Skip to content
Search
Close this search box.
  • Join
  • Login
  • Join
  • Login
  • Membership
    • Renew
    • Join
    • Practice (A+)
    • Member rewards
  • Online store
  • Explore Architecture
    • Find an architect
    • Working with an architect
    • Education & Standards
    • Living Architecture
    • Reading Architecture
    • Pathways to architecture
    • Archi Ed
    • Hearing Architecture podcast
    • Notable buildings
    • Venice Biennale
    • Open House Hobart
  • What’s On
    • Country Culture Community
    • FUTURE SHOCK: Designing City Resilience
    • Open House Hobart
    • Venice Biennale
    • All Events
  • Advocacy & News
    • Community Forum
    • Policy & Advocacy
    • Submission Library
    • Media Releases
    • News
    • NSW Design & Building Practitioners Act and Regulations
    • Sustainability and climate action
    • First Nations
    • Diversity & Equity
  • Awards, Prizes & Tours
    • 2023 National Architecture Awards Winners Gallery
    • Awards Program
    • Prizes
    • 2024 Dulux Study Tour
    • National and Chapter Architecture Awards Program
    • 2023 Gold Medal Tour
    • 2023 Smeg Tour
  • Preparing to register
  • CPD, Education & Resources
    • Overview
    • Wellbeing for architects
    • Purchase On Demand CPD
    • Face-to-Face CPD
    • Refuel CPD Courses
    • Practice Resources
    • National Mentoring Program
    • Showcase
    • Become a CPD Provider
  • Chapters
    • ACT
    • International
    • NSW
    • NT
    • QLD
    • SA
    • TAS
    • VIC
    • WA
  • EmAGN
    • About
    • Emerging Architect Prize
    • EmAGN Project Award
    • EmAGN Representatives
    • EmAGN Online Resources
    • Living Village Design Competition
  • SONA
    • Join
    • Beyond Uni
    • Advocacy
    • About
    • de-PICT
    • Member Benefits
    • Upscale
    • Super Studio 2023
    • Representatives
    • Representative Application
    • Study
    • Contact SONA
  • About Us
    • 2023 Annual General Elections – NOMINATIONS OPEN NOW
    • About the Institute
    • Board of Directors
    • National Council & Committees
    • Chapter Councils & Committees
    • Our Staff
    • Annual Reports
    • Work with Us
    • Contact Us
  • Partnerships
    • Corporate Partners
    • Supporting Partners
    • Partnership & Advertising Opportunities

SONA
online resources

  • About
  • Representatives
  • Join
  • Resources
  • Advocacy
  • Contact SONA
  • de-pict

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. 

  • National Mentoring Program – Connect with a mentor who can offer support, advice, and opportunities
  • Digital Magazines – Read what architects read 
  • SONA Online Community – A discussion and resource platform just for SONA members 
  • Local events – SONA makes it easy for you to meet professionals and other students 
  • HR Hub –advice and guidance on employment issues and access to employment resources 
  • Acumen Practice Notes – Useful information for assignments and lifelong learning 
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 

  • How to ask R U OK?
  • R U OK? At Uni

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

I have no idea what I am doing – The Impostor Syndrome

26 Aug 2020

The session will explain why high performing people often doubt their abilities and find it hard to enjoy their successes. It will also show the links to perfectionism and self-handicapping strategies such as procrastination, avoidance and overcommitment.

Read More

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

Read More

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?

Read More

Architects Assist X SUPERCONTEXT

23 Jun 2020

Back to Emagn WEBINAR RECORDINGS Back to SONA WEBINAR RECORDINGS

Read More

Workplace issues relating to students and graduates in the context of COVID-19

21 May 2020

Back to Emagn WEBINAR RECORDINGS Back to SONA WEBINAR RECORDINGS

Read More

International Practice Talk: Anand Sonecha, SEALAB

20 May 2020

https://youtu.be/E8nHbUPeWdA SONA and EmAGN NSW present its first International Practice Talk with Anand Sonecha of SEALAB, an architecture practice based in Ahmedabad, India. Anand Sonecha is a graduate of IPSA,

Read More

The Young Architect’s Guide to COVID-19

19 May 2020

Back to Emagn WEBINAR RECORDINGS Back to SONA WEBINAR RECORDINGS

Read More

External resources

Student Resources
  • Tips for studying and working online
  • Free 3D
  • Innovative new materials
  • CAD Mapper
  • Understanding building construction
  • Graduate Guide 
Inspiration and Architecture News
  • Devisare
  • ArchDaily
  • The Urban Developer
  • ArchPaper
  • UME Magazine
  • Architecture Australia
Getting a job
  • My First Architecture Job
Mental Health
  • The Architect’s Mental Wellbeing Forum Toolkit
  • Headspace
  • Lifeline – Call 13 11 14
  • Beyond Blue – Call 1300 224 636
  • Heads Up
  • Positive Psychology: The Langley Group
  • R U OK? Day 
  • Open your World
  • Architects Mental Wellbeing Toolkit (Australia) 
Equity
  • Parlour
Online Courses
  • Models in Architecture – design through physical & digital models- TUDelft
  • Site Planning Online – analyse a site and imagine the possibilities for its use – MIT
  • Energy Demand in Buildings – learn the energy chain approach in building design – TUDelft
  • The Architectural Imagination – analyse different forms of architectural representation- Harvard University
  • Vernacular Architecture of Asia – tradition, modernity and cultural sustainability- University of Hong Kong
  • Realistic Architectural 3D Modeling – model objects with precision – IIT Bombay
  • A Global History of Architecture: history and content of the important buildings that shaped our culture – MIT
  •  
Membership renewals banner, SONA and Institute logo in the top left corner, text Be Connected in blue, Text Be future ready in white underneath and text renew your membership for 2022 underneath that. Image of a group of people sitting in front of a computer on the right.
Instagram Youtube Linkedin-in Facebook-f Tiktok Pinterest
Chapters
  • ACT
  • International
  • NSW
  • NT
  • Queensland
  • SA
  • Tasmania
  • Victoria
  • WA
ARCHITECTURE.COM.AU
  • What’s On
  • Policy & Advocacy
  • Membership
  • Awards
  • CPD
  • About Us
  • SONA
The Institute
  • Join
  • Online Store
  • Member Portal
  • Partnership & Advertising Opportunities
  • Contact Us
  • Media Releases
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

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

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
SAVE & ACCEPT

This form is now closed.