Western
AUSTRALIAN
CHAPTER
Western Australian CHAPTER
The WA Chapter represents the interest of the Institute and all of its members in Western Australia. Working in accordance with the Institute’s strategic plan, our committees implement programs to support our members and respond to current issues and opportunities for the profession.
We also focus on advocacy, raising the bar of excellence in architecture and the built environment more broadly in WA while actively engaging with the broader community, industry partners, universities, and state and local government.
The WA Chapter recognises the Noongar people as the traditional land owners of Nedlands. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging.
2025 WA ARCHITECTURE AWARDS
We Celebrated Architecture in serious style over drinks and canapes as we celebrated the 2025 WA Architecture Awards!
Thank you to all our amazing Entrants and thank you to everyone who came to celebrate this year’s Winners in the WA Architecture Awards.
MC’d by WA Chapter Executive Director Jonathan Speer, we got to hear from this year’s Chair of Juries Kylee Schoonens, and WA Chapter President Ross Donaldson as we conferred this year’s Awards to their worthy recipients.
Congratulations to all our winners in 2025!
2025 WA STATE ELECTION CAMPAIGN
Building resilience for the benefit of all Western Australians
The Western Australian Chapter of the Institute is alerting all political parties in the upcoming March election to the challenges and how they can be met, which we articulate in our 2025 WA Election Priorities statement.
Programs and Activities
The Institute is committed to developing and promoting a strong architectural profession and advocating for safer, more sustainable communities. Learn about local and national advocacy initiatives.
Our Chapter and National Awards programs are an opportunity for public and peer recognition of the valuable contribution architecture makes to our communities locally, nationally and internationally.
An architect has moral rights in relation to the use of their design and should be attributed when images of the work are published. See our template letters for asserting your rights.
Our Chapter hosts a range of local events celebrating architecture and catering to the profession and the broader community. Discover upcoming events now.
Meet our Chapter Councillors and discover our local committees helping shape our work and the built environment.
See our members who have been elevated to Fellow + Life Fellow, and check out the nomination process.
Continuing Professional Development is an important avenue to improve professional knowledge and competence. CPD is compulsory for registration in Western Australia.
View our range of online and face-to-face CPD opportunities.
Photographer: Dylan Gibbs FoxxCreative
An initiative of the Institute’s National Committee for Gender Equity, the Leadership in Gender Equity Prize recognises exceptional leadership and outstanding contribution to the profession.
Partner with us to build on your brand image, create relationships with influencers and advocates of the profession, and connect with the industry’s key decision makers.
Discover the building history of 33 Broadway, Nedlands.
Built in 1965 as a purpose-built showroom for David Phillips Foulkes Taylor’s ‘Taylormade’ furniture business, the building was purchased in 2005 by the RAIA, with refurbishments carried out in 2007.
Discover our history from when the West Australian Institute of Architects was first formed in May 1896, sixty seven years after the foundation of the Swan River settlement as well as our past presidents.
2024 WA Architecture Awards
WA Architecture Awards Gallery
The Australian Institute of of Architects Awards program offers an opportunity for public and peer recognition of the innovative work of our WA members.
The program also provides the Institute with a valuable mechanism to promote architects and architecture within Western Australia, across Australia and internationally.
MEDIA ATTRIBUTION
At the Institute we often see images of a building in an article in the media that do not attribute the architect for the project, nor the photographer or any contributing artists.
As the author, the architect has moral rights in relation to the design and should be attributed when images of the work – whether digital renders, hand drawings or photographs – are published. Even where copyright in the projects is transferred to the client, as is the case with projects for government and some private client organisations, the architect retains moral rights to the intellectual property.
Where images are provided to the media this information should be included by the client for the project, where construction is yet to occur. Once the building is completed, it is the building owner’s responsibility to provide this information. Attribution of the photographer or artist, where applicable, is also required, but does not negate the requirement to attribute the architect.
We’ve developed some form letters around media attribution to be sent under Institute letterhead reminding people of their role. Please feel free to use these templates or contact the Chapter if you would like us to send it on your behalf.
Continuing Education
WA CPD Program
The WA Chapter hosts continuing professional development (CPD) events that address many aspects of architectural practice.
