Continuities of Modernism: From Adelaide to Auckland

It was a great pleasure to witness the AASA Modernism Collaborative present 18 papers at the Modernity, Materials and Modernity: Exploring the History of Materiality and Architecture in Australia and New Zealand symposium, held at Auckland University of Technology on 3 October 2025. With over 50 participants in attendance, the event marked a significant continuation of the inaugural Australian and New Zealand Modernist Architecture Symposium “This is Modernism”, first convened at the University of South Australia in early 2024.

Curated around six central themes—Materials on the Move, Materials Experiments, Concrete Expressions, Aesthetic Innovations, and Organic and Toxic Materiality—the symposium showcased research from academics across Australia and New Zealand. Their contributions reflected the depth, diversity, and evolving discourse of modernist architectural inquiry in the region.

We extend our sincere gratitude to Auckland University of Technology for generously hosting the Modernity, Materials and Modernity symposium. We also warmly acknowledge our convenors, Christoph Schnoor and Isabel Rousset, for their thoughtful leadership and curatorial vision in shaping this important event.

A collection of essays featuring works by 18 scholars and historians is available: AASA 2025 Poster-v3.pdf

Finally, a big thank you to our supporting team Dr Yusef Patel at Unitec!

Welcome speech by Professor Deborah Ascher Barnstone, University of Sydney and the Chair of Modernism Collaborative

Our convenors Christoph Schnoor (Unitec) and Isabel Rousset (University of Technology, Sydney)

Audience immersed in modernist discourse at AUT

Arrival at WG308 for Modernity, Materials and Materiality symposium

Tobias Danielmeier (Otago Polytechnic): From Christchurch to Dunedin: Material Displacements and the Uprooting of Architecture

Renee Miller-Yeaman (University of Melbourne): Modelling the Steel House: Displays of Industry and Nation-Building

Antony Moulis and Silvia Micheli (University of Queensland): Conceptualising Organic and Inert Materials: Robin Gibson's Queensland Art Gallery

Q & A time: Christoph Schnoor, Deborah Ascher Barnstone, Antony Moulis and Isabel Rousset

Elizabeth Musgrave (Bond University): Pre-cut Construction Systems: John Dalton's 'Budget Houses" in Queensland

Jennifer Ferng (University of Sydney): Friable Histories of Asbestos at the Reserve Bank of Australia

Last presentation by Deborah Ascher Barnstone (University of Sydney): Toxic Modernity: Shattering the Fibro Romance