Premier’s Delegation to Shandong

Last month I outlined the work that the SA Chapter office and Chapter Council have been doing to prepare for the Institute’s participation in Premier Jay Weatherill’s trade mission to the Shandong Province in China, which commences next Sunday evening in Jinan.

Since then there has been much going on behind the scenes to first develop our message, and then prepare material and presentations to support that message.

The main challenge is to be clear about what it is that we can offer as a sector that the Chinese government, business and community will consider unique and interesting. This is an international field that we are playing on, and many other countries are engaging heavily with China as well.

Our discussions will be around liveability, and will include our expertise in health, aged care and education.

Our message will be that Adelaide’s enviable reputation as a liveable city did not come about by accident – design has played a significant part in the city we experience today, including the physical layout, the systems and processes we have established and the projects themselves. It will also paint a picture of a city that is worth investing in. It is a message that we hope will resonate with our Chinese counterparts throughout the mission and pique their interest in what South Australia is doing well.

In the lead up to a return Chinese delegation visit to South Australia in September, we anticipate that we will be engaging further with the design sector here in South Australia to develop our message, so if you are interested in participating in these conversations or have some thoughts to offer, please get in touch with Nicolette Di Lernia, SA Chapter Manager on 8402 5900, or send me an email at sa@architecture.com.au

David Homburg, SA Chapter President

My first week as SA Chapter Manager has been eventful and illuminating.  As an active member of the Institute, I have been aware of many programs that the Institute delivers.  During the course of this week I have discovered that the Institute and our local Chapter does so much more than I was aware of.  Articulating the depth and breadth of these activities is one of my objectives, so members can better understand the value of membership and opportunities for increased engagement.

In my experience the value of membership of any organisation is significantly increased through active involvement.  How each member becomes involved is a personal choice.

However given the multiple opportunities available, I believe that there is something to suit everyone and ask members who are interested to please contact me on 8402 5900 or by email nicolette.dilernia@architecture.com.au

I want to express my sincere thanks to the Chapter staff Rebecca Duddy, Kara Growden, Gillian Redman-Lloyd and Amanda Wilksch for making me feel so welcome.  They have worked tirelessly to keep the Chapter operating at full capacity throughout the transition between Managers.  The assistance provided by Jamie Penrose, General Manager – Member Engagement during this time is also greatly appreciated.

My thanks also extends to the dynamic group of members involved on the Chapter Council, the committees and task groups, and recognise their contribution is invaluable in the delivery of our programs.

I look forward to working with staff and members to strengthen the SA Chapter’s role as a powerful voice for the profession, as well as a supportive, collegial architectural community.

 – Nicolette Di Lernia, SA Chapter Manager

SA Chapter welcomes new Chapter Manager

The Australian Institute of Architects’ South Australian Chapter has appointed a new Chapter Manager.

Nicolette Di Lernia comes to the Institute from multi-award winning architecture practice, Grieve Gillett Dimitty Andersen Architects and will start her new role on 27 April.

‘The Chapter Manager role is vital in delivering the many varied programs and events the Institute offers, including our annual awards program, as well as championing key policies which contribute to better quality design outcomes for the state of South Australia,’ SA President David Homburg said.

‘We are very excited to welcome Nicolette to the role, with her extensive industry knowledge and professional skillset she will make an outstanding advocate for the profession, our members and the broader community.’ 

Nicolette is a registered architect with more than 20 years of project experience and professional involvement including Chair of the SA Education Committee, juror for multiple SA Architecture Awards and former Visiting Fellow of the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Adelaide.

As an Associate at Grieve Gillett Dimitty Andersen Architects, Nicolette has been responsible for project delivery and management, development of marketing materials and mentoring of junior staff.

Nicolette was instrumental on key projects including the Basil Hetzel Building at the University of SA, new headquarters and film production facilities for the South Australian Film Corporation, and the South Australia Museum Biodiversity Gallery.

In addition to Nicolette’s project work, she has maintained active involvement in tertiary education since graduation, both in a teaching capacity and as a member of accreditation panels. This participation has provided her with the opportunity to impart a passion for architecture to the future leaders of the profession and collaboratively work to maintain high standards of architectural education.

Exporting of Architectural Services to China

Last year a group of members, including Immediate Past President Steve Grieve, participated in a 90 day project working group led by the Department of State Development. The topic of discussion was around opportunities to export design services to China.

The outcome of this initial engagement has been an invitation for me as SA Chapter President to join Premier Weatherill in a 200 strong trade visit to Shandong province in China in late May. Why the Shandong province? South Australia has had a sister state relationship with the province since 1986, read here for more details.

Representing the design sector, we will be opening discussions on opportunities for engagement of design services with a focus on livability, health and aged care. Although many sectors joining the mission have something to trade – in other words they are ‘export ready’ – we are not at that point as yet. These meetings are just the beginning of a conversation.

