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2023 AASA President’s Report

Day, 29 January, 2023 ​

A warm welcome to all member schools attending the Association of Architecture Schools of Australasia’s 2023 Annual General Meeting.

 

2023 has seen the return to something approaching normality in architectural education. Almost two years after the full return of face-to-face teaching at most schools it appears as though the direct impacts of the covid-19 pandemic have finally passed. At the same time, the financial impact of the pandemic on the Australian and New Zealand tertiary education sectors remains profound, with most universities continuing to suffer deficits, industrial action, and other disruptions. While it has been easier to make plans and predict the course of the year, for many schools a shortage of resources, coupled with exploding student numbers and an ever-increasing regulatory burden has made delivering high-quality architectural education challenging.

 

The 2021 NSCA came into effect in January 2023, and recently the first schools in Australia were accredited against these competencies. While we look forward to those schools reporting on their experience at the AGM, many others around the country have experienced difficulties implementing the new performance criteria – particularly those related to First Nations competencies.

 

This year this AASA has been primarily focused on advocating for reform of the procedure for the accreditation of architecture schools. We have seen substantial success with the commitment by the AACA to undertake a funded formal review of the procedure. Architectural accreditation reform will remain a central priority of the association in 2024 and we look forward to working with member schools to bring forth change that will improve the quality of architectural education, and professional standards for architects in Australasia.

 

AASA 2023 Activities

 

Over the past 12 months, the AASA has undertaken the following activities:

 

Architectural Accreditation Reform

 

Since June 2022 the AASA has lobbied the AACA, along with state and territory boards to undertake a review and reform of the procedure for the accreditation of architecture schools in Australia. Following discussion at the 2022 AGM, the AASA developed a proposal to reduce the burden of reporting for the ARP visit by grouping NSCA PCs into a limited number of thematic clusters that could be demonstrated by a single project or portfolio of assessments. This proposal was presented to state and territory boards in February 2023, which committed to undertaking a full review of the procedure. The AASA has worked closely with the AACA to frame the terms of reference for this review, along with the composition of its steering group. The AACA executive has worked closely with the ADBED, the AIA, and the ACA to ensure that allied organisations are briefed on the critical importance of this review to architectural education in Australia, and the potential impacts of any failure to enact meaningful reform on the profession. Professor Chris Smith, University of Sydney, has been appointed the AASA representative to sit on the steering group. We will continue to work closely with the ACCA and all other organisations involved through 2024 to ensure that an acceptable outcome is achieved. We strongly encourage all Australian schools to engage with this process and make clear the challenges presented by the current procedure when contacted.

 

To ensure a close working relationship with the AACA moving forward, the AASA has appointed Co-secretary Dr Cecilia Bischeri (GU) to the AACA’s Accreditation Management Committee. Dr Bischeri replaces Professor Chris Landorf who has served on the committee since 2021. The AASA executive would like to formally thank Professor Landorf for her service. Dr Bischeri will serve for a three-year term.

 

 

Architectural Work Cultures: Professional Identity, Education, and Wellbeing

 

Since November 2020, the AASA has been a stakeholder in the Architectural Work Cultures:

Professional Identity, Education, and Wellbeing project led by Professor Naomi Stead (RMIT University). We are pleased to report that this project is concluding, with the final student survey recently released. The project is scheduled to be completed in 2024. Both the raw data and the project team’s analysis have been shared with the AASA executive and broader stakeholder group. One of the planned outcomes of the project was a toolkit to support wellbeing in workplaces and architectural education. In consultation with the AASA, the project team has decided that this will take the form of a series of case studies of best practices and/or excellence in the implementation of well-being strategies in architectural education. Towards the end of 2023, the AASA will release an open call for examples of outstanding work by architecture academics in Australasia, which could serve as a guide for future practice. These case studies will be documented, distributed and discussed across a series of webinar events co-hosted with Parlour. The AASA is hoping that our bi-annual prize for academics might be directed towards academics who present outstanding examples of student engagement, culture, and belonging activities in their teaching practice.

 

Climate Action Working Group

 

The Climate Action Working Group (research led by Dr Liz Brogden and Chaired by Professor Chris Knapp) conducted a survey of Australian architectural practice (late 2022) and recently completed a report in this area. This is the third phase of a project that has grown out of funding provided by the AASA. So far, we have conducted (1) a 2020 pilot survey of architecture school leadership, (2) a 2021 survey of Australasian architecture schools, and (3) a 2022 survey of Australian architectural practices. Collectively, the three phases give a comprehensive overview of climate literacy in architecture in Australia, from students and academics in schools of architecture through to directors in practice. The outcomes of this research will be available on the AASA’s website.

