2014 National Architecture Conference Day 2

Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre

The official proceedings began with a very educational welcome to country ceremony by Karen Jacobs. A particularly poignant statement from within this speech was the imperative that we value our culture, a most fitting remark for the occasion.

“We need to value culture” Karen Jacobs

Next we heard from National President of the Australian Institute of Architects, Paul Berkemeier who cataloged the achievements of the institute over the last 12 months. Citing the success of Australian Architects at the World Architecture Festival, Berkemeier proclaimed the Australian Architecture community to be punching well above its weight.

Creative Directors Sam Crawford, Helen Norrie and Adam Haddow

The final piece of welcoming was undertaken by the creative directors Helen Norrie, Adam Haddow and Sam Crawford. They introduced the conference theme of Making and the four sub themes of Making Culture, Making Life, Making Impact and Making Connections.

First of the speakers, Andrew Burns began by setting up a definition of architecture as he sees it.

“Architecture is materials, arranged according to geometry, to accommodate life” Andrew Burns

The presentation then flowed into an exploration of projects crafted by Burns’ including Australia House and Crescent House. The subject of making culture permeated across the projects leading to some further thought provoking ideas on how we could view ‘culture as a landscape of ideas’.

Andrew Burns presenting Australia House

Next up was Richard Hassell co-founding director of WOHA in Singapore. Hassell began with a short discussion about the qualities of traditional vernacular tropical architecture. Before the advent of air conditioning and electricity these buildings were designed to maximise air flow in the tropical climate. It is therefore the role of the architect to transform these traditions into contemporary equivalents.

Hassell then proceeded to put on a master class in tropical architectural design organised by concepts rather than projects. As the concepts were explained, brilliant schemes with integrated gardens and solid urban design principles were presented. These schemes became high rises and then super structures taking up entire city blocks. These immense scale buildings were verging on becoming cities in themselves. Despite this massive scale amenity and quality were seemingly not lost on these projects.

“High rise, not shiny-smooth, but furry-fuzzy” Richard Hassell

Richard Hassell from WOHA proving scale is no obstacle

After the tea break Elizabeth Watson Brown opened the next session with a discussion of Architecture from Architectus’ body of work in Queensland. She talked about the frugality, modesty and openness found in Queensland’s architecture which can allow it to almost be absorbed by the landscape.

Elizabeth Watson Brown discussing modest open Queensland Architecture

For the next speaker, BC Ang, architecture is a vehicle for solving problems. Whether it be to sell the client’s wedding dresses or to prevent injury from falling tropical fruit, Ang had an ideas based approach to solve the problem

“It seems architecture at any scale is about opening dialogue to solve problems”. BC Ang

The architecture discussed was well crafted, inventive and unusual. Among the diverse tropical projects was a most surprising project brief to design a hotel for dogs. The project was delivered in concrete with skill and humour.

BC Ang discussing architecture as a problem solver

Wen Hsia Ang then took the stage to discuss a project for the Orang Asli people which drew substantially upon a detailed study of their vernacular architecture. The objective was to adapt their methods and substitute some of the materials to create a building which would be more durable and robust. It was vital however that these modifications respect the methods and traditions of the Orang Asli people.

Wen Hsia Ang talking Traditional Orang Asli Architecture

The result was a beautiful community facility, hand crafted by the community themselves.

“This project is a small step to bring two worlds closer” Wen Hsia Ang

The final speaker for this session was Cazu Zegers. The presentation of her South American body of work, showcased some of the most exquisite timber construction anywhere in the world. Of upmost importance was the poetry of the work and its almost obsessive connection to place. The images of her timber structures were a real crowd pleaser however it was unfortunate that her work with concrete structures was left out due to time pressure.

Cazu Zegers presenting sublime site driven Architecture

Following this architectural wizardry, was a short panel discussion before the lunch break.

After the break, Timothy Horton introduced the next session of speakers with a brief discussion of Dr Rory Hyde’s book Future Practice.

“This isn’t about rethinking practice, it is about reframing it” Timothy Horton

With large applause, Justine Clark and Naomi Stead took the stage to tell some hard truths and provide some optimistic updates in relation to the ongoing fight for gender equity in architecture. In true myth-busting fashion Justine Clark took the sword to many of the industry’s biggest misconceptions.

Myth: Architecture is a meritocracy, the most talented and hardest working get rewarded the most

Truth: This is not the case, ‘playing the game’ with political and social skills makes a big difference and furthermore this doesn’t take into account the subtle yet pervasive gender discrimination

Myth: There is no issue for women in architecture

Truth: The extensively researched data suggests women are at a disadvantage across all career stages.

Myth: It is because of the macho nature of the building site

Truth: The very subtle discrimination at the office is far more difficult to deal with.

Myth: Gender equity is a women’s issue

Truth: Not when the profession and the community at large is missing out on such an incredible amount of skill knowledge and talent.

Naomi Stead and Justine Clark Making Impact

“The question is not whether we can afford gender equity rather whether we can afford to miss out on its benefits” Naomi Stead

The good news on this subject is the adoption by the AIA of the equity policy, the release of the brand new Parlour Guide to Equitable Practice and the formation of the National Gender Equity committee. As a side note I am proud to announce that I have been selected to be on this committee to help make architecture an industry for everyone.

Beth Miller talking community engagement

Next on stage was Beth Miller, the executive director of Community Design Collaborative, a Philadelphia based non-for-profit organisation which empowers community design. Miller explained that often the community is trapped by not being able to get projects off the ground without initial early stage design work. What the Community Design Collaborative does is facilitate pro-bono early stage design only to facilitate community driven change. This discussion felt particularly relevant given the pro-bono community based work done by my practice recently for a better East West link.

“Access to design not a luxury it’s a public right” Beth Miller

Sek San Ng

Following the afternoon tea break Sek San Ng took the stage in a humorous presentation that looked at his work in Singapore. The work follows a craftsmen tradition in which design is embedded through the construction process. No drawings in the traditional sense are produced, however if required site sketches on walls and spare building debris can be produced.

“As I get older I no longer seek perfection” Sek San Ng

The architecture itself embraces materials that weather creating spaces with a unique feel and texture.

The final speaker for the day was Gurjit Singh Matharoo from Matharoo and Associates in India. This presentation featured a diverse range of projects which all explored the innovative use of concrete. Highlights from this presentation included the Net house with an amazing floating concrete slab, A curtain door made of timber and a concrete counterweight window system on a project entitled a house with balls.Filled with witty anecdotes this was a great way to finish the talks for the day.

Gurjit Singh Matharoo with an amazing ‘floating’ concrete slab

The evening fringe events held in the State Theatre Centre Courtyard were unfortunately hindered by bad weather. Those who endured the conditions were treated to a varied program beginning with discussions about artist collaborations. This led into an unexpected choir performance followed by a presentation on the Augmented Australia for the 2014 Venice Biennale. Next was an amusing performance by a trio of dancers, dancing about architecture. The proceedings finished with the Cinecity 2014 film exhibition for which my practice Atelier Red + Black were shortlisted.

Dancing About Architecture

Cinecity Screening 2014
‘The Atelier at Night’

All in all a massive day of thought provoking architecture and culture.

Architecture is for Everyone