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From the National President

What significant opportunities are there for emerging young talent if they are constantly rejected for larger work?

Recent expressions of interest for new large university buildings in NSW revealed only eight or so substantial established practices can show equivalent prior experience, effectively eliminating the majority of the profession from consideration. Similarly, only a limited number of architects have suitable prior experience to be considered for hospital or school contracts.

The emphasis on standard products from familiar providers belies the Federal Government's call for innovation and denies any 'look-in' from our talented array of emerging architects. Maintaining the status-quo is not good enough: new doors need to be opened.

One's 40s are important years for professionals; with the cross-over of energy and wisdom, this is the prime time to be undertaking primary work. Entrants to this year's Dulux Study Tour reveal the huge bank of younger talent in our profession whom we are training up to take major responsibilities by their 40s. But for what?

To avoid our emerging talent being denied real opportunity to establish themselves, it is the responsibility of all authorities handing out Federally-funded projects to ensure that the work is widely distributed, and includes worthwhile strategic planning, proper design, sound construction, sustainable practices and a lasting legacy.*

Best regards,

Howard Tanner
National President

* A more extensive piece on this topic and allied issues will appear in the May issue of Memo, delivered to members with Architecture Australia.

From the CEO

The first home owners' grant and government stimulus packages have halted the recent decline in residential building expenditure, and new forecasts from the Construction Forecasting Council predict a strong recovery for stand-alone housing and the alterations and additions market. While education and health projects remain strong, activity levels for commercial projects (offices, retail and industrial) are severely reduced; private spending on commercial property is not forecast to fully recover for three years. Detailed updated forecasts, including sector-by-sector and state-by-state breakdowns, are available free of charge at cfc.acif.com.au.

Pleasingly, our lobbying work is gaining traction and federal politicians are recognising the GHG abatement potential of the building sector through energy efficient design for both new and existing buildings. The Federal Minister for the Environment, Peter Garrett, and Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull referred to the 2nd Plank research report (ASBEC) in their respective addresses to the Green Cities Conference in Brisbane last month. Minister Garrett affirmed energy efficiency as the Government's second plank in the fight against greenhouse gas emissions, with the first plank being the carbon pollution reduction scheme and the renewable energy target the third.

Noting the excellent work of ASBEC, Mr Turnbull announced that the coalition would support accelerated green depreciation as an incentive to encourage energy efficiency. He was impressed with architects' commitment to designing green buildings and the ingenuity that we bring to this challenge.

Kind regards,

David Parken
Chief Executive Officer

NATIONAL NEWS

Charles Correa, Confirmed
A major figure in contemporary architecture around the world, Charles Correa is confirmed as the second guest in the 2009 International Speaker Series. Correa will present in Brisbane (June 2), Melbourne (June 5) and Sydney (June 9). architecture.com.au/internationalspeakerseries

The International Speaker Series 2009 is exclusively supported by Austral Bricks.

Grand Designs Australia
Do you have a fantastic residential project soon to commence? A new television series currently in pre-production in Australia is seeking projects with passionate clients keen to be involved. Based on Grand Designs (UK), the show will air locally as Grand Designs Australia and screen on the Lifestyle Channel late 2010. Visit Member Media Opportunities.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Autodesk Solution Day
29 April, Sydney
Supporting corporate partner, Autodesk, invites Institute members to Solution Day. This premier event features a range of high profile speakers to address solutions to help companies be productive, reduce costs and stay competitive in a tough environment. Information and registration: autodesk.com.au/solutionday2009

Parallax, 2009 National Architecture Conference
30 April - 2 May, Melbourne

This year's national architecture conference gets underway at the end of the month. Featuring a terrific line-up of international and Australian guest speakers, and a super series of fringe events to sate your appetite for more! All the information is available at architecture.com.au/parallax.

Thanks to our conference sponsors, principal corporate partner BlueScope Steel; supporting corporate partners Lockwood, Dulux, Virgin Atlantic, Autodesk, Kingspan and Architectural Window Systems; and, event sponsors Form & Function, Viridian, Knauf Plasterboard, City of Melbourne, Standards Australia and University of Technology Sydney.

Form & Function and designEX (co-located with Parallax)
30 April - 2 May, Melbourne
These trade-only events are FREE if you pre-register online. Registering online before the show saves you time and money plus you will automatically be entered into the prize draw to win over $10,000 worth of designer product. (On-site registration will be $25.) Read More...

Australian Institute of Architects, Annual General Meeting
29 May, Melbourne
The AGM notice (with proxy form) was posted to all members with the March issue of Architecture Australia.

Charles Correa, International Speaker Series
2 June, Brisbane | 5 June, Melbourne | 9 June, Sydney
architecture.com.au/internationalspeakerseries

(Un)Loved Modern Conference, Conserving 20th Century Heritage
7-10 July, Sydney
Keynote speakers include Theo Prudon (US), John Schofield (UK), Phillip Goad (Aus) plus over fifty papers. Conference includes field visits, opening cocktails, conference dinner and closing event. Register now to take advantage of early bird rates. aicomos.com

Glenn Murcutt Masterclass
12-26 July, 'Riversdale' near Sydney
A residential design studio program open to practicing architects, teachers, postgraduates and senior students. Fellow tutors joining Glenn Murcutt are Brit Andresen, Richard Leplastrier and Peter Stutchbury. Only 30 places available. ozetecture.org

COMPETITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES

2009 IFMA Foundation Scholarships
For full-time students enrolled in a facility management (or related field) program. The IFMA Foundation is a non-profit entity with a charter of education, scholarships and research to improve the built environment in a changing world. Successful applicants will receive a minimum US$1,500 scholarship and be flown to IFMA's World Workplace conference, exhibition and scholarship awards ceremony 7-9 October in Orlando, Florida. Applications close 31 May, details at ifmafoundation.org/scholarships/apps.cfm.

