A summary of Institute activities through 2009
Provided below is an overview of Institute activities through 2009 reported against our Strategic Plan objectives. These objectives are fully detailed here.
The objectives cover four perspectives:
> Stakeholder
Internal processes
Learning and growth
Financial
Throughout 2009 and across all Chapters, membership activity was strong. Of note, all Chapters made presentations to local architecture practices on the new A+ Membership option. This has been well received nationally, and continues to grow in strength and numbers.
Other standouts for the year include:
Since the Institute launched A+ Membership in 2009 the take-up from members has surpassed Institute expectations. Now, more than 1000 practices have taken advantage of the benefits that A+ offers. For more details go to architecture.com.au/aplus to explore the A+ membership offer.
The Education Unit worked closely with the PR/Media Unit and the Events Team to ensure the success of the newly established AAAA Awards, which include the Neville Quarry Education Prize and the Student Prize for the Advancement of Architecture. Leading architect, landscape architect and urban design advocate Professor Ken Maher of HASSELL won the 2009 Gold Medal. Ken travelled to every state and territory, presenting a 40-minute ‘show and tell’ of his works, experiences and architecture. After the successful introduction of the EmAGN (Emerging Architects + Graduates Network) Gold Medal events to the National Gold Medal Tour in 2008, these events were again adopted as part of Ken’s 2009 Tour. Ken attended an EmAGN event in most states.
Renowned Japanese architect, Toyo Ito, launched the International Speaker Series in February 2009 with talks. Sell-out attendances in Melbourne and Sydney ensured the return of this popular series. At the Melbourne event, all profits were donated to the Bushfire Recovery Appeal.
The Student Organised Network for Architecture (SONA) reached a number of milestones in the quest to service and represent student members of the Institute. SONA was widely promoted and supported on 18 national campuses, delivering services to members including: SONA merchandise, the terra publication which showcases student designs, prose and photography, and conducted events for student delegates at the National Conference, held in Melbourne in May. The annual SuperStudio competition was held in August for students in Australia and New Zealand, and winners received airfares to attend the Venice Biennale in 2010.
After its inaugural success the 2009 Dulux Study Tour was extended to include London and Paris, and received over 80 entries.
In Chapter news, highlights include:
The 2009 Partnerships Program was a successful venture and the Institute’s corporate partner community provided valuable financial and in-kind support for numbers of core events and activities. 2009 was an immensely satisfying year with Architectural Window Systems joining the Institute as a National Corporate Partner. All other partners renewed their agreements, and include the following:
Principal Corporate Partner
Supporting Corporate Partners
In 2009 the Institute launched a multi program sponsor category, with key sponsors, Viridian and Austral Bricks, heading the list. This is an area of potential growth for the institute, and will be a focus in 2010.
In August, the annual summit for Built Environment Meets Parliament (BEMP) at Parliament House drew parliamentarians and industry leaders to discuss policy issues affecting the relationship between Australian communities and their built environment. The summit covered four themes: sustainability, liveability, prosperity and partnerships. Four Ministers and six parliamentarians joined 10 industry and other experts to make both an informative and interactive summit.
BEMP is co-hosted by the Institute with the Property Council of Australia, the Green Building Council Australia, the Planning Institute of Australia and the Association of Consulting Engineers Australia
The Institute continued its membership of the Australian Services Roundtable (ASR), Australian Construction Industry Forum (ACIF), and the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC) of which CEO David Parken is Chair of ASBEC’s Climate Change Task Group.
It was a record year in terms of the number of policy matters raised with the Federal Government and State Governments on behalf of the profession. During the year the Institute focused on a range of key policy issues affecting the profession and the built environment, and effectively brought these to the attention of Australian governments.
In total, the Institute's national office made 17 submissions in addition to those made by the Chapters. Four new policies were added to our policy suite, developed with members' input and which underpin our engagement with government and other stakeholders.
In responding to the Federal Government's stimulus spending, the Institute took the initiative to highlight the profession's availability for projects. We emphasised the importance of good design and the need for projects to align with the Federal Government's objective to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Specifically the Institute carried out the following on behalf of members:
Of special interest, the Sustainable Communities Taskgroup (sub-group of National Sustainability Committee) examined the recommendations of relevant Institute policies (Sustainability; Urban Design; Environment; Housing Affordability) and identified actions to address recommendations that weren’t already being undertaken.
There was some key activity throughout the Chapters, with NSW recording more than 40 forums and meetings; and submissions were presented to the NSW Government Department of Planning, the City of Sydney, Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, and the NSW Architects Registration Board.
^ Back to the topIt was a record year for the Institute, which focused on a range of key policy issues affecting the profession and the built environment and effectively brought these to the attention of Australian governments.
All Chapters undertook events and/or programs that aimed to raise the public profile of the profession of architecture. The following are of particular note:
In October 2009 the Sydney Architecture Festival was again staged successfully at Customs House.
Following the massive bushfires in Victoria in February, the Institute contributed its expertise to the following:
Tasmania Architecture Week was held in October with another series of 10x10x10 talks led by a different creative director for each of the four nights, to record numbers. Launceston Architecture Week was held in September at the School of Architecture + Design over three days with over 250 people in attendance, organised in conjunction with our Northern Representative, SONA & the School.
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