We also conduct activities including site tours for emerging architects as well as forums addressing consumer and industry trends.
Gender Equity Initiatives
Photographer: Dylan Gibbs FoxxCreative
Paula Whitman Leadership in Gender Equity Prize
An initiative of the Institute’s National Committee for Gender Equity, the Leadership in Gender Equity Prize recognises exceptional leadership and outstanding contribution of an Institute member, to the advancement of gender equity in architectural practice, education and governance.
It’s named after the late Paula Whitman, Queensland architect, university professor and renowned advocate for gender equity in the profession.
Partner with us
partnership opportunities
Partner your business with the peak body for architecture and design!
Partnership with the Institute provides your business with a range of different engagement and networking opportunities, allowing you to connect with key decision-makers from architectural firms throughout WA and Australia.
For more information see our 2025 Partnership Prospectus or contact us at wa@architecture.com.au
Policy and advocacy
medium density policy review
The WA Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects in collaboration with the WA branch of the Association of Consulting Architects have produced a short film aimed to outline the key points of the
State Government’s new SPP7.3 Draft Medium Density Code. We have been working with the DesignWA team at the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage at various levels of stakeholder engagement and testing of the new code.
This has been a great opportunity for architects to be at the centre of the conversation about the future of our cities and communities.
Latest News
A Message from WA Chapter President, Ross Donaldson
WA Chapter President Ross Donaldson shared a powerful message at the WA Architecture Awards, calling on the profession to lead with care, creativity and courage. Watch his full address and see how architects are shaping a better future.
2025 King’s Birthday Honours List recipients
Join us in congratulating these six deserving built environment professionals, who have been recognised in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours.
A MESSAGE FROM NATIONAL PRESIDENT ADAM HADDOW
Hello Everyone, What an incredible two weeks it has been as I step into the role of National President of the Institute! To kick things off, the Board of the
The Institute announces the 2025 National Prize Winners: Timothy Hill awarded the Gold Medal
The Australian Institute of Architects proudly unveils the recipients of the 2025 National Prizes which recognise individuals who have built their substantial legacies advancing the profession and by embodying values
The Architect
Journal of the WA Chapter
- The Architect is the biannual journal of the Institute’s WA Chapter. WA Chapter Members receive The Architect as part of their membership. The magazine can be purchased at a range of local newsagents and bookstores for a limited time.
Back issues
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
Notice Board
Western Australian OPPORTUNITIES
Looking for a new career opportunity in Western Australia? Or a new space to lease? View architectural and built environment employment and location opportunities below.
SUBIACO CO-SHARE WORKSPACE AVAILABLE
A co-share workspace in Subiaco is available for lease, currently shared by 2 small architectural practices, nashandghersinich architects and interior designers and Maze Architects.
There are extra spaces (4 – 5 workstations) suitable for a like-minded small practice or sole practitioners in architecture or other design-related
professions. For further details, please contact Derek Nash on 0402 792 066.
Perth CBD Leasing opportunity for Architect Studio
Level 4, 56 William St, Perth
Built in 1930, 56 William Street makes a grand impression with its unique character and heritage features.
The existing tenants include Gresley Abas Architects, Mode Design Corp and Site Architecture Studio, who all have great co-existing relationships between each other. Another Architect Studio would be a perfect addition.
The level 4 office offers an impressive outlook over Central Park and surrounding area which provides plenty of amenities and lunch options. The tenancy has parquetry flooring, high ceilings, openable windows and an abundance of natural light, making this available suite an exceptional working space.
This suite is fully fitted with a modern functional fit out of 2 meeting rooms, breakout, storeroom and 20 workstations.
For further details, contact Bryce Daniel 0437 225 632 or Daniel Wee 0451 411 506
Want to advertise a job? Post your job in the member community forum.
Chapter Staff
Jonathan Speer RAIA executive director |
wa chapter
CHAPTER STAFF
Claud Mottolini
Member Services Communications Officer
VIV PICARD
Events and Engagements Officer
Contact us
WA Chapter
Australian Institute of Architects
33 Broadway
Nedlands, WA 6009
P: 08 6324 3100
E: wa@architecture.com.au
Enquiry
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