6 May 2017

Described by his peers as ‘an architect of great distinction who has possibly affected more lives and contributed more to his city than most could dream of’, Peter Elliott AM has today been awarded Australian architecture’s highest honour, the Australian Institute of Architects’ Gold Medal.

Over a career spanning more than four decades, Peter’s multi-award winning designs have shaped iconic public buildings and spaces across Melbourne. He has been lauded by his fellow architects as ‘remarkably talented’ and demonstrating ‘an undivided, unbreakable and uncompromised integrity’.

Peter’s early projects, including children’s playgrounds, childcare centres, public housing and a few private houses, established his credentials not only as an outstanding architect but also as a community advocate. Peter’s contribution received national recognition early in his career when at the age of just 36, Peter was made a Member of the General Division of the Order of Australia for his services to the community as an architect.

From his first large commission, the Knox Schlapp Public Housing project in Port Melbourne, Peter consolidated his practice, receiving successively larger public commissions, starting with the Carlton Baths and Community Centre in 1986, which won the Victorian Architecture Medal in 1991.

These were followed by notable public works including the conservatory in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, the Observatory Gate at the Melbourne Royal Botanic Gardens, Spencer Street Footbridge across the Yarra River and the renovation of the State Government Offices in the Treasury Reserve. It was at this time that Peter and his practice also embarked upon what became the multi-decade Urban Spaces Project at RMIT University.

A growing portfolio of city making education and infrastructure projects led to Peter been described as an ‘urban surgeon’. In addition to the large-scale RMIT project, Peter’s commissions included the Victoria University Law School the Melbourne Grammar School Memorial Hall, the Visual Arts Centre for Latrobe University in Bendigo and the School of Performing Arts and Creative Education for Geelong Grammar School. VicRoads Principal urban designer Lorrae Wild says Peter’s ‘timeless and elegant designs’ have ‘changed the face of the Western suburbs of Melbourne, with striking noise walls, bridges and interchanges along the Deer Park Bypass and Western Ring Road.’

Receiving the Gold Medal, Peter paid tribute to his mentors, collaborators and students. ‘I am personally indebted to a small number of exceptional people who took the trouble to foster and mentor me as a young architect. And then there are the many hundreds of people whom I have worked and taught with for more than forty years of practice and academic life, to whom I owe a special debt of thanks for their own blend of talent, inspiration and friendship – for architecture is a collective activity dependent on the cooperation of a multitude of skilled hands and cultured minds.’

Institute National President Ken Maher presented Peter the award at a special ceremony held at Sydney’s International Convention Centre on Saturday 6 May on the second day of the annual National Architecture Conference.

The Gold Medal Jury was composed of Maher, Immediate Past President Jon Clements, Peter Stutchbury, Jill Garner and Lindy Atkin.

Previous recipients of the Gold Medal include Glenn Murcutt, Jørn Utzon, Brit Andresen, Harry Seidler and Robin Boyd.

SPEECH
NATIONAL ARCHITECTURE CONFERENCE:PRAXIS
SYDNEY 5 MAY 2017

Jennifer Cunich
Chief Executive Officer, Australian Institute of Architects

Good morning,

I wanted to speak with you today about the changing face of your institute and your place in it.

I am privileged to be the CEO of the Institute. It is a complex organisation with many sub-groupings, and to say that we are a diverse organisation would be an understatement. We need to acknowledge, understand, accept, value, and celebrate the differences among our members and use it to our advantage.

I believe the Institute has a number of things that it needs to focus on, but all revolve around our members.

We should be working actively to advance the practice of architecture and promote the contribution of the profession as widely as possible. We also need to cultivate lifelong learning by our members and allow members’ aspirations to flourish.

Sustaining the integrity of the profession must be at the heart of what we do, and we need to champion professional and ethical conduct. But most importantly, we need to take the lead in advocacy of, and for, the profession.

As part of the not for profit sector, the Institute plays a role in society by giving voice to communities of place and of interest and contributes to a more involved Australian democracy.

