Public Lecture Series visit http://architecture.uq.edu.au/Events.aspx#publiclectureseries.