Author: vthamm

Day 3 – Design-to-Production

April 3, 2019

Erlenbach, Switzerland

Fabian Scheurer | Managing Partner at Design-to-Production

–

Today I sat down with Fabian Scheurer of Design-to-Production; a consultancy practice enabling non-standard architectural projects of high complexity to take flight. We had a coffee and discussed the groundbreaking work unfolding at the headquarters in Erlenbach, Switzerland and of the current industry climate. It was loads of fun!

Design-to-Production was founded in 2007 by Fabian Scheurer and Arnold Walz.Together, the IT specialist and the architect soon realised that each of them was active, one at the beginning and one at the end, in the same digital process chain, but that, between these extremes, many links were missing. So they became the first to offer Production-oriented data modelling as an independent service. In 2009 Hanno Stehling joined the team, and then, two years later, Johannes Kuhnen.
The firm, based in a former textile factory in Erlenbach near Zürich as well as in Stuttgart, has enabled over 35 ground-breaking projects to date – cooperating with such renowned architects and architectural offices as SANAA, UN Studio, Zaha Hadid, Shigeru Ban, and Renzo Piano.
– Design-to-Production

Design-to-Production is a service provider, a business structure defined not as designers or fabricators but instead working as that critical glue in between. The majority of project work undertaken by Design-to-Production are for the last links in the delivery chain, predominately working for and engaged by the contractor.

This creates challenges when attempting to radically shift the way architecture is fostered. It is a focus of Fabian’s to identify early on which projects will result in digital fabrication to enable them to collaborate with the design teams from the beginning. This collaboration enables the educating of project participants on the required outputs that in turn allow for lean production.

Architects traditionally have been training themselves to deal with the in-situ building side of the process without having a requirement to think about the prefabrication side of opportunities. Fabian proposed that there needs to be a discussion on how to build the design models for a proper implementation without remodelling down the consultant-line. There needs to be need to be a discussion about quality management of models involving checking along the way. Not just collision detection but data quality. Are there modelled windows missing the identifying information? And that method of quality control needs to be investigated collaboratively with all industry participants. For digital fabrication, it’s not about geometric modelling being the output, it is the embedded data behind each of those geometry pieces. What are they, where are they, are there common-naming systems?

This is in some way a remnant of the historical approach to architecture, from the not too distant past where pen and paper defined the construction documents. There was no need to embed further data into those lines which continues on today. So the emphasis is still being put in to the geometry of the model rather than the underlying meta data that is actually helpful for construction.

However what is typically being handed to contractors consists of “way to much information and way too little quality” which leads to the throwing away of received models and rebuilding with the information needed.

The work that design-to-fabrication engages with is slowly changing this paradigm. The developments and service provided to specific sets of projects is enabling the full-scale off site pre-fabrication of architecture, particularly in timber. And that’s what I resonated the most with with Design-to-Production’s ethos. They describe their role as to challenge what the construction industry has been doing for years, “abandoning the old, well-worn paths” to discover better contemporary methods to deliver good work.

On a traditional site, it is harder to maintain quality controlled processes. But the digital fabrication approach that is being pursued enables lean production; cutting out waste whilst ensuring quality.

The big issue with that is not the technical interface of delivery – the engineering problem behind construction digital fabrication systems is relatively achievable – its the ability to convince people to change their method of work. But there are huge gains in terms of speed, time and productivity that are possible on that horizon.

So what is exciting Fabian now and for the future? What excites him is that they are currently reinventing Design-to-Production to cater to right-angles. Prefabrication in a digital workflow for rectangular buildings will allow for the wider adoption and benefits of this enhanced approach to design and construction, and perhaps even bolster the abilities of lean production.

It is a testament to the value of the digital fabrication process. It’s not just about enabling the creation organic forms – which the company certainly has helped deliver over the past 15 years – it is about creating a better way to create architecture and remove the financial and complexity burden that bespoke design elements bring.

To read more about Design-to-Production and see their portfolio of projects you can check out their rad website here.

