Category: ACT enews

From the ACT Heritage Committee

EXPANDING THE REGISTER OF SIGNIFICANT ARCHITECTURE

Buildings dating from the 19th century are being considered for the Register of Significant Architecture, as it is no longer limited to the 20th century. There are around twenty such buildings in the ACT which have heritage protection by being on either the ACT Heritage Register or the Commonwealth Heritage List. Several buildings date from the 1830s and each of the subsequent decades of the century is represented. As their importance is mainly historical, it will be necessary to assess their architectural significance. There may be other important buildings not yet investigated. Any worthy buildings can then be recognised by being entered in the Register of Significant Architecture.
There is also a need to add buildings of the late 20th and the early 21st centuries to the register. They are now old enough for their architectural significance to be recognised, but their place in the history of architecture must be taken into account to prove their heritage value.

WRITING BIOGRAPHIES OF CANBERRA ARCHITECTS

Canberra’s architectural heritage has benefitted immeasurably from contributions made by many talented architects who have practised in the city. Architects from elsewhere, inspired by the Griffins’ concept of a city like no other, often made special efforts to design outstanding buildings when engaged on Canberra projects. Biographies of architects in both of these categories are being researched by the Register of Significant Architecture and Heritage Committee, to add to the biographies now available on the ACT Chapter section of the Institute’s website as links to other websites.

ENGAGING WITH ARCHITECTURE STUDENTS AT UNIVERSITY OF CANBERRA

The Heritage Committee intends to engage with the students of architecture at the University of Canberra to provide them with information about best practice for heritage conservation. This may involve a short lecture about the basic principles of heritage conservation, as well as a trip to one rural and an urban heritage site in the ACT to measure buildings and prepare measured drawings, creating valuable skills for students. We are investigating expanding this exercise by organising a measured drawings competition with support from various institutions and government organisations.

Australian Institute of Architects Foundation Droga Architect Residency 2018 – Alexis Sanal – Wednesday 18th April 2018

Open Markets Open Play

Rehearsals and Particulars to Time-based Architectural Design

Alexis Sanal is in Australia as the Australian Institute of Architects Foundation’s 2018 Droga Architect in Residence. She is co-founder of SANALarc, a knowledge-centric studio focused on civil and civic architecture, research and city-design, based in Istanbul.

In this talk, Alexis will discuss her research around open one-day markets and how their timeless acts of self-organized urbanism across civilizations and geographies are as pertinent to contemporary architecture, place-making and iconic identity as are museums, public libraries and entertainment centres. Istanbul’s unique construction of market making is defined by its use of residual and under-utilized city spaces into places of vibrant community centric public life, one day each week. SANALarc has earned international recognition for their public realm works and their practice focuses on investigating ways city-makers can self-organize in re-imagining the potential for transforming underutilized spaces into places for living culture.  These are also envisaged as sites for robust micro-ecologies, and as inclusive environments for sub-cultures to flourish. Alexis will share SANALarc’s Imaginable Guidelines design tool, as an inventive actuator of crowd-sourced city-making knowledge, and that engages an inclusive process in public realm design. As open markets are perceived as playful acts of civic life, have simple program rules and are stages for actual multi-generational playtime, her residency research is focused on developing this notion of ‘Open Play’.  Alexis will elaborate on this as a concept that can underpin an alternative repositioning of regulations as enablers, to rehearse multi-functioning living, working, trading, playing, and sharing into particular time-based architectural designs.

 

Biography

Alexis Şanal /grew-up in Los Angeles, has a Barch’95 from Southern California Institute of Architecture and a Master of City Planning ’02 from MIT. Her passion is exploring living culture and built environments that blend contemporary urban realm with timeless physical and natural contexts to create imaginative and meaningful experiences. Her recent efforts in this sense include creating HEY! Imaginable Guidelines Istanbul, “Pazar- Making”, revealing ‘pazars’ as a man-made generative approach to tactical urbanism and re-thinking public libraries as enablers of localized knowledge communities.

She is recipient of a 2014 Graham Foundation research grant, and has exhibited works at the MAXXI Rome, Istanbul Modern and Garanti Galeri. Her studio’s internationally award winning works include Sishane Park, SALT Research and “Pazar- Making” as well as creative campus designs like BU Rasathane Master Plan and Bomontiada.  Each of these projects reflect how the design of an interconnected public realm can shift possibilities and create a participative platform for advancing communities’ shared futures.

