Author: lauraj

Pace of progress to improve building safety too slow for community comfort

The outcomes from Friday’s Building Minister’s Forum will fall short of community expectations when it comes to ensuring Australians’ safety, according to the Australian Institute of Architects.

National President Clare Cousins, who represented the architectural profession at the meeting, said the slow pace of progress on such a grave issue was of serious concern.

‘The blaze at Melbourne’s Neo200 earlier this week was a stark reminder of what’s at stake and the immediacy of the danger posed,’ Ms Cousins said.

‘Governments have an opportunity and responsibility, having identified the danger and risk posed by certain types of flammable cladding, to do something about it before any lives are lost.

‘Sadly it is an opportunity they appear to be squandering.

‘A full year since receiving the Shergold-Weir report, Building Confidence, all we have is a commitment to release a “joint implementation plan” addressing its recommendations by the end of this month.

‘The biggest milestone achieved today was an “in principle” agreement – subject to no less than five separate caveats – to a national ban on the unsafe use of combustible cladding in new construction.

‘This is unacceptable and fails even the most basic test of common sense. Prohibiting any further installation of such products, without any equivocation, should have been the starting point.

‘The Shergold-Weir report, Building Confidence, and the Senate Economics References Committee inquiry into non-conforming building products sets out a clear and sensible path to reform that has been backed by industry. There is no reason to continue to delay implementation any longer.

‘There is no room to prevaricate when lives are at stake, it is as simple as that.’

The Institute was supportive of proposed changes to the National Construction Code and the focus on ensuring compliance with it.

Measures to improve education to lift the competency of building practitioners were also welcome but should go further to properly address issues identified with product substitution.

The Institute has consistently advocated for reforms that would prevent non-registered and unqualified practitioners overturning product specifications and other decisions of qualified, registered professionals like architects.

Reform still needed to ensure building safety

The Australian Institute of Architects’ Victorian Chapter is calling for a heightened focus on reform in the wake of the Spencer Street apartment building fire overnight.

Chapter President Amy Muir said building quality and safety must be a priority for the government.

‘It is extremely fortunate that last night’s fire at the Neo200 apartment block did not result in any serious injury or loss of life, and for this we are thankful,’ Ms Muir said.

‘As investigations continue into the cause of the fire and whether non-conforming building products played a role, this incident serves to highlight once again the pre-eminent importance of quality and safety in our built environment.

‘Last year we saw both the Shergold-Weir report, Building Confidence, and the Senate Economics References Committee inquiry into non-conforming building products put forward recommendations for reform.

‘While the Victorian Government has put in place some changes since Lacrosse, much more remains to be done if the community is to have confidence that the building and construction industry is properly regulated and compliance is appropriately enforced.

‘With state, territory and Commonwealth building ministers meeting on Friday, this most recent incident should provide greater impetus for more urgent action.

‘We will continue to campaign for reform to ensure that the government prioritises the quality and safety of our built environment.

‘Likewise, we will continue to push for meaningful change to the building procurement process to ensure that cost alone is not the sole consideration, rather long-term safety and quality are counted as key determinants in the decision making process.

‘It is imperative that we are building cities for people – not for short term gain but rather to provide sustainable and quality living environments for our growing population.’

Institute National Advocacy: 2018 Summary

The Institute have been working to strengthen and improve our advocacy efforts to ensure we effectively communicate the value of architecture to the community and governments. We are promoting policies and strategies to raise design standards in our cities and towns, to position Australia as an international design leader and to make Australia a better place for us all.

Working directly with all levels of government, authorities and other industry groups has proven to be a constructive way to achieve better outcomes.

Building regulation

One of the biggest issues of the year for the built environment has been the Building Ministers Forum review of the building regulation compliance and enforcement system. The review was carried out by Peter Shergold and Bronwyn Weir. Discussions with the co-chair enabled us to raise a number of issues of concern to the profession including clarifying the role of architects. We also discussed the difficulties in regulating importation and sale of materials and products, tightening certification and testing regimes, problems with product substitution without consultation with the specifying architect. We raised the need for better regulation for design, documentation and specification, knowledge of codes and standards by all building practitioners, and regulation of all building practitioners, including project managers.

