MEDIA RELEASE

13 May 2019

Architect and leading design academic Helen Lochhead will bring her experience in planning, urban and landscape design to her new role as Australian Institute of Architects’ National President in a time of growth and development across our cities and regional communities.

As more than one million additional people are expected to swell the populations of Sydney and Melbourne by 2027, Professor Lochhead said growth could be harnessed to improve cities through intelligent urban design and architecture.

‘This city-changing growth is an opportunity for architects to improve and transform our urban landscapes and make them better places for people to live and work,’ Professor Lochhead said.

‘Architects have the professional expertise to shape public spaces and improve people’s lives as urban areas develop.

‘We don’t have to choose between growth or lifestyle. With the right planning and design in place, Australians cities can maintain and even enhance their status among the most liveable in the world’

Professor Lochhead will be inaugurated as the 80th National President at the Institute’s annual general meeting on 14 May.

Currently the Dean of the UNSW’s Built Environment Faculty, her previous roles include Deputy NSW Government Architect and Executive Director of Sydney Olympic Park Authority and Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority.

She has been instrumental in shaping the urban realm of Sydney, as a designer, policy maker and project lead on a broad range of major public projects, including a five-year improvements program for the City of Sydney in the lead up to the 2000 Olympics, and the reshaping of Sydney Olympic Park at Homebush Bay into a mixed-use precinct after the Games.

Professor Lochhead thanked outgoing National President Clare Cousins for her commitment to architecture and the Australian community.

‘Clare Cousins’ dedication and advocacy on behalf of the architecture profession and the broader public has been impressive and tireless,’ she said.

‘We thank her for her commitment to affordable housing, building safety and the importance of good design, which has helped maintain the spotlight on these critical issues.’

The AGM also welcomes Queensland-based architect and history and heritage expert Alice Hampson as National President Elect for 2020/2021.

Ms Hampson said she was looking forward to strengthening connections across the architecture profession, nationally across the regions and internationally.

For media enquiries contact:

Alexandra Nesbitt
National Media Adviser
Australian Institute of Architects
P. + 61 (3) 8620 3813  |  M. +61 (0) 477 333 205
alexandra.nesbitt@architecture.com.au 

The Australian Institute of Architects is the peak body for the architectural profession, representing over 11,000 members across Australia and overseas. The Institute actively works to improve the quality of our built environment by promoting quality, responsible and sustainable design.

Groundbreaking architecture leaders and boundary-testing practitioners will deliver fresh perspectives and challenge the status quo at Collective Agency, the Australian Institute of Architects’ 2019 National Architecture Conference.

The conference will feature a line-up of global architects, thinkers and designers including University of Johannesburg Director of Research, Lesley Lokko; Het Nieuwe Instituut Director of Research, Dr Marina Otero Verzier; aLL Design Director Marcos Rosello; and AD-WO co-Founding Partner Emanuel Admassu alongside his Australian born co-founder Jen Wood.

In a bold proclamation of the power of ideas, each speaker is tasked to empower and give a strength to the architecture collective.

Australian Institute of Architects National President Clare Cousins said the Collective Agency conference would focus on ways architects can transform contemporary challenges into opportunities.

‘Architects have the ability to influence the built environment and make the world better,’ she says.

‘This national conference will inspire architects with circuit-breaking ideas and fresh perspectives from leading designers and practitioners around the world and locally.

‘This conference is deliberately different. Its international and local speakers will challenge attendees to harness their collective strength, effect change and deliver social benefits.’

South Africa-based academic architect and best-selling novellist, Prof Lesley Lokko, is known for her discussions of race, identity, African urbanism and place-making.

Spanish architect and researcher, Dr Marina Otero Verzier, has focused on emerging architectures of automated labour and how work spaces will evolve.

aLL’s Marcos Rosello – whose practice designed an Alessi spoon as well as masterplanning and regenerating cities from England’s Manchester to Chongqing in China – blends sculpture, colour and function in his designs.

Acting NSW Government Architect Olivia Hyde’s experience includes the development and launch of the pilot NSW State Design Review Panel.

Sessions include speakers discussing concepts and actions for architects on collective agency, new protocols, human connectivity, changing the conversation, regenerative and disruptive economies, de-colonising practice, advocacy and influence, and action.

Co-curator Monique Woodward says the conference is political, environmental, optimistic and fresh.