ACT Architecture Awards update

Entries have closed for the ACT Chapter Awards program, and we have received a record breaking 58 entries.  We held the jury briefing over a two day period and site visits are being held this week.  With so many entries, it has been a very tight visit schedule, extending over 4 days for the first time.  Visits are timed to the minute to enable the jury to give proper consideration of the entries.

The Awards program provides us with opportunities to promote the value of good design and the work of local architects. The Canberra Times will be featuring projects in the lead up to the awards announcement. The Awards presentation evening is the highlight of the year for the ACT and is being held on 23 June.

The ACT awards are part of the national awards program, which is regularly reviewed by National Council. A review working group is being set up and will be looking at a range of issues. One of particular importance is the review of Chapter boundaries for the purposes of the Awards.  There has been discussion over previous years in relation to state/territory boundaries. Specifically there is contention over the delineation between NSW and ACT. All other States have agreed to utilise state boundaries and in the case of Queensland, post codes to identify regional entry origins. In the interest of clarity and to avoid potential confusion, the working group will be making a recommendation to clearly delineate where the boundary should be.

News from the ACT Sustainability Committee… Response to Discussion Paper on ACT Climate Strategy

News from the ACT Sustainability Committee.
Response to Discussion Paper on ACT Climate Strategy


During 2017, the ACT Government conducted three stakeholder meetings dealing with the development of strategy for greenhouse gas reduction policy from 2020 – 2050.  The stated goal of the government is to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, with interim targets being set for 2025, 2030, 2040 and 2045.  Members from the Sustainability Committee represented the Institute at these meetings, which were, on the whole, very productive.

The second stage of the ACT Climate Action Plan will see stationary power reduced to a net zero emissions level by 2020, thus eliminating the single largest emissions source – electricity generation – from the mix of emissions-production activities in the ACT.  This has been largely achieved by commissioning dedicated renewable energy generation facilities – wind power resources located in South Australia and local solar farms located in the southern parts of the Territory at Royalla and Hume – and integrating these into the local supply network.

The task for the immediate future will be to address the remaining areas where the ACT still has a high emissions profile, these being transport (public and private), gas use and waste generation.  The Sustainability Committee, in cooperation with the Planning Committee, are currently working on a response to the Discussion Paper ACT’s Climate Strategy To A Net Zero Emissions Territory.

The Building Industry, and Design Professions in particular, have both an opportunity and responsibility to contribute to the emissions reduction strategy in the coming years and decades.  Many decisions we take on a day-to-day basis have a direct effect on gas use, waste production and transport emissions.  The Sustainability Committee would welcome any contributions from members with ideas about meeting the targets.  Background information, including technical modelling of possible pathways,  is available from the ACT Government <Your Say> website (www.yoursay. act.gov.au).  Submissions close on April 9th.

In closing, don’t forget this year’s Solar House Day, which has been confirmed for the 29th July, with the seminar taking place on 25th July.  Please give some consideration to participating in this valuable public education event.  It only takes an hour or two of your client’s time and is generally great fun for all involved.  We are currently looking for homes to feature in this upcoming 2018 Tour, so please put any and all projects forward for consideration.

The ACT Chapter Mentoring program is back for 2018.

APPLICATIONS CLOSE TOMORROW – WEDNESDAY 4TH APRIL

The ACT Chapter Mentoring program is back for 2018. Mentoring complements training at university and experience in the workplace, offering perspective on the broader industry and a greater understanding of the culture in which architecture takes place. The program pairs architects at different points in their career to provide support, guidance, and a setting in which to cultivate ideas and aspirations. Feedback shows that mentors often gain as much insight from the process as the mentee, and we encourage participation from a range of backgrounds and positions. Mentoring is an rewording process valuable at any stage in your career. We are now accepting applications for both mentors and mentees. The program is open to graduates of the Master of Architecture program or Architects, all of whom must be current members of the Australian Institute of Architects. Applications close COB Wednesday 4 April 2017. For further information on the benefits of the program, please contact the ACT Chapter.

