25 June 2018

In this role that I have, I spend a lot of time speaking with other architects and sitting on various committees, councils and working groups. I can say from these experiences that we are universally quite a complaining lot.

Perhaps it is the creative disposition which brings a propensity for venting negativity but when it comes to discussion about fees, programs, procurement and the value placed on design and our services… the conversations are consistent.

What is interesting having recently returned from a National Council meeting and the National Conference Edge, is that these themes are consistent not only nationally but in fact globally.

The direct commonality with other chapters facing, in particular, procurement and planning related challenges is quite remarkable, and from listening to some of the international speakers at Edge, themes of facing challenge in valuing architecture through these processes is globally consistent.

I’m old enough to know that such complaints are nothing new in South Australia and so by extrapolation I assume they are nothing new around the world either.

So maybe that is just the way it is. 

Maybe since we’ve changed little in the last few decades, we are never really going to change anything. Perhaps the fact that when we do call to arms only a fraction of our members rally with us means that no one actually cares as much as they whinge.

So maybe we could save the energy and the membership fees and go sit on the beach instead.

Except…. I’d suggest if you look around our State you will see that it has changed…. a lot.

And I’d propose that for those of us in the creative communities, we would say its changed for the better in many ways. And I’d posit that not all cities have changed for the better, so best we take change seriously and try and have an impact on it.

And so now I offer you three simple ways to have an impact. Three ways to stop whinging and do something for you, for the profession and indeed for the broader community who will benefit from better outcomes.

1 – ABIC Contracts Survey

Both the Institute and ACA have issued surveys about the use of ABIC contracts and issues of banks not wanting to fund against percentage progress claims in residential projects but rather housing industry style staged payments. This simplified approach is not appropriate for architectural projects and can leave either client or builder unreasonably exposed depending on where the staged payment falls in a project which is not built in simple stages. We are lobbying hard to change this trend but we need information.

So way number one to do something, is to fill out this survey if you’ve used these contracts.

2 – BBS Concept Survey

Shortly the SA Chapter will issue a survey regarding the actual hours taken to complete the fixed fee concept stage of the recent Building Better Schools program issued just prior to Christmas last year. 

We have a great deal of anecdotal commentary about the match between the fee set and the scope required, but a survey will provide a unique broad base of firm data to demonstrate the real hours taken across a range of practices to complete a matching scope of services. This will be invaluable in future negotiations regarding procurement approaches.

So way number two to do something is to fill out this survey as well if you took part in the BBS program.

3 – Planning Reform

The Institute is well involved in collaborating and contributing to the Planning Reform process which is underway. However the quantum of information being circulated for review and comment is significant and our ability as people with other non voluntary commitments to keep up is challenged. We could use more experienced architects who are willing to review documents and provide informed concise feedback that can directly form an Institute response.

So way number three if you are ready to do more than just a survey, is to call/email/ visit the Institute and volunteer.

Two out of three ain’t bad people and two of these don’t even require you to stand up!

It’s too cold to sit on the beach now anyway, so we may as well stop whinging and do something.

Mario Dreosti
SA Chapter President