‘What are the new territories for architecture, who should be given a platform and what is advocacy within a regenerative and disruptive economy?,’ she said.

‘This is about celebrating architects, thought leaders and projects that challenge the status quo.
‘We want to look at the world from new perspectives and determine what our collective agency can and will be in the future.’

In addition to the full program of speakers at the conference from June 20 to June 22 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, delegates can attend project tours, walking tours and the opening party.

Be challenged, be inspired and be part of something bigger.

Reduced rate early bird tickets to Collective Agency are on sale now until Friday, May 10.
Full conference passes, day rates, flexi tickets and group specials are available, along with concessional rates for members, graduates and students. Full conference passes include access to the official Opening Party on Thursday 20 June.

For full Collective Agency details, visit the Institute’s website www.wp.architecture.com.au/conference/

Speakers:

Lesley Lokko – University of Johannesburg, South Africa
Marina Otero Verzier – Het Nieuwe Instituut, Netherlands
Marcos Rosello – aLL Design, United Kingdom
Emanuel Admassu and Jen Wood – AD-WO, USA
Farzin Lotfi-Jam – Farzin, USA
Momoyo Kaikima – Atelier Bow-Wow, Japan
Sol Camacho – RADDAR, Brazil
Elisapeta Heta – Jasmax, New Zealand
Jeremy McLeod – Breathe Architecture, Australia
Olivia Hyde – NSW Government Architects Office, Australia
Sarah Lynne Rees – JCBA, Australia
Dhakshayini Sooriyakumaran – Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility, Australia
Laura Harding – Hill Thalis, Australia
Mauro Baracco and Louise Wright – Baracco+Wright, Australia
Genevieve Murray and Joel Sherwood-Spring – Future Method, Australia
Libby Porter – RMIT University, Australia
Scott Fry – Loving Earth, Australia
Cecille Weldon – Centre for Liveability Real Estate, Australia
David Tickle – HASSELL, Australia
Ros Moriarty – Balarinji, Australia
Poppy Taylor and Mat Hinds – Taylor and Hinds Architects, Australia
Gregory Burgess – Gregory Burgess Architects, Australia

8 April 2019

The Australian Institute of Architects
is calling on the Australian War Memorial management to clarify false and
misleading claims published yesterday about the future of Anzac Hall.

In comments reported in the Canberra Times, a spokesperson for the Australian War
Memorial is quoted as saying, ‘The replacement of Anzac Hall represents best
value for money while maximising exhibition space, without risk to the
integrity of the original heritage building.’

The newspaper goes on to report that,
‘When asked if the memorial would consider a design that did not demolish Anzac
Hall, he said any design that met the cost and space parameters would be
assessed equally.’

National President Clare Cousins said
these claims contradicted the tender documents issued by the Australian War
Memorial via AusTender on 13 February 2019.

‘The EOI [expression of interest]
issued by the Australian War Memorial expressly requires the demolition of
Anzac Hall and construction of a new structure and glass atrium,’ Ms Cousins
said.

‘For their spokesperson to suggest
that other design outcomes would be considered is disingenuous at best and
deliberately misleading at worst.

‘To suggest the demolition of Anzac Hall offers the least risk to the heritage integrity of the original building is preposterous. The current structure was designed specifically to be sympathetic to the main structure and we would argue has since accrued its own heritage value as well.

‘The EOI does not allow any other
design other than in accordance with the reference design which is tied to a
new structure and glass atrium – so it severely limits the options.

‘This is a corruption of the intended
purpose of reference designs– they should only be used to see what can be done
and to develop a business case. It is rare for the reference design to be the
final design.

‘The design as a whole should be going
out as an architectural competition and the Australian War Memorial should be
seeking the Institute’s endorsement of the competition – a precedent clearly
set for other landmark structures.

‘We have acted as an advisor for
competitions for New Parliament House, the National Museum, and extensions to
the National Gallery and our exclusion from this project will be to the
detriment of the final outcome.’

ACT Chapter President Philip Leeson
said the spokesperson’s suggestion that ‘…any design that met the cost and
space parameters would be assessed equally’ directly contradicts Australian War
Memorial Director Dr Brendan Nelson’s previous statements, both public and
private.

‘Dr Nelson has been categorical in saying
that Anzac Hall will be demolished,’ Mr Leeson said.