These issues have been addressed in the 24 recommendations in final report. We have been strong advocates for the implementation of the recommendations in their entirety and in a nationally consistent manner through interactions with the individual building ministers at a local level and when attending the Building Ministers Forum joint industry meeting. We will continue to pursue this in 2019.

National Construction Code and standards

The proposed changes to the National Construction Code (NCC) were released for public comment in 2018 and the Institute made a number of suggestions and comments. NCC 2019 will be available for public preview in February 2019 and will be adopted from 1 May 2019. Some of the key changes announced in 2018 from the 2016 edition are:
• Quantification
• Readability
• Fire safety
• Fire sprinklers in Class 2 & 3 buildings
• Bonded Laminate Concession
• Energy efficiency for commercial buildings
• Volume Two Acceptable Construction Practice
• Condensation management
• Roof-top spaces
• Accessible adult change facilities
• Plumbing

The Institute is represented on the Building Codes Committee of the Australian Building Codes Board. We also have representatives on the Standards Australia Council, and we have members involved in some standards committees.

Banking Royal Commission

The Institute joined forces with Architeam Cooperative and the Association of Consulting Architects Australia to provide a submission to the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry. The submission provided comments on the unfair treatment of industry standard construction contracts by banks, saying discriminatory behaviour towards architects and architect-administered contracts increase the risk to architects, consumers, builders and the banks themselves. It urged the Royal Commission to examine this issue with a view to making recommendations that improve the attitude of the banks towards architect-administered construction contracts; and cease the practice of forcing architects, consumers and builders to use construction contracts that create more risk to them and add to the overall project cost. We also met with the Australian Banking Association and will continue to liaise with them.

Iconic public buildings

The Institute has criticised plans to demolish the award-winning Anzac Hall unveiled by the Australian War Memorial. While fully supporting moves to honour and better tell the stories of Australia’s servicemen and women, the Institute expressed shock at the lack of consultation with the community, the Institute and the architectural moral rights holders of the existing structure. The Institute offered to work with the Federal Government and the Australian War Memorial’s management to find an acceptable alternative. We will continue to voice our opposition to the planned demolition.

The NSW Chapter voiced its support for Sydney Opera House chief executive Louise Herron in upholding the policy of her organisation and opposing the use of the sails of the World Heritage-listed building. The chapter expressed disappointment that the NSW Government had intervened and instructed the Opera House management to allow its sails to be lit up with commercially driven material.

State Elections

Three states held elections in 2018 and the Tasmanian, Victorian and South Australian chapters all producing policy positions ahead of the election and met with political parties. The SA Chapter concentrated on design quality and planning reform, industry participation and procurement, professionalism and public safety. The Tasmanian Chapter stated the case for high-quality urban design, public buildings, infrastructure and spaces to add value by stimulating the economy, as well as improving quality of life, and social, environmental and health outcomes in the community. The Victorian Chapter’s pre-election platform sought commitments from the parties in relation to four key issues: a strong office of the Victorian Government Architect (OVGA); improved procurement practises; better design standards; and more affordable housing.

Chapter highlights

Institute Chapters covered an amazing array of topics throughout the year. They have regular meetings with government ministers and public officials and respond to government enquiries and legislative proposals. The Institute is also represented on many government and industry committees, task forces and councils at a state and territory level, which allow us to ensure the voice of the profession is heard.

In 2018, the ACT Chapter had a focus on issues around housing diversity and densification, housing affordability, building construction quality, the development application system, the City and Gateway Draft Urban Design Framework, the ACT’s Climate Strategy to a Net Zero Emissions Territory and the Proposed Stage Two of the ACT Light Rail Project.

The Northern Territory Chapter has looked at a number of issues, including: changes to the current Development Application process, discussions on Darwin Ferry Planning, concerns around the 2015 Darwin CBD Master Plan and feedback on the Central Alice Springs Area Plan.