 

Australian Modernism Project

 

In 2023 work commenced on the delivery of the AASA Australian Modernism Project. The project was established in 2018 under the leadership of the AASA’s Vice President, Professor Deborah Ascher-Barnstone, with the aim of creating a nationally available database on modern architecture in Australia and is guided by a Working Group consisting of academics from each state/territory who are working to collect a range of materials to be made available digitally on the AASA website. This year a prototype platform was established that provided a geospatial database that could be populated with detailed information on examples of significant architectural works in Australia and New Zealand. Once this was established funding was allocated to undertake the preliminary population of the platform to a level that could demonstrate its application for research, teaching and cultural engagement purposes. Over the last four months work has been undertaken by Dr. Martha Liew to identify national and NZ projects and populate the database. To date, we have collected more than 120 projects in the system and will soon start locating projects on GIS. While the database is undergoing development, a national symposium on Australian Modernism is currently being organised by the AASA and the University of South Australia (15 and 16 Feb 2024). Information regarding the symposium, including calling for papers, will be released shortly.  

 

 

AASA Teaching and Learning Research Grant

 

The AASA Teaching and Learning Research Grant was launched in May 2023. Dedicated initially to Online Learning, the Grant was redeveloped with a focus on Teaching and Learning in recognition of the absorption of digital and online teaching practices into typical pedagogy.

 

This year the grant was focused on the emergence of AI tools in architectural education, their possibilities, and the challenges they might present. The AASA received eleven outstanding submissions. Due to the high quality and volume of the proposals, the AASA executive elected to increase the number of grants and awarded three winners ($5,000 each); they are:

 

Dr Sean Pickersgill (University of South Australia) and Patrick Macaseat (RMIT University)

Title: The Architects’ Dream, The Sleep of Reason

 

Dr Simon Weir and Dr Kazjon Grace (University of Sydney)

Title: Co-creative AI in the Architecture Studio

 

Dr Cristina Garduño Freeman (UNSW), Dr Lucila Carvalho (Massey University) and Dr Vicki Leibowitz (Monash University)

Title: Chatting to Dall*E: A Post-Digital Exploration of Architectural Learning

 

The expectation is that these projects will be completed by the end of 2024 at which time the outcomes will be presented to the AASA and members.

 

 

European Association for Architecture Education (EAAE) MoC

 

In March 2023 the AASA signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the European Association for Architecture Education (EAAE) – the equivalent body representing architecture schools in Europe. This agreement provides opportunities for exchange between executive members of the AASA and EAAE, along with the potential to further disseminate the activities and outcomes of architectural education in Australasia. The AASA will work with the EAAE to establish pathways and opportunities for exchange in 2024.

 

 

Association of Collegiate School of Architecture (ACSA) partnership

 

The AASA has maintained a formal affiliate membership with the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) in North America. Since late 2022 the AASA, led by Vice President Professor Deborah Ascher Barnstone, has explored how we could form a closer partnership with the ACSA. In November 2022 Professor Barnstone attended the ACSA administrators conference in Boston. Following this event the AASA has held a series of meetings with the full executive of both the AASA & ACSA, discussing the potential for a representative of the AASA to sit on the ACSA board and laying plans for a future staging of the ACSA teachers conference to take place in Australia – most likely in 2025. AASA Treasurer Dr Chris Brisbin will attend the administrators conference in Buffalo in November 2023 to continue discussions.

 

 

Association of Consulting Architects (ACA) MoU

 

The AASA has continued to work closely with the Association of Consulting Architects in 2023, following the signing of our Memorandum of Understanding in 2022. I attended the ACA Annual General Meeting in Melbourne in March and briefed the ACA executive on critical issues facing architectural education. I also attended the ACA’s wellbeing in practice working group, led by WA chapter president Kukame McPierzie (Woods Bagot). I have been working closely with ACA CEO Angelina Pillai to assist the ACA in developing their position towards the upcoming accreditation procedure review.  

 

 

AASA administration

 

Administratively, we have completed the following tasks since the last AGM:

-We welcomed Dr Cecilia Bischeri as the new Co-Secretary to join the AASA Executive Team

-Completion of financial and audit reports for FY 23 (Dr Chris Brisbin and Dr Martha Liew)

-Renewal of the ACSA membership for 2022 – 2023 (Dr Martha Liew)

 

The positions of AASA President and Vice President will be open for election at the upcoming AGM. Should members be interested in these positions, please do not hesitate to contact the Secretariat, 

Dr Martha Liew.