‘That’s what he told representatives
from the Australian Institute of Architects when he met with us, at our
request, on 7 November last year and it’s the same thing he’s said to the media.’

‘By the time it goes down we will
have had 19 wonderful years out of it.’ – Dr Brendan Nelson, Canberra Times, 1 November

‘Dr Nelson said the works would begin
with the knockdown of the ANZAC Hall in 2020 and its replacement with a much
larger building.’ – The Australian, 1 November

Australian Institute of Architects’
Gold Medallists have also published an open letter opposing the demolition
plans.

‘The Institute has received
overwhelming feedback from members expressing their outrage and opposition to
the demolition plans, which lack transparency and any genuine consultation,’ Ms
Cousins said.

‘I’ve received numerous calls from
architectural colleagues advising that they would not be responding to the
Australian War Memorial’s EOI on this basis.

‘The Australian War Memorial’s single-minded
determination to demolish the award-winning Anzac Hall, without engaging with
industry, seriously undermines the immense value of our public architecture.

‘Our members care deeply about the
work they do, they respect and value the work of their peers, and of the
profession more broadly. They are looking to the Institute to defend not only
this building that has received such acclaim, but the process that surrounds
decision making about our iconic structures, and we will.’

‘The response to the demolition plans
locally has been incredibly strong and impassioned, both from Institute members
and the wider community,’ said Mr Leeson.

‘Largely in response to public
demand, we have this week launched an online petition to save Anzac
Hall. We have an ever-growing pool of people, including a number of
high-profile Australians, coming to us unprompted to offer their support.

‘People are quite simply at a loss as
to why options that allow for the preservation of the existing structure as
part of the expansion don’t appear to have been given due consideration.

‘If the Australian War Memorial’s
management thought our and the community’s opposition to their destructive
plans would simply fade away, they have grossly miscalculated.’

21 March

The Maitland Riverlink by CHROFI
Architects with McGregor Coxall has emerged as the preeminent project in this
year’s Newcastle Architecture Awards, collecting a swathe of honours including
the prestigious Jury Prize.

This
public building provides a gateway uniting two key aspects of Maitland’s key
identity for the first time – its architecturally rich High Street and the
environmental amenity of the Hunter River. It supports revitalisation of the
central business precinct and creates a ‘public living room’ for locals and
tourists to enjoy.

Impressed with its elegant simplicity,
which feels like it is just ‘meant to be’, the jury also recognised the project’s achievements
with the Award for Public Architecture and the Award for Urban Design. ‘The architecture
has a strong civic presence in a street full of historic buildings and is a
landmark when viewed from the river…It will no doubt be the catalyst for further revitalisation of
this dynamic regional community.’

Two other
civic projects – both by EJE Architecture – took out the Award for Heritage
Architecture: The
Newcastle Signal Box and The Station. SHAC also had a double-win with their St
Pius X High School Library, which received both the Award for Educational
Architecture and the COLORBOND® Award for Steel Architecture.

Five outstanding residential projects earned awards and
commendations. Austin Maynard Architects’ expertly crafted and playful
Greenacres won the Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (New), while
CKDS Architecture’s flexible and contextually responsive project The Edge
earned the Award for Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing. The Award for
Sustainable Architecture went to True North Architects for the Graham Whiteing
Residence.

 The jury also recognised readiness to work across design disciplines
and in close association with building trades to deliver strong outcomes in the
case of the winner of the Award for Interior Architecture, Derive Architecture
& Design’s Ginger Megs X project, which cleverly transforms a late 20^th century
theatre into a bar and restaurant.

Jury chair Georgina Wilson of Georgina Wilson Architect said this
year’s entries are ‘a testament to the local architects and community… It was
wonderful to witness the energy, commitment and ambition of the community
towards achieving great imaginative outcomes for the built environment of this
area.’

NSW Chapter President Kathlyn Loseby concurred with Ms Wilson that the region is emerging as an inspiring example of a continuously rejuvenating and dynamically evolving built environment. ‘Greater Newcastle will continue to be an exciting place to watch into the future.’

In
total the jury bestowed 14 awards and commendations. The
Institute congratulates all the practices that participated in the 2019 Newcastle
Architecture Awards program and thanks this year’s jurors, who contributed
their time and expertise with great generosity.

