Dear Friends and Colleagues

Instagram – AIAQLD_PRES

Communication and Engagement

One of my main priorities as President is to explore how we can best communicate with our key stakeholders. I believe it is imperative that relevant government representatives gain a better understanding of our profession and the vital role we play in maximising the quality of Queensland’s built environment. The aim is to encourage more effective integration of our skills and expertise into key decision-making and policy setting. Closer to home, I would like to examine how we can best communicate to members. To assist with this, a review of communication practices for all key stakeholders is currently underway. If you have views regarding how we can better communicate to our stakeholders, including you as a member, I invite you to email Judith Gilmore at judith.gilmore@architecture.com.au by Monday 26 May 2014.  I look forward to keeping you posted on developments regarding communication and advocacy issues.

The review will lead to the preparation of a Communication and Stakeholder Management Plan that I am hopeful will be ready by June 2014.  The Plan will allow us to target our resources, both financial and human capital, efficiently and in a more structured manner and I look forward to seeing the benefits occur through the latter half of the year – and beyond.

Importantly how the Institute engages with its members will also undergo a much needed overhaul in the next 12 months.  A new business system will be deployed which will improve how members interface and engage with the Institute and one another.  Queensland has volunteered to be the first trial site so I am looking forward to a more seamless way we can communicate and collaborate on the many issues in front of the profession.

BEMPQ – Built Environment Meets Parliament Queensland was held on the 6^th of May 2014 and despite a more diverse program was still a great success.  I want to personally thank the members who attended for your support for this very important initiative – which places the issues of design and the environment on the agenda.

Richard’s Address to BEMPQ 2014

Kind regards

Richard Kirk FRAIA

12 May 2014

Queensland Chapter President

Australian Institute of Architects

rk@richardkirkarchitect.com

Dear women architects of Queensland,

I feel very proud and privileged to be an architect.

We architects do important work: we translate and shape culture by making the places and spaces that are the infrastructure of our lives.

Here in Queensland I believe we have something special in our particular relationships with our bounteous and various Queensland places.

I myself am very curious (aren’t you?) about all the great work that is happening throughout Queensland. Over more than 3 decades I have witnessed the developing sophistication of the response to our place and the discourse around it, and the burgeoning of women architects’  involvement in and influence on this.  I believe there is power in the work, and power in the collective.

I think it’s time for us to get together to share the conversation about our work; not just about BEING a woman architect in Queensland, but about what we are DOING.

So, please join me in gathering around our collective work.

What we are planning is collecting examples of women’s architecture from all over Queensland and from all women architects and students at any stage of life or career, placing it together, initially in a digital space via the Institute’s website, and then in the future as an exhibition. This is a great opportunity for us to get together in a celebratory and unstructured way to share and discuss the work.

Click here to see an example submission.

To be involved and share your work please contact Narelle.Robinson@architecture.com.au

Please feel free to contact me on Elizabeth.WatsonBrown@architectus.com.au

Cheers

Libby Watson Brown

Shane Thompson FRAIA

It’s been sometime since I have written a message to members, and as we approach the end of the year it’s been an opportunity to reflect on the activities of the Queensland Chapter in particular. It is often the lament of many who are in office that so much of the very important work undertaken and achievements can go unrecognised, and so it is the case with the Queensland Chapter executive team, Chapter Council and the hard working Committees. In particular I want to highlight to you what I consider some very worthwhile endeavours resulting in the foundations of a more active and public exposure for architects in the community. I consider these to be particularly important in times where the real value of our work to our clients and the wider community remains undervalued.

This year we have inaugurated an annual Architecture Week program of events based around World Architecture Day. Although modest in its initial ambitions this year, with its great success we hope to grow this program in years to come, coinciding with the Government Architect’s Office Open House program to a wider public audience. Our new biennial Regional Architecture Conference also kicked off with a fantastic program in Cairns. For me and many who attended it was one of the most memorable conferences ever. We have also been working strongly on our advocacy to the State Government on the need for a Design Policy and improved procurement processes and this has also been an important focus of the Government Architect. I’m pleased to advise that we have had good hearings from the Minister, who has been particularly responsive, and whilst work is still in progress, all indications are that our advice has been well received and our papers on these matters are proving an important reference. We also launched the inaugural Built Environment Meets Parliament in Queensland this year with 4 industry partners. The importance of quality design and the role of architects was a major discussion point of the day. At the next National Council meeting in December, we will consider a major proposal from the Qld Chapter that there is a need to provide better advice, develop industry standards and more adequate tools to members for non-traditional and partial services forms of client agreements.

A focus on alternative career models and the design work of women in the profession will be a focus a program being developed by Libby Watson-Brown for the Qld Chapter and with the Emerging Architects and Graduates Network (EmAGN) now a firm part of the Institute we anticipate more CPD programs relevant to this group as well as supporting this generation in the development of activities more relevant to their needs. There is so much more that has been achieved or is planned that time and space do not permit, but some other key highlights include;

• A new short film highlighting the achievements of Gold Coast Architects over the last 30 years to celebrate the 30^th Anniversary of their Regional Awards
• Our Design Dividend Campaign
• Our active participation in the Governments’ new Queensland Plan
• Many of our Regional Groups have been more active in their local advocacy with local government representatives and in reviewing and advising local government on new planning initiatives
• A detailed review and major submission on the new Central City Masterplan and the new Cityplan for Brisbane with many members involved
• Our participation and support for the “Bridge to Bridge” Urban Design workshop considering the redevelopment of the William and George Streets in Brisbane
• Major editorial comment on contemporary Architectural practice and the William Street precinct in the Courier Mail.

I trust that I will see some of you soon at the President’s Dinner where we will recognise the career achievements of many colleagues, student achievements and in the Presidents Awards major contributions by others to our profession and architecture.

Best wishes, Shane Thompson.

“The practice of architecture has entered the most challenging and profound shift in decades. An environment of increasing competition, lower value and new technologies means, what AR from the UK calls the new normal means that we now operate with less certainty, tighter programs and greater demands for accuracy. As I have travelled the state the last year, meeting with members at all scales and type of practice and spoken listened to our academics and students, there is noticeably greatly varying opinions about the impacts of change. However, all generally agree that there is little future in our continuing with old models.

I have spoken before about my optimism, notwithstanding the vicissitudes of our times, and the unique range of skills and knowledge that architects possess for which the need remains forever strong. The successes within and without the profession that we have enjoyed this year have been generated by a positive evidence based advocacy and a new language. Our position and profile with government has increased measurably, our regional groups in particular have responded to the challenges with an urgency and vigour that may yet set an example for those of us in the larger conurbations. Our committees are the key strength of the Institute, their diligent work, although under the radar, is critical to the advancement and sharing of knowledge. We should all be grateful for all those members who have volunteered their time whether on Chapter Council, committees, taskforces, Awards or events. We are a dynamic Chapter with a great office team whose enthusiasm for the members and what we do sees them give much more than we could ever expect.

It is that time of year when we all reflect on the past and plan for the future, so I trust that you all have faith in the importance and value of what we do, and the integrity of how we do it so that as you approach the year ahead you are able to do so with clear foresight, enthusiasm and energy for the hard work ahead. In architecture, as much as any endeavour the old maxim of “it’s about the journey, not the destination” holds true. So rather than wishing you well for your big endeavours in the year to come, I rather urge you all to find that way of working, day in, day out, that enables you to nurture your career, enjoy your work and embrace the challenges that you will inevitably face.

Best wishes for a safe and happy holiday season to you and all your family.

Shane Thompson

President

Australian Institute of Architects

Qld Chapter