Author: acato

2014 National Architecture Conference – Making

Tickets now on sale!

The dedicated Making website is now live and includes information on the initial speaker line up, themes of the conference, information on accommodation and travel, as well as registration information. Visit architecture.com.au/making

For the best prices, we highly recommend getting in as early as possible with flights and accommodation. We’ll tweet about any specials we come across so be sure to keep your eye on #making2014.

Fringe events are yet to be confirmed although it is anticipated that Thursday 8 May and Sunday 11 May there will be a range of architectural tours available. The opening party will be held on Thursday 8 May, with conference sessions being held all day Friday 9 and Saturday 10 May.

So save the date, get your bookings in early and make a trip out of it!

For any questions please contact making@architecture.com.au

National Architecture Awards take centre stage at Sydney Opera House

Winners of the Institute’s 2013 National Architecture Awards, Australia’s highest architecture accolades, were announced Thursday 7 November at the nation’s most iconic venue, Sydney Opera House.

The jury awarded 38 projects a total of 55 awards and commendations across the 12 national categories, selected from the 166 eligible award winners that progressed following Chapter Architecture Awards held earlier in the year. Each state and territory was represented in the winning selection.

Consistent in this year’s awards is the focus on public spaces and community engagement – from small projects to major commercial developments, public impact and experience were key concerns for architects and clients alike.
‘We were thrilled to see so many buildings and places that were engaging with social impacts beyond their immediate brief, offering something really significant to society at a higher level … architecture which is not merely responsible, but which is generous,’ Jury Chair, Shelley Penn said.

Awarded projects including Hamer Hall by ARM Architecture, Darling Quarter by fjmt and Perth Arena by ARM & CCN – Joint Venture Architects are large-scale examples of successful urban architecture which benefits both the direct users as well as people who experience the works in passing.

The external spaces of these projects have positively influenced the habits of the cities’ inhabitants, be it through additional access points to the city, public parkland, or increased safety features for pedestrians, and effectively demonstrate how excellent design outcomes can extend beyond commercial requirements to enhance the lives of entire communities.

At the other end of the scale, Djakanimba Pavilions by Insideout Architects, the winner of the inaugural Nicholas Murcutt Award for Small Project Architecture, took a modest budget and created an adaptable cultural space that is helping to drive regeneration and growth to the local Indigenous community of Beswick, Northern Territory.

‘These projects offer a legacy of positive urban spaces, connections and approaches that will influence how their cities function and are perceived,’ Shelley Penn commented.

Awarded projects include:

Western Australia’s Perth Arena by ARM & CCN – Joint Venture Architects, which received the Sir Zelman Cowen Award for Public Architecture, the Institute’s most prestigious award for an architecture project.

A weekender along Victoria’s Great Ocean Road, Fairhaven Residence, designed by John Wardle Architects took out the Residential Architecture – Houses category, winning the coveted Robin Boyd Award.

Parliament House by Mitchell Giurgola and Thorp, which was celebrated with the National Enduring Architecture Award, 24 years after winning the Sir Zelman Cowen Award for Public Architecture, The symbolic Australian masterpiece reached its 25 year milestone this year, qualifying for the award.

In addition, for the first time in the Awards’ history, a social housing project has been selected as the most outstanding piece of Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing. MGS Architects took home the award for their McIntyre Drive Social Housing Altona project, impressing the jury with its ‘verve, skill and serious social commitment’.

 

THE COLORBOND® AWARD FOR STEEL ARCHITECTURE

The COLORBOND® Award for Steel Architecture

  • Waterloo Youth Family Community Centre – Collins and Turner with City of Sydney (NSW)

The COLORBOND® Award for Steel Architecture – Commendation

  • West Kimberley Regional Prison – TAG Architects and iredale pedersen hook architects; Architects in Association (WA)

 

COMMERCIAL ARCHITECTURE

The Harry Seidler Award for Commercial Architecture

  • Darling Quarter – Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp (fjmt) (NSW)

National Award for Commercial Architecture

  • Mountain Retreat Medical Clinic – Circa Morris-Nunn (Tas)

National Commendations for Commercial Architecture

  • Brookfield Place – HASSELL and Fitzpatrick + Partners (WA)
  • One One One Eagle Street – Cox Rayner Architects (Qld)

 