Change has become ubiquitous. We’re now in an environment that is volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous. In the past we have not reacted fast enough to the changing environment nor have we been visible in the way members expected of us.

We must be agile in the way we do things, and be the voice of the profession. We must take a strong stand when we see our values being compromised.

The governance changes that have been put in place within the organisation signal a significant change to our operations, as does the way we are approaching issues around education, advocacy and membership.

On the education front, we have taken a strong stand on the standards of education we require of architectural graduates.

We do not agree with the lowering of educational standards to the lowest common denominator level – and we will continue to maintain a strong stance to ensure this does not happen and that the accreditation process remains robust enough to satisfy international benchmarks.

Advocacy.

We will be mounting a campaign over the next few years in terms of advocating the value of architecture and the impact it makes on people’s lives – this will be at the heart of all our messages to the public and to government. We will be more outward facing in our activities to ensure that those messages are heard loud and clear.

We will also be providing guidance on what our views are – from our recent discussions on affordable housing, multi-residential standards, higher education and internships policy. We will be addressing the issue of a federal government architect and will be making sure that architecture is seen as something that is for everyone. We will also be constantly talking about the value of the architectural profession to the health and well-being of society.

We have taken the opportunity to raise our profile through political forums, media opportunities and submissions to government at a federal and state level.

In terms of membership, we are looking at ways to improve our service delivery in a number of areas, including CPD and member communications through the use of vastly improved technology. We also appreciate the need for authenticity which means a return to the basics and a focus on the humanistic aspect of being and running the Institute.

We have the fundamentals in place:
• A shared vision for the future
• A new strategic plan under development
• An understanding of the political, social and economic environment in which we operate

What we now need is member engagement in making it happen. Every member brings a potent combination of passion and influence to her or his membership that — if leveraged — can powerfully accelerate the Institute’s advocacy strategy. As an institute we have been quiet for too long, relying on others to have a voice. We need you, as members to engage in the political debates. We need you to represent the profession in whatever way you can.

The most effective Professional and Industry organisations have recognised that successful advocacy does not require stepping into the quagmire of partisan politics. It simply means using our voices as committed and informed champions of the profession. All of us are the ambassadors who can bridge differences in opinion, turn ideas into solutions, and make good things happen.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak with you today.

MEDIA RELEASE
Wednesday 26 April 2017

With Australia’s population projected to almost double in the next 40 years, planning and shaping our cities so they remain liveable in the face of this growth is a priority.

Shaping cities: Towards 50 million will be the theme of the Super Session at this year’s annual National Architecture Conference, PRAXIS and annual National Planning Congress: Growing up, Growing Out. Hosted jointly by the Planning Institute of Australia and the Australian Institute of Architects, a panel of leading Australian and International architects will examine the factors critical to a city’s success.

While Australia’s population now tops 24 million, by 2054-55 it is forecast to climb to almost 40 million, and an annual average population growth rate above the world average.

With the City of Sydney’s Director of City Planning, Graham Jahn AM as the session’s rapporteur, the panel will discuss why integrated design and planning are central to a city’s success, how equity is at the foundation of making vital and productive cities, why addressing climate change is critical and the vital importance of democracy and social licence in planning and design.

The Planning Institute of Australia’s Chief Executive Officer David Williams said the Super Session is a unique opportunity to focus debate on the key challenges facing our cities.

‘Public debate is a significant force shaping our cities. Today’s interconnected, social media plugged-in world has fundamentally changed the way individuals engage with each other and express their views about building design, urban design and master planning,’ Williams said.

‘Informal and formal groups of citizens are highly active, politically and media savvy. This alters how built environment professionals need to engage in the public debate and heightens the importance of providing their pragmatic and informed opinion.’

Australian Institute of Architects National President Ken Maher said great cities provide accessibility and opportunity for all citizens.

‘The provision of hard and soft infrastructure, how it is planned, its design quality and the quality of the public realm is critical to ensuring equity in our growing cities,’ Maher said.

