I hope many of you will be able get along to the State Library this Thursday evening for The Fencing of Architecture and the Villa of the Architect鈥攁 conversation inspired by Richard Francis-Jones鈥� book of essays Truth and Lies in Architecture.
The notion that architecture is 鈥渇enced鈥濃�攕ometimes by forces outside us, sometimes by our own doing鈥攕trikes a chord.
We know the values we bring as architects are not only shaped by our own design and professional skills. The environment in which we practice鈥攖he systems, procurement settings, contracts, processes, commercial settings and relationships鈥攃an either empower or excessively constrain us. The Institute has a critical role in 鈥渦nfencing鈥� our profession: in improving the wider conditions of practice, so we can deliver the public benefits of great design and deepen our genuine engagement with the communities and places we serve.
The past month has been very focused on shaping this environment for practice. In recent weeks we have:
鈥� Met with the Queensland Productivity Commissioner and lodged a submission responding to their interim recommendations on productivity in the construction sector.
鈥� Worked with a member advisory group on government project procurement and project management reform, lodging a discussion and recommendations paper with the Department of Housing and Public Works and Youth, with a follow-up meeting scheduled this week with the Procurement Directorate.
鈥� Prepared a submission to Government with a three-point plan for improving the design of infill housing across Queensland, and are preparing for a meeting with the Director-General of Housing later this month.
鈥� Partnered with Q Shelter in their housing advocacy to government.
鈥� Led a joint submission to State Government with our friends PIA, AILA and DIA advocating for the establishment of a 2032 Design Coordination Unit for the Brisbane 2032 Games within the Office of the Queensland Government Architect
All of this has been greatly strengthened by inputs from members, committees, and Chapter Council.
The more we engage our members, the stronger we are. Last week, the Chapter hosted a Forum and Planning Day that brought together committee chairs and regional chairs for a day of alignment, energy, and constructive conversation. This work will help us channel our different activities into sharper focus on key initiatives鈥攕o our volunteer and staff efforts are pulling together with maximum impact.
That day was a reminder, again, that we are the Institute. And judging by the commitment and energy in the room, we are incredibly fortunate to have such a capable, passionate, and hard-working cohort of members working on 鈥榰nfencing鈥� architecture (perhaps 鈥榰nleashing鈥� it?) in Queensland.
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