Day 2 – Therme Vals

April 2, 2019

Zurich + Vals, Switzerland

–

It was an early morning start to get on top of some work ahead of a three hour journey through the Swiss Alps. I grabbed two cheap and dirty sandwiches from the Coop supermarket across the road from my cosy AirBnB (coincidently hosted by an architect-turned-philosopher) and headed towards Wiedikon Station.

The intercity train from Zurich HB ran a scenic length along Lake Zurich, the towering and awe-striking presence of the mountains approached at each minute in transit. I was joined by a young, camo-donning army squadron, laughing, snoozing, and anime-watching throughout the train ride. The destination ahead was Chur, and a change to the second train towards Ilanz was required. The ride towards Ilanz was more mountainous. The leading cart of the train making its appearance through my passenger window as it winded around the steep yet contoured topography.

Bridges.

Rivers.

Decaying and dusty cliff faces, more reminiscent of pale skulls that had grown old overlooking the natural alpine beauty.

I don’t know why this post has edged towards a poor attempt at poetry? It must be the contemplation of today’s poetic architectural destination influencing my typing; Peter Zumthor’s iconic Therme Vals.

I was first introduced to this project during a Design Studio 02 lecture in the early days of my bachelor degree. The project was completed in 1996 by the Swiss Architect and houses a series of thermal baths supplied and heated by the local St. Peter’s mountain spring. The timeless nature of this project – one that Zumthor worked to create a cavernous, secluded space that’s contextually integrated – had to be experienced in person.

The thermal baths are a magnificent, internationally acclaimed architectural masterpiece created by Peter Zumthor. Made from 60,000 slabs of Vals quartzite, the thermal baths were classified as a listed building shortly after completion.
– 7132 Therme

I arrived a little after midday to the quiet and snow-cover town of Vals. A truely beautiful place. A single street, a post office and a few old houses. Therme Vals perched high on the mountain face overlooking this important context. It became apparent quickly that no matter how impressive this piece of architecture appears through photography and design blogs, it is far more profound in its stature when experienced first hand and in connection with its locality. The building’s materiality is local, and it is composed in a way to frame and focus the various aspect out to the surrounding town.

I could float in the series of temperature varying thermal baths (from 15°C to 42°C) for eternity. And I almost did. But 6 hours in and the last bus home pending I transported myself out of paradise and towards another – Zurich for an evening of Ramen.

Go there. Vals and Miki Ramen. Hours apart, but worth every bit of the pilgrimage.

Day 1 – ETH Zurich/ Block Group

April 1. 2019
Zurich, Switzerland

Philippe Block | Block Research Group, Institute of Technology in Architecture, ETH Zurich

–

Straight off the plane and 26 hours since departing Adelaide, I land in Switzerland and jump in an Uber direct to the Institute of Technology in Architecture (and best vista of the lake-side city) at ETH Zurich. One of the greatest moments in the lead up and planning of this travelling fellowship was the willingness of new faces and experts in their respective fields to respond to ‘cold-call’ emails and accept the invitation to chat. Today is an exemplar example of that.

I reached out Philippe Block of ETH Zurich’s Block Research Group after learning about his faculty’s research and application of ideas throughout Europe. He is a leader in the field of geometrically-optimised structures, a focus which is informed by his background in both the architectural and engineering disciplines. In 2016 his research group’s works was demonstrated via a large-scale installation at the Venice Biennale, a project that proved the capabilities of blending modular computational fabrication and specialist masons in achieving a self-supporting shell structure of interlocking parts. I was lucky enough to catch a glimpse at the various evolving scales of prototypes on show at BRG’s facility that lead to the full-scale realisation of a new approach to design.

My discussion with Philippe centred around this idea of new. How do you champion truely new approaches to design, architecture, engineering and material systems. What are the challenges? What are the limitations?

Firstly, our chat was prefaced with a quote from Bill and Melinda Gates’ 2019 Annual Letter where they describe one of the biggest surprises from 2018;

As the urban population continues to grow in the coming decades, the world’s building stock is expected to double by 2060—the equivalent of adding another New York City monthly between now and then. That’s a lot of cement and steel. We need to find a way to make it all without worsening climate change.

