Last month the UIA Council met in Sydney with Louise Cox chairing the meeting as UIA President. During the meeting the UIA expressed its sincere concern following the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti on January 12.

UIA Council invited its Member Sections and architects worldwide to contact humanitarian organisations present in the area in order to offer their help to the people of Haiti.

Apart from the enormous human toll, the structural losses that Haiti suffered in the magnitude 7.0 quake are immense. The National Palace, most of the public buildings including Parliament, the High Court, schools and churches are in ruins. Infrastructure is in tatters, and of course, countless homes have been destroyed in what is one of the world's poorest nations.

The UIA fully supports the initiatives of the Emergency Architects Foundation that since 15 January has set up, in Haiti, an action team composed of experts from France, the West Indies and Canada. The task facing them is the technical evaluation of the damaged buildings to guarantee the safety of the population as rapidly as possible.
UIA invites its Member Sections to support the Foundation's action and to respond to its appeal for funds. In turn, the Institute supports this call to action. Please go to www.archi-urgent.com or www.emergencyarchitects.org.au for more details or to make a donation. This month's e-news also contains a further update from Emergency Architects Australia.

Preparations for the Australia Pavilion at this year's Venice Biennale are now well underway and progress is exceeding all expectations. John Gollings and Ivan Rijavec, Co-Creative Directors for the 2010 Australian Pavilion at the Biennale, report there has been a spectacular response to the test results of the 3D stereoscopic imagery of aerial city and outback landscapes which will form the centerpiece of the NOW section of the Pavilion. These stereoscopic visuals will show contrasting views of these images from macro-scapes at 6000 metres to 'helicoptering' views of urban and architectural icons at close range.

The WHEN section of the Pavilion will feature the final 12 selected entries from the 24 already shortlisted in Stage 1 of the competition, Ideas for Australia's cities 2050+. The original number of entries had topped 124. Stage 2 of the selection process will commence in early March, and the formal announcement of the final 12 will be made on 19 March. All entries will be prepared and exhibited in 3D format. The Directors call the results, to date, nothing short of phenomenal.

On that note, I am delighted to announce that the Institute has secured significant funding from the Victorian and Queensland Governments for the Australian Pavilion at the Biennale. This is the first year that State Governments have come on board to help fund Australia's contribution to the Biennale, and we applaud their generosity. The Institute is also currently in discussions with the NSW Government and the Commonwealth to join us as major partners in what will be an extraordinary exhibition.

Since the Institute launched A+ Membership in 2009 the take-up from members has surpassed our expectations. Now, more than 1000 practices have taken advantage of the benefits which A+ offers, including significantly lower individual membership fees (up to 50% less than present levels), tailored payment options, online access to Acumen, Environment Design Guide and Australian Standards. This year we have initiated a promotional campaign of A+ in a series of online and print advertisements featured in a range of media including the Qantas magazine -Australian Way, Vogue Living, AFR Magazine and realestate.com. Please go to Architecture.com.au/aplus to explore the A+ membership offer.

Emergency Architects Australia (EAA) - Call to Action
Emergency Architects Australia (EAA) has been supporting international colleagues directly involved in the Haiti crisis. The immediate construction assessment has been undertaken by Patrick Coulombel and a team of six (including two Canadians) in Haiti. The EA team is still undertaking further assessments and securing buildings, but is also writing up a strategy for working with Haitian engineers/architects, reporting on the next phase of planning and reconstruction and seeking international funding.

EAA's role is to raise funds for the reconstruction program, undertake research and inform those architects/engineers/International Relations volunteers interested in joining the EA International team in Haiti in solidarity with the Haitian architects/engineers group. Please go to www.emergencyarchitects.org.au for more details.

People meet in Architecture - theme of this year's Venice Biennale
Director of the International Architecture Exhibition, Kazuyo Sejima, has chosen People meet in Architecture as the theme for the 12th Venice Biennale.

Sejima, director of Japanese practice SANAA, announced the theme, saying: "The idea is to help people relate to architecture, help architecture relate to people relate to themselves."

Sejima and Paolo Baratta, President of the Biennale, also announced two major projects will be developed for the period of the Exhibition: Architecture Saturdays and the University Project.

Architecture Saturdays will comprise of a series of conversations, performances and weekly discussions with architects, critics and personalities from the world of Italian and international architecture.

The University Project will be a collaboration with Italian and European schools and set up to define programs for tours of the Exhibition, which will provide an important educational opportunity for students in the Faculties of Architecture, Engineering, Design, Communication and Sociology.