Some highlights for the NSW Chapter Greater Sydney Commission Draft Region and District Plans, the Sydney Modern DA, the outcome of Heritage Council Decision on Robb College at the University of New England, comments on the draft Sirius Site SEPP submission and feedback on the Draft Government Architect’s Design Excellence Competition Guidelines.

The Queensland Chapter continues to build upon the strong relationships with the Department of Housing and Public Works and the Department of Infrastructure and Planning. Amongst other activities, the Chapter has had input into Brisbane City Council City Planning and has called on government to examine the need for standards and guidelines for apartments, similar to those in New South Wales and Victoria.

The Tasmanian Chapter has been a hive of activity, providing feedback on the overhaul of the state’s planning laws, commenting on the emergency housing summit and providing feedback on the Hospitality and Heritage Tourism Discussion Paper to name a few.

Some highlights of activity for the Victorian Chapter include responding to the draft Fishermans Bend Framework, co-hosting a sold-out debate on the flagship store at Federation Square and discussions on a review of the current urban design policies that will apply to the central city and Southbank.

The Western Australian Chapter has raised concerns about the workforce participation rate of female architects, welcomed a WA Government proposal to establish a new approach to infrastructure planning and decision making through Infrastructure WA and commented on a government green paper, Modernising Western Australia’s Planning System.

The South Australian Chapter has provided ongoing feedback to the State Planning Commission to assist implementation of SA’s new planning and development system due for implementation in 2020. The Chapter continues to collaborate with industry bodies and has provided submissions to a State Productivity Commission inquiry into government procurement and continued negotiations with DPTI on proposed contract review changes (AS 4122).

Welcome Julia Cambage

Image: John O’Rourke

Julia Cambage understands how someone’s life can improve because of the built environment and the opportunities it can bring.

The new chief executive officer of the Australian Institute of Architects comes to the role having run a social enterprise that created innovative housing and property solutions while giving disadvantaged young people a chance.

‘I’m very interested in the built environment,’ she says.

‘The work I have done as CEO of TRY Australia around disadvantage has made it even more important to me – the built environment is so significant in creating great spaces for people to actually live, work and play.’

Ms Cambage joins the Institute at a time of transition and growth.

As the Institute’s vision to strengthen the architectural profession and to promote the public interest through exceptional design with an ethical approach continues to roll out, Ms Cambage says she will bring the strategic skills, entrepreneurial energy and collaborative approach to ensure architects become a leading voice for progress across Australia.

‘It’s about uniting our voice and ensuring we’re able as an Institute to communicate our message very articulately and clearly to our target market,’ she says.

‘It will ultimately unite the architectural sector and allied professions across the built environment so we’re not standing alone. So we’re united as a group with others who have vested interests in making sure we’re doing good things for our communities.

‘The ultimate goal is to improve the lives of many through the built environment, through establishing and enabling an environment that is high quality. The only way you can do that is through collaboration and engagement – this is for everyone, and not just for some.’

Ms Cambage’s work history spans the not for profit sector, procurement and hospitality, but Ms Cambage says all the roles are linked through a single theme – a strategic approach.

Until recently she led the youth-focused not-for-profit TRY Australia, a multifaceted social enterprise with 450 staff and a turnover of $35m annually.

In the six years she ran the charity, one of her key initiatives was TRY Build, a for-purpose business where young people at risk of disengagement gained construction and business skills by repurposing shipping containers for housing and industry.

‘TRY Uncontained and TRY Build were a part of my vision for the organisation, projects I developed and drove to where they are now,’ she says.

‘Across all my roles I have been able to draw the threads together and create businesses that are sustainable. I have been very strategic in the way I went about it, understanding complex relationships, drawing in partners and building a collegiate team across cultural barriers and divides in some instances.’

From 2004 to 2012 she was the chief of Australia’s largest procurement company, Procurement Australia, where she oversaw more than $1 billion in goods and services; before that she ran Family Business Australia.

Last year she undertook a course in Performance Measurement for Effective Management for Nonprofit Organisations at Harvard Business School – ‘an awesome experience’ – following on from postgraduate studies in entrepreneurship at Swinburne University of Technology.