‘Planners, urbanists and architects can and must actively engage in this issue. Similarly, we need to examine how these professions can be more effective in facilitating an understanding in our communities and among our politicians of the imperative to do more to address climate change.’

Facilitated by the Fifth Estate’s Tina Perinotto, the panel includes Rahul Mehrotra, Professor of Urban Design and Planning and Chair of the Department of Urban Planning and Design at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design; Sylvia Karres, a leading landscape architect based in the Netherlands; Prathima Manohar, an architect, urbanist and founder of the think-dotank on liveable cities and Julian Bolleter, an awarded landscape architect and urban designer and Assistant Professor at the Australian Urban Design Research Centre at UWA.

The Super Session will be held from 1.30 to 3pm on Friday 5 May. For more information and to register visit http://wp.architecture.com.au/praxis/

MEDIA RELEASE
21 April 2017

The Australian Institute of Architects Foundation is delighted to welcome distinguished architect Dr Alberto Pérez-Gómez to Australia as part of the 2017 Droga Residency Program. Dr Pérez-Gómez holds the position of Saidye Rosner Bronfman Professor of the History of Architecture, Founding Director of the post-professional MArch and PhD, History and Theory of Architecture Option, School of Architecture, McGill University, Montréal, Canada.

Foundation Chairman, Alec Tzannes AM, said, ‘The Foundation Board is delighted to welcome Dr Pérez-Gómez to Australia and the Droga Residency program. He joins our distinguished list of residents who through their program, have contributed to the advancement of ideas about architecture to the benefit of the broader community, the practice of architecture and design and many Australian university students.’

For his 24 April to 3 July residency, Dr Pérez-Gómez will deliver six lectures as well as engaging in several student seminars at accredited architecture schools nationally. Dr Pérez-Gómez’ first public event will be a floor talk held in Sydney, on Wednesday 3 May at 6pm, as part of a social evening, hosted in the stunning Droga apartment, with drinks and catering included. Dr Pérez-Gómez will be ‘in conversation’ with Professor Anthony Burke, Head, School of Architecture UTS, and Dr Adrian Carter, Professor, Abedian School of Architecture, Bond University. This event is held in conjunction with the PRAXIS National Architecture Conference and is open for bookings.

The full schedule of Dr Pérez-Gómez’ lecture series includes events in Adelaide, Canberra, Perth, Brisbane and Melbourne with details and bookings available from The Foundation’s website.

Paul Berkemeier, Droga Jury Member, said the selection Jury is honoured that Dr Pérez-Gómez has accepted the invitation to be the first Architect in Residence for 2017. ‘Dr Pérez-Gómez follows six eminent predecessors, including Professor Juhani Pallasmaa. His busy schedule of public lectures and engagements during his residency will allow audiences around the country to engage directly with one of the world’s pre-eminent architectural scholars and educators.’

Dr Pérez-Gómez has an extensive teaching background and has published widely, including his most recent publications listed here http://foundation.architecture.com.au/current-residencies/

His numerous awards include the Alice Davies Hitchcock Book Award, 1983, granted by the Society of Architectural Historians for Architecture and the Crisis of Modern Science. The publication was attributed as ‘the most distinguished work of scholarship in the history of architecture published in North America between Nov. 1, 1981 to Oct. 31, 1983.’

MEDIA RELEASE
21 April 2017

Eight projects are in the running for honours in the Australian Institute of Architects’ 2017 Far North Queensland Regional Architecture Awards with results to be announced on Friday 12 May.

This year’s entries include breathtaking houses, new school buildings, the Cairns Museum, Tobruk Pool & Munro Martin Parklands.

Projects commended on the night will progress to the coveted Queensland State Architecture Awards to be announced in Brisbane on 23 June.

