Site Visits for Student Members
The Education Committee is keen to set up a program of site visits conducted by members with small groups of student members, as a form of mentoring. This would involve contacting the Chapter when you have a project that is at a suitable stage in the construction process for a site visit to be a beneficial learning process for students. The Chapter will then liaise with yourself and the University to determine a suitable time and date, and develop a Registration Form for the site visit, which will be emailed to student members. Several practitioners have already agreed to participate in the program. If you are interested to be involved, and are a registered architect in Tasmania, contact Janine Saunders at the Chapter Office. The success of this type of mentoring will only occur if the profession is willing to get involved.
Futureshock - 2050
In November of last year, the Queensland University of Technology hosted ‘Futureshock’, a conference that brought together 160 young planners, architects, engineers, and related professionals to discuss initiatives regarding a more sustainable built environment in Australia.
Speakers from various organizations such as the Green Building Council and Planning Institute of Australia presented papers on topics ranging from sustainable economic growth, to planning, education, legislation, and innovation, that were followed by lively debate and propositions for positive change in each of these fields.
Although the depth of content and discussion was limited by the experience and number of attendees, the organizers of the event should be commended for the idea and ambitions of the conference that I believe will grow in stature over the coming years.
The highlight of the event was a presentation made by Fiona Berry and Adam Beck from Arup Sustainability who presented an illustrated day in the life of an urban Australian in 2050. Their fictional scenario featured an array of high tech ideas for contemporary living that are being developed around the world, and displayed a creativity and love of invention and science fiction that one would expect from two young engineers.
For more information on Futureshock and this year’s follow up event to be held in Melbourne in November visit: www.2050.org.au
Scott Christensen
Convenor, Young Architects Group
Our President on RAIA Executive
Congratulations to Neal Mackintosh for being elected Honorary Treasurer of the RAIA at the recent National Council meeting held in Canberra. Neal will take office after the AGM in May. It is great to see that the smaller Chapters will also have representation on the Executive with Carolyn Wigg, SA Chapter President, being elected as Honorary Secretary.
Report on National Practice Committee Meeting held in February
1. Government workplace health and safety requirements responsibility of superintendents: Following a meeting between Rick Barton, RAIA's chief legal eagle, Neal Mackintosh and the Government in November 2005 it seems that our concerns are being heard. Some amendments are proposed which appear to address our comments. Keep watching this space!
2. ABIC contracts are being updated later this year. New versions will include use of Bills of Quantity and allow payment for off-site materials.
3. OH&S training is compulsory for architects entering building sites in many other states. The National Practice Committee considers it useful for architects everywhere - even where it is not yet legally required.
4. Continuing education: If you want to pursue other topics, check out www.eclassroom.com.au, a private provider, and the NSW RAIA Chapter websites. Both sites have some interesting and relevant topics.
5. We are always inviting suggestions for new, or revised practice note topics. Any thoughts?
If you have any issues that you would like raised at the National Practice Committee, please contact me.
Cornelis Wegman
Chair, Practice Committee
[%INDUSTRY NEWS%]
Building Standards and Regulation News
The latest edition of the Building Standards and Regulation News issued by DIER advises that the Tasmanian Plumbing Code is being revised to enable the adoption of the new Plumbing Code of Australia by referencing the relevant Parts applicable to Tasmania.
These changes will apply from 1 May 2006, to align with the introduction of energy efficient provisions for Class 5-9 buildings being introduced in BCA 2006.
Plumbing products will for the first time need to satisfy both water and energy efficiency criteria set by regulators.
Further information refer www.wst.tas.gov.au/building.
Deborah Aukland,
Member, Practice Committee
[%CHAPTER EVENTS%]
Building with Earth + Stone
When: Friday March 31 2006 from 12.30 pm to 3.30 pm
Where: RAIA Chapter Office, 1/19a Hunter Street, Hobart
Cost: $66 Non Member, $44 RAIA/AILA Member, $39.60 Practice Member, Graduate Member, Student Non Member, $26.40 SONA Member
CE Points: 3 informal CE Points in Design
To download the registration flyer, click here.
