FROM THE EMAGN NATIONAL PRESIDENT
As another year draws to a close, it is an opportune moment to reflect upon what we have achieved together in 2022. Our committees have worked hard to advocate for, support and represent emerging architectural professionals. Thanks to the efforts of our 18 EmAGN Co-Chairs and over 100 EmAGN Committee Member volunteers, EmAGN has managed to:
- Revive in-person gatherings for our architectural community to reconnect after years of COVID lockdowns, with 130+ EmAGN in-person events across the country. These events included the continuation of Generation Exchange, advocacy talks, registration support initiatives and practice / project tours. This would not be possible without our EmAGN Committee Members – thank you.
- Plan, deliver and launch Season 3 of the Hearing Architecture podcast with in-person events around the country, hosted by Brickworks. Hearing Architecture has been downloaded over 125,000 times and is directed by Daniel Moore.
- Celebrate Emerging Architect Prize winners with local events and the National Emerging Architect Prize Tour with Dino Vrynios of Das Studio.
- Launch the Emerging Project award, thanks to the efforts of Erin Crowden (Immediate Past EmAGN President). We encourage all of you to consider entering your projects for the 2023 Awards program.
- Introduce an opportunity for First Nations representation on EmAGN Committees.
- Support diversity in the profession, with the launch of Archibubs meetups in multiple States and regions, after a successful pilot by EmAGN SA. We soft-launched a Parental Support Survey internally within EmAGN Committees, in preparation for a broader survey in 2023.
- Collaborate with Australian Architects Declare on their Sustainability Action Plan workshops, Parlour, and other allied local organisations to address issues of common interest.
I am also delighted to announce that Liehan Janse van Rensburg of Ellivo Architects has been elected as our inaugural National EmAGN President Elect. The introduction of this role enables more voices to contribute to the leadership and direction of EmAGN, introducing a one-year crossover. I will continue the remainder of my term until the end of 2023, and Liehan will lead as National EmAGN President in 2024.
We would also like to thank the following outgoing EmAGN Co-Chairs for their extraordinary leadership of EmAGN Committees, with their two-year terms concluding at the end of 2022:
- Charlotte Churchill (Vic, John Wardle Architects)
- Ahmed Elsayed (WA, Matthews & Scavalli Architects)
- James Gaughwin (ACT, Allan Spira Architects)
- Lauren Jeans (SA, Swanbury Penglase)
- Bec Kerr (NT, GHD)
- Kirby Licence (Newcastle, Brik Design Studio)
- Ahdha Moosa (WA, GHD)
- Sophie Woodcock (Newcastle, CKDS Architecture)
- Katherine Vand (Tas, Core Collective Architects)
All of these Co-Chairs have demonstrated an enormous capacity to lead, navigating COVID-related uncertainties, representing EmAGN at local Chapter Council and Committees, whilst juggling work and personal commitments. As EmAGN includes graduates within 15 years, several of our Co-Chairs and Committee Members are starting new chapters with their own families and starting up practices, spurring on discussions about how our industry can better support practitioners through these transitions.
EmAGN is only as strong as its engaged membership and relies on support from industry peers. Thank you to the Institute’s National Council for your continued support and to Shannon Battison (National President, 2023) for her exceptional leadership. EmAGN would not be possible without the support of Institute Staff, including GM Michael Linke, Claudia McCarthy and Madelynn Jenkins.
Thank you to our sponsors Dulux (Dulux Study Tour), Brickworks (Generation Exchange, Hearing Architecture podcast) and Bluescope (Emerging Architects Prize Tour), for your continued support of the upcoming generation of architects.
On a slightly different note, please consider voting in the annual general elections for National Councillors and Chapter Councillors. We need votes from the EmAGN demographic to ensure that the elected Councillors reflect the views of Institute membership.
I look forward to the year to come, to continue advocating for a more sustainable and inclusive architectural profession, in projects and practice. How can we ‘EmAGN’ [imagine] a better future? Feel free to reach me at emagn@architecture.com.au, if you have any feedback or ideas for 2024.
I hope you all have a restful, rejuvenating break, after a very full year.
Tiffany Liew
National EmAGN President 2023 – 2024
Andrew Burns Architecture