NOTES TO THE EDITOR:

High resolution images and promotional summaries are available for
download here:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/7blggohx16p55je/AAAuppBvSiljO2w9WKrbXjl2a?dl=0

The
National Architecture Awards and respective state and territory Architecture
Awards programs are run by the Australian Institute of Architects. Images and
information are provided only for use in articles relating to the Institute’s
Architecture Awards. The Awards program must be attributed as the Australian
Institute of Architects’ National/State/Territory Architecture Awards.

All images must credit the
Institute, the architect and photographer. Use in any other context is strictly
prohibited without written permission from the submitting architect.

The Awards catalogue including jury citations is available
at: https://www.dropbox.com/s/74n5ttuynw1joum/NAA19_AWARDSBOOKLET_Newcastle_Final.pdf?dl=0

FULL LIST OF WINNERS:

Newcastle Jury Prize – Maitland Riverlink by CHROFI Architects with McGregor
Coxall

Educational Architecture

Award
– St Pius X High School Library by SHAC

Public Architecture

Award – Maitland Riverlink by CHROFI
Architects with McGregor Coxall

Residential Architecture – Houses (New)

Award – Greenacres by Austin Maynard Architects

Commendation – Twenty One Flowerdale by SDA

Commendation – Macmasters
Beach Courtyard House by Matt Thitchener Architect

Residential Architecture – Houses (Multiple Housing)

Award – The Edge by CKDS Architecture

Heritage

Award – The Station, Newcastle by EJE
Architecture

Award – The Newcastle Signal Box by EJE
Architecture

Interior Architecture

Award – Ginger Megs X byDerive Architecture & Design

Commendation – Regis Elermore Vale by Jackson Teece

Urban Design

Award – Maitland Riverlink by CHROFI Architects with McGregor Coxall

Sustainable Architecture

Award – Graham Whiteing Residence by True North Architects

COLORBOND® Award for Steel Architecture Award– St Pius X High School Library by SHAC

For media enquiries contact:

Kate Concannon, Australian
Institute of Architects – NSW Chapter        

 P. + 61 (2) 9246 4017  |  M.
+61 (0) 406 306 447

kate.concannon@architecture.com.au

Responding to yesterday’s VCAT ruling relating to the 2014 Lacrosse building fire, the Australian Institute of Architects said the decision once again highlights the paramount importance of people’s safety in the built environment.

National President Clare Cousins said the Lacrosse fire has been a catalyst for important reviews into building regulation in Australia and their recommendations should be adopted.

‘Yesterday’s VCAT ruling underscores that people’s safety must be of paramount concern in our buildings,’ Ms Cousins said.

‘It reinforces the need for reform to prevent a repetition of this type of event – or worse – in future.

‘This is a landmark decision with significant ramifications right across the building and construction sector.

‘The Lacrosse fire alerted government, regulators and industry in the starkest terms to the dangers of aluminium composite cladding.

‘It prompted multiple examinations into the safety of our buildings, not just here in Melbourne but right around the country.

‘The VCAT ruling is substantial and will take time to fully digest.

‘The central message however appears clear, and that is that safety is everyone’s responsibility.

‘This is a message we fully support. We have been vocal advocates for reform and improved compliance and will continue to be.

‘Last year’s Shergold-Weir report, Building Confidence, identified serious failures that are jeopardising public safety.

‘We want to see measures put in place to rectify these failings and we repeat our call for governments to implement, in a nationally consistent way, every one of the 24 recommendations contained in that report.

‘Like any other industry, building design and construction is constantly evolving and innovating, both in terms of practices but also the materials used.

‘Our regulatory environment and the building practitioners who operate within it, including architects, must keep pace with these changes.

‘That’s why we have been calling for the registration and regulation of other building practitioners in the same way architects have been for decades.

‘We will be carefully reviewing the implications of the VCAT decision for the architectural profession.

‘It brings to the fore a number of critical issues that have been a growing concern for architects for some time.

‘Among these is the issue of non-conforming and non-complying building products and the issue of product substitution which formed the basis of a Senate Economics References Committee inquiry in 2017 that the Institute was actively involved in.

‘Changes to procurement practices and other factors have introduced a higher degree of risk in an already fraught environment and we are continuing to build the case for change on this front.

‘In a regulatory context, it is vital that risk is allocated to the party best placed to manage it – this is the best way to guarantee safety.

‘The safety and quality of our buildings must be prioritised above cost alone – doing otherwise should no longer be countenanced as a viable option.’