May is the month of transition, when the president-elect commences a period of induction before being handed the reins at the AGM.

I spent time abroad during this period, meeting international colleagues and discovering more about how other architects' institutes work. The RIBA in Britain has divided its activities into three strands: two cover member services and the business units; the third is the RIBA Trust, a benevolent institution, the recipient of benefactions, and the source of scholarships, awards, and all public interest activities. It is a model I believe the RAIA should seriously consider.

While the Commonwealth may seem to many an archaic enterprise, it was interesting to grasp how much we have in common with our British, Canadian, Hong Kong and New Zealand counterparts (being the ones I met). In particular, our education systems and graduate training programs, our construction industry interface and our professional values.

By comparison, the USA is another world, even a parallel universe: comprising some 270 individually incorporated AIA chapters - some very large, some very small. American zeal and bravado provide quite a contrast to our more fundamental (and sceptical) approach.

In the coming months I hope to meet more of you, particularly as the RAIA's broader advocacy campaign gets underway to connect the profession with the general public to encourage a broader understanding of the value of architects and the culture of architectural design.

Congratulations to the most recent members of our profession to receive Queen's Birthday Honours recognition - the most public and national of thanks for contributing to the quality of Australian life. This year's recipients include the Institute's Venice Architecture Biennale Board member Penelope Siedler (AM), for "service to the preservation of cultural heritage, particularly through the Australiana Fund, to visual arts organisations, and to architecture". Her fellow recipient was award-winning Melbourne-based Adjunct Professor Peter Corrigan, who received his award for "service to architecture as an academic, educator and practitioner and to the arts, particularly through theatre production design".

Government architect for Tasmania
The Tasmanian Government has announced its decision to establish a government architect position, a move heartily endorsed by the RAIA after lobbying for the role for a number of years. Read the RAIA media release

New President
Alec Tzannes handed over the RAIA presidential reins to Howard Tanner at the AGM on May 30. Read more ....

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

Volunteer for Venice
Volunteers for the Australian Pavilion at the 11th Venice Architecture Biennale 2008 are sought for fortnightly blocks between 1 September and 30 November 2008. Expressions of interest close on Friday 20 June. Briefing documents and more information available at architecture.com.au/i-cms?page=10992.

Register for Centrelink construction & refurbishment
Centrelink is establishing a multi-use list for the procurement of architectural services and management of construction and refurbishment of Centrelink offices. Read more ....

City & Urban Development Summit, June 23-24, Sydney
Planning, financing, building and investing in sustainable cities. Co-located with the Australian Property Development Summit. Visit acevents.com.au/cities2008 and acevents.com.au/property2008.

Built Environment Meets Parliament (BEMP), September 1-3, Canberra
BEMP is an annual conversation between parliamentarians and industry leaders that showcases the relationship between Australian communities and their built environment. BEMP offers an opportunity to explore the economic, social and environmental and governance issues that help shape national prosperity. The RAIA is one of the five host organisations. Registration and more information: bemp.com.au.

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. SB08 Melbourne will continue a traditional focus on technical developments and case studies. Auspiced by the RAIA, members are encouraged to consider attending this important event at which CSIRO, leading universities and research groups in Australia and from around the world are expected to release new research. RAIA members will receive a $100 discount on registration. Visit sb08melbourne.com.

Metropolis Congress, October 22-25, Sydney
Early bird registration - Architects looking to learn and network with world mayors, global industry CEO's and leading academics can save $300 by registering for the 9th Metropolis World Congress before June 30. Read more ....

COMPETITIONS, AWARDS, PRIZES

RAIA Neville Quarry Architectural Education Prize - closes June 20
Don't miss out - submissions close this Friday. The 2008 RAIA Neville Quarry Architectural Education Prize recognises the outstanding contribution in architectural education in one or more areas of teaching, scholarship and research.

Be one of the first 10 applicants and receive a complimentary pass to the 2009 RAIA National Architecture Conference. Read more ....

RAIA awards, International category - closes June 30
The International category of this year's RAIA National Architecture Awards is still open. Entries close on June 30 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. Read more...

AA Prize for Unbuilt Work
Promoting debate and ideas about architecture by rewarding compelling new work in its conceptual stages.

Cash prize $3000. Details of the 2008 AA Prize were announced in the May issue of Architecture Australia. More information: architectureaustralia.com.au/unbuilt

RAIA graduate winners
The RAIA congratulates 14 Graduation Prize winners. The annual RAIA Graduate Program provides encouragement and support for architecture graduates as they embark on their professional careers. Read more...

PUBLICATIONS

Take 6 Beyond Beige looks at ways of improving architecture for the growing population of older Australians and those with disabilities. This forms the basis of the new book published by the RAIA. Read more...

Architecture Media
Look out for:

Landscape Architecture Australia, Issue 118, the May issue – a new look magazine featuring reviews of Sam Fiszman Park, Holman Gardens, Wetland 5 as well as an interview with Patrick Blanc.
Subscribe online at www.architecturemedia.com/secure, by email to publisher@archmedia.com.au, or look for it in your newsagent.

Architecture Australia, May/June issue out now.


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 be available in early July.

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