Ms Cambage says she is looking forward to leading in this national role and building an Institute that is ready and willing to be prominent in nation-leading issues.

‘The role of architects in the built environment is going to become more important as we look at the situation the world finds itself in – around a whole range of different man-made impacts that are going to play out in the future,’ she says.

‘Architects can play a pivotal role in finding solutions to some of those issues.’

Melbourne-based, Ms Cambage enjoys ‘all the normal things’: walking her pet dog around her Mount Eliza community on the Mornington Peninsula, reading and getting out on the water in her partner Rod’s sailboat.

This takes a back seat, however, to watching her superstar daughter, basketball centre Liz Cambage, play in the US WNBL for the Dallas Wings, or as an Australian representative in the Opals.

‘I watch a lot of basketball – a lot of basketball,’ she says, laughing. ‘I’ve been to a lot of basketball all over the world. I’m lucky enough to have great mates doing this as well.’

As she steps into the Institute’s chief executive officer role, Ms Cambage says she is focused, calm and clear with colleagues.

‘I have very much a nothing-up-my-sleeve approach to business with people,’ she says. ‘I’m very calm and collected.’

2019 Member Election results

The Institute is excited to announce the recently elected members to Chapter and National Councils, International Chapter Chair and NSW, SA, Tas & WA Chapter Presidents. Congratulations to our new Council members and thank you to our outgoing members for their important contributions in 2018.

NATIONAL COUNCIL

Congratulations to the Institute’s Nationally-Elected National Councillors who represent the whole membership on National Council.

Alice Hampson (Qld) – Nationally-Elected Councillor
Angelo Candalepas (NSW) – Nationally-Elected Councillor
Tony Giannone – SA Chapter President
Shamus Mulcahy – Tas Chapter President
Peter Hobbs – WA Chapter President
Samantha Cotterell – International Chapter Chair
Kathlyn Loseby (Nominee) – NSW Chapter President

ACT

2019 elected ACT Chapter Council members:

Sander Remco de Vries – Chapter Councillor
Shannon Battisson – Chapter Councillor
Jack Shimada – Chapter Councillor
Kamal Kopparapu – Chapter Councillor
Scott Hodgson – Chapter Councillor

We would also like to thank outgoing Chapter Council members for their valued time and contribution to the ACT Chapter:

Alastair MacCallum
Will Gardner

NSW

2019 elected NSW Chapter Council members:

Sam Crawford – Chapter Councillor
Callantha Brigham – Chapter Councillor
Jenna Rowe – Chapter Councillor
Duncan Sanby – Chapter Councillor
Michael Morony – Chapter Councillor

Nominee
Kathlyn Loseby – NSW Chapter President

We would also like to thank outgoing Chapter Council members for their valued time and contribution to the NSW Chapter:

Jacqueline Connor
Monica Edwards
Michael Tawa

NORTHERN TERRITORY

2018 elected NT Chapter Council members:

Steve Huntingford – Chapter Councillor
Rebecca Adams – Chapter Councillor
Joanna Rees – Chapter Councillor
Jessica Edwards – Chapter Councillor

In accordance with the Constitution, Chapter Council will nominate and appoint a fifth Chapter Councillor for the 2019-2021 term.

We would also like to thank outgoing Chapter Council members for their valued time and contribution to the NT Chapter:

Robert Foote

QUEENSLAND

2019 elected Queensland Chapter Council members:

Adrian Just – Chapter Councillor
Lindy Atkin – Chapter Councillor
Leah Gallagher – Chapter Councillor
Rosemary Kennedy – Chapter Councillor
Penelope Campbell – Chapter Councillor

We would also like to thank outgoing Chapter Council members for their valued time and contribution to the Queensland Chapter:

Anthony Jemmott
Andrew Wilson

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

2019 elected SA Chapter Council members:

