From the SA Chapter ED Jan 2019

From the SA Chapter ED Jan 2019

21 January 2019

Welcome to 2019.  We’ve has a fiery start to the year with temperatures well above average, so I hope that you have been staying cool and hydrated.  It’s certainly made a return to the office air conditioning a palatable option!

So, what does 2019 hold for the SA Chapter?

Tony Giannone commences his term as SA Chapter President in February and we look forward to working with him over the next two years.  He is interested in increasing multi-generational involvement in Institute activities as well as promoting South Australian architecture and architects.  I will leave it to Tony to expand on his objectives as President.

We also welcome new Chapter Councillors Michael Hegarty, Josephine Evans and Teo Verbi and thank outgoing councillors David Homburg, Sarah Paddick, David Burton and Enzo Caroscio, who will remain involved in other capacities.  Mario Dreosti remains on Council as Immediate Past President, and I would like to acknowledge the energy, expertise and thoughtfulness he has brought to the role.  A full list of Chapter Council members is available on the website.

We have ongoing advocacy projects focusing on the new planning system, government procurement, equitable practice and pre-tertiary design education.  These activities strengthen the position of the profession and build understanding of its capability and value.

Professional programs and public awareness activities are also on the agenda.  Two key programs are:

The SA Awards Program

Awards entries opened in December 2018 and the online entry material is due by midnight on Friday 8th February.  A1 boards and Powerpoint presentations are due by 5:00pm on 1 March.

Jury presentation day is Saturday 16th March.  This is open to all members of the profession as well as the public.  It presents the opportunity to communicate the process behind the projects and to demonstrate how design excellence adds value.

To do this effectively we ask that you carefully consider the key points that distinguish your project and to practice the presentation until you are confident that you can communicate this in the allotted time.  Remember, it’s a mixed professional/public audience, so maximise the opportunity to promote what makes your work special.

A selection of awards entries will be exhibited at the Adelaide Airport throughout April.  Entrants get to showcase their best work to a wide public audience.

The Awards presentation dinner will be held on Saturday 29th June.

For further information please refer to the Awards section of the Institute’s website and to the information provided by 2019 Awards Director Michael Queale here.

The program wraps up with the Lightning Talk, which showcases a selection of awarded projects. This year the event will be held on Friday 19th July at Nexus Theatre as part of FAD.

The Festival of Architecture and Design (FAD) 

FAD returns in 2019.  The festival will explore Ideas of Home through a program of speaker events, panel discussions, workshops and tours. The program is currently under development, with further details to be released soon.

Manager of both the SA Awards and FAD is Lesley Ganf, who joined the SA Chapter on 10 December 2018.  She is a great addition to the team and is looking forward to getting to know the members.  Please make her welcome.

On that note, I wish you all the best for the year ahead.

Nicolette Di Lernia
SA Chapter Executive Director