ENDURING ARCHITECTURE

The National Enduring Architecture Award

  • Parliament House – Mitchell Giurgola and Thorp 1988 (ACT)

 

HERITAGE

The Lachlan Macquarie Award for Heritage

  • Hamer Hall – ARM Architecture (Vic)

National Award for Heritage

  • Good Shepherd Chapel – Abbotsford – Robert Simeoni Architects (Vic)

 

INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE

The Emil Sodersten Award for Interior Architecture

  • Perth Arena – ARM & CCN – Joint Venture Architects (WA)

National Awards for Interior Architecture

  • Hamer Hall – ARM Architecture (Vic)
  • Translational Research Institute – Wilson Architects ­­+ Donovan Hill; Architects in Association (Qld)

National Commendation for Interior Architecture

  • The Kinghorn Cancer Centre – BVN Donovan Hill (NSW)

 

INTERNATIONAL ARCHITECTURE

The Jørn Utzon Award for International Architecture

  • Australia House – Andrew Burns Architect with Atelier Imamu and Atelier Sotaro Yamamoto (Japan)

Award for International Architecture

  • Finding Country Exhibition 13th Venice Architecture Biennale 2012 – Kevin O’Brien Architects in association with the Finding Country Collective and Venti di Cultura (Italy / Qld)

 

PUBLIC ARCHITECTURE

The Sir Zelman Cowen Award for Public Architecture

  • Perth Arena – ARM & CCN – Joint Venture Architects (WA)

National Awards for Public Architecture

  • Queen Elizabeth II Courts of Law – Architectus in association with Guymer Bailey Architects (Qld)
  • RMIT Design Hub – Sean Godsell Architects in association with Peddle Thorp Architects (Vic)
  • Swanston Academic Building – Lyons (Vic)
  • Translational Research Institute – Wilson Architects ­­+ Donovan Hill; Architects in Association (Qld)
  • Waterloo Youth Family Community Centre – Collins and Turner with City of Sydney (NSW)
  • West Kimberley Regional Prison – TAG Architects and iredale pedersen hook architects; Architects in Association (WA)

National Commendations for Public Architecture

  • Hamer Hall – ARM Architecture (Vic)
  • The Braggs University of Adelaide – BVN Donovan Hill & Hames Sharley in association (SA)
  • The Kinghorn Cancer Centre – BVN Donovan Hill (NSW)

 

RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE – HOUSES

The Robin Boyd Award for Residential Architecture – Houses

  • Fairhaven Residence – John Wardle Architects (Vic)

National Awards for Residential Architecture – Houses

  • Edward Street House – Sean Godsell Architects (Vic)
  • Tír na nÓg – Drew Heath Architects (NSW)

National Commendations for Residential Architecture – Houses

  • (-) Glass House – Charles Wright Architects (Qld)
  • Balmain House – Fox Johnston (NSW)
  • Bisley Place House – James Russell Architect (Qld)

 

RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE – MULTIPLE HOUSING

The Frederick Romberg Award for Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing

  • McIntyre Drive Social Housing Altona – MGS Architects (Vic)

National Awards for Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing

  • 29-35 Prince Street Cronulla – Candalepas Associates (NSW)
  • Constance Street Affordable Housing – Cox Rayner Architects (Qld)

 

SMALL PROJECT ARCHITECTURE

The Nicholas Murcutt Award for Small Project Architecture

  • Djakanimba Pavilions – Insideout Architects (NT)

National Awards for Small Project Architecture

  • 7th Heaven, Ormond College – Nest Architects (Vic)
  • Art Gallery of NSW Forecourt Upgrade – Johnson Pilton Walker (NSW)
  • Keperra House – A-CH (Atelier Chen Hung) (Qld)

National Commendations for Small Project Architecture

  • Abbotsford Convent Breezeway – Jackson Clements Burrows (Vic)
  • Third Wave Kiosk – Tony Hobba Architects (Vic)

 

SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE

The David Oppenheim Award for Sustainable Architecture

  • West Kimberley Regional Prison – TAG Architects and iredale pedersen hook architects; Architects in Association (WA)

National Award for Sustainable Architecture

  • Waterloo Youth Family Community Centre – Collins and Turner with City of Sydney (NSW)

