Over 40 events will be held in the Festival of Architecture and Design

Less than 12 months after the success of Adelaide’s first Festival of Architecture and Design (FAD) last year, the Festival will launch its program of over 40 events this Friday 11 September online at www.fad.org.au

The program held from 8 – 13 October will deliver a fun, engaging and informative series of architecture and design talks, forums, exhibitions, performing arts, children’s activities, guided walking tours and the return of Open House Adelaide program.

Presented by the Australian Institute of Architects in partnership with the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects, the Design Institute of Australia and EmAGN – NAG, with the support of arts organisations, cultural institutions and local creative industries, events will be held across the city, inner metropolitan and regional areas and are suited to all ages.

The Festival will focus on sharing stories about our small bar culture, waste in the built environment, women in design, the possibilities presented by the driverless car, links between wine, food and design, a heritage legacy of elegance and innovation, public spaces and placemaking, retaining our local graduates, and economic and social sustainability.

Event highlights include the Open House Adelaide program taking people through architecture and design studios, public buildings and residential projects; public talks by architecture’s gold medallist Peter Stutchbury and Droga Architect in Residence, Nick Wood (London, UK); exhibitions of up-and-coming furniture, lighting and homeware design, architectural photography and unbuilt works from the Architecture Museum.

All events will be available to view and register from Friday 11 September at www.fad.org.au

Help us spread the word!

The SA Chapter is calling all members to share the news about the Festival program throughout your networks.

Over the next 4 weeks members will receive a series of Festival emails including event highlights, which can be forwarded around your practice, and family and friends. Share a post on social media using the Festival hashtag #FAD15 and directing people to view the program online www.fad.org.au

Download and print a copy of the Festival poster to display in your practice front window and on the staff noticeboard.

The SA Chapter has recently received some queries regarding the acceptance of ABIC contracts by lending institutions.  The key concerns appear to be that there is no schedule of payments written into ABIC contracts and that they are not seen as a fixed price contract as they contain clauses regarding variations.

The banks and building societies would prefer to lend against a MBA or HIA contract – ones which they see on a regular basis and which they believe they understand.  The fact that the MBA and HIA contracts do not prevent variations to the construction cost and that a schedule of payments can lead to payment exceeding value of the completed work on site does not appear to outweigh the certainty provided by known contracts.

The key concern from my perspective is that lenders appear to not value the service provided by Architects and that they consider a contract administered by a professional as of greater risk than a contract where an often inexperienced client represents themselves.  Some lenders even send valuers to check on the Architect’s assessment of progress claims prior to releasing funds, further highlighting their lack of trust in an architect’s professional skills.

The SA Chapter is interested to hear from members who have had difficulties resulting from the ABIC contracts.  The Institute has already had fruitful discussions with the Commonwealth Bank regarding the schedule of payments issue.  As a result we have a platform for addressing any other issues in relation to this suite of contracts.

The ultimate end game is that lenders preference architect administered contracts because they recognise that architects add value and reduce risk.

Nicolette Di Lernia, SA Chapter Manager

Over the last few months I’ve had the privilege of meeting with a number of you as members to discuss the strategic direction that we are developing within Chapter Council – increasing the relevance of the profession and growing the areas and markets in which we can practice.

We’ve tested the ideas of developing business with China, reforming the planning system, forming practice ‘clusters’ to pursue work in areas such as small practice and aged care and enhancing our role in residential design, to determine whether these initiatives are things that you as members see as relevant and worth pursuing.

The overall feedback has been positive, with some valuable insights in to how we might shape the themes and make them more incisive.

During this second half of this Chapter Council term, we will be focused on their implementation. However, it is a big agenda, and not something that we can deliver as a Chapter Council on our own. We need the assistance of you as members.

As I have noted previously, these themes are specifically targeted at increasing business opportunities for all of us, and your participation in helping shape and deliver them is welcomed. Last week the SA Chapter emailed a flyer detailing the myriad of ways members can participate in Chapter activities and advocacy. It’s here again as a reminder.

