24 Aug 2015

Last week at a President’s Lunch, Ms. Kate Doyle, Chief Executive Officer of the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia inspired wide discussion about the results of a National Galaxy Poll entitled, ’The Benefits of Design’.

The Institute works to improve our built environment by promoting quality, responsible, sustainable design. Through its members, the Institute plays a major role in shaping Australia’s future. Locally, the President’s Lunch is a forum for open and honest expression of views, always with the purpose of improving the design of our built environment.

To recap some of the significant points made during the lunch:

• Almost all Australians (97%) believe that cities and towns are better to live in when public buildings and public spaces are well designed. (The Benefits of Design 2015)
• Architects are a regulated profession which is most highly qualified and able to provide high quality design. Architects undertake a minimum of 7 years education, training and registration examination to be able to design buildings. Except for NCC BCA Class 2 apartments in NSW, any person may design a building in Australia.
• Planning reform in the ACT is necessary to enable the quality, economically responsible and sustainable design of the built environment.

During the broad ranging discussion, further points were made that require government action. They are:

• The profession requires terms which engage architects with continuity of involvement in project design and delivery. This is required for architects to deliver quality design.
• ACT Building Act amendments with affect upon architects, will require the evidentiary basis for the amendment and regulatory impact. The Institute seeks consistency in regulatory arrangements across and within jurisdictions, because architects are increasingly professional service providers nationally and internationally.
• The Institute encourages planning reform, inspired by our ‘New Experimental Architectural Typologies’ – the NEAT housing ideas competition. The Institutes objective is to effectively deliver high quality design of sustainable and affordable housing choices that are currently not available in the ACT.
• Institute policies advocate sustainability and urban consolidation, not further greenfield development.

The Institute values the opportunity to engage with government, industry and freedom of expression. Thank you to the Independent Property Group for their continued support of the President’s Lunch series.

Andrew Wilson