It happens only every two years, but the AIA California Council’s design symposium has inspired architects for decades. Part of its appeal is the location, amid the salt air of Asilomar State Beach in Pacific Grove, Calif., and that the Monterey Design Conference is “designed by designers for designers,” according to Tim Culvahouse’s history of the conference. Culvahouse traces a number of influential programs to this high-energy idea exchange, including the TED Conferences.
This year’s gathering features three days of sessions beginning October 13 and continuing through October 15. The roster of domestic and international speakers includes Gere Kavanaugh, Gere Kavanaugh Designs; Sou Fujimoto, Sou Fujimoto Architects; Dominique Jacob, JAKOB+MACFARLANE; Marion Miss, FAIA, and Michael Manfredi, FAIA, Miss/Manfredi; Julie Eizenberg, FAIA, KoningEizenberg Architecture; Shohei Shigematsu, OMA; and many others. Reed Kroloff serves as emcee. To find out more, visit the conference website.