It’s probably of no surprise that my column this week is focussed on the National Conference How Soon is Now that concluded here in Adelaide on the weekend. From my perspective, it was a great success, and many of us involved have had feedback to that effect.

First and foremost, the main themes that ran through the various presentations– Building Resilience, Transforming Populations, Creating Equity and Advocating Futures – were very pertinent to what we are experiencing here as a profession and what we are doing as a Chapter.

The SA Chapter Council has been touching on these themes, looking at new ways of how architecture can operate in and influence a changing world. Our key focus has been on creating a profession that has much greater relevance to our society (more on that topic later in this article). So for me one of the big take outs was the affirmation that we are on the right track as a Chapter.

Second, many attendees were impressed with the sophistication of the approach that we’ve put in place here in South Australia around our built environment, and the projects that it is delivering.

It is underpinned by the Office of Design and Architecture SA (ODASA). ODASA and its programs such as design review and integrated design had its origins in the Professor Laura Lee’s Thinkers residency and the Integrated Design Commission that followed.

It is something that the Chapter was actively involved with from the beginning of Professor Lee’s residency, and we remain actively involved through regular dialogue with ODASA. It is something about which we can be proud, both as a Chapter and as a design community.

And third, many people, particularly first time visitors, were pleasantly surprised about our city. Its scale, intimacy, activity and quality were certainly unexpected bonuses to the conference itself.

Many of us had conversations that started with “I didn’t realise.…” or “I had no idea that…. “, to which my response was often ‘that’s why we live here…..”. Despite the economic challenges, there’s plenty to love about this place.

So all in all, as well as being able to participate in some stimulating discussions, we, in our own understated Adelaide way, have been able to introduce many people to a place they knew little about, or had become unacquainted.

I’d like to thank our Chapter staff and members who put time into organising and hosting conference events for their efforts.

Finally, back to the topic of relevance.

A big theme that came out of the ACA survey on the state of the profession that was published in last week’s e-News was the topic of relevance. Many lamented the diminishing relevance of our profession and wanted to know what was being done about it.

Let me state clearly that this is THE focus of our Chapter Council. As I’ve stated on many previous occasions, almost all of what we are doing is in some way to support of increasing the relevance of what we do as architects.

So if you are of the view that we are missing the mark in some way, want to know more detail about what we are doing, or best of all, want to help, please get in contact with the Chapter office. We need and indeed welcome your feedback, in order to hone the work that we are doing, bring value to our members and strengthen our profession.

David Homburg, SA Chapter President