The season is changing and recent weather systems are testing our buildings locally, at least, and resulting in large scale displacement interstate. The impact will be felt for many years and likely be ongoing as our climate fluctuates with increasing volatility. This brings the recent initiative by National Council to integrate sustainability within the Institute’s Awards program, as policy, into sharp focus. This is an opportunity for all practitioners to further consider the characteristics and impact of their buildings as a core methodology.
As summer approaches our beautiful island, brighter days herald change. I am very pleased to convey to all members that as of Saturday 19th November, the Tasmanian Government is advertising the position of “Strategic Architectural and Urban Design Advisor”. This is a significant milestone for our profession and one the Institute been working towards for many years. I wish to personally thank Chapter Executive Director, Jennifer Nichols, along with Chapter staff, Fiona McMullen and Katie Katos, for their persistence and tireless work on all aspects of the process that have ultimately lead to this outcome. I also wish to thank previous Tasmanian Chapter presidents, Shamus Mulcahy and Craig Rosevear, for their work with Infrastructure Tasmania, who along with Jennifer, fostered a receptive dialogue, seeded in reason. This positive relationship has continued throughout my tenure and it is one of the most important accomplishments of the Institute in recent times. The professional, sage approach by all involved, including the Tasmanian Government, has culminated is this crucial consultative role coming to fruition.
The Institute hosted an incredibly successful Open House Hobart program with a huge diversity of projects across the full spectrum of houses, public buildings and infrastructure. I felt privileged to attend the Tim Ross event at the Porter Hill Esmond Dorney home, and this was a highlight. I personally wish to thank everyone involved including all the devoted members, architects, building custodians and volunteers who assisted with this program. It was a huge effort and everyone should feel proud that Open House is raising the appreciation of design in the built environment.
More recently I have been honoured to sit on the National Jury for the Neville Quarry Architectural Education Prize and it was an inspiring experience to deliberate the candidate’s submissions with colleagues of such eminence.
My term is coming to a conclusion at the end of 2022, whereupon I will transition to the role of immediate past president. I anticipate I will continue to assist the incoming president, once elected, and support committee members in 2023. I look forward to some of the initiatives embarked on during my term taking traction as the year progresses. I wish to thank the incredible support I have received from Jennifer Nichols, Fiona McMullen, Katie Katos and many others throughout my term.
On behalf of all Institute members and management, I thank you for the opportunity to serve our profession.
“The science of design, or of line-drawing, if you like to use this term, is the source and very essence of painting, sculpture, architecture… Sometimes… it seems to me that… all the works of the human brain and hand are either design itself or a branch of that art.”
– Michelangelo