From the ACT Chapter President – 4th April 2018

Let me introduce myself as the new president of the ACT Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects. My name is Phil with an ip Leeson. I grew up in the country and moved to Canberra in 1981 to study architecture at the Canberra College of Advanced Education as a mature aged student. Peter Freeman, a Canberra based architect was on the thesis review panel and offered me a job on the day I presented my project. I worked with him for the next nine years until 1996 when I opened my own office. Here I am, 22 exciting years later with a staff of 11. There’s been a long line of very capable architects who have taken on this role and whilst its not one I seriously contemplated or sought, I was happy to accept the nomination, albeit with some trepidation. I shouldn’t have worried as we have a terrific executive director and staff who are guiding me diligently through the system. Our immediate past president Rob Henry was arguably one of the most enthusiastic and energetic presidents we’ve seen in recent times. This is no criticism of others who have taken on this task but is a heart felt acknowledgment of and thanks for his efforts from me and on behalf of the ACT Chapter and members. He achieved much in his two years at the helm and was ably assisted by a very capable Council and many dedicated volunteers. I have taken on this role at the same time as the Institute adapts to a new model of leadership. Rather than an architect led Council, we have: A Board of Directors comprising nationally-elected members and expert Independent Directors;
  • A member-elected National Council with representatives from each state and territory;
  • A revitalised executive team including a new CEO.
In addition, the Institute is now operating under a new governance structure that sets out the roles and responsibilities of the respective parties. And whilst many of you know this, there others who are only vaguely aware of what it all means. So, a brief summary – The Institute is a not-for-profit, public company limited by guarantee which is established to be, and to continue as, a charity. Its principle purpose is, as one would expect, to advance the cause of architecture through: A) Education, B) Culture and C) Social or public welfare. Interestingly, under B) you will find the following: by (i)  acquiring forming,  and  maintaining  Art  and  Scientific  Libraries  and Museums. I am keen to know more. Furthermore there is a new Constitution; a new Chapter Council Charter; and new Rules for Chapter Committees and groups operating within Committees. For instance, the rules establish protocols for lobbying industry and government agencies. If this were not enough for your new President to get his head around, there is the newly adopted “Strategy 2018 – 2020”. The Strategy is based on the three pillars of Education, Advocacy and Practice and sets out a clear vision and mission for the Institute. More of this in future columns. I am looking forward to engaging with members, industry and the community and to meeting with members at the wide range of events on offer in the forthcoming the year. I would also like to attend committee meetings early in the year and as time allows to better understand the full range of activities of the Chapter. Philip Leeson

From the ACT Chapter President – 19 February 2018

Hello. Thank you. And Goodbye. In my last post as Chapter President, I would like to thank the numerous people that have assisted me in the role including councillors, committee chairs, regular volunteers, and of course our dedicated Chapter staff. It has been a real privilege to work with you to ensure this profession remains strong, active, relevant, and forward thinking. I am delighted to see Philip Leeson taking over the position of Chapter President and I know that he will bring great wisdom and a measured viewpoint to the role. Philip will be officially starting his two-year term in March. Good luck PL! I’d like to finish up my time with a snapshot of some achievements in 2017. As a small chapter, we should feel incredibly proud on what our volunteers manage to do for the profession. 1. Penelope Seidler noticed the prominence of women in the 2017 ACT Chapter Awards. The ACT Chapter continues to support equity and diversity and maintains high levels of female participation on Chapter Council and committees. The Diverse Equitable Employment Practices (DEEP) committee, is developing a terrific booklet to assist practices in achieving workplace equity and will be bringing together the ACT’s 20 largest practices in March to share positive success stories. 2. Housing Choices is finally on the ACT Government agenda, and again the ACT Chapter is leading the discussion. Following on from two years of discussions with Planning Minister Gentleman, we launched a website, Housing Choices: Canberra, to illustrate exemplar projects for developing the missing middle. NEAT Housing continues to be promoted and discussions have started for NEAT 2.0 as a response to the ACT Governments recent callout. 3. The ACT Chapter has grown their involvement in the Design Canberra Festival. For a small Chapter to manage some 15+ events in under three weeks illustrates that we are doing exceptionally well. Around 95,000 people attended events this year, so we are reaching people like never before, and getting the message across about the value of good design. Seeing 450+ people squeeze into a single house at once was rather comical, but also heart-warming. 4. The ACT Chapter joined forces with allied industry organisations to tackle procurement procedures for ACT Government projects. We hosted regular collaborative forums with Procurement and Capital Works, whom have started to implement changes. We will continue to push for improvements to ensure our members are being engaged ethically and remuneration reflects the services we provide. Finally, thank you members for allowing a young lad to have a go. I hope I didn’t disappoint. Over and out. Rob Henry