National Commendations for Sustainable Architecture

  • (-) Glass House – Charles Wright Architects (Qld)
  • Constance Street Affordable Housing – Cox Rayner Architects (Qld)
  • Darling Quarter – Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp (fjmt) with ASPECT Studios, Lend Lease, E.G.O. Group and Davenport Campbell (NSW)
  • Djakanimba Pavilions – Insideout Architects (NT)
  • One One One Eagle Street– Cox Rayner Architects (Qld)

 

URBAN DESIGN

The Walter Burley Griffin Award for Urban Design

  • Revitalising Central Dandenong: Lonsdale Street Redevelopment – BKK/TCL Partnership (Vic)

National Awards for Urban Design

  • Flinders Street Revitalisation – Cox Rayner Architects (Qld)
  • GASP Stage 1 – Room 11 Studio (Tas)

National Commendations for Urban Design

  • 2 & 4 National Circuit Precinct – Fender Katsalidis (ACT)
  • Brookfield Place – HASSELL and Fitzpatrick + Partners (WA)
  • Darling Quarter – Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp (fjmt) with ASPECT Studios and Lend Lease (NSW)
  • Hamer Hall – ARM Architecture (Vic)
  • Pitt Street Mall Public Domain Upgrade – Tony Caro Architecture (NSW)

 

2013 JURY

Shelley Penn – Immediate Past President of the Institute, Shelley Penn Architect (Chair)

Richard Hassell – WOHA Founder and Director

Ben Hewett – South Australian Government Architect

Hannah Tribe – Tribe Studio Founder and Director

Justine Clark – Architectural editor, writer and critic (Lay Juror)

From the Chapter President

One of the most important issues that I felt needed to be addressed when I was elected President of the Tasmanian Chapter in March this year, was the state of the industry.

The global financial crisis has hit the building industry hard. We are a few years down the track now, but the impacts of this time are still coming to the surface. I was saddened to see a long established medium scale building company go into liquidation recently.

As President I have taken the opportunity to meet with government ministers to discuss the important role that government has in supporting the local industry. This has included how government work is tendered, the impacts of design and construct projects and smaller projects being bundled into larger packages that are out of reach of local practices. I have also discussed the importance of design content in the work.

It is concerning that contracts that were previously won by local building professionals and contractors have recently been awarded to mainland companies.

Local businesses do not enjoy the same volume of work as those interstate, so there is a difference in overheads, which should be recognised. We must work with the government to ensure that they recognise these differences and support their local industry or risk losing highly skilled professionals and contractors. The inclusion of weighted criteria that acknowledges these differences can be used to address concerns that awarding contracts to local business is anti-competitive.

I was reading a front page headline this week asking Tasmanians to support local business to drive our economic revival. I hope our ministers were reading it too.

I will be attending a jobs forum with premier Lara Giddings this week and will be reinforcing our thoughts on these issues.

One thing that I have learnt is that good design does not really register concern in government circles, but topics like life cycle cost, facility, and risk, all ring bells. We as architects need to adjust our language to be heard.

We were recently invited to present to the Preventative Health Committee hearing with respect to the impact of the built environment on preventative health. It was a great opportunity to put this new language into practice and I felt that we were able to stake a claim on the importance of our role in this field.

How we as architects are positioned within the industry is also changing. With the increase in design and construct projects, the design process and our relationship with other consultants and contractors has been evolving. Traditional lump sum contracts are not the only method of procurement and we are being told to embrace the change.

One of the ways in which I have sought to deal with these changes has been to meet with representatives from the TBCITB so that we are recognised as part of the greater industry body.
The second is to work with other building industry organisations, by supporting them in their endeavours and offering our assistance when appropriate. Hopefully this support will be returned.

Another area that I have investigated is the decline of the role of the draftsman as a recognised profession and an important part of our practice structures. Addressing this will improve the quality of documentation in practices and maintain a skills base that is currently fast nearing retirement.

Don’t silence experts: professional bodies add oomph to any debate

Let’s have a debate … about the issues

Public debate about policy issues is something we need a lot more of. There should be a contest of ideas because there’s no question that a diversity of views on the merits of policies leads us to a well-informed position in the end.

Professional bodies, industry groups, the media and the wider community all have a role to play in the public debate and these roles should be encouraged, not dismissed. This was not the position put by Judith Sloan in The Australian on Tuesday (‘Leaning Left by association’, 17/9/2013).

