Message from NT Executive Director

Well somehow it got to June with a blink of an eye.

As you know, the National Architecture Awards will be held digitally this year due to the restrictions of COVID-19. This has been a challenge however we’re looking forward to celebrating architectural excellence in the NT.

The NT Chapter Awards Live Winners Announcement will be livestreamed on YouTube Friday 19 June from 6pm. We have also arranged for two networking dinners to follow, beginning at 7pm, at the Hanuman Restaurants in Darwin and Alice Springs. Please book here as numbers for the dinner are limited.  

Although we are mainly in a digital format at the moment, we are planning face-to-face networking events and CPD to be carried out in the second half of the year. As we work on the calendar, please keep yourself up to date via our events page or on Facebook.

Upcoming events:

1. NT Practice Forum – Mentoring, the new Institute Mentoring platform, tonight at 5pm. This is face-to-face as well as being available online
2. CPD WEBINAR: Building Acoustic Fundamentals – Sound Isolation, presented by USG Boral, Thursday 4 June 
3. CPD WEBINAR: Specifying Fire Rated Building Systems, presented by USG Boral, Thursday 11 June
4. EmAGN and SONA mentoring event: Wednesday 24 June with details to be confirmed so watch this space.
5. Quiz Night – NT Architects Vs NT Engineers: Thursday 23 July at the Darwin Trailer Boat Club

As you are aware the NT election season is here. We are currently finalising a handout so that you have the tools to discuss the architecture profession and our commitment to excellence here in the NT. Once this is finalised, it will be available to download on our website and I will send it directly to all members so you can print hard copies if required.

We have also been busy with our advocacy output for the last few months and have covered many areas, including:

• Implementation of the Building Confidence report (Shergold Weir)
• NT Planning reform stage four
• Building Energy Efficiency in New Commercial buildings in the Northern Territory
• Energy efficiency for all NT buildings
• Removal of the ‘Outside building controls’ across the NT
• Election positioning paper
  • Amendments to the Architects Act to include
    • Continuing Professional Development
    • Professional Indemnity Insurance
    • Code of Conduct
• Government architect position
• Homelessness submission
• Change to degree at CDU from a Bachelor of Design to a Bachelor of Arts – Architectural Design (implemented Feb 2020)
• Working with the university on the planning for the Masters and PhD programs at CDU
• COVID 19 specific
  • To expand the tradie scheme funding to the whole built environment to enable architects  to register as a provider
  • Implement funding opportunities to the NFP sector
• Recommendation to change to tender schedules to ensure the protection of architects’ intellectual property
• Creative industries strategy finalisation and launch

An exciting opportunity has also come up to support HPA in their endeavour to work and support people with disabilities. As part of this, HPA CEO Tony Burns is looking for interested people to assist them in expanding their furniture range. HPA would like to convene a focus group of willing people to donate their time and expertise to provide consultancy advice on design, materials, fun technology, structural advice and certification for indoor and outdoor furniture. For the architects, there are also integrated roof designs over furniture to play with.

This is just a short-term boost for HPA and has the potential for a lot of fun and good Territory outcomes. If you are interested in helping this proud Territory firm, register your interest directly via email to Tony Burns. Also note that the quiz night will raise funds to support the good work done by HPA.

At a National level, we are very happy to announce a new and improved PALS course has just been released. With more modules, full online access and virtual tutorials, the comprehensive course provides the tools to help you succeed in your practice. This is really exciting to have up to date resources available for all members and is such a great opportunity for our SONA and EmAGN crews. 

As you are aware the National Mentoring Program, through Mentorloop, was launched in February. If you haven’t registered to be part of this I encourage you to become involved. This opportunity helps you to engage with like-minded architects from across Australia and the world.

For mentors, this new service provides you with an opportunity to make a real difference to the career development of the next generation and help shape the future of the profession. For mentees, our National Mentoring Program provides the opportunity to connect and learn from experienced professional who can offer their insight and advice to help progress the careers of newly graduated architects and students.

Well that the NT is a wrap and we look forward to being able to catch up with you in-person over the next six months.

Cheers,

Raquel