Proudly sponsored by Geotas and Ecospecifier
Pictures in the Pub
Tea and Iced Volvo: Tara Badcock talks about the Ice Hotel in Jukkasjarvi, Sweden and decorative curtains in Paris…
Lines of Invention: A presentation of sketches and buildings by Alvaro Siza. Presented by Wesley Hindmarch Tasmanian trained graduate and collaborator for two years in the Alvaro Siza office, Porto, Portugal.
When: Wednesday April 12, 2006 from 7.30 pm
Where: Irish Murphy’s, 21 Salamanca Place, Hobart
Cost: Free. Drinks sales available.
CE Points: Worth 2 informal CE points in Design & Project Management.
Proudly sponsored by the Xerox Shop.
Click here to download the flyer.
Designing the Building Envelope
Performance Objectives and Constraints in a Changing Industry Environment
Presented by Stefan Brey
The building envelope not only plays an important role in making buildings more energy efficient; it is a key element of the “value-shift” in the construction market. Building envelope design and especially glazing selection can have a drastic impact on building occupants’ thermal comfort, visual comfort, access to daylight and acoustic privacy. Glazing selection and façade design influence the architectural image of a building, presenting an interesting integration of performance and architectural design intent.
When: Wednesday April 19, 2006 from 12.30 to 2.00 pm
Where: RAIA Chapter Office, 1/19a Hunter Street, Hobart
Cost: $24.75 Non-Member, $16.50 Member, $14.85 Practice Member, Graduate Member, Student Non Member, $9.90 SONA Member
CE Points: Worth 1.5 informal CE points in Design
Proudly sponsored by Southern Glass
Click here to download the registration flyer.
[%OTHER EVENTS IN TASMANIA%]
Free Ecospecifier Information Session for New & Existing Subscribers and Manufacturers
Ecospecifier will conduct free training session to current subscribers and any other interested persons, businesses and organisations. Your Ecospecifier introduction will give you the opportunity to ask questions, and learn more about this unique knowledge-based service and how it can be used more efficiently in your practice & projects. Ecospecifier is an in-depth resource that saves you time, energy and money and gives you the necessary knowledge to make an informed decision.
Also, if you are a manufacturer or supplier of Ecospecifier-listed products, materials, or technologies or are interested in improving the health or environmental attributes of your new or existing products or services, then don’t miss this opportunity to receive free advice from Ecospecifier’s new “LCA to Market Service”. The session aims to provide some insight into the green building materials movement and to learn about some of the intricacies involved in exposing your products based in part on their environmental attributes.
When: March 31, 2006 from 3.45pm to 4.45 pm
Where: RAIA Chapter Office, 1/19a Hunter Street, Hobart
Cost: Free
For more information and to register go to: http://www.ecospecifier.org/home_feature_articles/featured_upcoming_events#brisbane1
Residential Concrete Solutions - Common Pitfalls and Practical Solutions for Builders and Contractors
If you are looking for a short, practical seminar that covers the fundamentals of working successfully with concrete on residential building sites, then this is the seminar for you.
HOBART
When: Tuesday May 9, 2006 from 5.30pm to 9.00pm
Where: Mercure Hotel, 156 Bathurst Street, Hobart
LAUNCESTON
When: Wednesday May 10, 2006
Where: Hotel Grand Chancellor, 29 Cameron Street, Launceston
To download the registration form, click here http://www.concrete.net.au/news_flashpdf.php?id=108.