Professional bodies have a critical role in the public policy debate. Not only do we provide valuable resources to our members throughout their careers, we also seek to engage the wider community on significant policy issues in our areas of expertise.

It’s this variety of credible sources that government needs to listen to, to inform its decision-making around policies. Commentators are also an important part of this debate and they should not take lightly the role that they are entrusted with to guide and inform public opinion. But when a debate degenerates into personal attacks on the credibility of particular organisations then we know we’ve lost sight of the main objective – to develop good policies that will advance our society.

Tuesday’s opinion piece underscored the need for us to do more to explain the role professional organisations play in our society. A common misconception is that professional bodies are, in essence, the same as industry groups or special interest groups. We are not. Yes, we aim to represent our members’ interests and concerns to government, but we also aim to make a proactive and positive contribution to the development of public policy – and the two roles are quite different.

Bound by Charters and Codes of Ethics and governed by boards and committees, we have a mandate to develop policies that are in the public interest as part of our contract with society.

To develop a position on a particular policy issue, we firstly gather feedback from our members. Of course, it will rarely be the case that an absolute consensus can be reached on any one particular issue. Collectively we have around 200,000 members which includes hundreds of advisory committees that inform the thinking that goes into the positions adopted by professional bodies.

We also seek input from outside the membership base, including from similar professional organisations and the business community. We listen, we evaluate, we test and we assess the viewpoints put forward by our members against other sources of industry research and analysis we have access to.

After that process is complete, the views formed become the organisation’s position. At this point, the professional body doesn’t hide behind an argument that it’s the view of its members, or that they are ‘just the messenger’. It owns the position and is prepared to explain the position that is adopted.

This is precisely why the government should listen to professional bodies, whether it’s generating options to cope with urban growth and congestion in our cities, improving the design of our tax system, outlining the need for policy on asylum seekers that complies with international law or planning and delivering critical infrastructure for essential services such as transport, energy and housing.

Governments know our positions have been well researched, widely reviewed and scrutinised by a level of industry expertise that they don’t have access to. And they recognise the valuable contribution we make. We are non-partisan, practical and we each have a contribution to make towards the long-term vision for our nation that has been derived from decades of experience. That’s why we are a credible voice.

 

Lee White, Chief Executive Officer, Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia
Reynah Tang, President, Law Institute of Victoria
Paul Berkemeier, President, Australian Institute of Architects
Stephen Durkin, CEO, Engineers Australia

National Architecture Awards’ season launches with unveiling of shortlist

Sixty projects from around Australia and overseas have been shortlisted for the Australian Institute of Architects’ 2013 National Architecture Awards, the largest awards program of its kind in the world.

The shortlisted projects were selected by an eminent jury led by Immediate Past President of the Institute, Shelley Penn.

‘Almost 900 entries were received this year, exceeding the amount of entries in both the British and American Institute’s award programs. This demonstrates a strong engagement from members and is a tremendous effort and to be commended given our relative population size.

‘The high calibre of entries this year is testified by the number of awards given at the regional, local and state level, with almost 140 projects considered by the national jury and a sign that a lot of great work is happening all around the country.

‘I feel I can speak on behalf of the National Jury in saying we were all so impressed with all of the projects eligible for national awards, and it was a challenging and inspiring process to determine a shortlist,’ Ms Penn said.

All states and territories have been represented in the selected works, which span commercial, public, small project, sustainable, heritage, interior, international, residential and urban design categories. In total 83 entries made the shortlist with many of the 60 projects selected in multiple categories.

The shortlist is marked by a strong community focus and includes several social housing projects.

The featured projects illustrate an emphasis on social engagement around the country be it an affordable housing development in Brisbane, an adaptable cultural pavilion in a remote Northern Territory Indigenous community, or a large-scale commercial development in Sydney that seeks to give space back to the locals.

‘We were thrilled to see so many buildings and places that were engaging with social impacts beyond their immediate brief, offering something really significant to society at a higher level – architecture which is not merely responsible, but which is generous,’ Ms Penn reflected.

An iconic accomplishment of such architecture, the Sydney Opera House will play host to the National Architecture Awards ceremony on Thursday 7 November following a range of public events celebrating the national treasure’s 40th anniversary.

Tickets are on sale now.

