Tzannes: Book launch and conversation with Alec Tzannes, Amy Dowse, and Professor Philip Goad

Join 2018 AIA Gold Medal winner Alec Tzannes for this in-store launch of Tzannes: Adaptive Urban Architecture and Design.


The University of Melbourne’s Professor Philip Goad will join Tzannes Co-Directors Alec Tzannes and Amy Dowse for a conversation about architecture’s impact on urban environments.

To commemorate 40 years of innovation, Tzannes: Adaptive Urban Architecture and Design explores the transformative work of renowned architecture and urban design practice Tzannes. Published by Thames & Hudson, the book delves into the practice’s work in residential design through to iconic city-shaping developments like the Circular Quay Renewal and the Martin Place Metro Precinct.

Tzannes is an internationally acclaimed Sydney-based architectural and urban design studio. With a reputation for innovation, collaboration and ethical practice, it has shaped the way we live and work in the city. From founder Alec Tzannes' radical reworking of the traditional terrace house forty years ago to more recent street furniture and globally pioneering work in timber architecture, the practice's influence is evident in Australia and beyond.

Tzannes: Adaptive Urban Architecture and Design showcases over fifty housing, commercial, cultural and institutional projects, accompanied by research essays that critically interpret the work of one of Australia's leading design firms. Together, they form an insightful examination of a practice committed to urban architecture responsive to the built, natural and First Nations environments.

NOTE: Tickets strictly limited—ticket price redeemable as a discount off book purchases.

About the speakers

Alec Tzannes is the founding director of Tzannes and a highly respected leader in the architecture and design industry. He was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2014 and was the recipient of the Australian Institute of Architects Gold Medal in 2018, the nation's highest architectural honour. Under Alec’s leadership, Tzannes has become a global design leader. He also has contributed to the advancement of built environment disciplines as Professor of Practice and Dean at UNSW Built Environment (2008-2016), where he continues to serve as Professor Emeritus involved with research, teaching and mentoring our next generation of architects.

Amy Dowse is co-director at Tzannes and an accomplished architect with more than 20 years' experience leading major Australian and international projects. She became a director of the practice in 2021, and has since played a key role in advancing Tzannes' commitment to design excellence and sustainable, place-specific architecture. Her portfolio includes complex urban design, housing and mixed use projects, such as the Circular Quay Renewal and Masdar Institute in Abu Dhabi. Amy is an advocate for equity and diversity in the profession and plays a key role in advancing the workplace culture at Tzannes. She is regularly invited to present on design to various industry panel discussions.

Professor Philip Goad is internationally known for his research and is an authority on modern Australian architecture. He has worked extensively as an architect, conservation consultant, and curator. He is an expert on the life and work of Robin Boyd, and has held visiting scholar positions at Columbia University, Bartlett School of Architecture (London) and UCLA (Los Angeles).