A Message from erin crowden
2024 saw some positive changes in the Awards. It saw more entries than previous years, engagement both within and outside of the profession was higher and we have welcomed new jurors and entrants into the program. While all of these are great individually, when combined, they represent an exciting time for members and for architecture in this state. Increased engagement can only amplify the spread of good architecture expanding reach to the wider public and new opinions, ideas and experiences are always welcome to further and deepen the collegiate discourse amongst peers.
As I have now had the good fortune to be involved in the Awards program from many viewpoints (entrant, volunteer, winner, juror, and now awards director), I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about the process and have come away with an increased admiration for the amount of work involved in curating and delivering the program year after year. For this, an enormous amount of recognition for our Institute Chapter Staff is deserved, along with those who have generously donated their time as volunteers on jury presentation day, along with jury members and jury chairs. While being involved is a time commitment, the ability to hear first-hand from architects, designers, and clients talk with such passion about their project and then visit these spaces – many not accessible to the general public, is a priceless experience I cannot recommend highly enough.
A few shared themes have woven through commentary about many of the winning projects. Most notably these include the ability of architecture to uplift and foster real connections with the wider community, resisting an obvious move in favour of a stronger design outcome, collaboration and shared values between parties and perhaps, most interestingly is how the spirit of humbleness and generosity has found its way across many of the juries and category winners this year. I see this as a meaningful demonstration of the impact great architecture can have, regardless of project size, scale or budget and is a great indicator of what is to come for South Australia.