2013 National Architecture Awards – Jury Shortlist

COLORBOND® Award for Steel Architecture (5)

Djakanimba Pavilions – Insideout Architects (NT)
Perth Arena – ARM & Cameron Chisholm Nicol – Joint Venture Architects (WA)
RMIT Design Hub – Sean Godsell Architects in association with Peddle Thorp Architects (Vic)
Waterloo Youth Family Community Centre – Collins and Turner with City of Sydney (NSW)
West Kimberley Regional Prison – TAG Architects and iredale pedersen hook architects; Architects in Association (WA)

Commercial Architecture (6)

4 National Circuit – Fender Katsalidis (ACT)
Brookfield Place – HASSELL and Fitzpatrick + Partners (WA)
Darling Quarter – Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp (fjmt) (NSW)
Mountain Retreat Medical Clinic – Circa Morris-Nunn (Tas)
National Centre for Synchrotron Science – Bates Smart (Vic)
One One One Eagle Street – Cox Rayner Architects (Qld)

Heritage Architecture (5)

2 National Circuit – Fender Katsalidis (ACT)
Brookfield Place – HASSELL, Fitzpatrick + Partners and Palassis Architects (WA)
Cairns Foreshore Redevelopment – CA Architects and Cox Rayner Architects in association with O’Neill Architecture (Qld)
Good Shepherd Chapel – Abbotsford – Robert Simeoni Architects (Vic)
Hamer Hall – ARM Architecture (Vic)

Interior Architecture (9)

2 National Circuit – Fender Katsalidis (ACT)
Hamer Hall – ARM Architecture (Vic)
John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School (JSRACS) Kindergarten – Beechboro Campus – Brooking Design Architects (WA)
Lilyfield Warehouse – Virginia Kerridge Architect (NSW)
Meeting Room St Mary’s Cathedral Centre – Circa Morris-Nunn (Tas)
One One One Eagle Street Foyer – Cox Rayner Architects (Qld)
Perth Arena – ARM & Cameron Chisholm Nicol – Joint Venture Architects (WA)
The Kinghorn Cancer Centre – BVN Donovan Hill (NSW)
Translational Research Institute – Wilson Architects + Donovan Hill; Architects in Association (Qld)

International Architecture (7)

28th Street Apartments – Koning Eizenberg Architecture Inc. (United States)
387 Tamaki Drive – Ian Moore Architects (New Zealand)
Australia House – Andrew Burns Architect in association with Atelier Imamu (Japan)
Finding Country Exhibition 13th Venice Architecture Biennale 2012 – Kevin O’Brien Architects in association with the Finding Country Collective and Venti di Cultura (Italy / Qld)
Martin No.38 – Kerry Hill Architects (Singapore)
Silver House – Peter Stutchbury Architecture (Russia)
Sobieski House – Koning Eizenberg Architecture Inc. (United States)

Public Architecture (13)

Bridgewater LINC and Child & Family Centre – Liminal Architecture (Tas)
Hamer Hall – ARM Architecture (Vic)
Penleigh and Essendon Grammer School – McBride Charles Ryan (Vic)
Perth Arena – ARM & Cameron Chisholm Nicol – Joint Venture Architects (WA)
Queen Elizabeth II Courts of Law – Architectus in association with Guymer Bailey Architects (Qld)
RMIT Design Hub – Sean Godsell Architects in association with Peddle Thorp Architects (Vic)
Swanston Academic Building – Lyons (Vic)
The Braggs University of Adelaide – BVN Donovan Hill & Hames Sharley in association (SA)
The Kinghorn Cancer Centre – BVN Donovan Hill (NSW)
Translational Research Institute – Wilson Architects + Donovan Hill; Architects in Association (Qld)
Village Centre: National Arboretum Canberra – Tonkin Zulaikha Greer (ACT)
Waterloo Youth Family Community Centre – Collins and Turner with City of Sydney (NSW)
West Kimberley Regional Prison – TAG Architects and iredale pedersen hook architects; Architects in Association (WA)
Residential Architecture – Houses (10)

(-) Glass House – Charles Wright Architects (Qld)
Balmain House – Fox Johnston (NSW)
Bisley Place House – James Russell Architect (Qld)
Blue House – Neeson Murcutt Architects (Vic)
Cowshed House – carterwilliamson architects (NSW)
Edward Street House – Sean Godsell Architects (Vic)
Fairhaven Residence – John Wardle Architects (Vic)
Merricks Beach House – Kennedy Nolan (Vic)
Taringa House – Loucas Zahos Architects (Qld)
Tír na nÓg – Drew Heath Architects (NSW)

Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing (5)

29-35 Prince Street Cronulla – Candalepas Associates (NSW)
Constance Street Affordable Housing – Cox Rayner Architects (Qld)
Lime Street – Formworks Architecture (WA)
McIntyre Drive Social Housing Altona – MGS Architects (Vic)
Silk Apartments – Tony Caro Architecture (NSW)

Small Project Architecture (7)

7th Heaven, Ormond College – Nest Architects (Vic)
Abbotsford Convent Breezeway – Jackson Clements Burrows (Vic)
Art Gallery of NSW Forecourt Upgrade – Johnson Pilton Walker (NSW)
Djakanimba Pavilions – Insideout Architects (NT)
Keperra House – A-CH (Atelier Chen Hung) (Qld)
Re-Newell – Charles Wright Architects (Qld)
Third Wave Kiosk – Tony Hobba Architects (Vic)

Sustainable Architecture (8)

(-) Glass House – Charles Wright Architects (Qld)
Constance Street Affordable Housing – Cox Rayner Architects (Qld)
Cowshed House – carterwilliamson architects (NSW)
Darling Quarter – Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp (fjmt) with ASPECT Studios, Lend Lease, E.G.O. Group and Davenport Campbell (NSW)
Djakanimba Pavilions – Insideout Architects (NT)
One One One Eagle Street – Cox Rayner Architects (Qld)
Waterloo Youth Family Community Centre – Collins and Turner with City of Sydney (NSW)
West Kimberley Regional Prison – TAG Architects and iredale pedersen hook architects; Architects in Association (WA)

Urban Design (8)

2 & 4 National Circuit Precinct – Fender Katsalidis (ACT)
Brookfield Place – HASSELL and Fitzpatrick + Partners (WA)
Darling Quarter – Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp (fjmt) with ASPECT Studios, Lend Lease, E.G.O. Group and Davenport Campbell (NSW)
Flinders Street Revitalisation – Cox Rayner Architects (Qld)
GASP Stage 1 – Room 11 Studio (Tas)
Hamer Hall – ARM Architecture (Vic)
Pitt Street Mall Public Domain Upgrade – Tony Caro Architecture (NSW)
Revitalising Central Dandenong: Lonsdale Street Redevelopment – BKK/TCL Partnership (Vic)

2013 Jury

Shelley Penn – Immediate Past President of the Institute, Shelley Penn Architect (Chair)
Richard Hassell – WOHA Founder and Director
Ben Hewett – South Australian Government Architect
Hannah Tribe – Tribe Studio Founder and Director
Justine Clark – Architectural editor, writer and critic (Lay Juror)

Architecture and Design Symposium celebrates 40 years of Sydney Opera House

In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the opening of Sydney Opera House, the Australian Institute of Architects and the Opera House are presenting an Architecture and Design Symposium on Friday 25 October.

The unique one-day event curated by University of Technology Sydney’s Professor Anthony Burke will bring together Danish and Australian architects and designers on one stage to discuss the contemporary role of architecture and design in shaping our collective cultural imaginations and the cities in which they thrive.

‘With the Sydney Opera House as a rich source of inspiration across two unique cultures, the symposium will bring together Danish and Australian architects and designers known for award-winning designs of substantial cultural institutions, contemporary materials research, cultural policy and navigating urban politics, to look at how design shapes our cultural aspirations and our identity.

‘From its very inception, the Sydney Opera House was always going to be a world famous building, a symbol for an international audience of contemporary Australian culture, something that defined the city. The arts, media and government came together in their ambitions for this project, and as a consequence shaped the identity of an ambitious and confident young nation. In selecting Danish architect Jørn Utzon, the Danish cultural project became intimately bound to the Australian one, two cultures in one design,’ Professor Burke said.