I’d urge each of you to have a read of it and think about how you can contribute to our efforts to strengthen the profession. If you have any questions or would like to get a better understanding of how you can contribute, please get in touch with the Chapter team by calling 8402 5900 or by email sa@architecture.com.au

David Homburg, SA Chapter President

As indicated in the previous e-News, the South Australian Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects has been reviewing the viability of Place magazine. Earlier this year it became clear that significant issues faced the ongoing viability of the publication.  The review process has highlighted a lack of member involvement in production of the magazine as well as the difficult economic climate that has existed for some time, which has impacted on the ability to attract advertising revenue to support publications of this kind.

Cathryn Charnock Corporate Publishing (CCCP) has worked with passion and commitment to improve the viability of the publication since accepting the role of Publisher over a year ago. CCCP came on board at a time when Place was struggling financially and, despite improving the financial basis of the magazine over the past year, has been unable to overcome the overall underlying issues affecting Place.

It is therefore with regret that I advise that the South Australian Chapter Council has decided to discontinue production of Place magazine, making the 2015 Awards Issue the final edition.

This cessation of the publication will provide the SA Chapter of the Institute the time to broaden a review process that began with Place, and to re-evaluate our strategic approach to our communication strategy.  Once this process is concluded the Institute may be in a position to reconsider implementing a viable South Australian publication.  If you would like to be involved in this process please let me know.

The Institute extends its sincere thanks to all the people who have been involved with Place over the last nine years.  This includes:

> Cathryn Charnock and the CCCP team for their dedication and energy in designing, producing and attracting financial support for the magazine in what is a very challenging market

> the previous publishers, Solstice Media and Collect, for their involvement

> the members of the editorial committee, for all its hard work sourcing content – and particularly Yaara Plaves, who shouldered most of this responsibility for the last year

> the advertisers, whose support enabled us to produce such a handsome magazine

> and last, but definitely not least, all those who contributed content that provided thought-provoking and informative reading.

Adieu Place.  You will be missed.

– Nicolette Di Lernia, Chapter Manager

SA Chapter Council initiatives

At the Architecture Awards dinner a little over two weeks ago, I spoke about some of the initiatives that your energetic Chapter Council has been focusing on since commencing our term in March this year. All build on the excellent work of my predecessors over the last five years based around the themes of integrated design (Tim Horton/David Holland), design excellence (Nick Tridente) and membership engagement (Steve Grieve).

This council is focused on bringing these themes together in ways that make our profession more relevant to the wider community here in South Australia, and expanding the opportunities that we have for conducting the business of design and architecture. It is something that we believe is crucial to our success as a profession and as individual businesses, and the economic life of our state. These initiatives include:

Planning reform: the state government has invited us to provide input into the development of the new planning legislation that is being prepared following the recommendations of the Expert Panel on Planning Reform led by Brian Hayes QC. Our feedback has been for government to strengthen the role of good design in the planning process through initiatives such as design guidelines, design review and assessment of proposals by professionals with design qualifications.

As Adelaide evolves into a more intensely developed city, the role of architecture, design and the skills that we possess will become increasingly important if we are to maintain our enviable reputation as one of the world’s most liveable cities. This lies at the heart of these proposals.

Education: while we have had a standing committee with a remit on all things educational, the Chapter Council believes that there is a specific role for increasing the level of awareness of good design in our community. Not only does this influence the built environment, of which we are leading practitioners in its delivery, but it is also fundamental to the transformation of our economy to one based on high value intellectual property and advanced manufacturing.

Good design and the processes we use are able to unlock problems that the usual business approaches can no longer resolve – it lies at the heart of our economic transformation. So not only are we developing a program for explaining design in schools in simple terms, but we are also looking to develop a policy aimed at making design much more visible in our school curriculum. It is essential to our economic future, both as a profession and as a state.

Festival of Architecture and Design (FAD): FAD is now going from strength to strength. It is transforming October into ‘design month’, and becoming one of our main avenues for engaging with a wider audience on the potential that architecture and design can bring to our community.

