From the National President

For some years now, the Institute has been at the forefront of lobbying for government architect roles - for the Commonwealth, and for each state and territory - to offer high level leadership and advice on architectural and urban design for the benefit of the broader community. The resulting appointments, where adequately funded and properly supported, have begun to influence government thinking, policies and actions.

I am pleased to report the Institute's success (through Tasmanian Chapter President James Jones and his team) in gaining the Tasmanian Government's agreement to fund such a position. This is an important event and consolidates our case to the Rudd Government for a Commonwealth government architect.

Such an appointment should be allowed to influence the future of Canberra as a planned city of world significance. The recent inquiry into the National Capital Authority (NCA) often appeared to regard Canberra as a regional design issue, when clearly it is a national matter, requiring direction and administration by the NCA or a suitable replacement.

On behalf of the Institute, I also extend congratulations to Professor Geoffrey London who has been appointed John Denton's successor as Victoria's Government Architect. We applaud the Victorian Government for continuing this important independent role. Geoffrey will relocate from Perth to Melbourne and take up his role at the end of the month.

The Institute will also continue to work to secure the appointment of government architects in South Australia and the ACT.

Best regards,

Howard Tanner
National President

To read Institute media releases on the Tasmanian and Victorian announcements, please click here.

From the CEO

A former National President and NSW Chapter President of the Institute, Louise Cox AM, has been appointed head of the world's peak architecture body, the International Union of Architects (UIA). Louise is the UIA's first Australian President. On behalf of the Australian profession we congratulate Louise on her three year appointment.

Louise is a highly respected Sydney-based architect who has most recently served the Institute as chair of the Heritage Committee. She has been a Vice President of the UIA for the past three years. Among her goals while President, Louise aims to ensure that sustainable practices underpin all work done by the profession, that the UIA establishes a new ‘housing without borders’ work programme and that the UIA works to ameliorate poverty and homelessness with no artificial borders.

Louise was appointed unopposed to the role after the sudden and tragic death of her fellow contender, 54-year-old Italian architect Giancarlo Ius. The Institute extends its deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Mr Ius, who was similarly a selfless campaigner for the architectural community and ethical architecture.

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Coinciding with our name change this month, the Institute's refreshed website is now live - a vital element in the national campaign to reposition the Institute and promote the profession to the general public.

The website now offers distinct entry points to Institute resources and information - depending on your needs - while reinforcing the organisation’s national identity as a single body with a unified culture delivered through chapter offices around the country.

The website structure and content are continuing to be refined and you will notice improvements each time you return in the near future.

Kind regards
David Parken
Chief Executive Officer

NATIONAL NEWS

Take the VIP Virgin Experience in Venice - Hurry! Book before 31 July
Virgin Atlantic Airways is offering exclusive discounted rates for members, friends and family to join the festivities in Venice. Read more ....

Are you the Editor of Take 8?
With the continued support of Fletcher Insulation, submissions are now invited for an Editor for the 2008 Prize. Read more ....

UTS survey
The University of Technology, Sydney, is conducting a confidential survey about new postgraduate architecture courses in design technology and urban design. Look out for the survey link on the Institute website from July 22 if you work in these areas or are studying architecture.

Tax Office survey
The Australian Tax office is interested in the experiences of Institute members with Tax Office communication channels and the relevant Tax Office advice and guidance products. Read more ....

Dulux member offer
Dulux is pleased to offer Australian Institute of Architects members the opportunity to purchase Orica/Dulux decorative paints for personal use at special corporate rates. Read more ....

UPCOMING EVENTS

Built Environment Meets Parliament (BEMP), September 1-3, Canberra
Tania Plibersek and Peter Garrett are confirmed for this year's annual conversation between parliamentarians and industry leaders. Read more ....

Utzon Symposium, September 4, Aalborg
To mark Jørn Utzon's 90th year the newly opened Utzon Center, in collaboration with Aalborg University, will be holding the Second International Utzon Symposium on the theme Poetics of Construction. Read more ....

New Zealand Architecture Master Class, September 21-27
Attracting participants from Belgium, Italy, Costa Rica, Colorado, Amman, Australia and NZ, this six-day residential design studio is now 50% booked. Presented by Architecture Foundation Australia, this year's tutors are Ian Athfield (NZIA President), Richard Leplastrier and Peter Stutchbury with convener Lindsay Johnston. Read more ....

World Sustainable Building (SB) Conference, September 21-25, Melbourne
Held every three years, the SB conference is the peak gathering of the world's leading technical experts and researchers on sustainable built environments. Read more ....

GreenFringe 08, September 24-27, Melbourne
Future Green Leaders and 2050 have joined forces to host this green building conference exclusively for students, graduates and young professionals. Read more ....

International Building Exhibition, October 15-18, Bologna
Be part of Europe's cutting-edge architectural and building forum and join the first-ever Australian National Stand at SAIE, the international building exhibition offering technical solutions for architecture and building. Read more ....

Metropolis Congress, October 22-25, Sydney
Are you keen to learn and network with world mayors, global industry CEO's and leading academics on key issues faced by metropolitan regions? Read more ....

COMPETITIONS, AWARDS, PRIZES

2009 Photographic Diary Competition - closes July 31
FACTION, the ACT based EmAGN group, with the support of Dulux, invites you to submit up to five of your best architectural images to celebrate the diversity and beauty of the built environment. Read more ....

Christchurch botanic gardens - design competition
Christchurch City Council (NZ) is calling for expressions of interest from companies or consortia wishing to participate in a design competition for a new staff and visitor centre at the city's botanic gardens. Read more ....

China design competition
Architectural concept design of Information and Communications Pavilion at World Expo 2010, Shanghai. Read more ....

Design for Lockwood's future - win a $10,000 travel voucher
Design a door opening solution to inspire and influence Lockwood's future product range. Entries close August 15. Read more ....

AA Prize for Unbuilt Work




Promoting debate and ideas about architecture by rewarding compelling new work in its conceptual stages, the 2008 AA Prize for Unbuilt Work is presented in partnership with Izona by Fisher & Paykel. Read more ....

PUBLICATIONS

Take 6 Beyond Beige The challenges involved in improving architecture for the growing population of older Australians and those with disabilities form the basis of this new book published by the Australian Institute of Architects. Read more ....

Architecture Media

Look out for:
Architects Handbook 2008/09, revised and updated. Over 400 pages of useful information for practising architects and other building and design professionals - all presented in a desktop-friendly format. The 08/09 Handbook will posted to members in early July. For additional copies, go to selector.com or email publisher@archmedia.com.au.

HOUSES - Style
Kitchens + Bathrooms, Issue 03, with projects by Australia's top architects, including Carterwilliamson, Greenaway Lowe Architects, Stanic Harding, Stephen Collier Architects, Owen & Vokes and AIGP to name a few. Plus new products for kitchens and bathrooms.

Subscribe by phone on (03) 9646 4760, online at www.architecturemedia.com/secure, by email to publisher@archmedia.com.au, or look for it in your newsagent.

If you have new projects for publication, details of upcoming events, exhibitions or items of news, please send details to:
Architecture Australia - Justine Clark at justine.clark@archmedia.com.au
Artichoke - Cameron Bruhn at cameron.bruhn@archmedia.com.au
Houses - Mark Scruby at mark.scruby@archmedia.com.au
Houses Style: Kitchens + Bathrooms - Mark Scruby at mark.scruby@archmedia.com.au
Landscape Architecture Australia - Cameron Bruhn at cameron.bruhn@archmedia.com.au