Contemp Design Lovers Series – The hot design trends, projects + people
The Insiders // 2nd June, 2011
Alec Tzannes, (architect) Dean of UNSW Built Environment / Director of Tzannes Associates & David Grant, (event organiser) Director of DG3 Events
In a new series for 2011, Contempo showcases leading designers and trend forecasters who set the pace for cutting-edge movements in design with amazing interiors, architecture, products and experiences.
The Contempo guest speakers contrasted their differing professional efforts. Alec creates living environments to hopefully last a lifetime . Whilst David produces spectactular theatrical memories that must leave a lasting impression with invited guests from just a few hours of an events duration.
The use of permanent materials and the importance of ambience were common for both … Alec explored issues of surrounding and permanence within his clients’ lifestyle needs whilst David considered the creation of “wow factors”, temporary transitions and ambience issues in venues that many VIP guests have frequented previously.
alec tzannes
david grant
About Contempo
Contempo is the membership category of the Art Gallery of New South Wales designed specifically for art enthusiasts who enjoy exploring and being part of Sydney’s contemporary art scene. It’s all things contemporary. A nerve centre of contemporary thinking, a hub of contemporary culture and headquarters for the contemporary minded.
Offering access to all the exciting and useful benefits of Gallery membership as well as a dynamic and diverse program of events tailored to aspects of the contemporary art world, Contempo covers it all.
And because Contempo events are held throughout the year, they offer a great social outlet by bringing everyone together in relaxed, informal and entertaining settings.
The dynamic program of Contempo events is planned around all aspects of the contemporary art world.
Throughout the calendar year there are over 70 Contempo specific events held at both the Gallery and other major venues throughout Sydney. Informative, educational, practical and fun – the broad and diverse spectrum caters to everyone. Add to that all the other Gallery events that Contempo members have access to and you’ll find more than enough to keep you busy.
Contempo events are also a great social outlet. By bringing people together in relaxed, informal and entertaining settings they offer a platform to meet others, share interests and, of course, have fun.
Contempo also supports the Gallery’s contemporary art acquisitions program. Funds raised through Contempo events go directly towards helping purchase specific acquisitions selected by the Gallery’s Contemporary art curators.
In recent years, Contempo has raised funds for the purchase of works by Tracey Moffatt, Frank Hinder, Janet Laurence, Debra Dawes, Constanze Zikos, Luo Brothers and Ex de Medici to name a few.
About Alec Tzannes
Alexander (Alec) Tzannes is an Australian architect.
Tzannes has worked and studied in Australia and abroad in a career spanning more than 30 years.
He is the founder of the high-profile, multi-award winning architectural practice Tzannes Associates, established in Sydney in 1982.
Alec Tzannes is a graduate of the University of Sydney, where he completed a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Architecture (winning the University Medal), and has a Master of Science (Architecture and Urban Design) from Columbia University.
In October 2008 Tzannes was appointed Professor and Dean of the Faculty of the Built Environment at the University of New South Wales. He combines a fractional appointment at the University with continuing practice at Tzannes Associates, where he is directing the design of projects in Sydney that include the Brewery at Broadway, two mixed used buildings in the city of Newcastle and several substantial residential commissions.
Tzannes is a graduate of architecture and urban design from Sydney University and Columbia University (Master of Science in Architecture & Urban Design) who began his career in the New South Wales Government Architects Office. He worked with Andrew Andersons at Special Projects and in association with Glenn Murcutt before starting his own practice in 1982.
Tzannes Associates is known for its involvement in architectural projects that present particularly challenging or complex criteria – from major urban developments such as the Carlton United Brewery master plan at Sydney’s Broadway to significant residential projects.
Alec’s public buildings include a number of key educational projects in Sydney in recent years such as major new buildings for St.Catherine’s School at Waverley; and St.Lucy’s School, Wahroonga.
Other key public buildings include the Federation Place and Federation Pavilion in Centennial Park (Sydney); Fort Denison Restoration and Café (Sydney Harbour); and Community Centre for the Aged at Rivett (ACT).
The practice is currently working on projects including the current development of a new Cranbrook Junior School, a new UTS Campus building, several new significant homes and new commercial/retail buildings on several key Sydney sites.
