2008 is another year of evolution for the Royal Australian Institute of Architects.

Among other initiatives, and as the result of significant research into the RAIA ‘brand’, we will embark on a public education campaign to promote the role and contribution of architects. We will also introduce new visual material to identify the organisation – and a new name.

The background to this initiative is that we decided, in 2005, to evaluate the organisation’s relevance, and how various stakeholders - including government, the building sector, other associations, and the public – perceived the Institute. We also evaluated what we stood for and what we should be delivering, and sought the views of many stakeholders in our industry and members.

As part of the process, we examined the RAIA corporate identity and the impact it did, or didn’t have with members and the broader marketplace.

After conducting significant market research and analysis it was clear from the findings that, among other things, there was a real call for the Institute to undertake a targeted educative campaign about the benefits of using an architect. The strongest message, overall, was that we needed the communities we serve to have a much greater understanding of the value of our profession.

The National Council developed with senior staff and expert advisors a strategy for the public education campaign. At the same time the current corporate identity was reassessed and options for a new corporate identity reviewed. The outcome was to commission Emery Studio to design a new suite of corporate identity materials for the Institute.

* For the entire President’s message on this topic, please click here.

RAIA office bearers appointed
The RAIA’s National Council met in Canberra last month, electing new office bearers unopposed. They are: President Elect Melinda Dodson (Daryl Jackson Alistair Swayn Architects, ACT), Honorary Secretary Rod Mollett (Silver Thomas Hanley, WA), Honorary Treasurer Andrew Vorrasi (studio nine, SA). Read more ....

New Archicentre research grant
Archicentre is offering a $20,000 research grant to a suitably qualified RAIA architects to prepare a comprehensive report on the ‘green’ industry in Australia. Read more ....

International magazine opportunity
Italian sister publications, Abitare and Case da Abitare, are sourcing new projects with world renown from Australian architects. Read more ....

Book Virgin to Venice for a Vernissage pass
To celebrate Virgin Atlantic’s special corporate rates offer to RAIA members, the first 100 RAIA members to book with Virgin Atlantic will receive an exclusive Vernissage pass to the 2008 Venice Architecture Biennale. Read more ....

SOLD OUT: Critical Visions, April 10-12, Sydney
The RAIA National Architecture Conference - Critical Visions: Form, Representation and the Culture of Globalisation – is sold out. For those with a ticket, there’s plenty of exciting activities on offer, in conjunction with the conference. Read more ....

Emergency Architects Australia Inaugural Conference, April 13, Sydney
Emergency Architects Australia (EAA) is a non-profit volunteer organisation which assists with emergency relief and reconstruction programs in developing countries in the Asia Pacific region. EAA is part of an international network created by Architectes de l’Urgence, France. Read more ....

Green Building & Design 2008 Conference – five locations
RMIT Centre for Design is collaborating with Curtin University of Technology, University of South Australia and the Centre for Subtropical Design to present this event in five cities around Australia. Read more ....

Sustainability workshops around the country
The CRC for Construction Innovation, in partnership with the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC), is holding a series of sustainability workshops during May, June and July. For details visit: slatteryit.com.au/crc_sustainability.html

China International Architectural Expo, October 2008
The 3rd China International Architectural Expo will be held following the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Institutes and companies of architectural design and building materials will gather in Beijing to display their latest concepts and technologies. Read more ....

COMPETITIONS & AWARDS

International Design Competition – Vietnam
An international design competition for Ho Chi Minh City’s Thu Thiem New Urban Area is now open. The focus of this competition is the Central Plaza, Crescent Park, and Saigon River Pedestrian Bridge. Read more ....

International Competition for Sustainable Housing
Living Steel has launched its 3rd International Architecture Competition. Architects are invited to create energy efficient, single-family, detached housing that minimises climate change emissions and can withstand temperature extremes, yet is affordable to build and to buy. Read more ....

World Habitat Awards
Architects worldwide are invited to participate in the 23rd World Habitat Awards. These awards recompense practical, innovative and sustainable solutions to housing problems today. Read more ....

Green impact at Dulux Colour Awards
Green has made a statement in more ways than one, with the Carr Design Group making a colourful impact at this year’s Dulux Colour Awards. Their submission, Deacon Law Tenancy in Sydney, was awarded the coveted Grand Prix title ahead of some of the highest-calibre finalists in the Awards’ 22 year history. Read more...

PUBLICATIONS

Which Way? - Directions in Indigenous Housing
Proceedings from the 2007 indigenous housing conference are now available. An initiative of the RAIA's Indigenous Housing Taskforce, the conference explored a range of indigenous housing issues and possible solutions from the perspective of communities, government representatives, housing organisations, consultants, academics and contractors. Approximately 60 recommendations were developed and these are reproduced in the conference proceedings. Copies are available from RAIA Knowledge Services for $20 (+$4 p&h). To download an order form please visit architecture.com.au/i-cms?page=1.24.10655.10654

Memo: would you miss it?
The RAIA is reviewing its member publications, including Memo. This publication is a broadsheet newsletter inserted into every member’s copy of Architecture Australia. The publications review team will consider your feedback on future directions for Memo. Would you miss it? One possibility is to integrate articles that would once have appeared in Memo into this National Enews. But perhaps you think Enews is already too big? Please send your thoughts to Kirsten Trengove, kirsten.trengove@raia.com.au

Architecture Media
Look out for:

Houses 61, showcasing new Australian residential projects – with a feature on apartments including projects by John Wardle Architects and Hassell in joint venture, Hill Thalis Architecture and Urban Projects, Turner + Associates Architects and Neometro Architects.

Artichoke, Interior Design Awards 2008 special edition, presenting coverage of short-listed, highly commended and winning projects.


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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