For further news and updates about Biennale preparations, go to the official websites at www.labiennale.org, and www.labiennalechannel.org

2010 COLORBOND® steel Student Biennale Stage 2 entrants
On 15 January the Jury selected ten 2010 COLORBOND® steel Student Biennale Stage 1 entrants to submit Stage 2 material. For details click here.

Submission deadline for Stage 2 material is 15 February 2010. Stage 2 judging will take place in Canberra on 3 March 2010. The 2010 COLORBOND® steel Biennale Prize will be presented at the Institute's Australian Achievement in Architecture Awards (AAAA) to be held in Brisbane on 18 March 2010. For details, contact the Institute's Education Unit on 02 6121 2013, or email: education@raia.com.au

International Speaker Series - Richard Meier visit postponed until June
Richard Meier's visit has been postponed until June due to ill-health. Richard told the Institute that he is committed to talking in Australia and is very excited about the large number of people already planning on attending his talks. The revised dates for the talks are:

Monday 7 June - Sydney, City Recital Hall Angel Place
Tuesday 8 June - Melbourne, Melbourne Convention Centre

Richard has asked that we pass on his apologies to all that have booked tickets, planned to attend the talks and be involved in his visit, and he wants to reassure members that he is committed to these talks in Australia. Emails have been distributed to all who purchased tickets giving them the option to hold onto their ticket or receive a refund. We would like to sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this has caused and hope that you will be available for the talks in June.

Open for Business - Inaugural National Affordable Housing Exchange
18-19 February 2010, Sydney
Exchange offers an opportunity to bring together all sectors working in the affordable housing field. Hosted by the Community Housing Federation of Australia (CHFA), the Exchange is a response to the growing need for affordable housing. For further information click here.

Green Cities 2010
21 - 24 February, Melbourne
The conference will bring together green building innovators to explore new ideas and share practical knowledge in the expanding sustainable building industry. Delegates will hear from renowned global green building experts and learn about the latest industry developments, techniques and strategies. Tickets are on sale at www.greencities.org.au.

Australian Achievement in Architecture Awards
18 March 2010, Brisbane
The Australian Achievement in Architecture Awards (AAAA) will bring together a suite of existing annual architecture prizes at a cocktail function in Brisbane. Headlined by the 50th anniversary of the Australian Gold Medal for Architecture announcement, the event will include the Glenn Murcutt Student Prize, Neville Quarry Architectural Education Prize, Student Prize for the Advancement of Architecture, Dulux Study Tour, Leadership in Sustainability Prize and COLORBOND® Student Biennale. Tickets are only $40 and are on sale now, click here to book your ticket.

The Australian Achievement in Architecture Awards are supported by the Institute's Principal Corporate Partner BlueScope Steel; Supporting Corporate Partners Dulux, Virgin Atlantic and Autodesk and Event Sponsor Davis Langdon.

extra/ordinary National Architecture Conference
22-24 April, Sydney
This provocative program is drawing together local and international guests in the habit of turning convention on its head. Confirmed speakers include: Alejandro Aravena (Elemental S.A.), Tom Bloxham (Urban Splash), Teddy Cruz (Estudio Teddy Cruz), Jeremy Edmiston (SYSTEMarchitects), Sean Griffiths (FAT: fashion architecture taste), Liza Fior (muf architecture/art) and Diébédo Francis Kéré (Kéré Architecture). Registrations now open with group discounts available for bookings of eight or more architecture.com.au/extraordinary.

Thanks to the Institute's Principal Corporate Partner BlueScope Steel, Supporting Corporate Partners Lockwood, Dulux, Virgin Atlantic, Autodesk, Kingspan and AWS, and Event Sponsors Form & Function, Viridian, Knauf and Standards Australia.

Above L-R: Dano High School by Kéré Architecture (photo by Jan-Erik Ouwerker), 3 Towers by Urban Splash and Lo Espejo by Elemental S.A.

'a weekend away' Tasmanian Architectural Narratives
12,13 & 14 March, Bruny Island
'a weekend away' is a conversation that started some years ago and is a unique reflection of the Tasmanian condition. Regional in focus it provides a forum to raise issues and challenge convention across design fields, within and beyond the island state. To be held at Murray Field Station on Bruny Island, the event is enriched by the history of the island and its littoral setting. As an architectural context it celebrates community and place, while acknowledging the continuity of change. For information call 03 62141500 or email tasadmin@raia.com.au

Hotel, Hospitality + Design Expo 2010
24-26 May, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
A key focus of this expo is the design, fit out and refurbishment for the hotel, resorts, spas and hospitality industry. It will also feature the Hotel Operations and Technology Show plus a rich conference program that will turn insights into opportunities. Some of the most influential hoteliers and suppliers from around the world will reveal their secrets of success and offer advice for the future. Delegates of HHD will get an insight into gaining a competitive advantage in what is a broad and evolving industry. For exhibitor/delegate and Conference registration visit the HHD website on www.hhdexpo.com.au

2010 Architecture Awards
With the exception of Queensland which is now closed, submissions for all states, territories and the international category are NOW OPEN. Members are invited to submit their projects for the 2010 Architecture Awards by logging on to architecture.com.au/awards.

