Design Canberra is in full swing with many exciting events being delivered by our members over the month of November. The ACT Chapter is opening its Mugga Way doors to the public as part of the ‘Living Room’ exhibition series. Artist Estelle Briedis will showcase a series of hand screened printed textiles in our living room space for the public to view. Go to the Design Canberra website for further details. http://designcanberrafestival.com.au/

Last weekend we had a very successful ‘House and Garden’ bus tour where several architecturally designed houses with gardens designed by Harris Hobbes Landscape Architects were opened to the public. Many thanks to Pedro, Philip and Tony for sharing your stunning projects with us. Please support the upcoming tours which will showcase work of our International Architects and Emerging Architects.

With the ACT election wrapped up and the new line-up of ministers back at work, we will be continuing to advocate for improved tendering processes and the use of local architects for publicly funded projects in the ACT. One of the more exciting commitments during the election campaign was from the Green’s party whom wish to establish a Nightingale project here in the ACT. I hope to meet with Shane Rattenbury soon to discuss how the ACT Chapter can support this initiative.

The Gender Equity Taskforce (GET), currently led by Sander de Vries and Sarah Herbert, recently presented to the Small Practice Group a series of initiatives that are aimed at improving equity and diversity within practice. Please take the time to read their article and think about how you can deliver some of the initiatives in your workplace.

If you haven’t done so already, please pencil in the ACT Chapter Xmas party on Thursday 15 December.

 

Rob Henry

ACT Chapter President