The work that BRG is exploring looks to rethink the way we construct in order to cater for this increased material demand. The array of recent projects investigate methods to minimise material consumption while retaining the structural integrities the former, heavier approaches provide. As a one-two-punch of sorts, not only are BRG utilising geometries to reduce material input, but for projects like their in-progress NEST HiLo Unit the research group is custom-knitting concrete formwork out of fabric-thread, reducing the waste and trade and time-heavy properties of timber formwork. That’s amazing! Philippe emphasises this by showing me part of the knitted formwork used in their early prototypes – a knitted object that is digitally manufactured on their in-house weaving machine, folded down and transported to site in a suitcase, and constructed on site by two tradesmen.

By making the physical components of buildings leaner via the process of computational optimisation and fabrication, the benefits to reducing the built-environment’s impact on resource consumption are obvious.

I was later taken on a tour through the impressive dedicated facility that is enabling the experimentation of these concepts. Research labs, break-out spaces, 3D and knitted printers, and the main show stopper; a 70-metre-long fabrication space. The space allows both Block Research Group and Digital Building Technologies to continually test the capabilities of their findings, and physically produce solutions and applications that can directly improve established built environment systems of construction – like this sculptural concrete slab utilising self-supporting geometries with minimal material input!

Big thank you to Philippe for fitting me into to his busy schedule and for providing me with the inspirational kick-start to this 7-week trip:

Take the risks, do it well, and do it right.

Lead by evidence.

Prove by competence.

From the SA Chapter Executive Director – April 2019

15 April 2019

The Festival of Architecture and Design returns 19 – 21 July 2019 and will focus on IDEAS OF HOME. During FAD we invite the profession and the public to engage in exploration of a broad range of aspects of what makes a home, what this means to us as designers and how this translates to value for residents and the broader community.

Issues and responses specific to South Australia will be the focus for events including the Anniversary Trio, which showcases notable SA Practices Woods Bagot, who are celebrating 150 years, Swanbury Penglase and tectvs, both 30. All three practices have delivered housing projects over an extended period and within specialist contexts – aged care, assisted housing, multi-residential and mixed use. We are looking forward to a stimulating discussion regarding their design philosophy, evolution over time and key projects.

Local perspectives from alternative viewpoints will be provided through events including The Soapbox Debate, curated by recent graduates, and the 15@Home event, where a diverse group of speakers will provide a snapshot into their perception of home. Various tours will also encourage participants to consider housing from varying perspectives and to consider how we approach particular housing models within an Adelaide context.

An external viewpoint will be provided by two exciting keynote speakers. Koos de Keijzer, principal at DKO Architecture, has an established reputation as a leader in residential design and for strategic exploration of housing typologies, both through practice and as a member of the Victorian Government’s Design Review Panel. With expertise in architecture and urban design, Koos is respected for his ability to innovate, his commitment to design that enriches residential lifestyle and his contextual approach that fosters community and celebrates character.

Eve by DKO Architecture. Photographer Brett Boardman

David Barr Architects has practices in Western Australia and the ACT. In addition to a portfolio of highly resolved residential projects, DBA is also active in multi-residential design. This includes constructed projects, competitions and policy development for the WA government. Their Gen-Y – Step House received WA and National awards for Sustainability and a WA award for Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing.

Gen y – Step House by David Barr Architects; Photographer: Rob Firth

Housing has always been a topic for debate within public and political forums and as an aspect of architectural discourse. It is at once a ‘simple’ aspect of architectural practice – the subject of student projects and core fodder for emerging architecture practices – and a wicked problem encompassing social equity, economic, regulatory, cultural and environmental issues. We look forward to fostering this ongoing discourse and to promoting thoughtful and innovative housing outcomes at a time of considerable change in the residential sector.

Nicolette Di Lernia
SA Chapter Executive Director

Introduction #JHMTF 19

31 March 2019

Hi!