Tony Giannone – SA Chapter Presdient
Josephine Evans – Chapter Councillor
Michael Hegarty – Chapter Councillor
Teo Verbi – Chapter Councillor
Adrian Reveruzzi – Chapter Councillor
Simon Best – Chapter Councillor

We would also like to thank outgoing Chapter Council members for their valued time and contribution to the SA Chapter:

Sarah Paddick
David Burton
Enzo Caroscio
David Homburg

TASMANIA

2019 elected Tasmanian Chapter Council members:

Shamus Mulcahy – Tas Chapter President
Emily Ouston – Chapter Councillor
Dik Jarman – Chapter Councillor
Daniel Lane – Chapter Councillor
Richard Crawford – Chapter Councillor
Carly McMahon – Chapter Councillor

We would also like to thank outgoing Chapter Council members for their valued time and contribution to the Tasmanian Chapter:

Andrew Williamson
Shane Cox
Simone James

VICTORIA

2019 elected Victorian Chapter Council members:

Michael Macleod – Chapter Councillor
Tim Leslie – Chapter Councillor
Catherine Duggan – Chapter Councillor
Monique Woodward – Chapter Councillor
Kim Irons – Chapter Councillor

We would also like to thank outgoing Chapter Council members for their valued time and contribution to the Victorian Chapter:

Karen Alcock
Matt Gibson
Robert Goodliffe

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

2019 elected WA Chapter Council members:

Peter Hobbs – WA Chapter Chapter
Sandy Anghie – Chapter Councillor
Beata Davey – Chapter Councillor
Tanya Jones – Chapter Councillor
Samuel Klopper – Chapter Councillor
Mandy Leung – Chapter Councillor

We would also like to thank outgoing Chapter Council members for their valued time and contribution to the WA Chapter:

Ben Caine
Paul Edwards
Lara Mackintosh
Robert Slavicek

INTERNATIONAL CHAPTER COMMITTEE

2019 elected International Chapter Council members:

Samantha Cotterell – International Chapter Chair
David Teh – Chapter Councillor
Bob Nation – Chapter Councillor
Natalie Ward – Chapter Councillor
Janine Campbell – Chapter Councillor
Peter O’Brien – Chapter Councillor

We would also like to thank outgoing International Chapter members for their valued time and contribution to the International Chapter:

Paul Logsdon
Fiona Nixon

From the National President

Clare Cousins

21 Jan 2019

A warm welcome back to all of our valued members as we launch into 2019 and an ambitious program for the year ahead.

Leadership

Our first order of business, after a specialist national search, was the appointment of Julia Cambage as the Institute’s Chief Executive Officer. With more than two decades of CEO experience, a strong entrepreneurial nature and outstanding commercial acumen, Julia will further enhance the Institute’s capacity to deliver even more for members, be it on the advocacy, events or professional development front. And as we move into the second year of implementing our strategy, there is a comprehensive program of work underway on each.

Advocacy

With elections fast approaching in NSW and federally, the strength of our advocacy continues to grow as we tackle critical issues of concern not only to the profession but also, the broader community.

Building safety and the adequacy of Australia’s regulatory environment when it comes to the built form are once again in the spotlight with Opal Tower in Sydney’s West continuing to dominate headlines and disrupt the lives of residents.

Next month marks a full year since our nation’s state, territory and Commonwealth building ministers were handed the Shergold-Weir report, Building Confidence, and its recommendations for reform. We have been vocal in our support for the much-needed improvements to the National Construction Code – and compliance with it – together with the other measures.

Disappointingly, there has been slow and meagre progress by governments in heeding the call for action. While investigations continue into the specifics of the issues at Opal Tower, what is clear is the urgent need for governments to pick up the pace of reform.

Next month we will be hosting a breakfast briefing for MPs and Senators at Parliament House in Canberra to ensure policies around housing affordability and the design of our cities are front and centre ahead of this year’s early Budget and the election campaign commencing.

The integrity of the competitions process and the need to champion and protect our public architecture remain priorities with further activities being planned for the #handsoffAnzacHall campaign. If you haven’t signed up to show you support yet, you can do so here.

