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From the SA Chapter Executive Director – April 2019

15 April 2019

 

The Festival of Architecture and Design returns 19 – 21 July 2019 and will focus on IDEAS OF HOME.  During FAD we invite the profession and the public to engage in exploration of a broad range of aspects of what makes a home, what this means to us as designers and how this translates to value for residents and the broader community.

Issues and responses specific to South Australia will be the focus for events including the Anniversary Trio, which showcases notable SA Practices Woods Bagot, who are celebrating 150 years, Swanbury Penglase and tectvs, both 30.  All three practices have delivered housing projects over an extended period and within specialist contexts – aged care, assisted housing, multi-residential and mixed use.  We are looking forward to a stimulating discussion regarding their design philosophy, evolution over time and key projects.

Local perspectives from alternative viewpoints will be provided through events including The Soapbox Debate, curated by recent graduates, and the 15@Home event, where a diverse group of speakers will provide a snapshot into their perception of home.  Various tours will also encourage participants to consider housing from varying perspectives and to consider how we approach particular housing models within an Adelaide context.

An external viewpoint will be provided by two exciting keynote speakers. Koos de Keijzer, principal at DKO Architecture, has an established reputation as a leader in residential design and for strategic exploration of housing typologies, both through practice and as a member of the Victorian Government’s Design Review Panel.  With expertise in architecture and urban design, Koos is respected for his ability to innovate, his commitment to design that enriches residential lifestyle and his contextual approach that fosters community and celebrates character. 

Eve by DKO Architecture. Photographer Brett Boardman

David Barr Architects has practices in Western Australia and the ACT.  In addition to a portfolio of highly resolved residential projects, DBA is also active in multi-residential design.  This includes constructed projects, competitions and policy development for the WA government.  Their Gen-Y – Step House received WA and National awards for Sustainability and a WA award for Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing. 

Gen y – Step House by David Barr Architects; Photographer: Rob Firth

Housing has always been a topic for debate within public and political forums and as an aspect of architectural discourse.  It is at once a ‘simple’ aspect of architectural practice – the subject of student projects and core fodder for emerging architecture practices – and a wicked problem encompassing social equity, economic, regulatory, cultural and environmental issues.  We look forward to fostering this ongoing discourse and to promoting thoughtful and innovative housing outcomes at a time of considerable change in the residential sector. 

 

Nicolette Di Lernia
SA Chapter Executive Director

From the CEO

CEO Julia Cambage
Photographer: John O’Rourke

It has been a wonderful few months since I started as chief executive officer of your Institute, getting to know members across the architecture profession.

It has been both enjoyable and illuminating travelling around the country to meet with industry representatives and refine the best way forward for our profession.

It is exciting to come on board at this time, amid a strong focus on strategic engagement and advocacy, while continuing to meet the needs of an engaged membership.

Thank you to all for the welcome and for your ongoing efforts to developing a strong architecture profession and consolidating ours as the voice for architecture.

At the Institute we are always working on new and improved ways to increase member value and advocate for the profession.

The federal election, called last week, heralds a potential period of change in the building and construction industry depending on the result on May 18. We released our federal election platform on Friday, showcasing the priorities we want our parliamentarians focused on.

We have some significant projects underway to provide a best practice framework for working architects, while advancing the cause of the profession and the built environment.

You told us about the complexity and diversity of government agency and institutional expressions of interest and requests for tender. Over time there has been an increased risk for architects to complete the often complex documents required to bid on these EOIs and RFTs.

The Institute’s research investigated contemporary experiences and perceptions of architects, clients, government agencies and institutions.

We found there is a misalignment between architects’ perceptions and those of the government client regarding criteria, evaluation, weightings and especially the level of detail required in the process.

So, the Institute has devised a series of guidelines to identify best practice in architecture procurement with the aim of encouraging potential clients to review their methods and requirements, and align them with contemporary best practice.

I commend these guidelines to you and encourage you to share them with clients so we can all benefit from high-quality built environment outcomes, achieved through efficient and fair means.

Procurement processes and contracts are also at the heart of the recent Lacrosse decision in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

For many years the standard practice for the delivery of large projects has been the Design Novated Construct (DNC) model.

