In 2019, we’ve welcomed six new members onto the EmAGN QLD Committee. So, what’s in store this year? Well, other than continuing with our regular and well-loved events like Regi/fru/stration, the Value Talk Series, Emerging Architects Prize, and more, we’ll be adding more tours and networking events to our schedule. We’ll be running more informal chat sessions on various topics for us to share advice over a cuppa and we’re also keen to keep advocating for our regional architects and graduates however we can.

We hope to see you at one of our events soon! And as always, if you ever want to get in touch please drop us a line.

2019 is shaping up to be an exciting year!  

EmAGN continues to develop how we collaborate nationally to bring together emerging architects and graduates from around the country.  The conversations around practice and the future of architecture are enriched through sharing ideas and experiences.  To record and communicate these ideas Dan Moore has been finalising the details of the Institute Podcast – Hearing Architecture that will be launching this year.

As the new year begins we say a thank you to outgoing chairs, Katrina Worssam (SA), Chris Schofield (QLD), Lester Yao (ACT), Amanda Hendry (WA), Jason Licht (TAS) and Monique Woodward (VIC) for their contribution.  

A big welcome to Kaleyan Chan and Owen Abbott, co-chairs for EmAGN ACT, Ashleigh Taylor and Reinette Roux, co-chairs for EmAGN WA, Jessica Owen who joins Kali Marnane as co-chair for QLD, and Chris Morley and Erin Crowden as the EmAGN SA Co-chair.
 

SONA have chosen the theme of ‘Community’ for 2019 and we look forward to working closely with all the SONA reps to strengthen the links between students and the EmAGN community through events and mentoring. 

Entries for the 2019 Emerging Architect Prize are opening around Australia over the next fortnight. For more information follow the link

We look forward to seeing you at EmAGN events throughout the year.

Thom McKenzie

EmAGN National President

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• by Clare Cousins

SONA Australia is pleased to bring you an interview with the 2018 National President of the Australian Institute of Architects, Clare Cousins. 

In keeping with the 2018 SONA theme of mental health and well-being, we stole 15 minutes with the award winning architect, Practice Director and mother of two.  

In March 2016, I started my own architectural practice called PAWA Architecture in Cairns, North Queensland. 3 weeks later, I registered the company in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. Now in its third year of operations, PAWA has 10 staff across two countries and is working on some very exciting projects throughout regional North Queensland and the Pacific.

The word ‘PAWA’ in PNG Tok Pisin language translates to ‘strength’ and ‘power’. We pride ourselves on the mission statement ‘architecture for people, for community.’

Port Moresby is approximately one hour and thirty minutes flight away from Cairns and in fact is the closest capital city- even closer than Brisbane. I believe it is important for regional firms to be very agile and intimate in their approach and really need that “x-factor” to be able to operate sustainably.

What do I mean by Agile? Well here’s an example of my week earlier this month.

I attended an education design conference in Sydney on Monday and Tuesday. I flew to Cairns on Wednesday. I flew up to Bamaga (Cape York) on Thursday and ferried over to the Torres Strait later that afternoon. On Friday I flew back to Cairns and on Saturday I was in Port Moresby, PNG!

Earlier this week I returned back to Port Moresby after spending 15 days in the remote highlands of PNG undertaking earthquake damage assessments. We visited 25 health facilities and various schools whilst engaging with hundreds of women and men including thousands of kids! 

The role of the architect extends way beyond the set of design drawings.  We are place makers and we influence and shape community. My number one priority when working out in the field is to listen and engage. I seem to be doing ok as I always leave with a huge smile on my face surrounded by happy members of the community!

Andrew McFadden,
Director of PAWA Architecture, Cairns

From Riq: ‘This is a small, 2-storey hemp masonry build. The lower walls have been stripped and the upper walls are being formed for the hemp pour. There are finished walls of hemp masonry completed ready for external render. The finish will be exposed internally. The process of forming some of the upper floor walls shows some of the detailing required for this construction method.

