Members pre-sale 4 March
General tickets on sale 12pm, 5 March
Tom Kundig, FAIA, RIBA, American architect and Olson Kundig Principal and Founder, joins us in Melbourne during Melbourne Design Week for a special keynote event as part of Melbourne Art Book Fair. In conversation with Simon Knott, Kundig will discuss his new book, Tom Kundig: Complete Houses, published by Monacelli.
Spanning nearly four decades of design, Tom Kundig: Complete Houses presents 462 of Tom’s residential projects together for the first time. This richly illustrated 600-page book is both a comprehensive overview of the architect’s career to date and an intimate, personal exploration of his creative practice. This event provides a rare opportunity to hear Kundig discuss his work, his design philosophy discuss his work, his design philosophy, and how his practice is shaped by a relentless curiosity for what comes next.
This program is presented as part of Melbourne Design Week 2026
Tom Kundig, FAIA, RIBA, is an American architect and principal/owner and founder of the Seattle-based firm Olson Kundig. For over four decades, he has created innovative, award-winning architecture across six continents, with work ranging from private homes and adaptive-reuse projects to museums, hospitality destinations, wineries, sports facilities, and more. Kundig’s design philosophy centres on the relationship between people and their environment. He often explores materiality, movement, and craftsmanship, producing architecture that is quietly powerful and profoundly human. Working closely with artists, craftspeople, engineers, and other collaborators, he uses this combined knowledge to challenge design conventions and continually evolve his work. Many projects incorporate kinetic elements—sometimes called “gizmos”—that require the body to move or transform parts of a building, fostering direct engagement with the space and the surrounding landscape. Since becoming a principal/owner of Olson Kundig in 1996, he has received some of the world’s highest design honours, reflecting his enduring influence on contemporary architecture.
Simon Knott is a founding director of BKK Architects with a passion for city-making and community-led design. His experience spans architecture and urban design across government, institutional, commercial, retail and residential sectors, establishing him as a recognised leader in the architectural community. Simon has led some of Victoria’s most complex architectural and urban design projects over the past decade, coordinating large subconsultant teams and engaging diverse cross-agency stakeholders. His work has included in-depth consultation with Indigenous organisations, including the Wurundjeri Council and the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation. A committed design advocate, Simon has contributed to broadcast and print media, most notably as a member of 3RRR’s The Architects radio show. He is a founding member of the Mornington Peninsula Shire Design Advisory Panel, a member of the OVGA Design Review Panel, an elected member of the AIA National Council, and Chair of the AIA Victoria Chapter Awards Committee.