As you read this, the Victorian Government is rewriting the laws and legislation that govern how the city we live within looks and feels. In 2024, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reform Melbourne's design regulations, and to empower our city to become world-leading in terms of both liveability and design.

Join Kerstin Thompson (Kerstin Thompson Architects), Andrew Maynard (Austin Maynard Architects), and Colleen Peterson (Ratio Consultants) to hear about the challenges of our current dysfunctional system, and the opportunities we have right now to reform these laws and create the best possible Melbourne.

Hosted by YIMBY Melbourne and featuring three leaders from Melbourne's urban planning, architecture, and design industries, this night is one for enthusiasts and experts alike.

Join us in the Capitol Theatre foyer from 6pm, with the event scheduled to begin at 6:30, followed by an evening of networking!

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About our speakers:

Kerstin Thompson

Kerstin Thompson is the design director and leader on all projects undertaken by KTA, supported by a dedicated and skilled team. Her design excellence, project success and strategic thinking has been recognised through a raft of architectural awards at state, national and international levels.

In recognition of her work and contribution to the profession and tertiary education, Kerstin was elevated to Life Fellow by the Australian Institute of Architects in 2017. In 2022, she was appointed Member of the Order of Australia (AM) and, in 2023, she was awarded the Gold Medal, the Australian Institute of Architects’ highest honour.

Committed to design-based research and education, Kerstin is an adjunct professor at RMIT and Monash Universities. As a writer and lecturer, she maintains close links with schools of architecture and professional institutes both in Australia and overseas.

As well as playing an active role within the architecture profession, she also promotes quality design in the wider community through being a panel member on the Office of the Victorian Government Architect’s Design Review Panel.

Andrew Maynard

Andrew Maynard began Austin Maynard architects (then Andrew Maynard Architects) in 2002. Born, raised and educated in Tasmania, Andrew moved to Melbourne after graduating from the University of Tasmania. Winner of a plethora of awards including the Canberra Medallion,The Eleanor Cullis-Hill National Architecture Award, The John and Phyllis Murphy Award and many more. Andrew’s primary focus has been single residential homes, however in recent years Andrew and Austin Maynard Architects have delved into multi-residential housing as both developer and architect, resulting in Terrace House, an 8.2 star sustainable community that won ArchDaily’ Building of the Year award, Gold at the Good Design Awards, and a swathe of sustainability and architecture awards; the 9.1 star ParkLife, at the Nightingale Village; and Slate House, an 8.2 star development in Brighton. Andrew was a founding director of Nightingale Housing. In 2022 Austin Maynard Architects were winners of Dezeen’s prestigious Architecture Studio of the Year award.

Colleen Peterson

A town planner with more than 30 years’ experience, Colleen Peterson regularly appears as an expert witness for VCAT and panel hearings, and is an active participant in the professional development of the industry, representative organisations, and tertiary education in Victoria.

A highly regarded expert across all facets of planning, Colleen regularly appears in the media and speaks to local planning issues on national and global panels.

In addition to her planning expertise and passion for the built environment, Colleen continues to advocate for industry reforms that improve the practice of planning and promote an equitable approach to housing for all Victorians.