Speakers at the Architecture makes the City symposium include:

DENMARK
Jan Utzon – Utzon Architects
Johannes Molander Pedersen and Morten Rask Gregersen – NORD Architects
Dan Stubbergaard – COBE
Jakob Fenger and Bjørnstjerne Christiansen – Superflex
Mette Kynne Frandsen – Henning Larsen

AUSTRALIA
Richard Johnson – Johnson Pilton Walker
Camilla Block – Durbach Block Jaggers
Gerard Reinmuth – Terroir
Rachel Healy – City of Sydney
John Choi – CHROFI
Matthew Bennett – Bennett and Trimble

This is a rare opportunity to hear from some of Denmark’s most exciting architectural talents, including Johannes Molander Pedersen and Morten Rask Gregersen from NORD Architects and Mette Kynne Frandsen from Henning Larsen.

Johannes Molander Pedersen and Morten Rask Gregersen established NORD in 2003 as founding partners, and since then have engaged in a broad range of assignments within architecture, urban development and societal innovation.

NORD Architects is particularly recognised for its work on public institutions, such as Copenhagen Centre for Cancer and Health, House of Natural Sciences and Vardheim Healthcare Centre – projects that redefine how architecture performs within the realm of public service.

Mette Kynne Frandsen has been part of the management team at Henning Larsen Architects since 1998 and was appointed CEO of the company in 2003. Under her leadership, Henning Larsen Architects has grown into a leading architecture company. Mette has strengthened the company internationally by expanding its network of clients and partners. Today, Henning Larsen Architects has offices in Saudi Arabia, Norway, Turkey and Germany.

Sustainability is central to Henning Larsen’s projects – both climatically and socially. A recent project is Discovery Centre in Damascus, the cornerstone of a training program designed to give Syrian children the opportunity to meet and discover the world through play.

Tickets are on sale now!

Minister for Cities welcomed by architects

The Australian Institute of Architects joins other industry bodies in welcoming Prime Minister Rudd’s announcement for a Minister for Cities.

The Institute has lobbied for the creation of such a role for many years, through its own policy activities as well as through its involvement with bodies such as the Urban Coalition and ASBEC.

Australia is a highly urbanised nation and as our major towns and cities develop, we face a number of key challenges. From climate change, population growth and an ageing demographic, to an increasing demand for infrastructure, housing affordability pressures and traffic congestion, our cities need the right strategies, policies and processes in place to create a built environment that can sustain us into the future.

Institute CEO, David Parken, said ‘This is very welcome news. A federal champion is urgently needed to drive reforms that better connect urban policies and programs across all levels of government. This role in an expanded Major Cities Unit will bring much needed leadership and vision to the strategic planning of our cities and regions. The federal government must play a key role in ensuring our cities function as well as they can. The Institute urges the other parties to adopt similar strategies as well as to embrace a bipartisan approach, whatever the outcome of the election.’

The Institute recently surveyed the major Australian political parties about their commitment to key issues for the architecture profession, based on the Institute’s five policy priority topics, which include the creation of an Australian Minister for Cities position. The results can be read at architecture.com.au/about-us/policy-advocacy.

Entries now open for 2014 COLORBOND® Steel Student Biennale

Australia’s longest running prize for students of architecture, the COLORBOND® Steel Student Biennale is once again open for entries.

Established by the Australian Institute of Architects, the prize offers recent graduates and students the opportunity to win a cash prize of $8,000 and the chance to attend the 2014 National Architecture Conference in Perth.

Since 1985 the COLORBOND® Steel Student Biennale has acknowledged outstanding works of design by architecture students across Australia. The entries are judged by esteemed members of the profession on their resolution, exploration and communication of ideas, space, structure and materials, as well as their response to contemporary architectural issues such as the challenge of climate change.

The winner of the 2014 prize will be announced in front of leaders of the Australian architecture profession at the Australian Achievement in Architecture Awards held in March 2014. In addition to the $8,000 cash prize for first place, the ten shortlisted students will receive flights, tickets and accommodation to attend the 2014 National Architecture Conference in Perth, May 8-10.

The bi-annual competition closes 5pm AEST Friday 27 September and is open to Undergraduate or Masters students enrolled in an Institute recognised Australian architecture course in 2013 and to students who completed their course in 2012. Entries that have been previously submitted for the BlueScope Steel Glenn Murcutt Student Prize are ineligible.

The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges the generous, ongoing support of BlueScope Steel in the recognition of students of architecture.

For more information on the prize, visit wp.architecture.com.au/studentbiennale or contact prizes@architecture.com.au or phone 03 8620 3877.

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Australian Institute of Architects joins Australian Design Alliance

The Australian Design Alliance (AdA) is delighted to announce Australian Institute of Architects  as a new member. We look forward to working closely with the Institute on issues of mutual interest.

