Building with advanced materials

Opposites attract in the wild, in romance and—evidently—in architecture. Join Toby Whitfield (CEO of ShapeShift, our evening’s presenters) and Richard Blythe (dean of RMIT’s School of Architecture and Design) as they discuss the fascinating history of how architects and designers make use of composite building materials in their work.

How do you choose the right fibre and resin for a 34-storey skyscraper facade? What material will help a high-tech pavilion—specifically, the one we’re sitting in—respond to the weather? Just like a dressmaker or tailor, architects approach the merging of composites through the orientation of the fibre, the cut and the bias. Listen in as our panellists explain the act of weaving materials together for form and strength—a practice that dates back to the very first human dwellings—and offer practical information and insights into when and why certain approaches to woven materials are preferable over others.

Examining recognisable Melbourne structures—including the VCCC Hospital facade; the immediately iconic Swanston Square skyscraper, whose exterior features the portrait of Wurundjeri-willam elder William Barak; and MPavilion itself, whose carbon-fibre poles are strengthened as a result of their woven design—Toby and Richard will introduce you to composite engineering, and encourage you to look twice at the structures around you.