[%OTHER EVENTS (AUSTRALIA & OVERSEAS)%]
RAIA National Conference /Full program now available
The official program of events for the future is now! has been finalised and is now accessible through our web-site at www.architecture.com.au/thefutureisnow! Brisbane luminary Timothy Hill will join Melbourne architects, John Wardle and Kerstin Thompson as local key-note speakers, as well as the 2006 RAIA Gold Medallist, Kerry Hill. The international line-up includes India’s Anupama Kundoo, Spain’s Carme Pinos, Coop Himmelb(l)au’s Wolf D. Prix, Rural Studio’s Andrew Freear, and Roman Delugan from Viennese practice Delugan Meisl. The conference’s Creative Director, Stephen Varady, has approached individuals who are looking towards the future of architecture in different ways, with different means, and with very different philosophies. Up to 1000 delegates from around the world and Australia are expected to attend the future is now! at the Sydney Exhibition and Convention Centre from 6-9 April. Members should register at http://www.architecture.com.au/thefutureisnow/reg_interest.htm early, as sessions will fill quickly. Careful selection of sessions at the 2006 RAIA National Conference will provide you with most of your annual continuing education points.
Digital Architecture & Construction 2006: Paper Deadline 19 May 2006
The First International Conference on Digital Architecture & Construction is to take place from 19 - 21 September 2006 in Seoul, Korea.
Abstracts are being accepted now so that it can be incorporated into the conference programme. Please note that the paper deadline is 19 May 2006
For further information about the conference, you can visit: http://www.wessex.ac.uk/conferences/2006/digital2006/3.html
Guangzhou International Lighting Exhibition and Electrical Building Technology 2006
The Guangzhou International Lighting Exhibition + Electrical Building Technology China, Asia’s biggest and most important event for the lighting and building automation sectors, will take place from 8 - 11 June 2006 at the Guangzhou International Convention & Exhibition Centre in Guangdong, South China. With over 500 exhibitors already confirmed to exhibit as of December 2005, the show is on track to be the biggest yet in 2006. Major brand names that have already confirmed their participation include Philips, Targetti, Thorn, Aspire Lighting, Titan, Bright, Osram, Endo Lighting, Rio Industrial, C.D.M. Golden Lighting, and Primo Opto.
For further details visit www.light-building.messefrankfurt.com.
ENIE 2006
11th National Electrical Installation Conference and Exhibition - June 6-8, 2006
ENIE is the biggest meeting point for companies and professionals of electrical installation, equipment, building and industrial electric systems. Some themes that will be discussed are: new concepts, techniques and products for industrial and building electrical installations, protection against lightning and voltage overloading and new constructive processes. It will be an excellent opportunity to get information and to know new projects in this area.
For more information, visit http://www.arandanet.com.br/evento_enie2006/enie_ingles/enie06_presentation.htm.
Italy By Design - October 1 -13, 2006
An exclusive tour of Italy hosted by interior designer and best selling author, historian and art historian Isabella and Luigi Dusi. A specially constructed small group tour for architects, designers, their colleagues and friends.
Register now and receive a FREE copy of Isabella’s book ‘Vanilla Beans and Brodo - Real Life in the Hills of Tuscany’
To register and for more information visit www.italybydesigntours.com.
[%COMPETITIONS/AWARDS/FELLOWSHIPS%]
ArchVoices Essay Competition 2006
The ArchVoices International Essay Competition 2006 for graduates and final year students of architecture is open. This year the competition has an Australian flavour with two organising committee members and one of the jurors being Australian, and Australian sponsorship from InDesign magazine and SDQ. Stage One of the competition consists of a 500 word essay proposal on a new paradigm for architectural practice in the 21st Century, and closes on the 31st March 2006. Prizes include a first prize of US$1,356.00, a second prize of an Apple Video iPod 30G and numerous books, journals and architecture resources. Further details are available at http://competition.archvoices.org/
2005 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards for Culture Heritage Conservation
UNESCO now invites entries for the 2006 Asia Pacific Heritage Awards for Culture Heritage Conservation to recognise the achievement of individuals, organisations or companies in the conservation/restoration of a structure or a series of structures in the private sector which is/are more than 50 years old. Entries close on Friday March 31, 2006. For further details visit www.unsecobkk.org/culture/heritageawards.
2006 RAIA Sisalation Prize / Call for Nominations
Applications are invited for the 2006 RAIA Sisalation Prize, due by Friday 28 April 2006. With the continuous support of Insulation Solutions, the RAIA has offered the Sisalkraft/Sisalation Prize annually since 1956. This prestigious prize celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, and past recipients include practitioners and academics who have made substantial contributions to the profession in Australia.
