Chapter President’s Message
The architecture awards process is in full swing. Entrants have presented to the jury and the jury has spent several days travelling around each and every project. Ann Cleary, the 2016 jury chair, was delighted with the quality of entries. If you didn’t get the chance to see them hanging at M16 Art Gallery, head to the ACT Chapter website and check them out, or into Mugga Way where they are hanging in the lounge.
EmAGN, SONA, and ARCH-Club are combining forces to add that ‘designer’ touch to the awards evening in June. I look forward to seeing their creations.
I recently attended an Australian Institute of Landscape Architects event where Jane Jose launched her book titled Places Women Make. The book is a great read, and has interviews with many national and international female architects that have made significant contributions to the built environment.
The National Gallery’s theatre was full of architects recently for the lecture by prominent Finish architect and Droga Residency Program recipient, Juhani Pallasmaa. Juhani spoke on “Empathetic imagination – embodied simulation in architecture”. He stated that as designers we need focus not only on the material form, configurations and dynamics of a building, but also imagine how the future dweller or user of the space will feel.
Last Thursday we held the ‘Meet the President’ event at the ACT Chapter. The event gave members the opportunity to discuss their visions for the future of the Institute. The clear message was to collaborate more with other industry partners and enhance public awareness of the profession. We thank our event sponsors – HAYS recruitment, our major Chapter sponsors – BCA Certifiers, and Chapter sponsors – RITEK.
Over the last few weeks I have been catching up with our committee’s in the ACT Chapter. There are plenty of things happening, so we have decided to give each committee the opportunity to present their progress in the Chapter news in the coming months.
Happy travels to those attending the National Conference in Adelaide. See you there.
Rob Henry
ACT Chapter President