Category: National news

Institute seeks representative on AS/NZS 2293 Committee

Standardisation in Emergency Escape Lighting and Exit Signs for Buildings

Standards Australia recently approved a project proposal to revise Australian/New Zealand Standard for AS/NZS 2293 Emergency Escape Lighting and Exit Signs for Buildings. The project will be kicked off by LG-007 Emergency Lighting in Building Committee (LG-007 Committee) in the coming months.

Standards Australia has asked the Institute to put forward a representative of the architecture profession’s interests on the LG-007 Technical Committee. Consequently, we are seeking someone with a technical background or experience in this topic area. It is expected that the Institute representatives will communicate and feedback regularly and carry the position of the Institute to all meetings.

The Technical Committee working on this project will meet around four times over the next 24 months. Each meeting is generally held face to face, for a full day. Meetings will largely be run out of Standards Australia offices in Sydney however, there is always the opportunity for teleconferences. Meeting dates and details will be communicated in due course. This project kick off meeting is scheduled for 29th and 30th October 2013 in Sydney. The kick off meeting is a formal project initiation process where the attendance of all project stakeholders is vitally important. Please consider these meeting dates when considering your participation.

Please note that the Institute will arrange and cover the cost of flights and accommodation for the Institute representative.

Further details on the scope of the proposed project can be forwarded by request to interested parties by contacting carmel.mccormack@architecture.com.au before close of business Fri 18

Archicentre’s strategic direction

The recent integration of Archicentre with the Institute has prompted a range of questions from interested members, so the following summary of Archicentre’s strategy and future direction has been prepared, drawing on information submitted to both the Archicentre Board and Institute National Council, to outline the role and the strategic direction of the organisation.

Background

Archicentre has been a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Institute since the business was founded in 1981. Archicentre’s charter is essentially to create business opportunities for Institute members, through a number of mechanisms.

Since it’s inception, Archicentre has created hundreds of thousands of opportunities for members to interact with the general public through the provision of property inspections and renovation designs, many of which have been converted by members into full-service commissions. More recently, Archicentre has provided consulting services to a range of corporate and government clients including project home builders, land developers, property managers and state government agencies.

In 2012, the Archicentre Board and the Institute’s National Council made a strategic decision to integrate Archicentre’s operations fully within the Institute, while retaining the Archicentre Pty Ltd company vehicle and public facing brand. The Board and Institute saw that there existed a range of un-realised synergies between the two organisations, particularly for Archicentre to leverage its consumer-facing brand into a stronger advocacy role.

A number of key actions were then taken to pursue integration including Archicentre’s company structure changing from Ltd to Pty Ltd, Archicentre’s CEO replaced by an Institute General Manager and the integration of business units began, commencing with ‘shared service’ functions such as Marketing.

Strategic Direction

The changes noted above highlighted the need for a strategic redirection of Archicentre, particularly reflecting the opportunity to increase Archicentre’s role to advocate for the value of architects and architecture. Through some detailed work exploring Archicentre’s strategy and brand, a number of key outputs shaping Archicentre’s future have emerged.

At a strategic level, opportunities emerged for Archicentre to support the viability of small and emerging architectural practices, and as noted above, to demonstrate the value of architects and architecture to the community.

At the brand level, principal outputs included that the strength of the Archicentre brand lies in the quality of its architects and the ‘match-making’ role it plays in bringing together architects and members of the community. Underpinning this are notions of trust, professionalism, qualifications, creativity and individuality. It was recognized that the brand should play a key role in advocating for the value of architects and architecture to the community, but that the brand should not seek to engage all the Australian community, rather an identified subset most likely to positively respond to architecture and architectural services.

Bringing this work together is the following outline of Archicentre’s a future direction:

• Archicentre’s growth will be based on residential and commercial inspection, advice and design services;

• Archicentre will deliver its services by advocating the value of architect’s high level skills and abilities;

• Archicentre will position its architect’s network as its key point of difference in the marketplace;

• Archicentre will emphasise its ‘match-maker’ role-bringing together architects and the community;

• Archicentre’s brand will be recognised as a strong, independent source of trusted services and information;

• Archicentre’s marketing will target specific segments of the community to generate both commercial and advocacy benefits;

• Archicentre’s operations will align with the Institute’s operations and strategy;

• Archicentre will partner with the Institute to support small and emerging architectural practices;

• Archicentre will achieve a better than break-even result during the realignment phase and then deliver a sustainable financial annual surplus to the Institute in the medium term.