Conference
The campaign is just one of many ways that architects can be activists, agents of change, which is the concept at the heart of this year’s National Conference. Collective Agency, which will be held from 20 to 22 June in Melbourne promises to be a powerful gathering full of passion with offerings for practices both large and small. Creative Curators Monique Woodward of WOWOWA and Stephen Choi of the Living Future Institute of Australia are hard at work on a program and line up of speakers that will be sure to impress so stay tuned for updates in the coming months and get in early with your registration.

Awards
A highlight of the calendar each year is our prestigious National Architecture Awards program with entries for the Regional and Chapter Awards now open. Key dates are published online so don’t miss your chance to celebrate excellence and all that is exceptional across the profession.

Digital transformation
A key pillar of the Institute’s strategy was a far-reaching transformation of the Institute’s digital systems, designed to build capacity and significantly enhance members’ online experience. The initial stages of this project have already been delivered, including the redeveloped Acumen Practice Notes, and we are advancing the new website project. This will also be a valuable tool to better promote the profession.

Renewals
A quick reminder that membership renewals are now due. If you haven’t already done so make sure you renew before 1 Feb to ensure you don’t lose access to your benefits. To support our next generation of practitioners and design professionals, we’re pleased to be able to offer our student members annual SONA membership for an affordable $30. As an exciting new addition for 2019 we have also opened up eligibility to students in an architecture related course (such as landscape architecture, engineering, planning, interior design, urban design or environmental design) in Australia.

Wishing you all the best for a wonderful year ahead.

Clare Cousins
National President

Institute welcomes new CEO

Image: John O’Rourke

The Australian Institute of Architects has today announced the appointment of Julia Cambage to the position of Chief Executive Officer for the architecture profession’s peak body.

Ms Cambage joins the Institute, which represents more than 11,000 members in Australia and overseas, with over 20 years of CEO experience. Most recently, she was CEO for TRY Australia – an innovative youth charity and mentoring organisation employing over 400 staff and 200 volunteers across Australia with a $30 million turnover.

Welcoming Ms Cambage to the Institute, National President, Clare Cousins reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to developing a strong architectural profession and position as the public voice for architecture.

‘The Institute is firmly in an era of transformation and Ms Cambage’s entrepreneurial nature coupled with extensive experience and commercial acumen provide the perfect fit for the organisation and the profession as we continue on this exciting trajectory,’ Ms Cousins said.

Ms Cambage has previously held top level positions at national not-for-profits Procurement Australia and Family Business Australia, developing and implementing sustainable programs to achieve strategic growth.

‘I believe innovation aligned with speed, flexibility and agility adds to success, and this is a philosophy that I am excited to explore within the architecture community and across the built environment,’ Ms Cambage said.

‘Our society, our communities and the architecture profession are rapidly changing and with this comes the opportunity to challenge the status quo and strengthen our ties within the building and construction industry to effect meaningful change across the sector for the safety and benefit of our communities.’

During her six-year tenure as CEO at TRY Australia, Ms Cambage was instrumental in the development and implementation of a range of sustainable enterprises including TRY Uncontained, a progressive social business converting shipping containers into affordable, small footprint housing. The program was supported by property maintenance, furniture production and labour hire, providing training and employment for some of our most vulnerable. The initiative was recently recognised at the Social Enterprise World Forum in Edinburgh as a true game changer.

Ms Cambage commences on Monday 4 February and will be based at the Institute’s Melbourne offices at 41 Exhibition Street.

From the National President

Clare Cousins

10 Dec 2018

In my final message to you for 2018, I’d like to thank all our members for your support throughout what has been a tremendously busy and productive year. Your involvement, whether through committees, completing our surveys or participating in awards and other events strengthens the Institute immeasurably. It enables us to be a stronger advocate for you and your practices. I would also like to thank all staff for their hard work and commitment to our organisation to deliver the Strategic Plan.

There are many memorable things to mention in recapping 2018, from the festivities of the Venice Biennale to the re-launch of Acumen Practice Notes and the passionate defence we mounted to protect the integrity of our public architecture – be it the Sydney Opera House or the War Memorial’s Anzac Hall.

