One Day Seminar to Look at Future of Miners Cottages

The seminar, which is titled The hut, the artefact, the home: Looking for sustainability in small scale architecture will take place on November 28, 2008 at the La Trobe University Visual Arts Centre, View Street Bendigo.

City of Greater Bendigo Heritage Advisor Amanda Jean said Bendigo is well known for its heritage buildings especially its charming miners’ cottages.

“These buildings sprung up to cater for the chronic shortage of housing on the Bendigo goldfield and have become an important heritage asset for the city.

“The seminar has been organised to explore how we preserve and re-use these heritage buildings in the 21st century.

“It will explore the opportunities that small scale architecture offers and will address issues around sustainability and affordability,” said Ms Jean.

The seminar will be exploring issues relating to a wide variety of topics ranging from contemporary housing sustainability options, affordable housing, urban housing regeneration, and restoring miners’ cottages.

A variety of eminent speakers will be presenting, including architectural historian and conservationist Miles Lewis AM, who is well known as the professor of architecture at the University of Melbourne and author of books including The Essential Maldon and Victorian churches.

Also speaking is local planning expert Trevor Budge, who will be discussing ‘McMansions vs. Downsizing – The two trends in housing Australia’s future: Why small will win’. The winner of the 2007 National Award for Small Project Architecture, Melbourne Architect Robert Simeoni, will also be presenting on the day.

The cost of the full day seminar is $80 or $40 for a half day. To make a booking or to obtain further information about the seminar contact Yolande Collins on 5444 7238 or email y.collins@latrobe.edu.au

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Marc Pallisco

A former property analyst and print journalist, Marc is the publisher of realestatesource.com.au.