As always, the devil is in the detail and much work needs to be done to fully integrate the two organisations. Archicentre’s management team and the Institute’s Executive are committed to building on each other’s strengths to the benefit of Institute members around the country.

Queries about Archicentre can be directed to its General Manager, Cameron Frazer.

Architecture and Design Symposium – EmAGN special offer!

SAVE $150

OFFER EXCLUSIVE TO EmAGN – FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY

This is your chance to buy generously discounted tickets for a unique, one-day event that will bring together prominent Danish and Australian architects and designers.The Architecture and Design Symposium: Architecture Makes the City will be held at the Opera House on Friday 25 October as part of its 40th Anniversary celebrations

This one-day symposium curated by UTS Head of Architecture Anthony Burke will discuss the contemporary role of architecture and design in shaping our collective cultural imagination.

Our generous corporate partners and sponsors BlueScope, Dulux, Smeg and WoodSolutions have made it possible for a lucky handful of emerging architects and graduate members to attend this event at the discounted rate of $245, a saving of $150. Tickets include entry to all sessions, as well as a catered lunch and morning tea.

This offer is for emerging architects and graduate members only and is limited to the first 50 tickets.

Offer closes 4 October.

BOOK NOW

Once you receive confirmation of your booking please email your full name to events@architecture.com.au, your details will be provided to your ticket sponsor.

Hear from and network with leading architects, designers
and artists such as:DENMARK
Jan Utzon – Utzon Architects
Johannes Molander Pedersen and Morten Rask Gregersen – NORD Architects
Dan Stubbergaard – COBE
Jakob Fenger and Bjørnstjerne Christiansen – Superflex
Mette Kyne Frandsen – Henning LarsonAUSTRALIA
Gerard Reinmuth – Terroir
Camilla Block – Durbach Block Jaggers
Richard Johnson – Johnson Pilton Walker
John Choi – CHROFI
Matthew Bennett – Bennett and Trimble
Rachel Healy – City of Sydney

You can also gain a total of 4.5 formal CPD points at the Architecture and Design Symposium by answering questions or writing a report on the sessions. Session questions will be provided on the day. Enquiries: continuum@architecture.com.au

National Architecture Awards 2013 – Tickets on sale

Thu 7 Nov
Sydney Opera House

Join us for the night-of-nights of Australian architecture, celebrating the best and boldest designs of the year in Australia’s most celebrated work of architecture!

Recognising outstanding achievements and excellence in architecture, the 2013 National Architecture Awards will be a spectacular occasion.

Held in one of the world’s greatest venues, the Sydney Opera House on Thursday 7 November, the evening begins with drinks and canapés on arrival, followed by the Awards presentation in the Concert Hall. The fun continues with a formal sit down dinner and celebrations into the night.

$80 per person
Cocktail reception and awards presentation

$250 per person
Cocktail reception, awards presentation and dinner – Please note places are limited and it is expected to sell out quickly.

To book now visit the Sydney Opera House Box Office

For more information click here.

Digital Business Kits – survey

As a member of the Australian Services Roundtable, the Australian Institute of Architects, along with the CSIRO, is collaborating on the delivery of this national survey, which assesses digital engagement within professional services firms.

The Australian Services Roundtable has been awarded a government grant to design, develop and deliver a series of Digital Business Kits, including online videos aimed at helping services firms become more digitally aware.

The survey takes five minutes to complete and will be used to design and evaluate these Digital Business Kits. It will also inform the CSIRO’s program of research examining how Australian firms can benefit from the growing digital economy.

By taking part, you can receive a short report which will profile firms similar to yours against an industry benchmark for internet-enabled technology use. You can also be entered into a draw to receive one of three double Gold class movie vouchers.

The survey can be accessed here.

This survey assesses your firm’s digital awareness , not an individual’s, so if you are not in a position to report on digital technology use within your firm, please pass forward this email to the most relevant person in your firm.

National Awards categories review – your opportunity to contribute

National Council recently endorsed the formation of an Awards Category Working Group in preparation for the 2014 Awards Program. The formation of this working group is in response to the recommendations/issues raised in relation to categories.

The working group consists of the current Institute National President, Paul Berkemeier, the past National President, Shelley Penn, four Institute members selected by the current National President: Andrew Wilson, Adrian FitzGerald, Abbie Galvin and Mark Damant and Institute General Manager of Marketing and Development, Shahana McKenzie. These members were selected from a call for expressions of interest sent to all 2013 Awards jurors.