This year promises to be bigger and better than ever, with some exciting associations with allied festivals being discussed – hopefully more on this later…

And finally China: the development of our engagement with Shandong Province and the business opportunities that the relationship presents is moving onwards. A task group is being formed within Council that will require a wider contribution from interested AIA members. Our immediate task is to prepare a program for the return visit from our Chinese counterpart in September, based on the themes of aged and health care.

If you are interested in participating in any of these initiatives, your input is welcome. Please contact our Chapter Manager Nicolette Di Lernia at sa@architecture.com.au if you would like to get involved.

And a big thanks to the Chapter staff who made the Awards such a successful program and event again this year.

– David Homburg, Chapter President

The SA Architecture Awards presentation is being held this Friday, providing an opportunity for the profession to recognise and celebrate the significant achievements realised across a range of projects.  The awards are an important vehicle for peer acknowledgement, as well as recognition of the important contribution made by collaborative project teams and engaged clients.  However, increasing awareness of these exemplary projects within the broader public sphere adds significant value to the program.

To this end the Chapter has arranged for coverage in local print and online media and has issued a national media release.  In addition there are plans for an exhibition of entries in public spaces and tours of significant and award winning buildings as part of the Festival program.  The public jury presentations are also part of the engagement strategy.

These activities will increase awareness of the value provided by excellent design.  If you have suggestions regarding other ways in which we can engage the public in the awards program then please let us know.  We are always interested in new ideas.

On a personal note, this has been an interesting year for me.  I have had involvement in the awards program in a member capacity as the Chair of the Educational Architecture category and, more recently, have had a minor role in the organisation for the event.  The program is a robust and rigorous one from both perspectives.  All of those involved – jurors, staff, entrants, sponsors and event partners – are to be congratulated on an excellent outcome.

So, all that remains now is for everyone attending on Friday to have a wonderful evening.  Enjoy!

Nicolette Di Lernia, Chapter Manager

On Wed 10 June a group of members met to discuss Place Magazine and the South Australian Chapter’s media strategy into the future.  The attendees provided useful feedback regarding the value of a local publication and future directions that should be considered to build a more engaged and connected architectural profession within South Australia.

It was generally considered that a local publication was important in maintaining and defining a strong architectural community.  Another point of agreement was that Place needs to grow to reach a broader audience, thereby increasing its value as a vehicle for advocacy and debate, but also to improve its viability in what are challenging times for publishing.

The option for digital as well as hard copy formats were also canvassed, with a hybrid of both considered a good fit.  Digital format provides for topical and timely delivery of information.  Hard copy provides a more suitable forum for presenting more detailed content as well as an archival record of issues of interest at that time.

However, the Institute is interested in engaging more widely with members regarding these issues.  To this end a survey has been developed so that we can better understand your needs and aspirations.  We appreciate your time and extend our thanks to all who participate.

To complete the short 5-10 minute survey, please click https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7QTYN22 

Nicolette Di Lernia, SA Chapter Manager

In the last week of May, Chapter Councillor Dino Vrynios and I, supported by Phil Donaldson of SustainSA visited Shandong province in China as part of a South Australian trade delegation led by Premier Weatherill. In my capacity as SA Chapter President, I was representing the broader design sector which included the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects, Association of Consulting Architects, Design Institute of Australia, Planning Institute of Australia and Engineers Australia as well as the Institute.

We pitched a message of a cohesive and comprehensive design services sector ready to do business with Shandong, framed around our well-earned reputation for exceptional liveability. The message was simple, and we believe resonated with our Chinese audience.

While beforehand we were uncertain as to how fruitful our discussion might be, it quickly became apparent that design services were both highlighted and sought after.

Delegation leader Sean Kernihan of the Australia China Business Council reinforced the importance the services sector in any trade engagement. Premier Weatherill specifically spoke about our expertise in health services and aged care, of which design services are a key. And the Governor of Shandong noted that with his province having the highest proportion of people over 60 in China – over 18 million no less! – it was an area that needed to be addressed.

