SONA
online resources

SONA Membership resources

Photographer: Kobu Agency

take advantage of membership

SONA members have exclusive access to a comprehensive suite of resources to help you develop the confidence and knowledge to enter the profession and to add value. 

See the full list of SONA membeship benefits

health and well being resources

sona and RUOK? Day

As students  we understand that life, study and work can sometimes be challenging to juggle and this can take a toll on our mental health and well being. Fostering a community that is connected where students feel empowered and supported is very important to SONA, this is why we continue to help raise awareness and champion the work being done by RUOK? DAY  a harm prevention charity that encourages people to  stay connected and have conversations that can help others through difficult times in their lives. 

RUOK? Day Resources 

Let's chat! short talks

In 2020 SONA released a survey for architecture students, we asked you what are some of the things that cause you stress or impact negatively on your well being.

The results from this survey told us that the main triggers for stress for architecture students are caused by factors like managing competing priorities, feeling like you should be doing more and feeling under prepared to enter the profession. 

We asked some industry professionals from different levels of their career to share some of their advice for overcoming these feelings and provide some tips to ensure you on track to take care of your mental health and wellbeing as you progress in the profession.  

Forming good habits to manage university workloads

Having Resilience and confidence as you progress

Naomi Stead, Professor of Architecture, Monash University

Naomi shares three points of advice for forming good habits when managing university workload: learning about time management, putting into practice time management skills and techniques and, keeping lecturers and tutors aware if there are issues about the workload given.

Naomi Stead is Professor of Architecture at Monash University, where she was Head of the Department of Architecture 2017-2020. She is the leader of the Australian Research Council-funded project ‘Architectural Work Cultures: professional identity, education and wellbeing’ which aims to improve cultures of wellbeing in architectural practice and education.

 

 

Ahmed Elsayed, Graduate of Architecture, Matthews & Scavalli Architects & EmAGN WA Co-Chair

Ahmed shares his experience after graduating. He further discusses learning from mistakes and continuing to learn new things along the way to help with developing confidence and resilience towards moving forward. 

Ahmed believes that one must have the fortitude to carry on through events that might seem at first overwhelming and, from his experience, you end up learning a lot from your mistakes and come out the other side with many lessons & experiences that eventually make you more confident in your work. Also, that you need to have a certain balance between work / life to keep you from burning out.  He has learnt to bit by bit balance those layers to keep everything at a specific standard that he can be confident of.

Creating a workplace environment that focuses on the health and wellbeing of staff

Balancing studies with other obligations as a student

Brian Clohessy, Head of People and Character, BVN Architecture

Brian talks about helping to improve the health and wellbeing of everyone in the architecture office where he works. He discusses the approach towards and, the services and resources offered to further support the health and wellbeing of staff involved with the office.  

Brian Clohessy’s career path has taken him from architect, to project leader, to BVN’s Sydney Studio Director, through to his latest incarnation at BVN, as Head of People and Character. Brian’s 20 odd years practicing architecture, covers a diverse spectrum and scale of award-winning work, most recently as Project Director of the Marrickville Library and Community Hub project. . He has a special focus on mental wellbeing, diversity and inclusion, learning and development and people retention. Essentially Brian sees his role as maintaining BVN’s evolving culture based on human needs and aspirations which inevitably improves the collective’s wellbeing. 

Nicole Mesquita-Mendes,  President-Elect SONA

Nicole speaks about the importance of understanding what matters to you and, focusing on looking after yourself when balancing other obligations along with studying. She further shares her own experience about balancing priorities.

Nicole Mesquita-Mendes is the President-Elect of SONA, and is currently completing her Masters of Architecture and Project Management at Bond University. She is working at Redcoop Architects and as a Teaching Assistant at Bond University.  

 

SONA online resources

SONA webinar recordings

Free webinars are designed to help design students and emerging professionals learn more about the industry, develop skills and knowledge, and connect to peers within the built environment industry.

Webinars will continue to be released throughout 2021, Covering a range of relevant topics for design students and emerging professionals.

If there is a topic you would love to learn more about or you are a presenter looking to share your knowledge with our student and emerging professional members, please get in touch.

screen shot of a webinar with six headshots in a grid formation

My Job Search Experience

25 Sep 2021

Presented by the Unimelb SONA Committee, the Alumni Dialogue is a series of virtual alumni discussions that explore topics which shed light on the architectural journey beyond the university curriculum. The first event draws 4 speakers from University of Melbourne’s network of domestic alumni, who share their experience starting out in their careers, some lessons they have learned, and advice regarding finding a first jobs, building professional networks and adjusting to the industry from university.

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Working with diversity

23 Sep 2020

Diverse thinking encourages viewing issues through different lenses. Ensuring a diverse workplace is an important start but to create successful organisations, workplace culture and design solutions, celebrating diverse thinking is critical.

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R U OK? Day 2020

10 Sep 2020

As students and recent graduates we understand that life, study and work can sometimes be challenging to juggle and this can take a toll on our mental health. We want to take the time to connect with our SONA community and open up a conversation between practitioners, graduates, and students about mental health and wellbeing.

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How to practice inclusively

9 Sep 2020

The importance of equity, diversity and inclusion within architectural practice and design processes has been well documented to ensure that our offices and design cultures reflect the communities we serve. This Lean In session covers how to work towards a more intersectional, inclusive practice.

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Heritage – a showcase of cultural identity

25 Aug 2020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLz31l404Rc&feature=youtu.be Heritage provides recognition to the Cities. Talking about Cultural Heritage, the element predominant to almost all heritage sites worldwide is an Arch. Colosseum, Rome to Sydney Opera and Hagia

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Why an architect?

12 Aug 2020

Is architecture is just an artful indulgence patronised by the rich, or if is there a meaningful career to be pursued by idealists wanting to serve humanity?

Architecture can communicate ideas and relationships through the language of space. What do we want to say and who do we want to talk with?

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External resources

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ARCHITECTURE.COM.AU
The Institute

The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.

We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.

We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.

Read our Statement of Support for the Uluru Statement from the Heart and Constitutional Recognition and the Voice to Parliament.

© Australian Institute of Architects

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