Queensland’s 2017 Chair of Juries, Alice Hampson (Alice LTM Hampson Architect), will present the Regional Commendations, the Eddie Oribin Award for Building of the Year and House of the Year to Far North Queensland, along with North Queensland results at a special Awards ceremony at The Pullman Cairns International, 17 Abbott St, Cairns commencing at 6:30pm Friday 12 May. Media are invited to attend.

Projects in the running are:

NOTES TO EDITOR:

High resolution images are available for download from Google Drive at https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B6M1NeSkgoVCQXF4WG1uVDY2ZG8?usp=sharing

Images are provided only for use in articles relating to the National Architecture Awards program run by the Australian Institute of Architects. Use in any other context is strictly prohibited without written permission from the submitting architect. All images must credit the architect and photographer.

They are the women and men who design our cities, buildings and public spaces, shaping the built environment in which we live and work, and act out our daily lives. Architects can be powerful agents of change and from 4 to 6 May they will be converging on Sydney for the annual National Architecture Conference.

This year’s conference, PRAXIS will engage in a critical debate about the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of architecture. The curators have invited leading international and Australian architects who will be exploring and evidencing this questioning through extensive and highly-acclaimed built work.

With speakers from China, India, the Netherlands, Ireland, Vietnam and Spain, the conference will examine how a nexus of research, teaching, theory and practice makes for successful and meaningful projects that shape our buildings and public places. PRAXIS will also focus on the way in which Australian practices can and do engage in these processes, enabling architects to better advocate their roles as agents of positive change in the world we live in.

A conference highlight will be Australia’s most internationally acclaimed architect, Glenn Murcutt AO, sharing his insights with delegates. Glenn will discuss his strategies for maintaining the integrity of his work in today’s fast-paced and inter-connected world.

PRAXIS is curated by Professor Helen Lochhead, Dean of the Faculty of Built Environment UNSW Sydney, and Ken Maher, National President of the Australian Institute of Architects.

Both curators – highly experienced with major public-realm projects – are committed to the belief that architecture should have at its core the aim to enhance the ‘common good’, whether that be through a greater commitment to the environment, social equity or a better quality built environment.

‘Without some form of questioning and intelligent thought, Australian architects are at risk of failing to understand how their work contributes to a society that is more equitable, fair and inclusive, while also producing buildings and spaces that give purpose and meaning to our built environments and cultural landscape,’ Prof Lochhead warns.

‘For architecture to have agency it needs to engage with more than just the pragmatic.’

Maher is critical of the empty formalism manifest in many projects internationally, instead seeking an embedding of deeper understanding within education and practice as a means of ensuring both ‘content and form’ as we face the critical issues of equity and climate change in our communities.

‘An engagement with praxis allows architecture to have a purposeful basis and hence greater agency within society,’ Maher said.

‘Our ambition is for those attending the conference to be challenged about how they can work and how they can work differently.’

The main conference program has been further enhanced by a fringe event schedule including open studios, walking tours, masterclasses and a visit to the brutalist building at the heart of the #SaveOurSirius campaign.

2017 Speakers:

Eva Castro – Plasma Studio, China
Rahul Mehrotra – RMA Architects, India
Winy Maas – MVRDV, Netherlands
Sheila O’Donnell & John Tuomey – O’Donnell + Tuomey, Ireland
Vo Trong Nghia – Vo Trong Nghia Architects, Vietnam
Anupama Kundoo – Anupama Kundoo Architects, Spain
Glenn Murcutt – Glenn Murcutt Architect, Australia
Emma Williamson – CODA, Australia
Rodney Eggleston – March Studio, Australia
Megan Baynes – Room11, Australia
Penny Collins & Huw Turner – Collins and Turner, Australia
Rachel Nolan & Patrick Kennedy – Kennedy Nolan, Australia
John Wardle – John Wardle Architects, Australia
Neil Durbach – Durbach Block Jaggers, Australia

For further information and speaker biographies visit http://wp.architecture.com.au/praxis/

With submissions to the Independent Review into the Future Security of the National Electricity Market closing last Friday, the Australian Institute of Architects is calling for governments to focus on the demand side of the energy equation, particularly in the built environment sector, as a more immediate and effective pathway to alleviate the current challenges around energy security.

