MARCH 2018
 
To begin with

Hello all. To begin with, I would like to thank Vanessa Bird for her significant professional contribution to the Institute over the past two years as Victorian Chapter President. Vanessa dedicated herself to the role bringing a measured and considered voice to the table. We wish Vanessa all the very best in her recently elected role on National Council.

I would also like to thank previous past Presidents Peter Malatt and Jon Clements for their encouragement and support over the years. Their significant contribution to the role has established a strong precedent for change.

 

The year ahead

As the incoming President of the Victorian Chapter there are a number of agenda items that as a Chapter Council we are keen to achieve.

In line with the Institute’s 2018-2020 Strategic Plan, the following intended outcomes will be carried out in collaboration with the Chapter Councillors, the Institute staff, the Institute committee members and broader contributing members:

RESPECTED LEADERSHIP

• Ensuring that our role is understood and the value we bring to the built environment is being clearly communicated to government and the broader community.

ADVOCACY WITH IMPACT

• Strengthening our voice within the broader community.
• Having an opinion based on statements of fact and ensuring that this voice is heard.
• Being visible and advocating for quality and holistic design outcomes that support building strong, lasting and considered communities.

DIRECT MEMBER VALUE

• Putting in place strategies for the Victorian Chapter President role to be accessible for all members in the future and understanding the powerful role of collaboration and working as a united front.

STRONG AND VIABLE INSTITUTE

• Strengthening our relationships with industry partners and organisations, local and state government.
• Working closely with undergraduate, graduate and emerging architects.
• Encouraging the younger members of our industry to get involved and to have the space to test ideas associated with advocacy and education in order to build a strong community of colleagues and friends.
   

The team
As a director of the practice MUIR and lecturer at RMIT University, I have a skill set that is founded on medium to large practice experience.

For me it is important that the Institute is being represented by a broad and diverse team of experts who bring strong professional leadership and skills to the table.

Chapter Council is made up of 14 representatives of the industry and education. These members are elected industry leaders who are contributing their expertise in a meaningful and constructive capacity. The Institute is a members based organisation however it is important to remember that as members we are all striving for a better industry and built environment. Therefore being involved and present is imperative for change to occur.

As a team we will be setting out the year with achievable outcomes and strategies for incremental evolution and change. We will be working in dedicated teams to address the desired outcomes for the Victorian Chapter.

The team is represented by the following practices and organisations:

Architectus
Bates Smart
Clarke Hopkins Clarke
Cumulus Studio
Deakin University
EmAGN
Iron McDuff Architecture
MA Architects
Matt Gibson Architecture
Monash University
MUIR
Open House Melbourne
Plus Architecture
RMIT University
SONA
The University of Melbourne
Winwood McKenzie
WOWOWA
 

Fishermans Bend

Our recent submission to the Fishermans Bend panel hearing was received well. Thank you to Rosemary Burne, Kim Irons, Vanessa Bird, Ruth White, Shelley Penn, Peter Elliott and Ian McDougall for their significant contributions in the lead up to the panel hearing and representation on the day.

The panel has requested further clarification on a number of presented items. A report is currently being prepared and our updated submission will soon be uploaded to our website. To read the original submission, please click here.

 

Better Apartments Design Standards – ACTION REQUIRED

The government has recently requested that we provide them with feedback in regards to BADS. One year on – what has worked and what hasn’t worked.

This is an opportunity for members to provide meaningful and constructive feedback. Karen Alcock and Tim Leslie are currently in the process of collating a response and contacting various members for their feedback.

A response is being prepared over the coming weeks and therefore we encourage all members who have been working with the standards and are keen for acknowledgment and change to contact the Institute with feedback.

 
The Awards Presentations to the Juries – Melbourne Design Week OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

This year we have had a record number of 268 entries. This is a 20% increase from 2017.

For the second year in a row, the Presentation to the Juries will be opened up to the public as part of Melbourne Design Week which is an initiative of the NGV.

The Presentation to the Juries will be held at the Melbourne School of Design at The University of Melbourne on Saturday 24 March. We encourage all interested members of the public and the architectural community to attend this unique opportunity to view leading and emerging Melbourne practices present the upcoming award winning projects for 2018.

 

Have fun

We look forward to working with many of you over the coming year. Please do not hesitate to contact the Institute if you have are any queries or suggestions.

We encourage action, contribution and strength in numbers.

 

Amy Muir
Victorian Chapter President