The detailing for this type of construction has been developed by the Australian Hemp Masonry Company. With interest in industrial hemp on the rise, this is an opportunity for architects to see a build in progress.

Also in May it was a pleasure to support the Emerging Architects Prize Tour talk, featuring Anthony Balsamo (national winner) and Tomek Archer (NSW state winner).

In the lead-up to the Institute awards, EmAGN sat on juries for the David Lindner Prize (represented by Phuong Le), and Emerging Architect Prize (represented by Chloe Rayfield).

Mid-April marked the National Face to Face EmAGN meeting held in Melbourne.  It was a great opportunity for the state chairs to meet and workshop EmAGN initiatives.  The meeting was productive with the team identifying a number of opportunities to further collaborate and strengthen the presence of EmAGN nationally.  Hannah Slater and Ksenia Totoeva attended as representatives of the NSW EmAGN committee. 

Most recently, EmAGN NSW invited three of the 2017 Dulux Study Tour winners – Louisa Gee, Imogene Tudor and Alberto Quizon to speak about their time on tour last year. The prize is one of the most coveted of those available to the EmAGN network and it was wonderful to see the continuing quality of the DST alumni coming through. 

The group split into two and started with The Lane Vineyard where we huddled over the portable heaters in the barrelling shed while one of the owners talked about the history of the vineyard, the evolution of the space and the significance of each of the wines. It was great to have gained an insight into how a small family run vineyard can start with nothing more than an idea of growing some grapes so they and their friends could drink them, to becoming the established vineyard and destination venue for events it is today – it also helps that their wine is lovely!

The next stop was Ambleside distillery located in Hahndorf. From the outside the Tasting Bar is a corrugated shed, but as you enter through the beautiful timber doors you see their beautiful designed space with large windows facing out to the deck with beautiful views of the hills and grazing pastures. Opening their doors late last year, the Mother/Father/Son business focus on making only three gins (one each) on site in the cellar door and are incredibly friendly and approachable. Not only do they offer their three handcrafted signature gins, but also offer small food options incorporating the amazing locally grown produce the Adelaide Hills has to offer. When you’re next in Adelaide, we strongly suggest visiting Trudy, Steve and Matt.

The next stop was Deviation Road, our group was set up on the covered deck where we could look out at the vines and the alpacas! Deviation Road is best known for their sparkling wine and we got to taste four varieties along with some platters of dips which were quickly devoured by the now hungry group. Deviation Road were keen to have our group through given they had just finished some renovations to their cellar door and wanted to show off the improvements to a design-orientated group.

Both groups joined together at our last venue, Howard’s Vineyard, to discuss the day over (more) wine and a glorious lunch platter. Wine maker Tom Northcott chatted to the group about the history of the building, vineyard and the particular importance of their logo – the Howard clover. It was a lovely, atmospheric way to end an enjoyable day tasting, talking and networking with other emerging professionals in architecture and allied professions.  

A key focus of EmAGN WA throughout 2018 has been further engaging with the local architectural and built environment community.  Following on from the successful launch of the WA Mentoring Framework earlier in the year, we have continued this theme by playing a key role in establishing the Emerging Built Environment (EBE) network.  

This is a forum to discuss ideas and issues relevant to emerging built environment professionals and includes representatives from relevant Planning, Landscape Architecture, Quantity Surveying, Engineering and Lawyer associations.  Networking events are in the planning stages and EmAGN WA is excited to see this group develop.  

In addition to the EBE, EmAGN WA have been continuing its site visit series with a very successful turn out at Kerry Hill’s Forrest Hall building.  The site visit sold out within a matter of hours, proof of the popularity of these events. We are deeply thankful to Seán McGivern of Kerry Hill Architects and Professor Paul Johnson of the Forrest Research Foundation both for their time and the detailed, generous tour of the new building.