These campaigns and others on cladding, housing affordability, competitions and many more that impact the daily practice of our profession are centred on the value architects bring to our communities and the built environment.

And while the festive season is fast approaching, there is still a lot of work underway at the Institute that I would like to provide an update on before the Christmas break.

New Environment category for Acumen

Following the successful re-launch of our Acumen Practice Notes earlier in the year, I’m pleased to announce that from next week the platform will house our Environment Design Guide under the new category, Environment – containing over 175 peer-reviewed design notes on built environment sustainability. Acumen Practice Notes will be a one-stop online architectural resource for our members.

Anzac Hall campaign update

We have received tremendous support from the community and members for our #HandsoffAnzacHall campaign. The strength of the community’s opposition to announced plans to demolish this award-winning, and relatively young, building has been clear. The proposal still needs to be approved by the National Capital Authority (NCA) amongst other hurdles and we will maintain pressure on government and the Australian War Memorial’s management to reconsider their plans. We’ve had initial meetings with both parties and will organise a series of community events to kick off 2019.

2019 National Conference

On behalf of the Institute and members, I extend our congratulations to Monique Woodward and Stephen Choi for their appointment as Creative Curators for the 2019 National Architecture Conference in Melbourne, which will be held from 20 to 22 June. They are preparing an inspiring and thought-provoking program under the theme Collective Agency, that will celebrate projects from small, medium and large practices inside and outside of architecture. Tickets will go on sale early next year and we look forward to announcing the speaker line-up and program soon. Expressions of interest are also now open for the role of Creative Curator for the 2020 Conference so make sure to visit the website for details.

Finally, I would like to wish you all a safe and happy holiday season. I’m looking forward to a productive 2019.

Clare Cousins
National President

From the Vic Executive Director

3 December 2018

Just when you think it is safe to start picturing yourselves beside a beach or pool somewhere, stand by for an email announcing the opening of the entries for the 2019 Awards! I kid you not.

2019 Awards

One key change – Heritage category
One Victorian-specific key change to note for 2019 is that the Heritage category will now be split into ‘Conservation’ and ‘Creative Adaptation’ sub-categories. Heritage entrants will select the sub-category for their project and Commendations and Architecture Awards will be awarded for each. There will still only be one John George Knight Award for Heritage, selected from all Heritage entries.

Are there any other changes?
In addition to the Heritage category there is only one other change. Projects are to self-nominate for the Sustainability and Colorbond categories.

How old can a project be to be entered in the Awards?
There is technically no limit. As long as the project is completed by 31 December 2018, the project can be entered in the 2019 awards.

A new location for the Presentation to Juries
After three wonderful years at the Melbourne School of Design, we are pleased to announce that we have a new location for our 2019 jury presentations. On the Saturday, all presentations will be held at the award-winning Learning and Teaching Building – Monash University Clayton Campus which will provide a great opportunity for the public to experience this multi-faculty 29,000 square metre facility.

Member Elections
A reminder that voting is now open for Vic Chapter Councillors and National Councillors. You have until 2pm Thursday 20 December 2018 to confirm who you would like to represent your Chapter Council for 2019.

Vic Team News

The people have spoken, and the Institute has succumbed to the pressure to join ArchiSoccer – Melbourne’s Architecture soccer league. If you don’t know about the league, it is a 6-a-side mixed league played between 50 of Melbourne’s leading architectural practices and very enthusiastically supported by a team from their professional body. We played our first game last week and while it was a somewhat slow start, we have already fashioned our team theme song “The only way is up”, courtesy of that talented 80s band Yazz.

For those that get the urge to support, the magic happens at Ross Straw Field at Royal Park on a Tuesday from 6pm. All welcome.

New team member for the Chapter
Next Monday, Caitlin Sinclair joins the Vic team as our Administrative Assistant. Caitlin joins us from a two-year stint working for Eckersley Garden Architecture overseeing the admin and marketing operations for the business. Caitlin has a passion for architecture which combined with her office management background will ensure she is a welcome addition to our team.