In forming its recommendations, the Categories Working Group will be consulting with a variety of members and staff. Firstly, the working group is calling for members to provide feedback regarding the Awards program, specifically categories to awards@architecture.com.au

To assist the working group in delivering on time for the 2014 National Awards program we would appreciate any feedback on Friday 27 September 2013.

National Architecture Awards shortlist revealed

Sixty projects from around Australia and overseas have been shortlisted for the Australian Institute of Architects’ 2013 National Architecture Awards, the largest awards program of its kind in the world.

The shortlisted projects were selected by an eminent jury led by Immediate Past President of the Institute, Shelley Penn.

‘Almost 900 entries were received this year, exceeding the amount of entries in both the British and American Institute’s award programs. This demonstrates a strong engagement from members and is a tremendous effort and to be commended given our relative population size.

‘The high calibre of entries this year is testified by the number of awards given at the regional, local and state level, with almost 140 projects considered by the national jury and a sign that a lot of great work is happening all around the country.

‘I feel I can speak on behalf of the National Jury in saying we were all so impressed with all of the projects eligible for national awards, and it was a challenging and inspiring process to determine a shortlist,’ Ms Penn said.

All states and territories have been represented in the selected works, which span commercial, public, small project, sustainable, heritage, interior, international, residential and urban design categories. In total 83 entries made the shortlist with many of the 60 projects selected in multiple categories.

The shortlist is marked by a strong community focus and includes several social housing projects.

The featured projects illustrate an emphasis on social engagement around the country be it an affordable housing development in Brisbane, an adaptable cultural pavilion in a remote Northern Territory Indigenous community, or a large-scale commercial development in Sydney that seeks to give space back to the locals.

‘We were thrilled to see so many buildings and places that were engaging with social impacts beyond their immediate brief, offering something really significant to society at a higher level – architecture which is not merely responsible, but which is generous,’ Ms Penn reflected.

An iconic accomplishment of such architecture, the Sydney Opera House will play host to the National Architecture Awards ceremony on Thursday 7 November following a range of public events celebrating the national treasure’s 40th anniversary.

For more information on the National Architecture Awards and for tickets, please visit www.architecture.com.au/events/national/awards.

2013 National Archoteture Awards shortlist

COLORBOND® Award for Steel Architecture (5)

Djakanimba Pavilions – Insideout Architects (NT)
Perth Arena – ARM & Cameron Chisholm Nicol – Joint Venture Architects (WA)
RMIT Design Hub – Sean Godsell Architects in association with Peddle Thorp Architects (Vic)
Waterloo Youth Family Community Centre – Collins and Turner with City of Sydney (NSW)
West Kimberley Regional Prison – TAG Architects and iredale pedersen hook architects; Architects in Association (WA)

Commercial Architecture (6)

4 National Circuit – Fender Katsalidis (ACT)
Brookfield Place – HASSELL and Fitzpatrick + Partners (WA)
Darling Quarter – Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp (fjmt) (NSW)
Mountain Retreat Medical Clinic – Circa Morris-Nunn (Tas)
National Centre for Synchrotron Science – Bates Smart (Vic)
One One One Eagle Street – Cox Rayner Architects (Qld)

Heritage Architecture (5)

2 National Circuit – Fender Katsalidis (ACT)
Brookfield Place – HASSELL, Fitzpatrick + Partners and Palassis Architects (WA)
Cairns Foreshore Redevelopment – CA Architects and Cox Rayner Architects in association with O’Neill Architecture (Qld)
Good Shepherd Chapel – Abbotsford – Robert Simeoni Architects (Vic)
Hamer Hall – ARM Architecture (Vic)

Interior Architecture (9)

2 National Circuit – Fender Katsalidis (ACT)
Hamer Hall – ARM Architecture (Vic)
John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School (JSRACS) Kindergarten – Beechboro Campus – Brooking Design Architects (WA)
Lilyfield Warehouse – Virginia Kerridge Architect (NSW)
Meeting Room St Mary’s Cathedral Centre – Circa Morris-Nunn (Tas)
One One One Eagle Street Foyer – Cox Rayner Architects (Qld)
Perth Arena – ARM & Cameron Chisholm Nicol – Joint Venture Architects (WA)
The Kinghorn Cancer Centre – BVN Donovan Hill (NSW)
Translational Research Institute – Wilson Architects + Donovan Hill; Architects in Association (Qld)

