Gold Medal goes to a Master
Richard Johnson has been honoured with Australia’s highest architecture accolade, the RAIA Gold Medal. As the chair of the 2008 RAIA Gold Medal Jury, it was my privilege to present Richard with this award, in recognition of his exceptional achievements as an architect and contribution to the development of our profession.

With a cohesive and distinguished body of work spanning four decades (to date), Richard is responsible for the creation of a large range of significant projects in Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane, Hobart, Darwin, Auckland, Melbourne and China. In Sydney alone, his projects include cultural icons such as the Art Gallery of NSW New Asian Wing, the Sydney Opera House masterplan and refurbishments (with Jørn Utzon), and the Australian Museum’s New Zoology Building. Current projects include the new National Portrait Gallery in Canberra and Tasmanian Art Gallery and Museum in Hobart.

Richard’s work embodies a profound understanding of the complexities of designing and creating architecture in urban environments. I encourage you to attend Richard's presentation when the Gold Medal Tour visits your Chapter, and invite you to read the RAIA’s media release and related materials for an introduction to Richard’s work. All information is available at http://www.architecture.com.au/i-cms?page=10705

Queensland Government Architect
The Queensland Government is advertising for a new Government Architect to fill the position vacated by Prof. Michael Keniger LFRAIA. At a time of almost unprecedented activity in the construction industry, the position will offer a significant challenge. Applications are invited, as are nominations of suitable candidates. The RAIA will participate in the selection process. Read more ....

Tune in to By Design this Saturday
ABC Radio National's ‘By Design’ program on Saturday March 15 will feature an interview with the RAIA Gold Medallist, Richard Johnson, at 9am. RAIA immediate-past president, Carey Lyon, is also a guest and will discuss new ways of thinking about collaboration with presenter Alan Saunders. By Design is repeated on Wednesday at 3pm.

An exemplary employer
The RAIA has been recognised with a Compassionate Employer Award by The Compassionate Friends (TCF) for support offered to a staff member in Victoria following the deaths of her sister in 2001 and brother in 2007. “One of the RAIA’s objectives is to be respected as an exemplar employer, for establishing patterns of behaviour that are commendable,” said Elizabeth Raut, manager, RAIA Victoria. “Compassion is an understanding of the emotional state of another and we would be negligent in our duty of care as an employer if we did not recognise this state within our staff and to take action to reduce the intensity of their pain.” Read more ....

Special Virgin Atlantic rates for members
Exclusive to RAIA members is the Virgin Atlantic offer of special corporate rates between Sydney, London and Hong Kong. The special rates are offered in two of Virgin Atlantic’s distinct cabins – Premium Economy and Upper Class – and are available for members (and their friends and family) traveling to key international events including the 2008 Venice Architecture Biennale. Fully flexible Upper Class return flights to London start from just $7479. For details of the special rates, please visit the Corporate Partners page on the RAIA website.

Book Virgin to Venice for a Vernissage pass
To celebrate Virgin Atlantic’s special corporate rates offer to RAIA members, the first 100 RAIA members to book with Virgin Atlantic will receive an exclusive Vernissage pass to the 2008 Venice Architecture Biennale. The vernissage period is September 11-13 (the exhibition will be open to the public September 14 - November 23). Simply book your Virgin Atlantic flights through Travel Associates or Virgin Atlantic online. If you’ve made your own booking, email your flight receipt to venice.biennale@raia.com.au so we can ensure you don’t miss out on a Vernissage pass. Click here to find out more.

Virgin Atlantic is a supporting corporate partner of the RAIA. More information about Australia’s presence at the Venice Biennale and Travel Associates is available at architecture.com.au/venicebiennale. Also, be sure to visit the official Venice Biennale website labiennale.org/en/architecture

Sign up for Earth Hour
The RAIA has signed up in support of Earth Hour, a global event where individuals and organisations around the world will turn off their lights for one hour on March 29 at 8pm. To participate and for more information, visit: earthhour.org.

