/əˈsɛmb(ə)l/
verb - (of people) gather together in one place for a common purpose.
As an assembly we value art, architecture, and design.
This creative endeavour, like our river, is powerful, but challenges connectivity. Today we want to bridge the many facets of design, art and architecture in a way not done before to showcase the unique culture of Brisbane and surrounds.
⁕ About
Assemble Brisbane comprises the Art, Architecture and Design (AA&D) communities of Brisbane. This includes organisations and representatives from the Australian Design Alliance, Australian Institute of Architects, and major arts and craft institutions across Brisbane.
The primary driver for Assemble Brisbane is to facilitate collaboration between and across disciplines, with the Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympics as a catalyst. To assemble and celebrate the collaborative value that the Art, Architecture and Design communities bring to Brisbane, the river city we all love.
⁕ Why
As an assembly we value Art, Architecture and Design.
This creative endeavour, like our river, is powerful, but challenges connectivity. Assemble aims to bridge the many facets of Art, Architecture and Design in a way not done before to showcase the unique culture of Brisbane and surrounds
The starting point for Assemble Brisbane was the realisation of the many barriers that exist between the different sectors. Each sector has its own culture, vocabulary, codes of behaviour, etc. which can act as a barrier to new ideas or new solutions. Assemble Brisbane is an attempt to mobilise conversations that expand beyond a single dogma, single strategy, and single way of understanding our city and its complexity.
In late 2021 the Assembly identified the current state between the three sectors as follows (1):
⁕ Current State
1. https://www.assemblebrisbane.com.au/findings
Disjointed communications
Overlap in initiatives and ventures
Underutilisation of collaborative opportunities
InTERNAL
EXTERNAL
Disunified outward voice leading to the collective voice being diminished
Poor understanding of the value in collaborating across areas and what value they bring to other industries
Assemble Brisbane is a collective of creative individuals who aim to inspire and support local communities through various art, architecture and design initiatives.
⁕ Instigators
Anna is the State Manager for the Australian Institute of Architects Queensland Chapter. She joined the Institute in 2021 as a Member Services Specialist focused on Research and Advocacy.
Prior to her work for the Institute Anna was a Lecturer, Research Assistant and Sessional Academic with the Centre for Justice, QUT School of Law, Urban Informatics Research Group, QUT Design Lab and School of Design at the Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, Australia. She graduated B.Des Architectural Studies (1st Class Honours) at QUT 2013, M.Arch QUT 2014 and completed her PhD in architecture in 2021. Anna has coordinated courses in design and architecture at the University of Queensland, Queensland University of Technology and the University of the Sunshine Coast.
▀ Dr Anna Svensdotter
Architecture
Anna is a transdisciplinary researcher and teaches across all disciplines of design at Queensland University of Technology, University of Queensland, University of Sydney and Sunshine Coast University in areas such as visualisation, design studio (Architecture and Landscape Architecture), design theory, design history at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
She has been involved with several research projects eg The InstaBooth, HCI After Dark, Dignity First Homelessness Hackathon, The Hospital Burrow Project and the QUT Art Museum exhibition Vis-Ability (Tactile Model) since graduating from the Master of Architecture at the School of Design at QUT at the end of 2014.
A flexible, collaborative and strategic thinker proficient in stakeholder outreach and engagement; grants and relationship management; strategic communications and marketing; project management; program research, development and evaluation; and event planning and management. Experienced in working with culturally and linguistically diverse communities, I am passionate about initiatives that drive positive social impact.
Multilingual, I am an articulate, confident communicator and lifelong learner who excels at written and verbal communication; facilitating collaboration among stakeholders; managing multiple projects efficiently and with high attention to detail; identifying solutions to complex problems; and building genuine, impactful relationships.
▀ Angela Timbs
Art
Delivering high-quality outcomes in diverse professional settings where consultative skills, collaboration, empathy, creativity and strategic thinking are required.
A creative and social science researcher and strategist in the not-for-profit and university sectors. I have developed and managed large-scale community engagement and accountability projects in various locations worldwide. I have also supported multiple strategic thinking forums. I am the editor of the interdisciplinary magazine SINTEZO and lecturer at the Queensland University of Technology in design and art.
▀ Caroline Austin
Art & Design
I hold qualifications in international humanitarian law, design and business from Melbourne University and the Queensland University of Technology. This includes a Masters in International Law (specialising in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights); Graduate Certificate in Creative Industries (Human Centred Design); Masters of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Business and Law.
Chris de Waal Mckenzie is a design entrepreneur with a passion for merging the worlds of art and graphic design. Since 2012, he has been pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the commercial arena, using his exceptional taste and work ethic to create a unique and distinctive style.
Raised on Gold Coast, Chris has always had an eye for design. After completing his studies in graphic design, he quickly made a name for himself in the industry, working with a range of clients both locally and internationally.
Chris is known for his ability to blur the lines between art and design, creating work that is both beautiful and functional. He has a unique talent for distilling complex ideas and messages into visually stunning designs that capture the essence of a brand or product.
▀ Chris de Waal McKenzie
Art & Design
In addition to his work as a designer, Chris is also a successful entrepreneur, having launched several successful businesses over the years. He is a firm believer in the power of design to drive business success, and his work has been instrumental in helping many of his clients achieve their goals.
With his impeccable taste, insane work ethic, and love of coffee, Chris is a true force to be reckoned with in the Australian design sector. He continues to push the boundaries of what is possible, and is sure to be a major player in the industry for many years to come.