ACT Chapter President’s Message

Design Canberra Festival The Design Canberra Festival has been a terrific way to close out our events program for 2017. With the support of 15-20 members, we managed to run a variety of events that advocated for the use of architects. We had bus tours, open houses, open offices, heritage walking tours, drawing tutorials, design workshops, affordable housing seminars, choirs performing in architecture, and awards exhibitions. I hope you managed to get to some of the events during the three-week celebration of design. Thanks to everyone involved in the events, and to the many clients that opened their houses.   Housing Choice: Canberra As you will be aware, the ACT Chapter has launched the Housing Choice: Canberra website that provides useful information on the direction we would like to see our city develop. We are calling for increased density and simplification of the Territory Plan to allow for innovation. Many thanks to Allan Spira for taking the lead role in the creation of this website, and to the numerous contributors of content. You can visit the website at: housingchoicecanberra.architecture.com.au   ACT Government Housing Choices Discussion Paper Since the ACT Government launch of the Housing Choices Discussion Paper, we have been busy in the media showing our support and advocating for demonstration projects to be designed by architects. We have been on ABC radio, ABS local news, and written articles for The Canberra Times. Please have your say on what the government should be doing by going to: https://yoursay.act.gov.au/housing-choices   ACT Christmas Party A reminder that the ACT Christmas party is on the 14th December 2017 at 5pm onwards. Please let us know if you are coming so that we can cater accordingly. This will be my last official event as Chapter President. How time flies. RSVP here:  https://architectureact.wufoo.eu/forms/w1svnoub1ocmx1q/ 

From the ACT President

Festival Season The Design Canberra Festival is upon us and it’s another big one for the ACT Chapter. We have numerous events occurring throughout the next three weeks, and I encourage you to attend as many as you can. Visit designcanberrafestival.com.au/events/ to see what’s on offer. This is our biggest opportunity to illustrate the value of good design to the community and advocate for the use of architects in the shaping of this city. Many thanks to everyone involved in rolling out the programs, including Sheila Hughes, Shannon Battisson, Jack Shimada, Evan Williamson, Yuri Leong Maish, Catherine Townsend, Michael Jasper, Tony Trobe, and Aarthi Ayyar-Biddle. National Awards The ACT Chapter was delighted to host the 2017 National Architecture Awards at Albert Hall on Thursday 2nd November. It was a terrific event, although I admit a tad cold at the outdoor after party. And the ACT winners were: Commercial Architecture: National Award – Willinga Park by Cox Architecture, National Commendation – NewActon Nishi by Fender Katsalidis Architects Heritage: National Commendation – Embassy of Sweden by Guida Moseley Brown Architects Interior Architecture: National Commendation – Canberra Airport – International by Guida Moseley Brown Architects For more information, go to: wp.architecture.com.au/awards-2017/winners/ National Council I attended my last National Council meeting last week. It has been an honour to represent the ACT at the national table and contribute to discussions on the future of our institute. I’m sure that they are probably relieved to see the departure of the raging redhead with youthful perspectives! You will be aware that we have been going through a large restructure of the organisation, and it was clear from the last meeting that we have pushed through the administrative elements and can now focus on delivering tangible improvements for our members. Our new governance structure and strategic plan will enable us to rebrand our Institute with confidence and, with support from our national committees (Policy, Practice, Gender Equity, and Education) and numerous taskforce’s, we can now target key areas of Advocacy, Education, and Membership support to strengthen our industry and the people within it. Look out for a new digital media platform by the end of 2018! In my last meeting I presented a paper on, and discussed the importance of, engaging with students, graduates, and emerging architects, as they are the future of our institute. I have full confidence that the incoming National President, Clare Cousins, and the current National EmAGN President, Ksenia Totoeva, will continue to support my campaign and drive changes to assist this important demographic. Elections Expressions of interest for the Chapter President position and Chapter Councillor positions are now open. Feel free to contact me if you are considering these roles. I have plenty of positive stories to share.  Note: Nominations close on 17th November 2017.