Another calendar milestone has nearly come and gone and with it, a chance to down tools and get a fresh perspective on 2014. It has been a tumultuous year in many ways with a lot of practices undergoing change to meet the market and a spate of new practices emerging. There are encouraging signs suggesting we are seeing the front end of slow paced economic growth. There is growth in a range of foreign indices and in our own backyard, a significant increase in activity across the city.

Next year we will continue to strengthen our advocacy position with a focus on the planning reform agenda and the role of the architect. We will also continue to create new initiatives that better connect the profession to the public. The late Nelson Mandella said “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world” and while he may have used it in a different context we definitely need to better educate the public about the critical contribution the built environment makes to our wellbeing.

In the last two weeks we have had our annual member’s Christmas drinks held at UniSA and a Distinguished members Christmas lunch. These are just two recent new initiatives aimed at building a stronger unity across the profession. Next year will see more new initiatives introduced so we hope you will participate as much for the good of the profession as for yourself.

I trust you will come into 2014 with a renewed passion to help make the world a better place through architecture. Merry Christmas from the staff and see you in the New Year.

 

– Richard Hosking, State Manager