National President, Professor Ken Maher, said that while the Review’s preliminary report addressed some of the key issues facing Australia’s future energy security, it was largely silent on the critical role the built environment can and should play in the reform process.

‘Buildings contribute to nearly half of the country’s electricity consumption and the building sector offers a great opportunity for more energy productivity gains,’ Prof Maher said.

‘Australia’s building sector can deliver up to 28 per cent of Australia’s 2030 emissions reduction target, save a staggering $20 billion in energy savings and create healthier, more productive cities, according to research from the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC).

‘Reducing demand through regulation and performance-based design incentives would produce low cost opportunities to reduce emissions and take the pressure off energy generation.

‘As members of ASBEC, the Institute strongly supports their 2016 Low Carbon, High Performance report, which convincingly demonstrates that Australia’s built environment sector can become a global leader in energy and sustainability.

‘Smarter design is critical to achieving savings as demonstrated over the past decade, when improvements in the energy performance of buildings through good design has saved over $28 million (gross) in avoided energy bills. Yet much more is needed, particularly in the residential sector, if we are to achieve the Paris COP 21 targets adopted by government.

‘To make the necessary savings, governments must introduce nationally consistent policies such as strong minimum standards for commercial and residential buildings through the National Construction Code, as well as more stringent performance standards for equipment and appliances.

‘Policies are also needed to support higher performance in the short to medium term through incentives and programs utilising government market power to drive energy productivity improvements, including a national plan towards 2050 zero carbon buildings.

‘A better balance of supply and demand based policies will allow for more flexible, adaptable and future proof energy systems that are not overly reliant on one-way transmission via the grid.
‘Every year we delay will cost us significantly in money, quality of life, emissions, and put at risk our ability to effectively respond to the impact of climate change.’

The Coomera Sports and Leisure Centre by BDA Architecture with Peddle Thorp Architects (Melbourne) has taken out the Building of the Year Award in the Australian Institute of Architects’ 2017 Gold Coast/Northern Rivers Regional Architecture Awards.

In awarding the project the jury noted that it ‘balances the functional requirements of the Commonwealth Games while leaving a profound legacy of a sophisticated and usable multipurpose facility. The enormity of the articulated steel framed “shed” hovers above the ground with confidence, this building is both elegant and robust.’

House of the Year was awarded to Byron Bay House and Studio by Vokes and Peters, which the jury praised as a ‘single level, delicate and highly crafted home’ that was both ‘tranquil and tactile without the typical beach house preoccupations.’ The jury said, ‘the interiors are articulated purposefully with air and light within the constraints of a deep and wide floor plan. It is both sensitive and generous, connected and layered.’

Burleigh Street House by ME won Regional Project of the Year, an honour bestowed to an exceptional project by a local architect. The jury described the project as ‘a reworking of a small brick bungalow creating a fine sequence of connected indoor and outdoor spaces. The three connected pavilions intelligently incorporating existing building fabric create open rooms engaged with garden areas while secure from the street.’

In addition to the Building of the Year, Regional Project of the Year and House of the Year, the jury awarded ten Regional Commendations (listed below) from 15 entries, with commended projects now progressing to the Queensland State Architecture Awards to be announced on 23 June in Brisbane.

Regional Commendations:

Luke & Amanda’s Beach House by Scott Carpenter Architect

KDV Golf and Tennis Academy, Gold Coast by Shiro Architects Pty Ltd

Whale House by Paul Uhlmann Architects

The Star Gold Coast: Existing Hotel Refurbishment by ML Design and Steelman Partners (USA)

Coomera Sports and Leisure Centre by BDA Architecture with Peddle Thorp Architects (Melbourne)

Byron Bay House and Studio by Vokes and Peters

Burleigh Street House by ME

Elements of Byron by Shane Thompson Architects

Naranga Avenue House by James Russell Architect

St Ambrose Primary School by Pat Twohill Designs in association with Twohill and James

Five outstanding emerging architects have been chosen from a competitive field of 117 entrants to participate in the Australian Institute of Architects’ tenth annual Dulux Study Tour. The winners will embark on a ten-day tour of Europe in May featuring destinations such as Barcelona, London and Prague.

