From the National President

Richard Kirk

National President, Richard Kirk. Photo by Toby Scott
 
 
Sept 2017 

UIA 2017 Seoul World Architects Congress
The Institute has a long and proud history of international engagement through active Memorandum of Understandings with the peak architecture bodies around the world and our membership with the International Union of Architects (UIA). I have just returned from the UIA’s 2017 Seoul World Architects Congress, a gathering of around 30,000 participants.

The UIA, like the Institute and many other peak professional bodies, has undergone a period of rejuvenation and re-alignment. This process will help position the UIA as an effective organisation in the promotion of architecture on a global scale, an activity that will benefit all member countries and provide a strong advocacy platform for our own agenda. Currently, there are 120 member nations and a vigorous plan to grow this in order to strengthen the power and influence of architects and the benefits of architecture globally.

Our continued involvement will enable the Institute to draw on the collective knowledge and work across a number of shared activities and policies and provide international benchmarks to further promote best-practice goals and facilitate international work opportunities for our members.

Personally, and on behalf of the Institute and our members, I would like to acknowledge and thank Peter Mould and Louise Cox as our representatives for their tireless efforts in supporting the UIA and positioning Australia as a leader through their participation in committees, development of policies and reviews.

 

Accreditation procedures
Following on from my last update regarding the Australian and New Zealand Architecture Program Accreditation Procedure (ANZ APAP) and our concerns raised during the recent review, I’m pleased to advise that our ongoing consultations with joint-owners AACA have progressed positively.

The Institute is a significant stakeholder and custodian in accreditation and has been instrumental in the development and delivery of the procedure since its inception and we will continue to champion international benchmarking and validation of the Australian architectural education and accreditation systems. The Institute and AACA have reached agreement on a future direction and more detailed advice will be issued to your shortly.

 

2017 National Architecture Awards
Two weeks ago the shortlist for the National Architecture Awards was revealed. I would like to offer my congratulations to all those who made the list. The 72 shortlisted projects are exemplars, demonstrating the essential and decisive role architects play in making our built environments enriching and sustainable.

As the culmination of a year-long program of rigorous judging by peers, the National Awards are the ultimate celebration of what our profession can achieve. Join us in Canberra on Thursday 2 November as we celebrate the winners of the 2017 National Awards.

 

Richard Kirk
National President

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