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As for past LSAA Conferences we have appreciated the financial support from a number of our LSAA Members.

For 2024 we have a range of Sponsorship Packages including Platinum, Gold, Silver levels as well as for the Conference Dinner and Design Awards.

The 2024 Conference is also working hard to involve our future designers and thinkers with a developing Student Award category.

Details of these packages, including application details, will be emailed to Financial Members of LSAA on March 22 2024 with a closing date of April 26 2024.

Companies and organizations wishing to either exhibit or take out a sponsorship package should email the coordinator This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

LSAA 2024 Conference Graphic

‘Connecting to Tomorrow’

In the modern world of lightweight structures, we often find ourselves at the crossroads of architectural trends. Digital transformation offers us ground-breaking pathways to innovate on novel platforms in strange new ways, with the rise of AI asking us to rethink all we knew.  A climate-crisis-driven focus on sustainability has asked us to consider our impact on the world around us through smart materials and biophilic urbanism.  And new human-centric approaches to our fields have offered up frameworks spanning vast disciplinary bounds to tackle our world’s most pressing problems.

Today’s world must seize hold of all these new trends. Held on September 12 and 13 in Melbourne Australia, the LSAA 2024 Conference and Design Awards will spearhead the industry’s approach to all these vital challenges under the banner of ‘Connecting to Tomorrow’.

The theme seeks to encompass all the connections that will make up tomorrow’s lightweight structures fields – connections to technology, to environment and to each other. Featuring the world leaders in the field of lightweight structures, this conference stands at an inflection point, seizing the vast opportunity to deal with these crucial issues as we build tomorrow’s world, today.  

Latest Articles added to the 2024 Conference and Design Awards Page

The LSAA held a one day event in 2022 in conjunction with Swinburne University - you can see the style of that event at 2022 Seminar and Design Awards.

We are again working closely with Swinburne, University of Melbourne and RMIT on a two day event in September 2024. This page will contain details and articles related to the upcoming event.

For the following links you may need to use your "Back" button to return here - the links replace this page.

Advanced Notice re Sponsorship Packages - will be open on March 22, Applications Close April 26 2024

Conference Theme - expect to hear more about the impact of AI on teaching and design

General Information about the Design Awards - start getting your entries together. (Modified March 4 2024)

Some Lightweight Structures in Melbourne - worth extending your stay in Melbourne?

Vibrant Melbourne and Conference Venue Images (added Feb 20 2024)


Details yet to be added include:

LSAA 2024 Design Awards - General Details

LSAA Members and non-members may enter (different fees apply).

The 2024 Awards are for completed structures since May 2022 and are open to companies or individuals who have acted as the main designer, fabricator or installer. 
The "project" may be part of larger facility - e.g. an Atrium, Facade, Entrance, Roof.

However only one entry per project will be considered. Draft 2024 RULES and ENTRY FORMS can be downloaded.

We are also working on an open award for the conceptual design and visualization of an application of lightweight structures in a public venue. This new Award would be open to small teams of students currently enrolled in a tertiary institution to develop and present a conceptual design which embodies the principles of lightweight structures but also emphasizes sustainability and the need to address social and climate change issues.

2024 Conference Break-out area.
2024 Conference Break-out area.

The LSAA 2024 Conference will be held in the excellent facilities at Swinburne University (Hawthorn Campus)

Reaching the venue is easy by suburban Metro train lines (nearest station is Glenferrie about 250 metres walk) or via the fantastic, world famous trams going along Burwood Road.

The following are some images of the Swinburne Campus and the area where Sponsors will set up displays and the most important coffee / tea outlets will be located.

Hypar lattice shells form the lower spire skirt of the Victorian Arts Centre
Hypar lattice shells form the lower spire skirt of the Victorian Arts Centre

When you come to the LSAA 2024 Conference and Design Awards jointly held with Swinburne University, take the time to appreciate "Vibrant Melbourne".

Melbourne is a rapidly growing city - voted the most liveable city for many years.

In recent years there has been an enormous amount of construction in the areas of the Docklands, Spencer Streets and Southbank.

Some of the new high rise are towering over the old heritage structures which have been retained and are the heart and soul of Melbourne. There are numerous lightweight structures to view as well as a range of interesting footbridges crossing the Yarra River - some are in this article.

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Sidney Myer Music Bowl - A very early cablenet
Sidney Myer Music Bowl

There are a number of lightweight structures in and around Melbourne.

There are the roof structures at the major sports stadia - Tennis Centre (Rod Laver and Margaret Court Arenas), the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), the Rectangular AAMI Stadium, the Etihad Stadium and the Southern Cross train station.

The Victorian Arts Centre Spire, the Sidney Myer Music Bowl and the nearby Aquatic Centre are other examples.

Smaller tensioned fabric structures can be found throughout Melbourne.