Under this process, it is critical that the responsibilities of architects and all contractors are allocated appropriately to the party that can manage that risk optimally.

The Institute want to determine the best possible DNC contract process, and we are asking for your help.

We are seeking your input to this survey so we can better understand how members are affected by novation. We will then undertake further research and engagement before liaising with other stakeholders. The survey closes on April 26.

Thank you for engaging with this critical issue for the profession.

Likewise, at the Institute we are always focused on creating the best value for you as our members.

We want to test feedback and ideas from our Chapter Councils and Committees about our membership structures, understand what services and activities you think are the most valuable, and determine the best benefits and membership model for the Institute into the future.

It would greatly assist if you could provide some feedback in the Survey Matters questionnaire.

An email should have been sent to you from Survey Matters. If you have not received it, please contact Survey Matters on support@surveymatters.com.au.

We appreciate your time and feedback as we work toward our strategic goal to make the world a better place through architecture.

This survey also closes on April 18.

Finally, as many of us take a break over Easter, we wish you a safe and happy holiday.

Julia Cambage
Chief Executive Officer

 

Adelaide Women in Design

I’ve been practicing for…a while now. I graduated from the University of Adelaide in 1991 and started working straight away, so that means it’s been 28 years.

 

I knew I wanted to become an architect when…I read the description of the Architecture course in the SACE guide at high school and saw it matched my interests of art and maths/physics. It was either that or physiotherapy.

 

I’ve had a couple of mentors…one of whom I still go to for advice and the other who has also become a colleague. Bruce Farquhar was a project officer at SA Department for Correctional Services, and guided me through my work in the field of secure facility design, passing on his wisdom without hesitation. I consider his generosity and willingness to share his knowledge as a key element to being a good mentor. Dr Elizabeth Grant formerly of UofA and now at UQ and RMIT was an early supporter and got me onto conference presenter lists by promoting my work. Again, her willingness to give me a helping hand and use her own experience and position in the industry has been an incredible help in the progression of my career.

 

What I love most about being an architect is…the variety of work and the different types of people you get to work with. I enjoy not always being at my desk and getting to go out on site, but I also love a day when I don’t have to leave the office and can mess around with nice pens and paper. Seeing a building you’ve help create rise out of the ground is pretty incredible.

 

What I find most challenging and satisfying about my job is…getting a project completely over the line, which includes feeling like you got most things pretty right. Some projects feel like they are never going to be finished, but when they are it’s such a wonderful feeling, particularly when you can look back and be happy with what has been achieved.

 

The project I am most proud of being involved in is…The Adelaide Women’s Prison Accommodation Upgrade Project and UTurn Construction Pathways Program. The satisfaction I have gotten by working on this project is immense. The opportunity to impact on the lives of female offenders and hopefully make a positive contribution is intensely rewarding.

Three women I really admire are…Julia Gillard who achieved so much in a short time in such a challenging environment, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez who is breath of fresh air and gives me some hope for the future, Loretta Reynolds (chair of Thomson Geer Lawyers) who has risen to the top of her field whilst raising 2 beautiful children, and coping with significant challenges along the way.

 

If I had to list 5 things that described me (without using the word “architect”) I would say…mother of 2 sons, sports-watcher, foodie, karate practitioner, dog-lover.

 

If I could give some advice to my 18 year old student self it would be…find a job you love, not just one you get paid well for and try to enjoy every day even when it gets hard. Listen carefully and never assume you have the right answer – there is always another perspective. Go with empathy over ego every time.

From the Tas Chapter President

24 September 2018

Image: Nina Hamilton

 

I have had a busy month which included my involvement at Open House Launceston, a meeting with Minister Jaensch’s Housing Advisor Simon Duffy, and my attendance at the Minister’s Round Table discussion on the Affordable Housing Action Plan Stage Two.  Stage Two of the action plan builds on the work of Stage One, providing an additional 1500 new affordable houses. Discussions covered an update on the current 2015 – 2025 Strategic Plan and further input and feedback from participants on initiatives being implemented and considered. Feedback on the roundtable consultation along with their quarterly updates on affordable housing will be posted on their website.