In February of 2019 I was announced as the Australian Institute of Architects’ recipient of the Jack Hobbs McConnell Travelling Fellowship.

The fellowship was established following a bequest of the late South Australian modernist architect Jack Hobbs McConnell and is awarded each year to a promising designer, who might ultimately practise in South Australia, to undertake an independent and international research endeavour within the field of architecture.

During April and May I will be continuing my exploration into the theme of Future Practice, investigating how emerging digital applications of computation, fabrication and feedback loops are empowering cross-disciplinary designers and architects throughout Europe and North America, and their contribution towards a circular economy.

The outcome of my visits in each city – and for the seven-week long travelling fellowship – is anchored around fostering new and dynamic collaborative relationships between designers, architects, fabricators, and end users. Relationships that strengthen purposeful design and creation of truly sustainable futures.

I’ll be sharing via instagram at @toddslo p and the hashtag #jhmtf19 – you can also check back here for further updates throughout the journey.

Todd Hislop

From the SA Chapter President

1 April 2019

Last week I was privileged to facilitate a far reaching breakfast conversation with the future of our profession, bringing together representatives of our Student Network (SONA) and Emerging Architects + Graduates Network (EmAGN), our heads of the Architecture Schools, a few graduate and soon to be registered architects to listen to their concerns, issues of relevance and to where they believe the Profession is heading.

In the practice of the everyday we tend to lose sight of where we are, of what has been and of where are we going. As in many aspects of business and indeed life, we can sometimes be belligerent in our manner if the views do not accord with our own.

Organisational and membership policies are generally framed by senior and executive members to reflect what they believe is the future direction, guided primarily by the way we currently do things. In a rapidly changing mode of practice guided by visualisation technology, instant response, environmental and sustainable social values if we are to maintain relevance, then perhaps we need time to pause and listen to our future.

Sometimes the voice of the emerging is seen as token, contributing “correctly” to the diversity of the committee structure, but my experience suggests that sometimes their voice gets lost or is seen as adjunct rather than contributory to framing future policy. This can lead students and graduates to turn to or form their own structures of support rather than being part of the evolution of the Profession.

In a far-reaching conversation having regard to University programs, workplace and practice, the following commentary was noted as a sample:

– connecting to a mentor over the University period is seen as an invaluable resource

– concern that graduates are not workplace ready, perhaps a format for a transition year that bridges the gap

– a more diverse curriculum to reflect the changing role in graduates not exclusive to the practice of architecture

– low paid graduate salaries in comparison to other professions

– concern about the hours expected to be put in and the impact on this having regard to health and family life

– challenges facing gender in architecture practice and the family unit

– workplace flexibility in hours + place

– professional development within the workplace – not purely after hours

– supporting paid internships

– seeking a support network that transitions between emerging and established practices.

Many of these items are not new, albeit they have probably been around for too long without activation and I can already hear the catchcry in regard to…. “when I”…. “it works both ways”…. and “we already provide these services”….

The common message here, regardless of subjective dismissal, is that it is evident that we need to better connect, support and listen to frame a more inclusive network from our first day at University to giving a little back to the profession (some may say wisdom and guidance) as we move through differing stages of our professional life.

For many Universities, Practices and Representative Groups this may require a cultural change in attitude and structure, perhaps a different business model, perhaps it is a long overdue correction for our professional sustainability that will be reflected by the mutual needs of the employer + employees, not the need in the chase to the bottom for fees. Perhaps it is part of the restructuring and reform of the profession that will accord without a world of novation and partial services that is topical at the moment.

Practices, and many already have, that listen to these concerns and adapt their workplaces are going to be sought after and attract the best personnel. We also need to consider a response having regard to the size of the practice and how it is able to support these workplace needs. Will it end in a greater divide between small and large practices and create a missing middle ground….?

One of the most telling and at the same time, I must say joyful, part of the conversation was the appetite and hunger to hear more from our local architects and indeed the established members of the profession about the everyday experiences of practice over the years.