Upcoming Events

Real Green Design - Refuel in March & April
The RAIA and Lockwood present the first in this year’s National Seminar Series during March and April. Presenter Tone Wheeler addresses the highly topical question: What is real sustainable design and how do you achieve it? Providing useful tips and practical solutions, Tone will explore the current regulations and ratings tools, highlight the latest developments in sustainable materials and technology and illustrate how ESD principles can be implemented with aesthetically pleasing designs. Read more ....

2008 Interior Design Awards Presentation Party, April 11, Sydney
For the Love of Design: join more than 500 architects and designers for the celebration dinner at the Hilton. The presentation coincides with the Critical Visions national conference. Tickets for this sell-out dinner can be secured with your conference registration or download a booking form at interiordesignawards.com.au

RAIA National Architecture Conference, April 10-12, Sydney



Critical Visions: Form, Representation and the Culture of Globalisation. The RAIA National Architecture Conference promises an ambitious and stimulating program. Full session outlines and a list of all international and Australian speakers are now available. Early-bird registrations close on March 7, visit architecture.com.au/criticalvisions

BlueScope Steel Business Lounge at Critical Visions
Enter now for the opportunity to mingle with international and Australian conference guests, enjoying exclusive catering and personal business services including access to internet with portals for personal laptops, printers, photocopiers and more. To win a pass into the Business Lounge, enter online at steelselect.com.

Discount on international speaker books at Critical Visions The RAIA’s major corporate partner, Fielders, is sponsoring exclusive book signings by international keynote conference speakers and a 15 percent discount when you purchase any keynote speakers books at The Bookshop, located in the D4S, hall 6. Simply download the voucher and present at The Bookshop to receive your discount.

The 2008 RAIA National Architecture Conference is sponsored by the RAIA’s principal corporate partner BlueScope Steel, major corporate partner Fielders, supporting corporate partners Dulux, Lockwood, Virgin Atlantic and Autodesk and event sponsors Viridian, City of Sydney, Autodesk, Form & Function, Total Synergy, Metropolis Congress 2008 and Taylor Thomson Whitting.

Emergency Architects Australia Inaugural Conference, April 13, Sydney
Emergency Architects Australia (EAA) is a non-profit volunteer organisation which assists with emergency relief and reconstruction programs in developing countries in the Asia Pacific region. EAA is part of an international network created by Architectes de l’Urgence, France. EAA forms partnerships with local practitioners, local governments and other NGO’s as well as with the recipient communities. Together they develop appropriate and sustainable strategies for each phase of disaster relief. Visit emergencyarchitects.org.au

COMPETITIONS & AWARDS

Pratt Foundation/ISS Institute Overseas Fellowships
Four fellowships are being offered for those working in the environment and heritage industries across Australia. The fellow’s study program may be a course of study, visits to, or placement in a firm, or with an individual, educational institutions, professional associations and/or government agencies, generally for two to three weeks. Each successful applicant receives a maximum of $8,000 towards costs such as airfares, accommodation, course fees and materials. Applications close at 4pm on June 30. More information: issinstitute.org.au

Prize for Young Leaders in Environment and Climate Change Issues
Entries are now invited for the Australian Museum Eureka Prize for Young Leaders in Environmental Issues and Climate Change. Sponsored by the British Council, the prize is awarded to an Australian aged 21-30 for scientific or technological leadership in responding to the challenges that threaten our environment and our climate. The winner will receive a $10,000 study tour to the United Kingdom. Entries close May 2. Information on the prize, criteria and how to enter is available at australianmuseum.net.au/eureka

Design for Lockwood


The new ‘Design for Lockwood’ competition will officially be launched during the 2008 RAIA National Architecture Conference. Join Lockwood for drinks and canapés at the RAIA bar (Form & Function) on Friday April 11 at 5.30pm, when Lockwood will also give each conference delegate the chance to 'unlock' their luck at winning one of five very exclusive prizes, as part of the Lockwood Key Challenge.