Other well-known commercial projects include Bistro Moncur and the Centennial (Sydney); the York and adaptive re-use of the North Wing (Newcastle); and Aria Restaurant, Circular Quay (Sydney).
Alec is renowned for his many award-winning residential projects in Sydney. Recent work includes a major new residence at Parsley Bay; the Symond Residence, Point Piper; Weisner Residence, Watsons Bay; and another significant residence on Wolseley Road, Point Piper.
The practice has worked on a range of major urban design projects, with recent examples including the Rosebery Link Road Masterplan (Sydney); Carlton United Brewery Masterplan (Sydney CBD); Anzac Parade Lights (Canberra); Liverpool Town Centre Masterplan Vision 2021 (Sydney); and City Hill Masterplan (Canberra).
Tzannes Associates has received more than 40 major state and national awards, including Australia’s top award for new residential work, the RAIA Robin Boyd Award.
Some of Tzannes’s best known projects include the Federation Pavilion and Federation Place at Centennial Park, Overflow Park at Homebush, Aria, Centennial and Bistro Moncur restaurants, commercial buildings in Surry Hills, Woollahra and Double Bay and numerous residential major works such as the Stonecutters (Sydney) and the York (Newcastle).
Alec Tzannes has been a member of numerous boards and committees, including design panels for Sydney Olympic Park, Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust. He is a member of the Historic Houses Trust and the Australian Institute of Architects where he has held several positions including National President.
His work has been published widely, and he lectures regularly around Australia.
The NSW Public Library holds many original drawings and sketchbooks of his work
During his career, Alec has won more than 40 state and national awards for the outstanding quality of his architectural projects. In 2006 alone, he received four national, government and industry awards for a conservation and adaptive reuse project in Sydney – the Sherman Studio.
Other recent award-winning projects include the Weisner Residence (RAIA NSW Residential Award 2005 and Master Builder’s Association award for excellence); the St.Catherine’s Sports Centre at Waverley (RAIA NSW Public Buildings Award); Fort Denison (RAIA national and state awards for conservation and heritage buildings, as well as National Trust Heritage Awards); and the Kronenberg House (NSW’s top residential award, the RAIA Wilkinson and Blacket Awards).
Two of Alec’s residential projects – the Snelling House and Henwood House – have received the highest accolade available in Australia, winning the nation’s top residential award, the RAIA Robin Boyd Award (in 1997 and 1988 respectively) and he was runner up on two other occasions (Nursey and Kinsella Residences). As a result, his many projects have been widely published in magazines and journals in Australia and overseas, and he is regularly invited to exhibit as well as compete in design competitions
About David Grant
“widely acclaimed as one of Australia’s leading event producers… they’ve entertained the rich and famous at public and private parties from Sydney to New York with a client list and an ability to keep fresh and happening that is the envy of their peers” The Sydney Morning Herald
Since it’s inception in 1985, the legendary David Grant Special Events pioneered the industry and remained at the trailblazing forefront of events.
Now, some 3000 events later, the same team that created some of Australia’s most acclaimed events brings a new energy to a new era – and with a new name – DG3.
Having worked together around Australia and around the world for the past 15 years, the three equal partners in DG3 – Meg Bailey, David Grant and Emma Lydiard – can truly guarantee an unparalleled synergy of experience, innovation and seamless co-production.
And you know the people you’re dealing with own the company and care as much about your event as you do because a stellar reputation ensures the ongoing success of our business.
We’re only as good as our last event, and given 96% of our work is repeat business or by kind referral, it is vital we put 110% of our creative and organisational energies into every event we do – no matter how big or how small.
Mr Grant celebrates 25 years in the events industry this year.
Mr Grant has created VIP events for the International Olympic Committee and corporate sponsors for eight of the past Olympic Games and the company is currently working on events for the 2012 London Games.
“We’re only as good as our last event, and given 96 per cent of our work is repeat business or by kind referral, it is vital we put all our energies into every event we do – no matter how big or small.”
While the work of DG3 has been undertaken around the world, Mr Grant said: “Sydney and Australia remain our home town and core business, we like to think we set the pace for the industry here.”
