LSAA 2018 Conference "Innovate into the Future" Oct 25-26 2018

The LSAA 2018 Conference Theme

"Innovate into the Future"

Thursday and Friday October 25-26 2018 at UTS Sydney

We are following on from the 2016 Conference "Design Beyond Boundaries" where we looked at the design of projects that were beyond the traditional boundaries of Engineers and Architects. In 2016 we were also honouring the legacy of Frei Otto who challenged both disciplines to work together to realize outstanding solutions.

From humble beginnings in our industry where small scale physical models were used to visualize 3D forms, we are now entering an era where the rapid growth of technology enables us to create, develop, refine and review in a faster and more effective manner. As both virtual and augmented reality grow, computers allow us to experience planned structures in 3D in ever increasing definition and scale. Robotics and 3D printing are part of the new technological revolution enabling major improvements in R&D, prototyping, manufacturing and building construction.

Whilst these are exciting times, we are often held back by material properties and we will be endeavouring to look at the current thinking and regulations pertaining to fire.

The Conference will be a blend of lectures and panel sessions to enable dialogue on issues such as prescriptive versus performance based design with particular reference to fire, wind, rain, hail and other project specific environmental and usage criteria. 

The LSAA is pleased to be working with the Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building at UTS in Sydney to bring you this exciting Conference and Awards.

Judging is normally done using two independent persons with a third person in case of a deadlock.

Judging is based on the written responses to a number of questions as well as on suitable (reasonably) high resolution coloured digital images. 

The images must include views of the completed structure, some views of detailing and other views taken during construction.

Video and overview drawings in PDF format may help.

Copyright on images used must permit the LSAA to reuse them for promotional reasons.

All entries must be submitted on the forms supplied, by the closing date along with the required entry fee.

For guidance the following structures were entered in the 2016 Design Awards.

General Requirements and Categories

The LSAA 2018 Design Awards are for completed projects since November 2016.

Projects, or significant portions of a structure, may be located around the globe but the Awards are primarily intended for projects that have a substantial local contribution - such as design, fabrication or construction. 

LSAA Members and non-members may enter (different fees apply - $150 per entry for members, $250 per entry for non-financial members).

The Awards are also open to companies or individuals who may not have acted as the main designer, fabricator or installer. However only one entry per project will be considered.

The Awards will considered in the following categories:

The success of the LSAA Conferences would not be possible without the generous support of our members through a range of sponsorship packages.

Details will be added soon but expressions of interest are welcomed. Email: office (at) LSAA.org

Bookings for the Conference will be done through an external booking agent.

Details will be added later.

There will be a number of different "events" such as:

  1. Full two day registration for LSAA Financial members (includes Workshop, Dinner and Awards Presentation)
  2. Full two day registration for non-LSAA attendees
  3. Full Time Student registration (except for Dinner and Awards Presentation)
  4. Fees for Design Award Entries (non-members have a higher fee)

The Conference Venue will be in the Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building at the University of Technology in Sydney.

All lectures, exhibitions, workshop and Conference Dinner and Design Awards will be held in the one building.

The location is a short walk from Central Railway Station in downtown Sydney and there are numerous hotels in the area.

The overall program is being worked on with the following as a guide:

Day 1 Thursday October 25 2018

Keynote Speaker: Knut Stockhusen (MD of Sclaich Bergermann and Partners)

Session 1 - Fire

Session 2 - 3D Printing and Robotics

Session 3 - Design Compliance vs Design Intent

Session 4 - Practical "Hands on" workshop developing a conceptual model for a client brief

Evening will be the Conference Dinner (and cocktails of course) and LSAA Design Awards

Day 2 Friday October 26 2018

Keynote Speaker: Topic along the lines of "Stadiums of Tomorrow"

Session 5 - New Projects including new stadia and LSAA members recent projects

Session 6 - New Materials and technologies

Workshop 2016A

International delegates, LSAA Committee, Keynote speakers and leading Fabric Engineers worked alongside students in teams for the 2016 Workshop.