Lockwood is a supporting corporate partner of the RAIA.

2008 COLORBOND® steel Student Biennale - finalists
Congratulations to the finalists of this year’s RAIA & COLORBOND® steel Student Biennale. The finalists selected to submit for stage 2 are: Hideto Chijiwa, Kate Ferguson, Mathew George, Daniel Griffin, Khang Yong Loh, Jade Myers, Sam Perversi-Brooks, Augustine Savage, Clancy White and Dylan Wood. Read more...

2007 COLORBOND® steel Awards – on exhibition
BlueScope Steel will be showcasing the COLORBOND® steel award winners for outstanding use of steel in architecture, from the RAIA’s 2007 architecture awards program. Visit the Steel Direct exhibition stand in Form & Function to view these excellent projects and appreciate the exceptional talent of Australian architects.

BlueScope Steel is the principal corporate partner of the RAIA.

Congratulations

Nominated books arriving at selected Chapters
RAIA members in SA, WA and QLD took up the opportunity to nominate books for the Fielders Reference library in their local area and go into the draw to win a complimentary pass to this year’s RAIA National Architecture Conference. Congratulations to Emma Wood from SA and Michael Sorensen from WA who have each won a complimentary pass, thanks to Fielders. Read more...

Steel Lizard winner announced
Late last year we received an outstanding number of submissions to the Fielders ‘Special Sculpture for a Special Project Promotion’ suggesting a suitable recipient for the donation of Dan Murphy’s Steel Lizard Sculpture. After much discussion and debate, Fielders Steel Roofing is proud to announce that Western Cape College (Weipa) is the winning recipient, nominated by pdt architects in Queensland. Read more...

CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Feed your mind - new Continuum courses
The RAIA’s online CPD website has a fresh crop of stimulating courses. New courses include a first hand account of the just opened Olympic Swimming Centre in Beijing, two new sustainability case studies and a ‘nuts and bolts’ course on how to detail to prevent buildings leaking. And with the March 31 registration deadline fast approaching for NSW members, why not take advantage of fulfilling your CPD requirements at a time and place that suits you. All courses are confirmed as a NSW Architects Registration Board CPE listed activity. Visit continuum.com.au

PUBLICATIONS

The future of Memo
The RAIA is reviewing its member publications and placing the future of Memo in your hands. Memo is a broadsheet newsletter inserted into every member’s copy of Architecture Australia. The publications review team will consider your feedback on future directions for Memo. Would you miss it? One possibility is to integrate articles that would once have appeared in Memo into this National Enews. But perhaps you think Enews is already too big? Please send your thoughts to Kirsten Trengove, kirsten.trengove@raia.com.au

Architecture Schools of Australasia 2008
Documenting the significant recent changes to all Australian architecture programs, including the Master of Architecture degree in place of the bachelor degree, the 2008 edition of ‘Architecture Schools of Australasia’ is now available. Published annually by the RAIA Education Unit, the 79-page booklet outlines the course content and structure for 21 undergraduate architecture programs in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. It is a valuable resource providing detailed information on staffing, student activities, program resources, admission requirements, articulation, statistical comparisons of Australian student/graduate numbers, professional course recognition/accreditation and registration procedures. To view the publication visit: architecture.com.au/i-cms?page=2476

Architecture Media
Architecture Media is a subsidiary of the RAIA and publisher of titles on architecture, landscape architecture, interior architecture, design and building products & services.

If you have new projects for publication, details of upcoming events, exhibitions or items of news, please send details to:
Architecture Australia – Justine Clark at justine.clark@archmedia.com.au
Artichoke – Cameron Bruhn at cameron.bruhn@archmedia.com.au
Houses – Mark Scruby at mark.scruby@archmedia.com.au
Houses Style: Kitchens + Bathrooms – Mark Scruby at mark.scruby@archmedia.com.au
Landscape Architecture Australia – Cameron Bruhn at cameron.bruhn@archmedia.com.au