Change over time is one of life’s few constants.  As an organisation representing thousands of members, all of whom operate in an evolving environment, the Institute has a responsibility to adapt to the changing needs and preferences of its membership. 

The SA Chapter delivers a range of programs for members, all of which rely on member engagement at some level to operate.  As member interest, activities and commitments change over time, so do the programs we provide.

The Awards program, which is up and running for another year, is dependent on members entering and participating in juries.  The Jury selection process is being finalised this week and we have been very pleased with the range of entries and the response to the call for jurors. 

We also remind all our members that the jury presentations, which will be held on Saturday 24 March, are open to anyone who is interested – architects, students, allied professionals, family and the public.  To increase public participation this year and grow the impact of the awards program beyond the profession we are organising a range of activities centred on Leigh St.  We invite you all to come along, have something to eat and drink, catch up with colleagues and friends and find out more about some of the outstanding projects recently completed in SA.  More information about the other activities will be revealed soon.

It has also had a very pleasing response to the call for members to nominate for the vacant Chapter Council seat.  Chapter Council is the core Institute body, shaping the activities and programs that we engage in.  In recent times this has lead to an increase in advocacy and activities that promote public awareness.  Thanks to all who indicated their interest in being involved.  If you are not voted onto Chapter Council this year then we look forward to working with you in other ways.

CPD is another core activity involving members.  Quality CPD offerings are only viable if we have sufficient attendance to cover the cost of delivering well prepared and presented content.  CPD has changed over time with product presentations no longer a priority for members and knowledge of current regulatory, contractual and procurement methodologies increasingly important.  With Minister Mulligan commencing the procedure to include mandatory CPD in the registration act, there will be an increased need for architects to engage with CPD in a more structured way.  The Institute looks forward to working with members to develop and deliver programs that meet this need.

However, the SA Chapter is currently reviewing the viability of two programs this year as a result of falling member engagement. 

The first is the Student Awards Project, where groups of students design and construct an installation for the awards venue with support from graduates and architects.  It provides students with the valuable experience of translating a design concept into a constructed outcome.  In addition, it gives students exposure to members of the profession as well as product manufacturers and suppliers.  Finally, the project adds to the atmosphere at the awards presentation dinner and in some years results in installations that can be used into the future. At the time of writing there is only one architect signed up to participate in the program.  Without more we will not be able to run the Student Awards Project in 2018.

The second is the Student Mentor Program, where students are paired with an architect and meet at regular intervals to discuss university assignments, what to expect post-graduation and any other topic of interest in between.  This program has been operating for three decades and has been a positive experience for many students and practitioners.  However, we are finding it increasingly challenging to get practitioners involved.  If the response to the call out this year is as low as it was in 2017 we will not continue to run it after this year.  The viability of this program also impacts on the proposed intergenerational mentor program currently under consideration by Chapter Council.

It is of concern that the two programs under review are ones that benefit and engage students, who are the future of our profession.  Today’s architecture students have limited opportunities to experience and engage with the profession prior to graduation.  These experiences help to round out students’ formal education and make them more aware of the skills they need to develop to make the transition from university to practice.  While the internship programs offered by both universities address this, they are available to a limited number of students each year.  The programs offered by the Institute broaden the opportunities and provide different mechanisms for students to engage and learn. 

If these two programs are no longer viable the SA Chapter will explore other opportunities to support student members.  It’s all about moving with the times.

Should you wish to participate in either of these activities please email sa@architecture.com.au

Nicolette Di Lernia
SA Chapter Executive Director