The thirteen peak bodies that make up the AdA represent a substantial constituency. The combined national membership of the member organisations is in excess of 140,000. Including architecture professionals, the design sector is made up of close to 500,000 practitioners.

The Australian Institute of Architects has a national membership of almost 12,000 professional architects, graduates and students.

CEO David Parken said “We welcome the opportunity to support the work of the AdA in promoting the value of design to the Australian community and their work in developing a design policy for consideration by governments at all levels.”

AdA Patron His Excellency Mr Michael Bryce AM AE said, “The Australian Institute of Architects were influential as an associate of the Australian Design Alliance from the outset and I am delighted that the Institute has now given the ADA such influential support by becoming a member of this important national body of design professions.

“Architecture is the fulcrum of our national design identity and this highly visible art form leads the way in so many other design endeavours, from furniture design, automotive design and urban design through interior, graphic and fashion design.

“These endeavours must be recognised as fundamental to our country’s creative identity as well as its economy.”

Chairman of the AdA, Mr Oliver Kratzer said, “On behalf of the board, I am delighted to welcome the Australian Institute of Architects to the Australian Design Alliance as full members.

The Institute is in excellent company, joining twelve other peak bodies which are united in their use of design and creativity in spearheading Australia’s cultural and commercial future.

The Institute’s commitment to the AdA gives additional depth and resonance to the voice of the creative industries.

The AdA’s existence and high calibre of membership is proof of the creative sectors maturity and growing importance to the economy.

We look forward to working more closely with the Institute’s National President Mr Paul Berkemeier, his CEO Mr David Parken and the Institute’s board on the issues that impact not just our organisations and members, but the sector and the nation as a whole.”

The AdA is advocating for a national framework for design that demonstrates the critical role design and design thinking play as enablers for innovation.

Our core objective is to see design-led innovation become an integral part of Australian business and industry and to ensure design is central to Australia’s future economic competitiveness.

There is now undeniable evidence that professional design plays a critical role in the development of internationally competitive products and services. Australia has some of the best designers in the world, capable of developing world-class products and services, however, there still remains a lack of understanding of the true benefits of design as a key driver of competitiveness in Australia.

AdA Members: Australian Craft and Design Centres; Australian Graphic Design Association; Australian Institute of Architects Australian Institute of Landscape Architects; Australian Network for Art and Technology; Australian Production Design Guild; Council for the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences; Council of Textile and Fashion Industries of Australia; Design Institute of Australia; Engineers Australia; Good Design Australia; National Association for the Visual Arts; Planning Institute of Australia -Urban Design Chapter.

Architecture SMEs get a helping hand in the digital realm

High-speed broadband, cloud systems and online business tools are just some of the services that will be available to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the architecture and construction industry following an announcement by Senator Kate Lundy for the Australian Services Roundtable (ASR) today.

A $500,000 Australian Government grant has been provided to the ASR to develop a series of customised digital business kits to help services firms get online to drive productivity and find new markets, with architects, engineers and related building industry specialists benefitting in phase one of the project.

Speaking at the launch, Australian Institute of Architects’ CEO and ASR Director David Parken was pleased that the Institute was able to partner with ASR, the peak national body for services industry organisations, in the first round, which will be delivered over the first year in the five year program.

‘This is an important initiative for the architecture industry, with 90 per cent of Institute members working in SMEs. Another significant factor is the reliance of the industry on digital technology such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Integrated Project Teams.

‘BIM is a major game-changer for the construction industry, allowing streamlined information flow between collaborators. This reduces doubling up on modelling and documentation and is therefore integral to the advancement and efficiency of the sector.

‘BIM and the associated Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) techniques currently being pioneered and employed rely heavily on high-speed internet in the delivery of large files on a daily basis. This transfer of information is not only happening on local projects but also overseas, with many local architects undertaking projects in the Asian market, an area of significant financial growth.

‘Construction is a major contributor to the Australian economy with approximately $200 billion of annual activity across the residential, commercial, engineering and infrastructure sectors; therefore, having an efficient and productive design sector is integral,’ Mr Parken said.

The digital business kits will provide much needed support and advice tailored for smaller practices to boost workflow following the recent slowing of the industry.

Click here to see BRW‘s coverage of this announcement.