The conversation will evolve over the next two years, and will involve reciprocal trade delegations from Shandong visiting South Australia as well. It is an excellent opportunity to build relationships and generate business. It ties back to the theme of ‘growing the pie’ for South Australian architects, something I talked about in an article published in the Advertiser recently – read here.

“But how is this relevant to me?” I hear you ask, and it’s a good question. Some of the work that will be done over the next two years will examine what it is that we do well as professionals working in South Australia in order to understand what it is that we might export – again it’s just the beginning.

If you are interested in participating in these conversations or have some thoughts to offer, drop me a line at sa@architecture.com.au It doesn’t matter whether you are a large well established practice, or whether you are a sole practitioner operating from home, there are avenues to explore.

Architectural Practice Board of South Australia’s Annual Certificates and Awards Presentation

The Architectural Practice Board of South Australia’s Annual Certificates and Awards Presentation and launch of its project, ‘What does an Architect do?’ function was held at the National Wine Centre on 18 February 2015.

The Presiding Member of the Board, Mr Gary Bonato, welcomed 95 guests including The Honourable Vickie Chapman, MP, Shadow Minister for Housing and Urban Development and Associate Professor Andrew Hutson, Deputy Dean, Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning, University of Melbourne.

Proceedings commenced when Gary gave launched the first of fifteen short films for the Board’s project ‘What does an Architect do?’.  The first film features Steve Grieve’s Goolwa house.  The series of short film aims to showcase the value of architecture, the importance and context of design in place-making and the built environment, and the role of an architect.  Each film will feature an architect talking about their approach to an architectural project with a view to inspiring the next generation – the films will be released over time and will be on the APBSA website (www.archboardsa.org.au).

Gary then introduced Associate Professor Andrew Hutson who talked about the public interest role of the Board and the privileged position architects have when providing their services to the community.  He then presented the award winners with their prizes and certificates.   The winners for 2014 were:

• Ms Danielle O’Dea for APBSA Best Practice in Architecture Prize: Robert Denyer Cheesman Award
• Mr John Held and Ms Sue Phillips for APBSA Research Fellowship
• Ms Emma Haberman, University of Adelaide student and Mr Waleed Al-Moughraby, University of SA student – both recipients of the APBSA University Prizes for the highest grade in ‘Professional Practice’ subject.

Associate Professor Andrew Hutson then presented certificates of registration to 20 newly registered architects who had passed the APE in 2014.  Three newly registered architects were unable to attend the function.  He then presented AACA Certificates to five successful APE candidates.  Two successful APE candidates were unable to attend the function.

Words thanks to Sue Millbank, Registrar of the Architectural Practice Board of SA

ARCHITECT INPUTS POST THE SAMPSON FLAT BUSHFIRE

At the beginning of January 2015, fire ravaged the Sampson Flat area just outside Adelaide’s north-east suburbs. An area of 12,500ha involving the communities of Hermitage, Inglewood, Cudlee Creek, Gumeracha, Kersbrook, Humbug Scrub, One Tree Hill were impacted. 27 homes and numerous outbuildings were destroyed.

Thankfully no one died, but animals have been destroyed, injured and even now are coming out of inaccessible parts of the area in dire condition. (see www.savem.org.au)

The ‘recovery’ phase for those communities now begins, headed by State government appointed Coordinator Karlene Maywald based at the Gumeracha Recovery Centre. Through involvement during the ‘response’ phase, as SAVEM Logistics Manager, architect Emilis Prelgauskas is an invited part of the recovery process.

There will be on-going tasks to the fire affected communities for architects in the coming months (and possibly years) in advising impacted families on their re-building options and the processes involved. This begins now with pro bono involvement at Community Workshops and at the Recovery Centre.

A note of warning: the impacted communities and individuals have had a flood of outside help offered, and beyond the immediate trauma to themselves, these impacted people are also feeling stress from the implied ‘I want to help you NOW’ syndrome.

Individual intrusions from outside therefore only add to the stress. Thus it is important that only structured recovery actions occur – the Recovery Centre makes sure that assistance options are announced so that families can access these when they are ready to.

Architects who wish to contribute should therefore contact Emilis on 0415 631 713 or emilis@emilis.sa.on.net to talk through how ‘recovery’ * works. Emilis is already known within the communities as he has been hands on in the the field with formal animal retrieval over the last month.

* Bushfire arrangements are strictly structured: the State Emergency Management Plan sets the protocols, and every agency particpating is accredited. The process moves through ‘prevention’ and ‘preparedness’ phases before the event, ‘response’ during, and ‘recovery’ after the fire containment. ‘Containment’ does not mean the fire is out – even after rain and dousing by rapid response units for weeks afterward, parts of the Sampson Flat fire area still has re-igniting hot spots. The goal of the ‘recovery’ phase is to re-establish community resilience to be better than before the fire. This is a long run task.

For those of you reading this we trust you have enjoyed a wonderful Christmas break and have not had too many client calls while you’ve been relaxing.