International Architecture (7)

28th Street Apartments – Koning Eizenberg Architecture Inc. (United States)
387 Tamaki Drive – Ian Moore Architects (New Zealand)
Australia House – Andrew Burns Architect in association with Atelier Imamu (Japan)
Finding Country Exhibition 13th Venice Architecture Biennale 2012 – Kevin O’Brien Architects in association with the Finding Country Collective and Venti di Cultura (Italy / Qld)
Martin No.38 – Kerry Hill Architects (Singapore)
Silver House – Peter Stutchbury Architecture (Russia)
Sobieski House – Koning Eizenberg Architecture Inc. (United States)

Public Architecture (13)

Bridgewater LINC and Child & Family Centre – Liminal Architecture (Tas)
Hamer Hall – ARM Architecture (Vic)
Penleigh and Essendon Grammer School – McBride Charles Ryan (Vic)
Perth Arena – ARM & Cameron Chisholm Nicol – Joint Venture Architects (WA)
Queen Elizabeth II Courts of Law – Architectus in association with Guymer Bailey Architects (Qld)
RMIT Design Hub – Sean Godsell Architects in association with Peddle Thorp Architects (Vic)
Swanston Academic Building – Lyons (Vic)
The Braggs University of Adelaide – BVN Donovan Hill & Hames Sharley in association (SA)
The Kinghorn Cancer Centre – BVN Donovan Hill (NSW)
Translational Research Institute – Wilson Architects + Donovan Hill; Architects in Association (Qld)
Village Centre: National Arboretum Canberra – Tonkin Zulaikha Greer (ACT)
Waterloo Youth Family Community Centre – Collins and Turner with City of Sydney (NSW)
West Kimberley Regional Prison – TAG Architects and iredale pedersen hook architects; Architects in Association (WA)

Residential Architecture – Houses (10)

(-) Glass House – Charles Wright Architects (Qld)
Balmain House – Fox Johnston (NSW)
Bisley Place House – James Russell Architect (Qld)
Blue House – Neeson Murcutt Architects (Vic)
Cowshed House – carterwilliamson architects (NSW)
Edward Street House – Sean Godsell Architects (Vic)
Fairhaven Residence – John Wardle Architects (Vic)
Merricks Beach House – Kennedy Nolan (Vic)
Taringa House – Loucas Zahos Architects (Qld)
Tír na nÓg – Drew Heath Architects (NSW)

Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing (5)

29-35 Prince Street Cronulla – Candalepas Associates (NSW)
Constance Street Affordable Housing – Cox Rayner Architects (Qld)
Lime Street – Formworks Architecture (WA)
McIntyre Drive Social Housing Altona – MGS Architects (Vic)
Silk Apartments – Tony Caro Architecture (NSW)

Small Project Architecture (7)

7th Heaven, Ormond College – Nest Architects (Vic)
Abbotsford Convent Breezeway – Jackson Clements Burrows (Vic)
Art Gallery of NSW Forecourt Upgrade – Johnson Pilton Walker (NSW)
Djakanimba Pavilions – Insideout Architects (NT)
Keperra House – A-CH (Atelier Chen Hung) (Qld)
Re-Newell – Charles Wright Architects (Qld)
Third Wave Kiosk – Tony Hobba Architects (Vic)

Sustainable Architecture (8)

(-) Glass House – Charles Wright Architects (Qld)
Constance Street Affordable Housing – Cox Rayner Architects (Qld)
Cowshed House – carterwilliamson architects (NSW)
Darling Quarter – Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp (fjmt) with ASPECT Studios, Lend Lease, E.G.O. Group and Davenport Campbell (NSW)
Djakanimba Pavilions – Insideout Architects (NT)
One One One Eagle Street– Cox Rayner Architects (Qld)
Waterloo Youth Family Community Centre – Collins and Turner with City of Sydney (NSW)
West Kimberley Regional Prison – TAG Architects and iredale pedersen hook architects; Architects in Association (WA)

Urban Design (8)