2009 Neville Quarry Architectural Education Prize
Be one of the first 10 applicants and receive a complimentary pass to the 2010 National Architecture Conference in Sydney! Sponsored by supporting corporate partner, Autodesk, the Prize recognises an outstanding contribution in architectural education in one or more areas of teaching, scholarship and research. Academics/architects who have contributed to architectural education in Australia may nominate or be nominated for this award. Applications close 19 June. Prize information & guidelines and application forms are available at architecture.com.au/i-cms?page=1.23.3400.

2009 Student Prize for the Advancement of Architecture
Recognising outstanding student achievement in architecture in one or more of the areas of leadership, publication, community and education. All financial SONA members who have advanced architecture are eligible to apply. Applications close Friday 26 June 2009 and submissions should be forwarded to the relevant Institute Chapter Education Committees. Prize information, application forms and competition guidelines are available at: architecture.com.au/i-cms?page=1.23.3401.

MAXMIX Cities
An international competition organised by the UIA and open to all architects and students of architecture of the world. MaxMix, or Maximized Mixture, refers to a process of creating new order in a city through dynamic exchange of the elements of diverse backgrounds. MaxMix is a proposal to bring a new value to human life in the labyrinth of a contemporary city. Registration and simultaneous Transmission of Entries period: 5-15 May. www.celebcities3.org

Situate - international sculpture competition, WA
The WA Government is undertaking an open competition for a major public art commission for Forrest Place, Perth. The project is designed to encourage innovative partnerships between artists and other design professionals. The competition process will identify a multidisciplinary team that brings originality and design excellence to the project. This is the largest single commission undertaken in Western Australia, with a commission budget of AUD$1,000,000. Closing date for Stage 1 entries: 20 May. situate.dca.wa.gov.au

Annual contest for world's best building
The world's biggest architectural summit, the World Architecture Festival, will take place in Barcelona for the second year running, with new opportunities for the industry to showcase its work as part of the word's biggest architectural Awards programme. Online entry to the WAF Awards is open until 26 June 2009. worldarchitecturefestival.com

2009 BlueScope Steel Glenn Murcutt Student Prize
Established in 2005 to recognise outstanding architectural student work which demonstrates excellence in response to place, technology and Australian culture. First prize - $8000. Online entries open 30 April, and all entries must be received no later than 5pm on 10 July. sona.com.au/gmprize

AA Prize for Unbuilt Work
Seeking conceptually rigorous, inventive responses to contemporary architectural issues. This year's jury is:
Shane Murray, Foundation Professor of Architecture, Monash University; Laura Harding, Hill Thalis Architecture and Urban Projects; Brian Zulaikha, Tonkin Zulaikha Greer; Philip Follent, Queensland Government Architect; and Justine Clark, Architecture Australia. Deadline is 9 October. architecturemedia.com/unbuilt

HONOURS

Institute/Hassell Graduation Prize in Architecture
Congratulations to Shane Winter from Curtin University who was awarded the Institute's Hassell Graduation Prize 2009 in Western Australia. The aims of the prize are to encourage a better understanding of becoming an architect, to promote a positive outlook regarding the profession's support for graduates, to promote registration as an architect, to involve architectural practices in the training and professional growth of graduates, and to support the graduate's transition from education to the profession. The prizewinner is determined on merit using university results obtained in the subject areas of design, construction practice or legal studies from the final two years of the accredited undergraduate architecture program.

PUBLICATIONS & PRODUCTS

Jorn Utzon's Sydney Opera House
By Katarina Stuebe with Jan Utzon. Available at Architext bookshops from 25 May.
$85.50 members ($95rrp).
Developed with renowned Danish architects Jorn Utzon and his son, Jan, this visual journey by photographer Katarina Stuebe focuses on the future of this iconic building rather than the past. Narrated by Jorn Utzon with contributions from Jan on the influence of the Sydney Opera House on his family's life, it includes sketches, drawings and as-yet-unpublished photographs from the Utzon archives. Launch event 25 May, see Upcoming Events (above).

BCA 2009: Was $340 - Now $275
The 2009 edition of Building Code of Australia arrives May 1. Orders made before May 1 will automatically be upgraded to 2009. Take advantage of the price drop and order now. www.bcaillustrated.com.au

AR & (INSIDE) launch online
The new joint site of Architectural Review and (Inside) launches on April 14. It will be accompanied by a regular Australian Design Review newsletter covering not only content from both magazines, but also more current news, exhibitions, events and jobs, updated daily. There are also regular sections such as industry features, project reviews and a discussion section called 'Response'. The large majority of content will be uniquely generated, daily, for exclusive presence online. australiandesignreview.com

M+
Monument magazine has launched a new monthly PDF magazine with extra images, renderings and drawings from Monument's corresponding issue. To subscribe to M+, email mplus@monumentmagazine.com.

The Institute's Media Unit welcomes your suggestions for National Enews. Please send to kirsten.trengove@raia.com.au.