The winner of the 2006 RAIA Sisalation Prize will be the Editor of the TAKE 6 journal. The successful candidate will be someone with leadership qualities capable of inspiring and coordinating a like-minded group of contributors to produce, in one year, a journal-style edited collection of works aimed at furthering the body of knowledge in the discipline of architecture. The TAKE series bridges topical issues in architectural practice and academia, and adds to the growing body of knowledge that forms a permanent architectural reference library.
$10,000 will be awarded to the successful candidate to distribute at their discretion between themselves, as Editor, and the co-contributors. For more information, contact the Chair of the RAIA Sisalation Prize Steering Committee, Associate Professor Julie Willis by email on prizes@architecture.com.au.
Calling all Tasmanian designers working with wood!
A brief note to remind you that the Tasmanian Wood Design Collection’s (TWDC) Acquisitive Biennial Exhibition is calling for entries for its 2006 event.
The TWDC is a permanent museum collection of the best in Tasmanian contemporary wood design. The TWDC has a mission to support and sustain Tasmanian design. The TWDC tours widely and is open to the public at its home base at the Design Centre in Launceston. The TWDC Biennial is your chance to be a part of the only contemporary
Australian permanent collection of wood design. Biennial entries will be assessed by an expert panel of advisors and some pieces will be acquired for the permanent collection.
Don't miss this opportunity. Start planning your entry now. Applications close on 5 May 2006 for the Biennial, which will be held in Hobart at the Bond Store, Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, from 8 to 13 June and at the Design Centre, Launceston, from 16 to 23 June. For an application form, or for any other queries, contact Dr Astrid Wootton by email on astridw@bigpond.net.au or on 03 6331 5505.
shrinkage worldwide AWARD 2006
Shahneshin Foundation invite you to participate in an international design competition which will result in a multidisciplinary multiuse poster to explore divulge foster sensitize awaken ‘shrinkage’ nature, culture and experience. This is an international competition open to anyone with design ideas inspired by shrinkage culture. Enter alone or in a group. Collaborative and multi-disciplinary teams are encouraged to enter. Entries close September 15, 2006. For further details, click here.
[%NEWS FROM SPONSORS%]
Geotas
At Geotas, we are the main suppliers of civil construction and environmental products throughout Tasmania. Experience and knowledge of local conditions combined with an extensive range of products allow us to offer cost effective solutions. We offer full technical backup on all our products and provide civil design suggestions, at no charge, if required.
As Tasmanian Agents, we represent some of the largest and most progressive firms in the industry. We invite you to visit our web-site www.geotas.com for further information.
Ecospecifier
Ecospecifier is an award-winning knowledge base of over 1000 environmentally preferable building materials and technologies, led by Natural Integrated Living's David Baggs and Mary-Lou Kelly, and Hal Dobbins. Linking independent information with a powerful search interface, Ecospecifier does your materials research for you, delivering innovative solutions with a unique difference. Designed to help designers, builders, consultants and those looking to deliver a best practice design, ecospecifier can help reduce environmental impacts and create healthier and more productive living and working environments.
Ecospecifier is more than a database, providing information on how to design and deliver buildings, interiors and surrounds using environmentally preferable products available in Australia. The extensive product database is complemented by the educational knowledgebase component of Ecospecifier, which provides in-depth reporting on difficult topics within the Green Building Movement especially pertaining to the environmental and healthy issues surrounding materials.
The service is designed to serve its users by providing an easy to navigate, independent third-party verified source of scientifically-based, in-depth reporting of information on environmentally responsible building and fitout materials and technologies. A key aim of the service is to empower specifiers to improve their decision making processes with regards to materials selection for projects in the built environment, and to increase the potential and ease of inclusion of eco and health-preferable materials into these projects. The service also offers a platform for the manufacturers and suppliers of these new and innovative materials to expose their products to the market through a credible one-stop-source at www.ecospecifier.org.
Janine Saunders
Chapter Manager
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