 

On Friday our Chapter staff organised a beautifully presented breakfast which set the scene for us hosting a convivial and successful meeting between Chapter Councillors and the Board of Master Builders Tasmania, after our previous breakfast in December last year. This was an opportunity for Chapter Council and staff to meet their new Executive Director, Matthew Pollock, and further strengthen ties with the MBT. Matthew presented a paper on Building and Construction Industry Forecasts in Tasmania, which can be accessed here. Discussion also focussed on the recent work experience program which saw placements in businesses from both architectural practices and building and construction firms for students from The University of Tasmania Bachelor and Master of Architecture degrees. The discussion allowed great opportunity to cover common ground and we received good feedback to act on for future shared pursuits.

 

Leigh Woolley’s presentation at the Chapter of his recent report for the city was very well attended, with 63 in-house and 46 livestream registrants. This is still available to view – please contact Katie at the Institute for access if you missed out. The current City of Hobart Council process and its intentions (including Council’s interpretation of Leigh’s work) as a proposed planning scheme amendment can be accessed on their Your Say Hobart website. This provides an outline of the process, access to their documents, as well as the opportunity to comment. Importantly, it also gives a link to Leigh’s full final report of 30th June 2018, for your reference when considering comment on HCC’s interpretive response to his advice. As you will see there is currently a public consultation and feedback period via an online form until 17 October 2018. Please have your say as the more well-informed comments the better.

 

Adjustments to LUPAA legislation have been circulated, and assistance from someone with experience on the previous LUPAA submission in the next day or two would be useful, as the due date for a response is this Friday. Please contact Bron at the Institute if you are able to lend a hand.

 

After our successful inaugural Open House Launceston program, planning is in its final stages for this year’s Open House Hobart, which has all kinds of surprises in store for the public and includes a focus on alternative forms of residential architecture and multi-residential housing. My thanks in advance to all putting their hands up to make this program the success it has become, and for extending the conversation about architecture and our city amongst the broader public.

 

And finally, congratulations to all our members who have been shortlisted for the 2018 National Architecture Awards. Best of luck, and we look forward to the outcomes on November 1st.

 

 

Yvette Breytenbach

Yvette Breytenbach RAIA
President, Tasmanian Chapter,
Australian Institute of Architects

Miriam Wallace

Miriam came to work at Susan Dugdale & Associates because she shares with the Director Sue Dugdale a personal passion for discovering and developing a unique regional identity based on the particular culture, climate and geography of place.

She wanted to work in a practice that carefully considers the cultural and economic context of each client and project.

From the SA Chapter President April 2018

Mario Dreosti
SA Chapter President
Managing Director Brown Falconer

We’ve had a recent change of government and have seen at least the first round of changes within departmental leaderships. With change comes opportunity and the Institute has a number of key areas were we are seeking to engage with the new Liberal Government.

We had previously met with David Pisoni in his role as Shadow Planning Minister and now seek engagement with the new Minister for Planning, amongst many other portfolios, Stephan Knoll. We have met informally with the Premier and were heartened to hear the internal focus of the new government on three pillars of humility, accountability and delivery. 

These values align with core values of the Institute though we would also include education, innovation and public benefit within the pillars of humility and accountability.

Minister Knoll has stated that the Planning Reform will continue under the new Liberal Government and the Institute welcomes this news for the many positive opportunities this reform presents. We have recently hosted a round table with DPTI on the topic of ‘accredited professionals’ within the system and prepared our submission back on the draft paper.

We continue to advocate for the fact that bringing ‘design’ into the planning system will also mean bringing in expertise in the drafting of design related policy and in the ability to assess design which currently does not reside in the planning system – except for those larger projects which engage with Design Review processes. We are working well with DPTI to develop a framework for the referral, assessment and in some basic instances, potential to codify good design outcomes. We see roles for architects within the system in specialist review of architectural design as a paramount.

The new liberal government will focus on partnering with private investment to deliver in our state and our industry will welcome this focus on growth. The Institute will be engaged to see that the delivery focus is also layered with local industry participation, and capacity building, not simply jobs creation and expedient engagements of out of state expertise.

