National President’s foreword: Architecture Australia, May 1999

This is an article from the Architecture Australia archives and may use outdated formatting


In this, my first page as National President, I would like to firstly acknowledge the contribution made by Graham Humphries; his succinct approach to a number of significant issues should have got us all thinking.

Secondly, I reinforce the importance of Architecture Australia to the RAIA membership; many believe that AA is the most significant part of their subscription value. I like to think that the magazine forms a significant part of the RAIA communication network, and as such can raise the level of debate on some of the important issues that the RAIA continues to deal with.

My particular interests relate to architectural education, the role that architects play in shaping development, and the ‘business of architecture’.

Education is being reviewed by all institutes of architecture throughout the world, seeking in the main a more unified profession. It is becoming increasingly important to understand the relative position of practice and academia, and indeed to promote the broad base of knowledge that architects gain throughout their careers. This knowledge must be highlighted when we confront the (government) policies that seek to ‘offer’ the specialist nature of architectural services to those less qualified to carry them out.

It is this knowledge that enables architects to not only speak out on matters related to our built environment, but to actively promote their skills to local governments, and to those ultimately responsible for the shape of the places that we all inhabit. It is of great concern that living, working and social environments are not receiving adequate attention from our profession, given that the built environment should be uplifting and a potential source of joy and opportunity.

To be stronger in our approach to positively contributing to development, we must understand the business of Architecture. We must know what it really costs (us) to produce the best result for our clients, and be prepared to fight for the opportunity to provide a full and complete service, no matter what the scope of work.

These are issues that I am serious about and I look forward to continuing the work that Graham Humphries has started in visiting as many Chapters as possible and listening to as many architects as I can in what will be a short but intense twelve months.



Nigel Shaw FRAIA
RAIA National President

Source

Archive

Published online: 1 May 1999

Issue

Architecture Australia, May 1999

More archive

See all
The November 2020 issue of Landscape Architecture Australia. November issue of LAA out now

A preview of the November 2020 issue of Landscape Architecture Australia.

The May 2021 issue of Landscape Architecture Australia. May issue of LAA out now

A preview of the May 2021 issue of Landscape Architecture Australia.

Most read

Latest on site

LATEST PRODUCTS