The passing down of architectural conversations and folklore that framed the development of our State, to endeavour to understand our design culture that has influenced our City and allows us to both celebrate our contribution but also acknowledging the mistakes that have been made.

A simple notion, but one that allows us to frame a conversation pit that informs our built environment and cultural heritage embedded in the design history in this State, understanding a contribution to the identity of our City. I would suggest a cultural overlay that has largely been ignored in informing any new or reform Policy in this State from both a Planning and Heritage perspective; local knowledge archived and lost in translation.

It appears to be more than just a call for the visit to a studio once a year, but to engage more, passing on the storytelling, which is so important in understanding our design heritage. An opportunity to come together to engage in dialogue, to strengthen an inherent understanding of our regional design culture and identity of our State and City and involve multi-generational involvement in the Institute.

I will, over the next few months, endeavour to formulate a program that reflects the storytelling of South Australian Architecture and I invite you all to join + host the discussion.

Sometimes the spoken word is far more reaching than any exhibition material on an easel, open to interpretation without emotion.

Tony Giannone
SA Chapter President

From the SA Chapter Executive Director – 18 March

Nicolette Di Lernia
SA Chapter Executive Director

Advocacy is a long game and it takes time to see
results. It was therefore very pleasing
when the Productivity Commission announced that the terms of the Inquiry into
Government Procurement were being extended to include capital works procurement
based on the responses it had received arguing for this outcome.

The Institute’s response, which was submitted in association
with the ACA, comprehensively demonstrated that the issues being considered
were equally applicable to capital works procurement. It also put the case that capital works procurement
has a significant impact on the South Australian economy, including the
viability of many SMEs.

Improved procurement practices should address issues
including tendering costs, quality based tender selection and equity for local
tenderers. We will continue to engage
with the inquiry and will update members regarding the outcomes.

I was also pleased to be able to attend the Institute’s
Parliamentary Breakfast on housing affordability and city development. This event is part of the Institute’s
national strategy in the lead up to the federal election, which will raise
awareness of key issues and strategies to improve outcomes at a time when our
cities and the environment are under increasing pressure. An election platform will be provided to members
to assist them in having these conversations with their local candidates and
more widely with key stakeholders.

As a profession, architects need to lead these conversations
and inform the narrative if we are to achieve better built environment outcomes. If we leave this to others, then the
conversations will at best be ill informed and at worst will not occur at
all.

Bad design is an irritant and incites debate. Good design works and therefore is often
taken for granted. Good design is also
about much more than aesthetics. However,
as the majority of the public, including many politicians, do not understand
the role of architects or the fact that architects are not responsible for the
design of all buildings, it is not enough to leave architecture to speak for
itself. If the public perception is that
all buildings, including the poorly designed ones, are the responsibility of
architects, this is a damaging belief to support, even if only by omission.

It is the responsibility of architects to clearly articulate
their capabilities and how they can be engaged to provide optimal
outcomes. The election provides a
perfect opportunity to start these conversations. As voters, your opinions matter to the candidates
in your electorates. Use this opportunity
to engage with them and plant the seed.
It may take some time for germination to occur, but without this first
step there will be limited progress.

From our new SA Chapter President

During my student years I was fortunate enough to have the late John S Chappel as my mentor. I vividly remember my introduction to him one cold and wet evening in the University of Adelaide Club Room of the Union Building. He was running late, burst through the doors grumpy, frustrated and seriously angry returning from a project meeting. As a mere student I think I was trembling at where the introduction to this South Australian doyen of the architectural community would go.

I don’t recall the exact conversation but it went along lines of ….. “ I’ve spent the last few months designing this building and have had the integrity of the design totally dismantled…after having it finally agreed with my client, now the planners don’t think it will fit in with the streetscape, the Council wants me to change the materiality, the roof form is too flat…etc …etc…. and subjectively appraised by all in half an hour ………… it’s going to look like. …###!!!!… “…….everybody wants to be an architect !….” he blustered referencing the multiple hands of interference (or collaboration if you like) on his design” ……..I’m getting really ####..!!!… with all of this…… my advice to you is stay away from this profession!”