Best wishes for the run-up to Xmas,
Ruth White

From the ACT Chapter President

Anzac Hall

The local architecture community was deeply shocked when news first broke of plans to demolish Anzac Hall. Surely, this was a mistake, as there had been limited consultation with the community and no consultation with the moral rights holders – the architects who designed the award-winning building – nor with the Australian Institute of Architects. Less than a week later, these reports were substantiated with the announcement of close to a half-billion-dollar redevelopment including demolition of Anzac Hall.

Further, it was revealed that work on these redevelopment plans had been secretly underway since 2015. Surely such a development within the public realm requires large scale community and stakeholder consultation? This process of conducting planning behind closed doors requires scrutiny. Perhaps this secrecy was connected to the potential for community backlash against the wasteful demolition of an award-winning building 17 years young which holds the memories of Australians who served our nation.

It should come as no surprise then that we at the Australian Institute of Architects have voiced such strong opposition to the plans that have finally been made public. While welcoming efforts to further honour the stories of Australia’s servicemen and women, we are at a loss as to why alternatives that allowed for the preservation of Anzac Hall as part of the redevelopment plan were not further explored. And alternatives there were.

At a recent meeting with Australian War Memorial Director, Dr Nelson, he confirmed that 18 different options had been put forward for consideration, 17 of which did not involve the demolition of Anzac Hall. This clearly begs the question as to why the one option that involved the demolition of the existing building was the one selected. We struggle to understand how this decision came about, the due process that should have been followed, and ultimately, who agreed to the proposed demolition.

The Australian War Memorial is a place of exceptional national significance. We accept that the institution needs to evolve over time and requires renewal to accommodate new functional requirements. However, needlessly obliterating Anzac Hall, a fit-for-purpose, award-winning, multi-million-dollar building is a colossal waste and mark of disrespect.

These sentiments have been echoed across the community.

Yet Dr Nelson told media he was ‘unapologetic’. ‘By the time it goes down,’ he said, ‘we will have had 19 wonderful years out of it’. This is spin of the highest order. Since when have public buildings become disposable? In building terms, Anzac Hall is in its infancy as our public architecture is designed and built to last 50 to 100 years or more.

Denton Corker Marshall (DCM) of Melbourne, one of Australia’s most innovative and respected architectural firms, designed Anzac Hall. Having previously designed the Memorial’s office building to the west of the main building, they knew intimately the challenges facing them when they were asked to design the Hall. Their design response was an exceptionally creative one, guided by the Memorial Director and staff, with a thorough and carefully considered conservation management plan, and respected conservation architects.

The completed hall with its great sweeping metal roof, so beautifully evoking the wings of a plane, sits deftly in front of, but not obscuring, the Memorial’s northern façade. A more sensitive design is hard to imagine. The interior is finely crafted, and the grand spatial qualities are seemingly limitless and large enough to suitably display the largest of Australia’s wartime heritage. So impressed was the respected jury of the Australian Institute of Architects’ National Architecture Awards that it awarded the building with its highest national honour, the Sir Zelman Cowen Award for Public Architecture in 2005.

Perhaps the real problem is that DCM executed their brief too well. As it stands, the building is (appropriately) understated, and contrasts with the grandiose vision portrayed in the recently unveiled plans. If grandeur and greater volume is what is desired, there are countless examples around Australia and the world of how expansion can be achieved in a way that preserves the integrity of existing site of the Australian War Memorial and its heritage components.

We therefore welcome open public conversation with the Australian War Memorial, the Government, government agencies, community, architects, planners and the media, with respect to the options for redevelopment of the Australian War Memorial that do not involve the unnecessary and wasteful demolition of Anzac Hall.

The Australian War Memorial must reflect the wishes of the community in whose heart it holds a special place. Our ‘Hands off Anzac Hall’ campaign has only just begun and we won’t give up until other voices in the debate over the Australian War Memorial’s future are heard. Visit our newly launched campaign website here.

Philip Leeson
ACT Chapter President
Australian Institute of Architects