The 2010 Architecture Awards are supported by the Institute's Principal Corporate Partner BlueScope Steel and Supporting Corporate Partners Lockwood, Dulux, Virgin Atlantic, Autodesk, Kingspan and AWS.

Australian Interior Design Awards 2010
Celebrating excellence in residential and commercial interior design from Australian designers and architects, these not-for-profit awards are co-presented by the Design Institute of Australia, designEX and Artichoke magazine. Entries close 12 February 2010 www.interiordesignawards.com.au

2010 Leadership in Sustainability Prize
The Australian Institute of Architects recognises that the advancement of sustainability in architecture and urban design can, and is, happening through a range of inputs, all of which play their unique and valuable part. The Institute is offering this Leadership in Sustainability Prize which recognises an individual's outstanding achievement, through their architecture, effective advocacy, through education and through community engagement.

The prize will be presented to the winner at the Institute's Australian Achievement in Architecture Awards on 18 March 2010. Entries close 11 February 2010. For more information about the prize and how to enter click here.

Dulux Colour Awards
The Dulux Colour Awards is the premier showcase for the creative use of colour in architecture and interior design. It has come to symbolise Dulux's drive to think fresh and take bold new directions in the field. Every year the competition invites work that is exciting, cutting edge and hopefully at times controversial. Entries close 19 February 2010. For more information, click here.

Vision Awards
The Institute's Multi-Program Sponsor Viridian is excited to announce that the 2010 Vision Awards are now open. The Vision Awards is a program developed to celebrate and promote innovative uses of glass for commercial and residential applications. As we face a new world of climate change, with a greater emphasis on environmental stewardship, the Vision Awards continue to place the spotlight on energy efficiency as a key consideration of entrants' submissions. Following the outstanding success of the 2009 Vision Awards, and to recognise the role that glass plays in transforming the internal environment of both commercial and residential buildings, Viridian have extended the number of categories from two to four to include the creative use of glass in interior applications. Entries close 31 March 2010. For details click here.

Emerging Architect Prize
The Emerging Architect Prize is designed specifically to recognises emerging architect's contribution to architectural practice, education, design excellence and community involvement. This year the prize has grown and for the first time, will run across all states and territories with a national winner presented with a $2000 cash prize at the Australian Achievement in Architecture Awards in 2011. For more information contact your local chapter.

A+ Architecture that speaks for itself
The Institute is now offering the revolutionary A+ Membership for practices, offering a host of benefits for your entire practice. These include significantly lower fees of up to 50% less than the present level and FREE access to Acumen and Environment Design Guide (EDG) online. We have also just introduced a new benefit - FREE access to the A+ Standards Service - a web-based service available through SAI Global that provides read-only access to Australian and international Standards. There are already over 800 practices enjoying the benefits of their A+ Membership, that's over 2000 individual members reaping the rewards.

Now is a great opportunity for you to embrace A+ Membership and obtain a significant increase in Institute benefits. For more information on A+ membership or simply to join, visit architecture.com.au/aplus

Unlandscaped 2010
The Landscape Architecture Australia Prize for unrealised landscapes seeks thought-provoking responses to contemporary issues - presented in partnership with Hub Street Equipment. Winner receives a prize of $3000 and will be published in the May 2010 issue of Landscape Architecture Australia. See www.architectureaustralia.com/unlandscaped for details. Register online or contact Jacinta Reedy on 03 9646 4760. Entries close 10 March 2010.

PALS - Practice of Architecture Learning Series
The Institute's new look Practice of Architecture Learning Series (PALS) program is now available online at architecture.com.au/pals. The new model combines online learning, downloadable resources, access to Acumen and invitations to face-to-face tutorials. Visit PALS and view a sample module online and download sample notes for a better understanding of the new self paced learning approach. If you have any queries please contact pals@raia.com.au or 03 8620 3877.

UIA Newsletter
The International Union of Architects represents over a million architects throughout the world through national architectural associations that form the UIA Member Sections. Australia is a member of Region IV. The UIA's latest news is now online.