The outcome has been opportunities for engagement directly with several design institutes in the cities of Jinan and Qingdao who are seeking international design expertise for their projects. There are also clearly opportunities around planning and urban design, particularly with regard to water in the urban environment.

We were also able to engage in discussions with other South Australian delegates, particularly in the aged care, health and education sectors. There is great potential to develop of a comprehensive trade offer for these services that includes design services.

The key now will be to take advantage of the opportunities. We already have agreement from AILA, ACA, PIA, DIA and EA to further pursue an engagement strategy, and a number of members attended a briefing session at the SA Chapter last Thursday to hear of the benefits.

We are in discussions with the State Government regarding assistance in developing design services sector alliance as a trade strategy and we will be seeking further involvement from interested members shortly in anticipation of a return delegation from Shandong in September.

I believe this is a very real business opportunity for the design sector, one which enables us to increase the areas in which we can practice – part of my mantra of ‘growing the pie’ for all of us. There is opportunity to both export services to Shandong, and support inward Chinese investment into South Australia.

I look forward to discussing this further with those members who would like to be involved. Please contact me through the Chapter office by email sa@architecture.com.au

– David Homburg, SA Chapter President

The future of Place Magazine

Place Magazine is the South Australian Chapter’s publication, providing a platform for comment and debate within the profession.

However, the financial viability of Place has been an ongoing issue throughout its life. Considerable time and resources are required to publish a magazine without this additional level of complexity.

It is time for the SA Chapter to review its position and to make some significant decisions.  Members need to decide what function Place serves, what it is worth to the Chapter and whether there are any other models that can deliver the core benefits without the financial stresses that are associated with the current model.

This is not a simple issue and there is not likely to be an outcome that pleases all members.  The Chapter is inviting members to come to a forum on Wednesday 10 June to discuss these issues and determine the way forward.

I look forward to meeting with you and will be keeping members informed of the process by which the Chapter responds to this issue.

Further information regarding the current position and possible alternative models are outlined below: 

THE CURRENT POSITION

Place Magazine is published by Cathryn Charnock Corporate Publishing (CCCP). CCCP coordinates graphic design, printing and distribution as well as being responsible for securing advertising revenue. Yaara Plaves is the editor for the publication and sources content for each issue.

The Institute provides funding to assist with production costs and the Chapter Manager acts as managing editor. The Chapter budget for Place in 2015 is $10,000.

It was intended that the advertising revenue would finance the remainder of the publication costs.  However, the limited print-run (1000 copies per edition) plus the tight economic environment has limited the revenue available through advertising.

This has led to the current situation, where we cannot continue to produce the magazine under the current model.

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

Possible options for the future include:

1. Seeking patrons from within the SA architectural community to sponsor each edition (model for NSW Chapter publication).  Patrons could either be individual practices or consortia of practices and would have the opportunity to determine a significant proportion of the editorial content.  The current economic climate in South Australia is likely to make this model unsustainable.

2. Charging members for Place in addition to their membership at a cost that would cover the current funding shortfall.  The cover price per issue would need to be in the order of $10.00 for the current style of magazine. A lesser cover price would be an option if the style of the magazine was reviewed and significantly changed to suit our budget.

3. Significantly increasing the number of copies printed for each edition, which would make the publication more attractive to advertisers. Additional copies could be distributed to local councils, cafes, cultural institutions for customers to access free of charge (similar model to City Mag).  This would require some amendment of content to suit the broader market for the publication but would also make Place a vehicle for public awareness and advocacy of the profession.

4. Discontinuation of Place Magazine, with current funding from the SA Chapter being redirected to alternative platforms for professional debate.

– An electronic platform has the potential to provide a forum for the profession as well as an opportunity for broader public debate.  It would not be attractive to some members who value a printed publication or have limited electronic media access.  If an online publication options was adopted the current Place editor has indicated that she would not continue in the role.

– Direction of content to InDaily and The Adelaide Review.  Content would need to be related to current issues to make it more attractive for publication.  However, this avenue provides opportunities for promoting public debate and broadening community understanding of the benefits of design.

– Nicolette Di Lernia, SA Chapter Manager