The new Liberal government have already expressed alternate visions for key sites around the city but also have noted a desire that spot rezoning becomes a rarely used tool and that the planning system itself provides strong certainty after up front engagement and consultation around development outcomes throughout the state. We welcome and have advocated for a planning system which engages, consults and resolves political agendas in the policy stage and then moves to professional assessment for individual applications. We look forward to the opportunity to contribute to discussions regarding a change in direction for the Adelaide Contemporary towards an indigenous focus as well as a other key sites.

Finally we will continue to support our board in their pursuit of mandatory CPD under  our act which was commenced under the previous government. A Liberal government will tend towards limited regulation and opening to the free market except on matters of life safety. We will advocate strongly that while the design of the built environment may not be a flesh and blood matter of life safety, it’s impact on human experience, facilitation of opportunity and betterment of spirit is so profound that those engaged with the design of our architecture must be registered and continually learning.

Emerging Architects Prize Tour – Chapter Presentation

Anthony Balsamo was awarded the 2017 National Emerging Architect Prize in recognition of his significant contribution to the profession through design excellence, education and industry leadership.

In 2004 Balsamo co-established the New Architects Group to provide support to young professionals. This was subsequently formalized by smaller groups nationally, forming what is now EmAGN (Emerging Architects and Graduates Network). Balsamo went on to become the national president of EmAGN and has most recently served as a councillor for the Institute’s South Australian Chapter. Balsamo was a co-creative director of the Festival of Architecture and Design. He is a current board member of ArtSembly and the creator of Design Festival in association with the Adelaide City Council. These contributions have been balanced with design teaching at the University of Adelaide.

Balsamo is very deserving of the National Emerging Architect Prize. His work highlights the contribution that individuals make within larger practices and across many realms, and he has defined himself as a current and future leader within the industry.’ – Jury Citation

From the Tas Executive Director

23 April 2018

 

We are heading towards the pointy end of the 2018 Awards program, with visits to the jury taking place this weekend. It is an exciting time in the process and, while it will be a jam-packed weekend, covering a huge part of the state, we are looking forward to seeing some fantastic architecture and I wish all shortlisted entrants the best of luck. Due to these commitments, the chapter office will close at 2pm this Friday.

I would like to take this opportunity to remind members of their obligations under moral rights laws. On accepting a commission involving alterations to an existing building, members should immediately inform their clients that the building owner is required to notify the original designer that alterations to or demolition of the building are proposed.  The notification must give the original designer three weeks to decide if they wish to make a record of the building or consult in good faith with the owner about the proposed alterations or demolition. You can find more information at https://acumen.architecture.com.au/apps/notes/view/461/. 

It’s also timely to remind members to update their profiles on Find an Architect. This online directory of Australian architectural firms is often the first port of call for a potential client. We field many calls on this and we would hate anyone to miss out because their details are not up to date. 

Finally, the new ABIC contracts have arrived in the Tasmanian Chapter office. We have plenty in stock so pop in if you need one.

 

 

Jennifer Nichols
Executive Director, Tasmanian Chapter
Australian Institute of Architects

From the Vic Executive Director

23 April 2018

 

It would be fair to say that the past couple of months have been lively ones in terms of Vic Chapter activities and all that entails. I am still in awe of exactly how much we do as an Institute and how many fingers we have in various pies. Whilst I appreciate there is still plenty to do, and what we can influence can certainly be broadened; I don’t think it hurts to reflect and celebrate the efforts of our members and other contributors who do such a lot to promote this great industry.

To echo Amy’s sentiments from her last message, a comment I hear from time to time is the question around the value of membership. Perhaps it is easier to put value on when you are considerably closer to it and see all the multitudes of activities that take place. The passion, dedication and good-will to continue to champion this industry is quite simply, inspiring.

As recently as last week, the Vic Chapter Councillors met for a strategy workshop to focus on determining the top priorities for 2018. What we can’t do sadly is everything, so it is important that we really hone in on setting clear goals for the year and as the cliché goes, “get the best bang for our buck.”

In line with the Institute’s strategic plan, ‘Advocacy with impact’ remains one of these key goal areas. Amy will provide further detail in her next message around what these areas of focus will cover but rest assured, there are many people working tirelessly to ensure the industry is being well represented.

Across the course of the year, Amy and I will communicate the various activities taking place and ensure that our message to the wider community is clear.

Strength in numbers. A collective voice.

Ruth White

Victorian Executive Director