Australian Capital Territory
The RAIA ACT Chapter enjoyed a busy year with high levels of member participation and engagement across the board from advocacy through to speaker events; this is in no small way a result of the dedication of the membership and the support of the ACT Chapter staff. The highlight of the year was the recognition of one of Canberra’s most renowned architects Dr Enrico Taglietti, as the recipient of the 2007 RAIA Gold Medal. This culminated in the AS Hook address being held in the Taglietti-designed Giralang Primary School at which the monograph (an initiative of the Chapter RSTCA committee) of Enrico Taglietti was launched.
Under the direction of the various ACT Chapter committees a series of local continuing professional development seminars, speaker nights, tours and exhibitions was held in 2007. These initiatives were well received by the membership and are set to continue and grow in 2008.
Highlights
The ACT Government has been in the process of reforming the planning system and to this end members have worked tirelessly on advocating for the profession, resulting in review by government and a re-worked system that better reflects the needs of the industry users. This process of consultation has led to strong links being built between local industry bodies and this work continues now on other matters of common interest. One of the more exciting initiatives is a government supported Affordable Housing Design Competition jointly run by the ACT Chapter and the Housing Industry Association.
The 2007 RAIA ACT Architecture Awards Night was a sell out event. The presentations were followed by a special dinner in the 25 Year Award-winning High Court of Australia. As always the standard of projects was high in the main awards and two Canberra Medallions were awarded. It was a standout occasion and a real celebration of architecture in Canberra both recent and past. The Chapter thanks our two new local sponsors of the Awards Rivoland Tiles and Southern Innovations.
The Chapter welcomed six members to the position of Senior Counsellor in 2007. This invaluable service continues to provide architects and clients with advice and the perspective of experienced practitioners. A special induction evening was held with past, current and new senior counsellors creating a strong support network. The Small Practice Group and Y_arch Committee continued as important support networks organising speakers and networking events throughout the year catering for their particular audience.
The RAIA ACT Chapter and the ACT Heritage Unit launched four Tour Guides to Significant Canberra Architecture. These guides were developed and published by the RSTCA Committee under an ACT Heritage grant.
Thank you
The Chapter continues to build partnerships with industry and would like to thank the following organisations for their support during the year; National Capital Authority, ACT Heritage Unit, University of Canberra, ACT Planning and Land Authority, Bluescope Steel, BCA Certifiers, Rivoland Tiles, Southern Innovations, Tarkett, ASSA ABLOY, Dulux, Louis Poulsen Lighting and the National Gallery of Australia.
Melinda Dodson RAIA
President
ACT Chapter Council, 2007
Melinda Dodson RAIA - President
Eugenie Keefer Bell RAIA
David Clarke RAIA
David Flannery FRAIA
Erin Hinton (Graduate)
Sheila Hughes RAIA
Nathan Judd (Graduate)
Andrew Smith RAIA
David Thomas RAIA
Catherine Townsend FRAIA
Graeme Trickett FRAIA
Andrew Verri RAIA
Lester Yao (SONA)
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