2 & 4 National Circuit Precinct – Fender Katsalidis (ACT)
Brookfield Place – HASSELL and Fitzpatrick + Partners (WA)
Darling Quarter – Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp (fjmt) with ASPECT Studios, Lend Lease, E.G.O. Group and Davenport Campbell (NSW)
Flinders Street Revitalisation – Cox Rayner Architects (Qld)
GASP Stage 1 – Room 11 Studio (Tas)
Hamer Hall – ARM Architecture (Vic)
Pitt Street Mall Public Domain Upgrade – Tony Caro Architecture (NSW)
Revitalising Central Dandenong: Lonsdale Street Redevelopment – BKK/TCL Partnership (Vic)

2013 Jury

Shelley Penn – Immediate Past President of the Institute, Shelley Penn Architect (Chair)
Richard Hassell – WOHA Founder and Director
Ben Hewett – South Australian Government Architect
Hannah Tribe – Tribe Studio Founder and Director
Justine Clark – Architectural editor, writer and critic (Lay Juror)

Entries now open for 2014 COLORBOND® Steel Student Biennale

Australia’s longest running prize for students of architecture, the COLORBOND® Steel Student Biennale is once again open for entries.

Established by the Australian Institute of Architects, the prize offers recent graduates and students the opportunity to win a cash prize of $8,000 and the chance to attend the 2014 National Architecture Conference in Perth.

Since 1985 the COLORBOND® Steel Student Biennale has acknowledged outstanding works of design by architecture students across Australia. The entries are judged by esteemed members of the profession on their resolution, exploration and communication of ideas, space, structure and materials, as well as their response to contemporary architectural issues such as the challenge of climate change.

The winner of the 2014 prize will be announced in front of leaders of the Australian architecture profession at the Australian Achievement in Architecture Awards held in March 2014. In addition to the $8,000 cash prize for first place, the ten shortlisted students will receive flights, tickets and accommodation to attend the 2014 National Architecture Conference in Perth, May 8-10.

The bi-annual competition closes 5pm AEST Friday 27 September and is open to Undergraduate or Masters students enrolled in an Institute recognised Australian architecture course in 2013 and to students who completed their course in 2012. Entries that have been previously submitted for the BlueScope Steel Glenn Murcutt Student Prize are ineligible.

The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges the generous, ongoing support of BlueScope Steel in the recognition of students of architecture.

For more information on the prize, visit wp.architecture.com.au/studentbiennale or contact prizes@architecture.com.au or phone 03 8620 3877.

A Decade of Australian Architecture on Google Earth

The Institute’s Architecture on Google Earth Map has been developed to showcase the myriad of award winning Australian architecture around Australia and internationally*, over the last decade. The 3D map provides search parameters to allow you to search by project location, award year and category, among other items.

Access the 3D map display to view the latest additions to the Institute’s Architecture on Google Earth layer.

For further information visit Architecture on Google Earth.

*Residential houses, state commendations and not for publication projects are not included.

Architecture SMEs get a helping hand in the digital realm

High-speed broadband, cloud systems and online business tools are just some of the services that will be available to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the architecture and construction industry following an announcement by Senator Kate Lundy for the Australian Services Roundtable (ASR) today.

A $500,000 Australian Government grant has been provided to the ASR to develop a series of customised digital business kits to help services firms get online to drive productivity and find new markets, with architects, engineers and related building industry specialists benefitting in phase one of the project.

Speaking at the launch, Australian Institute of Architects’ CEO and ASR Director David Parken was pleased that the Institute was able to partner with ASR, the peak national body for services industry organisations, in the first round, which will be delivered over the first year in the five year program.

‘This is an important initiative for the architecture industry, with 90 per cent of Institute members working in SMEs. Another significant factor is the reliance of the industry on digital technology such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Integrated Project Teams.

‘BIM is a major game-changer for the construction industry, allowing streamlined information flow between collaborators. This reduces doubling up on modelling and documentation and is therefore integral to the advancement and efficiency of the sector.

‘BIM and the associated Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) techniques currently being pioneered and employed rely heavily on high-speed internet in the delivery of large files on a daily basis. This transfer of information is not only happening on local projects but also overseas, with many local architects undertaking projects in the Asian market, an area of significant financial growth.

‘Construction is a major contributor to the Australian economy with approximately $200 billion of annual activity across the residential, commercial, engineering and infrastructure sectors; therefore, having an efficient and productive design sector is integral,’ Mr Parken said.

The digital business kits will provide much needed support and advice tailored for smaller practices to boost workflow following the recent slowing of the industry.

Click here to see BRW‘s coverage of this announcement.