27 October 2014

The inaugural Festival of Architecture and Design (FAD) has proven to be a real hit with a fantastic array of events and activities.  The enthusiasm of our younger members and the interest shown by members of the public were particularly encouraging.  The linkage with One to One and Troppo’s Gold Medal Dissertation provided opportunities for physical participation and intellectual stimulus.

We are now marshalling our thoughts for the next FAD in October 2015.  And with the shift of Open House Adelaide to October next year there is an even greater opportunity to focus the public’s interest in Architecture and the Built Environment.  Ultimately the ambition is that FAD will join Adelaide’s ten major festivals.  We are confident that the next FAD will be an energizing build up to the National Architecture Conference to be held in Adelaide in April 2016.

In recent weeks the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure has undergone a major restructure or ‘rejuvenation’.  The Institute has written to Ministers Rau and Mullighan seeking their assurances that the positions of the Government architect and ODASA have not been eroded or compromised.  As members will be aware the AIA lobbied over a long period for the creation of the position of Government Architect. We were heartened by the establishment of the Integrated Design Commission and the Government Architect.  Since then however we have witnessed the apparent reduction of the Government’s commitment to these initiatives.

We will keep members informed as information becomes available.

Steve Grieve FRAIA, SA Chapter President