Well I didn’t take his advice but the generosity of the man allowed me to access his studio when I needed to, always generous with his time and not afraid to express an opinion.

I’ve taken that exclaimed line with me throughout the years of practice and really not much has changed.

The state of architectural practice is in intensive transition and flux. The introduction of continual subjective regulatory overlays to validate our design outcomes is producing a critical intersection of conflicting expectations on the Profession.

We have somewhat lost our voice in the debate of the built environment in this State, seen mostly as an adjunct to that taken over by others. In turn, we seem to be fragmenting ourselves and becoming inward critics rather than externally advocating our views and values.

Critique starts at University and follows us into Practice. After design approval from our Clients we can now be critiqued firstly by our own peers, then by statutory authorities and then by the relevant Assessment Panel. It is not unusual for a project to have multiple reviews on many levels and many bodies before being presented for official assessment.

The cost of this to our Practices, project timeframes and economic development is I think heading towards that perfect storm.

In some cases the project approval system is being extended well beyond acceptable commercial timelines and directs unjustifiable blame on the profession. The question needs to be asked is this leading to better built outcomes?

Leading into this role I have received numerous vocal expressions, aside from the obligatory…… “ what does the Institute do for me “….. on perceived issues affecting our profession perhaps best summarised (to name a few) below:

is the Planning Reform review system working
is Design Review working and how can it be improved
is the trading over approving extra height vs perceived better design quality providing a better urban form for our city or are we creating silos
why do we require to bring in experts from interstate or overseas to offer commentary to us on what works in our State – surely we have enough expertise in our own backyard who understand our City
are graduates work ready or should Universities reassess courses to better inform vocational and professional practice…. would this increase the worth of a graduate’s salary that is currently one of the lowest entry levels of the professions?

I understand that design lives in a subjective world, always has, but let’s have a mature debate about where we are at and where we are going. Critique works in both directions, and accordingly we have the right of reply in expressing our views. An informed mature debate with people of relevant experience is better than a subjective directive.

I would like to hear your views in representation of our membership of the key factors that are affecting our Profession at sa@architecture.com.au and together effect and frame commentary as an independent body for our membership. It is important.

Over the next few years in this role I would like us to engage in dialogue and advocate on the following:

– to forge an everyday connection with the public to share in how architects can contribute to issues affecting our society from affordable housing to the liveability of the built environment in which we work, live and play as something that is more socially inclusive rather than exclusive;

– to strengthen an inherent understanding of our regional design culture and identity of our State and City;

– to increase multi-generational involvement in the Institute

but most importantly the need to advocate and foster the contribution of local and emerging practices and graduates by giving them opportunity in this State is of prime motivation.

From the SA Chapter Executive Director 18/02/19

Late last year the SA Chapter prepared a joint response from the Institute and ACA to the SA Productivity Commission’s Inquiry into Government Procurement. While the inquiry focused on procurement of goods and services and excluded capital works projects, the response highlighted that the same issues applied across all aspects of government procurement. This position was supported by the Commissioner for Small Business and the SA Industry Advocate.

The response is available here. We see this as the first stage of an ongoing conversation regarding government procurement, with a view to working with government to achieve best practice procurement practices.

This is one part of a raft of advocacy that the SA Chapter is engaged in, all of which relates to improving the procurement and contractual environment in which architectural services are delivered. Other areas of advocacy include:

A framework for staged services delivery to assist in determining realistic scope of services at each stage of a project. This document was developed by the Practice Committee and has been issued to DPTI for review and comment.
Guidelines to assist local government in procuring architectural services. The aim is to develop templates that will assist local government agencies in structuring tenders so that they better reflect the scale of the project, focus on information directly relevant to the project and reduce tender costs for all parties. This project is the focus for the Practice Committee for the start of 2019. Work being done at a national level will be used to inform and underpin this project.
Working with DPTI on the review of the Lead Professional Services contract. The SA Chapter has provided commentary prepared regarding the previously proposed amendments to AS4122 to the current DPTI team tasked with preparing the new contract. A draft is anticipated for review in late March 2019.
A response to the Building Minister’s Forum (BMF) in relation to the Shergold Weir Report (SWR). The BMF has made no definite undertaking to implement the SWR recommendations, indicating only that it will consider a selection of recommendations at this time. The Institute believes that this is inadequate given the magnitude of the issues identified by the SWR and the implications of failing to address the recommendations holistically. We will continue to work on this at a national and Chapter level.
Review of the Tendering Guidelines 5^th Edition . Released in June 2017, this document was jointly developed by the Institute, ACA and MBA. It addresses current issues experienced by contractors and consultants and is intended to assist all parties, including clients and projects managers to understand best practice tender procedures and achieve improved tender outcomes. To give us your thoughts – click here

The SA Chapter will be asking for members to participate in these activities as they progress. This may take the form of providing feedback, reviewing documents, or participating in committees and task groups. Collectively, the Institute can make an impact and achieve improved outcomes for the profession and the construction sector.

Nicolette Di Lernia
SA Chapter Executive Director
18 February 2019

From the SA Chapter President 4/2/19

mdreosti

And just like that its two years. The last hurrah… all over.

Which causes you to reflect on what has been achieved.

For me, the last two years has seen a lot of change, both in this sphere and in my own. It has has just culminated in the longest holiday I’ve ever taken with the whole month of January away from the daily grind. And you know what? It was a cracking holiday. Most of it spent trying to balance on a board of some description whether with wheels, water or snow beneath it and not worrying at all about codes or clients or really anything other than the basics.

In fact, it’s a bit like the story of the Greek fisherman who goes from subsistence to empire building. It was all the hard work of dealing with those things that saved up to get back to the simple things we wanted all along.

So I’ve come back with a renewed focus this year on the things that are honest and real and won’t go away when you are not in fashion anymore.

Which is how I reflect on the past two years in this gig.

I’ve found myself using the phrase ‘emperor’s new clothes’ quite a lot.

You know the story where the emperor actually believes he has an amazing new outfit because everyone tells him so, but in fact there is nothing there.

In these past two years I have reached life topping levels of talking, reading, consulting and having a paper produced for every change in underclothes. We [The Institute] have been heavily involved in representation across a range of important fronts from planning reform, to gender equity, to procurement, awards criteria and construction compliance. In all these things the fundamentals are actually very simple.

But in all, we have been forced to join a fray of endless discussion and publication which leads quite frankly, to limited action.

We are out now for example with our Designers for Diversity survey. You know what it will tell you and you know if it will indicate that action is needed. So do it… but then think about it and if you are talking the talk…. do something about it in your practice. Don’t say you will. Don’t write a policy for what might happen if someone loose does this or that… just go and do it. Simple.

Of interest, we as architects, are often the few people in the room who can actually assimilate and resolve multiple and sometimes conflicting inputs because our design lead thinking teaches us how. We are usually able to craft a solution rather than another position paper and yet we only sometimes get to make that contribution.

So as I embrace my life with a focus on the things that really reward and a clarity of what is important, I urge my profession to do the same.

Award what is good not what is fashionable, speak in plain English because being understood is more important than sounding fancy, and have faith that we have a very valuable contribution to make. It is about what we produce, not how big the process was both in our work and in our thought contributions.

We don’t have to play the game of the emperor’s new clothes because we can actually craft them. We are the ones who don’t need to talk around the matter because we can solve it. Probably simply and hopefully with meaning and honesty

It’s my parting message but of course there will still be a great deal of work around the edges of that simplicity and so I want to thank the gang in at Leigh Street : Nicolette, Vanessa, Zaf, Gillian and Lesley (the new Gillian) for what has been a lot of work trying to pull our core values through all the noise.

I wish Tony great clarity as he shapes the role for his term and I look forward to supporting as I can to let the various emperors know they are in the nuddy.

Mario Dreosti
SA Chapter President (until March 2019)