A letter from Nicolette Di Lernia
So, here we are at the end of 2023, still waiting for the start of what is supposed to be the hottest summer on record. So, while we wait, here’s a summary of what we’ve achieved this year.
12 SA Chapter Committees
Chapter Council, Practice Committee, Creative Alliance Committee, Regenerative Design Committee, Heritage Committee, Honours Committee, Education Committee, Designers for Diversity, Housing Task Force, ArchiEd, EmAGN and SONA. Thanks to all the committee members. You provide the engine room for the Chapter and allow us to be effective across our wide-ranging remit.
11 CPD activities
Offering up to 15 formal CPD points – Working with Aboriginal Stakeholders, Digital Tools for Practice, Lessons learned from Claims hosted by Planned Cover, Yitpi Yartapuultiku – Soul of Port Adelaide, Avoiding Conflict, Managing Conflict, Conservations Management Plans, Healthy Buildings with Tye Farrow, Specifications hosted by NatSpec.
10 Awards and Prizes Juries
Involving 40 members and guests, who considered the entries in this year’s SA Awards. Along with Awards Director Anne Taylor and Deputy Director Erin Crowden, they play a pivotal role in the program, and we thank them for their time and carefully considered opinions. Thanks also to the entering practices. It’s always a joy to see the work entered.
9 President’s Breakfasts
These informal gatherings enable focused conversation on a topical issue to inform the Chapter’s activities and let members know what we are doing. Topics in 2023 included transitioning from EmAGN, small practice, working with DIT and housing.
8 Social programs
Emerging Architect Tour, Gold Medal Tour, Beers with Peers, ArchiBubs, SONA Office Crawls, Generation Exchange, Distinguished Member Functions and End of Year Party. These events bring people together from all parts of the membership to connect, celebrate and share knowledge.
7 External Committees
Representation on Minister Champion’s Liaison Group, the NCC2022 Implementation Working Group, the Built Environment Education Liaison Group, the DIT Commercial Construction Industry Forum (DCCIF), the DCCIF Consultant Forum, The DIT Code of Practice Working Group, The Joint ODASA/RAIA/ACA /APBSA.
6 Advocacy focus areas
The WCH site selection process, protection of State Heritage Listed Places including support for the listing of Dr Kent’s Paddock and, APBSA recognition of suppliers as providers of formal CPD, and the implementation of NCC 2022, housing supply and affordability, and best practice procurement.
5 Responses
The Construction Industry Training Fund Act review, the DIT Review of Tenders, the SA State Budget, South Australia’s Green Paper on the energy transition and Prequalification, the Greater Adelaide Regional Plan Discussion Paper.
4 Presentations
To the Expert Panel for the Planning System Implementation Review, Economics and Finance Committee’s Inquiry into Housing Supply, The Opposition’s Round Table on Housing Policy and the UniSA CMVI Roundtable: Housing and new building codes.
3 Fellows
Chris Watkins, Mariano De Duonni and Simon Frost were elevated to Fellows of the Institute.
2 Life Fellows
Val Mohyla and Paul Boyce were elevated to Life Fellows of the Institute.
1 SA Chapter President
This year Chris Morley took over the role from Anthony Coupe, who immediately immersed himself in his role on the creative team from the Venice Biennale. Chris’s focus on early career architects and small practice is reflective of his own journey. However, this has not limited his involvement in the wide range of issues that the SA Chapter has considered this year, and we thank him for the time he has committed to enhancing his knowledge of these topics. Both Anthony and Chris have provided measured and thoughtful leadership. Their generous support for the Chapter and the profession is much appreciated.
As you can see, it’s been a busy year. And I haven’t mentioned the activities with allied organisations, the ArchiED/Regen Committee’s Home Sweet Habitat workshop, and other programs that didn’t ‘fit’ my carefully contrived list!
We aim to offer activities and programs that are relevant to members across their career and different areas of practice. We also aim to represent the profession in relation to key issues relating to architectural practice and the community. It has been very encouraging to see the Institute’s voice grow in SA in recent years, and this translate to a greater level of inclusion in these areas of advocacy.
Thanks to the City of Adelaide, NatSpec, Fielders, Brickworks, AWS, Allera Light, Stratco, Bondor, Bluescope, Taubmans, Alspec, Dulux, SMEG, Planned Cover and Architectural Media for their support for the programs we deliver throughout the year.
Thanks also to Alex Knopoff, Jan Day and Emily Sharp for all the energy and passion they bring to the SA Chapter. We’re a lean team but we achieve a lot! Also, to the national staff who support the work we do here, and especially those based in SA – Ruth Nordstrom, Vanessa Thamm, Zaf Papanikitas, Ille Smolanko and Kim Bishop.
We wish all the SA members a happy, relaxing and safe summer break and look forward to seeing you in the New Year. The SA office will close from 12:00pm on Friday 22 December and re-open on Wednesday 3 January 2024.