The SA Chapter office re-opens today with a skeleton staff. Rebecca Duddy will be staffing the office this week from Monday to Wednesday and Amanda Wilksch will be covering Thursday and Friday. We were delighted to have Amanda join the team in December and she will be working part-time with us until the end of March. Many of you will know Amanda from her time in Archicentre, various other architecture practices or as a volunteer in many of our Institute initiatives.

In the very near future we look forward to making further announcements about other upcoming changes in the team but for now its business as usual.

New SA Chapter Council Members Appointed

At the end of 2014 five positions became vacant on the SA Chapter Council, a process that occurs each year. Four outgoing Council members chose to re-stand plus one former Council member was nominated. I am delighted to inform you that the following are elected un-opposed to the 2015 Council.

Sally Bolton
Sean Humphries
David Brown
Leah Salamon
Edward Lukac

Congratulations to these members will now sit on Council for a two year period.

Regards
Richard

With 2014 nearly gone, it is almost time to finish up for the year. There is however some important things to remember before heading off to that much needed Christmas break. It is already time to think about your entries in the 2015 SA Architecture Awards which open today. Nominations are also open for SA Chapter Council positions as well as the nominations for National Council (and by default our SA President). So before you hit the party mode button please give some serious consideration toward these opportunities.

On Friday we will be sending an end of year message to all members from our Chapter President Steve Grieve, along with our office closure times over Christmas, so please read that when it comes in. As it is my last communication to you for the year, I would personally like to wish you a wonderful and refreshing Christmas break and thank you, our members, for partnering with the staff to achieve so much together throughout 2014.

Warm regards,

Richard Hosking, State Manager

Last week I attended the National Awards Ceremony in Darwin. The night itself was very successful with the program running very smoothly. This was combined with some fascinating post ceremony entertainment. From a remarkable drummer and didgeridoo combination to carnival performers and a speed painter. The night was beautifully accented by the indigenous artist Janet Golder Kngwarreye who transformed a SMEG fridge into the most remarkable art work. Whoever ends up owning this will be the big winner of the night.

So how did SA architecture fair in the Awards? Congratulations to the Sustainable Industries Education Centre, Tonsley – MPH Architects + Architectus in association, who won a National Architecture Award in the Interior Architecture Category. Congratulations also to Woods Bagot who followed this up with a National Commendation for the SAHMRI.

There were some remarkable projects presented. A highlight was the use of clients and building users in testimonial videos which were used throughout the program, creating a very human-centric element to the night.

Next year will see our current State President, Steve Grieve as a National Awards Jury member which will be welcomed by the local members.

– Richard Hosking, State Manager

The judging panel comprising of the SA Chapter President Steve Grieve, Immediate Past President, Nick Tridente and Life Fellow John Schenk reviewed this year’s applications for the Jack Hobbs McConnell Travelling Fellowship in Architecture independently and met formally to deliberate and agree on a shortlist.

Three applications were shortlisted, which were all of a very high standard, demonstrating an excellent portfolio of design work and a diversity of practice and scope that demonstrates a good appreciation of architecture in the south Australian context.

One member of the judging panel had a conflict of interest and refrained from commenting on one submission.  This was ultimately deemed to be the preferred application based on demonstrated design ability, relevance of the proposal to the architect, the profession and the community of South Australia.

Accordingly, the jury was unanimous in awarding the Fellowship to Dino Vrynios.

Dino intends to study modular construction.  His particular interest lies in the advances that are being made in modular construction that can be adapted for commercial, infrastructure and residential projects.  This, he believes will encourage South Australia to become an incubator for the development of future building technologies and promote new growth in the manufacturing industry, which is a major priority for the Department of State Development.

He will evaluate the current capability in South Australia before exploring interstate fabrication facilities capable of producing structures from basic dwelling units up to multi-story apartment complexes.

He has arranged with a national construction company to provide access to projects in remote areas of Australia and then will accompany staff to inspect their work in South East Asia.

The final part of the research will involve travel to Europe to visit leading modular construction companies and gain exposure to best practice examples.

About the Fellowship

Established in 2007 following a bequest from the estate of the late modernist architectural figure Jack Hobbs McConnell who died in 2005 aged 92, the Fellowship is for promising designers, who might ultimately practice in South Australia, to undertake an independent program of research or course of further study in Architecture or a related field.

Throughout his outstanding career, and his significant contribution to the architectural profession as Australian Institute of Architects National President in 1968-69, as a Life Fellow, and as an Institute Gold Medalist in 1970, Jack McConnell had a remarkable capacity to lead and inspire others, with a number of Australia’s most prominent architects still acknowledging him today as their mentor.

Jack McConnell had a great influence on post-World War II architecture in Australia, and left his mark in the form of architectural excellence in many of his prestigious buildings both in South Australia and in other states. More importantly, he influenced and inspired many students and architects to produce better architecture, not only in terms of design, but also of function.

Applications are open to all graduates in architecture from the University of South Australia or University of Adelaide of up to five years standing who can apply for up to $15,000 to support an independent study tour or formal program of post graduate education, most likely overseas.