
Keynote 1
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Topic 1: Cultural Iconography in Urban Setting
1000 - 1105 (Plenary Hall)
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Keynote 1 by Karl Fender, Founding Partner of Fender Katsalidis Architects (Australia)
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Karl Fender
Fender Katsalidis (Aust) Pty Ltd
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Karl Fender is a founding partner of Fender Katsalidis (Aust) Pty Ltd, one of Australia’s leading architectural practices. He has been involved in the design of Melbourne’s tallest buildings, Australia 108 and Eureka Tower; and the world’s second tallest building, Kuala Lumpur’s Merdeka 118. He resides in Melbourne where he has been very active in programmes to further opportunities for the enhancement of inner-city living. He has enjoyed collaborative dialogues championing design excellence consistently throughout his career. He is an avowed urbanist who loves life in the city and seeks every opportunity to improve liveability through the influence of sound planning and design principles in the buildings and precincts he helps create.
He has served as both National and Chapter President of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects and has been a Venice Biennale Committee member. He currently holds positions on the Design Excellence Advisory Panels for the city changing Barangaroo development in Sydney and for the Melbourne City Council. In recent years, he has served as Jury Chairman for the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat Awards.