A multi-award winning teacher, researcher, designer and academic leader with expertise in transdisciplinary design education, tertiary education management, visual communication design, design for health and well-being and cross-cultural design research. With a range of leadership roles in design and higher education in USA, UK, China, Singapore and Australia, I specialise in transforming workplace cultures through building resilient, collaborative and highly effective teams. In all the roles I have held as a leader, teacher, researcher and designer; I strive to educate, foster and create innovative solutions to social issues in both my local and international community.
▀ Prof Lisa Scharoun
Design & Education
Specialties: Higher Ed Leadership, Design Research, Design Education, Transdisciplinary Design, Design Thinking, Print and packaging design, advertising theory, global design research, branding, digital photography
Megan Rodgers is a highly respected architect with over 20 years of industry experience. Was the Brisbane Studio Led at Fender Katsalidis, she was responsible for overseeing the firm's Queensland-based projects.
Megan has worked on a variety of projects throughout her career, including commercial, residential, and hospitality developments. Her focus is on creating sustainable, functional, and beautiful spaces that meet the needs of clients and users.
One of Megan's most notable projects is Midtown Centre, a commercial office building that was recently awarded the prestigious Lord Mayor’s Buildings that Breathe Architecture Prize. The building is inspired by the subtropical climate of Brisbane, and Megan's design incorporates a range of innovative sustainable features to reduce the building's environmental impact.
▀ Megan Rodgers
Architecture
In addition to her work at Fender Katsalidis, Megan is an active member of the architecture community. She regularly speaks at industry events and is committed to promoting sustainable design practices. Megan is also passionate about encouraging more women to pursue careers in architecture and is a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion in the industry.
Overall, Megan's impressive portfolio and commitment to sustainability and innovation have earned her a reputation as one of Australia's leading architects. Her leadership at as Brisbane architect and her dedication to promoting sustainable design practices make her a valuable contributor to the architecture community
As one of Australia’s leading design thinkers, I apply my skills in strategic design to shape and grow the design industry, my clients and their businesses.
Today, I help businesses and industry have a greater impact through a human-centered design approach. I do this by applying my skills in strategic design to develop customer-centric strategies and align actions with outcomes.
My success across both business and industry lies in the foundational principals of creating connections with your audience.
I am the Director of Brave – a strategic design studio focused on business innovation and strategic positioning. Our clients come from a range of backgrounds that include the professional services sector, and industries such as medical and primary healthcare; retail; hospitality; education; manufacturing and infrastructure; mining and energy and Biotech.
▀ Paul van Barneveld
Design
I was recently appointed to the role of CEO of the Australian Design Alliance (ADA), influencing and leading advocacy for the design industry in Australia.
I have served as a Director on the boards of Australian Graphic Design Association Limited (AGDA) and the Australian Design Alliance (AdA) for a number of years.
Committed to ongoing development and innovation, I hold a Master’s Degree in Design Futures.
Roz de Waal Mckenzie is a French-South African designer and entrepreneur who has made a name for herself in the world of design. With a background in law, luxury travel and language acquisition training, Roz brings a unique perspective to her work that combines her left-brain analytical skills with her right-brain creativity.
After moving to Australia, Roz discovered her passion for design while studying at Torrens University. She quickly immersed herself in all things design and was soon appointed as the state chair of the Design Institute of Australia, where she had the opportunity to connect with other designers and industry professionals.
It was during this time that Roz met her Husband Chris and together they launched Unlmtd Agency, a multidisciplinary design agency located in the heart of Brisbane, Australia. At Unlmtd, Roz was involved in creating interiors, furniture, products and pushing the boundaries of creativity and technology.
▀ Roz de Waal McKenzie
Design
Roz's passion for design and her eye for detail led her to enter the Andreu World International Design contest, where she achieved great success with the inspiration that became the Ray table. This experience sparked the idea for Markian, a design studio that specializes in creating elegant and functional furniture pieces.
As the co-founder and creative director of Markian, Roz brings her unique style and vision to every project. She is committed to creating designs that are both beautiful and functional, with a focus on classic elegance and surprising contradictions. Her passion for design and her ability to blend art and functionality have made her a respected and sought-after designer in the industry.
Overall, Roz's diverse background and experience have enabled her to bring a fresh perspective to the world of design. Her ability to combine her left and right-brain skills with her passion for creativity has allowed her to create unique and innovative designs that have captivated clients and designers alike.
Tersius’ approach to his professional experience since graduation has been that of an apprentice,
gaining and testing practice experience on award winning projects at design-led and acclaimed practices in South Africa, Scotland and Australia.
Tersius currently holds a position of Associate at Shane Thompson Architects under the direct supervision and mentorship of Adjunct Professor at the University of QLD and past QLD AIA President, Shane Thompson.
Primary responsibilities include the design, documentation and delivery of a variety of project typologies at various stages, including management, administration, correspondences and liaisons with consultants, private clients and commercial clients alike. Additionally Tersius participates in the
management and day-today running of the practice partaking in key strategic practice management systems and decisions, ownership of IT management, coordinating and managing QA procedures and certification, managing resourcing and project delivery, and Business Development.
▀ Tersius Maass
Architecture
Tersius supports his practicing experience through continuous research and involvement with opportunities to both learn and teach.
In 2014 Tersius participated in the Glenn Murcutt Master Class. He also teaches on a regular basis and in various formats at UQ, QUT, Bond University and Griffith University.
For 2018 Tersius is devoting his time to a Master's degree at QUT, whilst taking the ever demanding reigns as a stay-at-home-dad.