The jury, chaired by National President Prof Ken Maher, selected Claire Scorpo (Claire Scorpo Architects, VIC), Imogene Tudor (Sam Crawford Architects, NSW), Alberto Quizon (CHROFI, NSW), Morgan Jenkins (Morgan Jenkins Architecture, QLD) and Louisa Gee (Partners Hill, QLD).

Prof Maher said the jury was deeply impressed with the talent and achievements of all applicants and the final decision was made on the basis of the winners’ activities and achievements across the criteria of individual contribution to architectural practice, education, design excellence and community involvement.

‘We have all been inspired by the understanding that our future as a profession is in such good hands,’ Professor Maher said.

The five winning architects all demonstrated an abiding passion for the architectural profession and especially for teaching. The benefit they gain from the tour will translate back into value for the profession and the community.

This year marks the tenth anniversary of the first Tour run by the Institute and supported by Dulux and the winners of the highly sought-after prize are sure to be impressed and inspired by the architectural gems of Spain, the UK and the Czech Republic.

‘We at Dulux extend our congratulations to this year’s Dulux Study Tour winners. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the tour. We are extremely proud to be associated with the program which has had such an impact within the architectural community. The emergence and excellence of previous winners – “the tour alumni” – is testament to that,’ said Dulux General Manager – Trade, Richard Hansen.

The Dulux Study Tour has countlessly been described as a ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity. During the Tour, recipients are immersed in architecture in every sense, from visits to global architectural firms to tours of renowned buildings. The tour is aimed at gaining as much access and exposure to the top architectural practices in the cities visited and is definitely not your everyday tour experience. The winners receive an exclusive look into the think tank of international practices.

More information about the Prize and winners can be found on the Dulux Study Tour blog at http://wp.architecture.com.au/duluxstudytourblog/.

Queensland architect Catherine Baudet has tonight been awarded the inaugural Paula Whitman Leadership in Gender Equity Prize for her outstanding support for women in the architectural profession spanning more than 30 years.

Immediate Past President and Jury Chair, Jon Clements, said Catherine has played a pivotal role in bringing about the substantial progress now being achieved towards gender equity in the architectural profession.

‘In 1983, Catherine co-founded Women in Architecture Queensland which hosted the first exhibition of the work of 40 women architects the following year,’ Clements said.

‘Over the past 30 years Catherine has tirelessly advocated for gender equity and promoted the outstanding contribution women make to the architectural profession.

‘Catherine brought a new level of energetic focus to gender equity issues both through her own practice, Ferrier Baudet Architects, and at the Institute when she became the first woman architect to be elected to the Queensland Chapter Council in 1989.

‘Importantly, Catherine inspired Paula Whitman on a path of investigative research which subsequently led to the landmark 2005 study Going places: The Career Progression of Women in Architecture.

‘This prize is a fitting tribute to and recognition of Catherine’s achievements, the benefits of which will be felt by generations of women architects into the future.’

In awarding Catherine the prize the jury noted that, ‘Catherine is an exceptional role model and mentor for many young and emerging architects and she is a most worthy recipient of the Inaugural Paula Whitman Leadership in Gender Equity Prize 2017.’

The Prize is a new initiative of the Australian Institute of Architects’ National Committee for Gender Equity and aims to recognise exceptional leadership and an outstanding contribution to the advancement of gender equity in architectural practice, education and governance. The national prize is named in honour of the late Queensland architect, university professor and gender equity advocate, Paula Whitman.

It is part of a broader suite of initiatives the Institute is leading to promote gender equity in the profession. Last year the Institute adopted and met a new target to ensure gender equity on its Board of Directors.