 

Dr John Doyle

President, Association of Architecture Schools of Australasia Incorporated

2023

AASA  PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Tuesday, 18 October 2022

2022 has been a year of incremental recovery for the tertiary sector in Australasia. The completion of the Covid-19 vaccine rollout and subsequent lifting of various restrictions in late 2021 has allowed for a relative normalisation of operations for member schools. Similarly, the end of international travel restrictions and border closures has resulted in a progressive return of international students to campuses across the year.

At the same time, the omicron wave of January and February, followed by seasonal peaks throughout the southern winter of both covid and influenza, has presented significant challenges to face-to-face teaching. The ongoing restrictions in China and changing expectations around online learning options have resulted in many international students opting to delay their return to campus.

While there is cause for optimism, the financial position of many Australian universities remains stretched, and it is anticipated that it may be several years before a return to pre-pandemic funding levels.

In Australia, a change in the federal government has resulted in a suspension of the 2023 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) evaluation round and a suspension of all Australian Research Council (ARC) funding pending a review of their ambitions and processes. This has impacted many Australian members whose research activities are largely orientated around these frameworks.

As we emerge from the covid period, the focus of the AASA will be on supporting member schools in the recovery, advocating for greater resources and institutional/government support for architectural education, and celebrating the outstanding work of individual academics and teams working in the region.

AASA Strategic Focus

In 2022 the AASA executive reviewed its activities and projects and developed a new strategic direction for the association that focuses on its role as an emerging peak body advocating for architectural education and the discipline of architecture in Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea.

Historically, the organisation's primary role was as a collegiate forum for architectural academics in the region, with member funding supporting a conference and publication. Since 2016 the association has shifted away from this approach, establishing a series of portfolios supporting teaching and learning, research, and engagement activities. While these portfolios continued through the pandemic, they became increasingly difficult to maintain.

At the same time, the AASA has taken on an increasing role in leadership around public policy, affecting architectural education and the discipline of architecture more broadly. Under the leadership of past president Peter Mcpherson, the AASA led submissions to Australian state and federal governments on proposed policies affecting the registration and regulation of architects and building practitioners generally. More recently, the AASA has taken an increasing role in issues surrounding the accreditation of architecture schools in Australia and New Zealand. In the absence of the conference, the AASA has sought to deepen our relationship with the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) in North America and to form new partnerships with equivalent bodies in Europe and Asia, with the ambition of creating an extended international network and opportunities for our members.

Over the coming years, these activities will become the central focus of the AASA executive and secretariat. The AASA will continue to support existing projects and will develop new projects. However, the criteria for assessing all future activities will be the degree to which these projects can support the core role of the association, contribute value to all members, and evidence excellence in architectural education and research in Australasia.

 

Accreditation of Architecture Schools

Following the 2021 AASA AGM where the membership raised concerns around the process of accrediting architecture schools, the AASA executive has sought to play a more active role in advocating for the needs of member schools in the process of architecture provider accreditation.

The AASA has historically played a role in accreditation. The AASA made submissions to the AACA during the development of the current Architecture Program Accreditation Procedure. The AASA has had representation on the AACA Accreditation Management Committee and in the advisory panel developing the 2021 National Standard of Competency for Architects (NSCA).

Following the 2021 AGM, the AASA sought to establish a closer working relationship with the AACA executive, which included a quarterly meeting between the AASA President John Doyle and AACA CEO Kathlyn Loseby.

The outcome of this has a series of initiatives that have been developed in response to member concerns:

  1. Following a proposal by the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) that specific National Construction Codes (NCC) tuition is included in all accredited architecture programs in Australia, the AASA drafted a statement describing how this content is already taught and assessed at a much higher level through the existing accreditation procedure. This has been accepted by the ABCB, and no further action is required.

  2. In response to member concerns around performance criteria (PC) introduced in the 2021 NCSA – specifically those around first nations engagement and design – the AASA co-hosted a webinar with the AACA in September 2022 in which the authors and experts in the new first nations PCs were able to unpack their ambitions and describe their expectations as to how they might be implemented. This also provided a brief opportunity for members to ask specific questions about the PCs ahead of their implementation in 2023. The event was well attended, with over 100 attendees from around Australia.

  3. The establishment of an AACA working group to examine potential adjustments to the Accreditation Procedure, to better reflect the way architecture is taught internationally, to align with graduate and overseas assessment processes, and simplify the process of preparing and evidencing compliance for architecture schools.

As we head into the first year of the 2021 NSCA, the goal is for the AASA to maintain this close working relationship and, working with members, to develop the existing procedure and competency framework better to reflect the requirements of architectural education in the region.

 

Government Submissions

Following a series of letters drafted by the AASA raising concerns around the proposed ABCB’s National Registration Framework for Building Practitioners, we have received responses through 2021 and 2022 from numerous state and federal ministers. At present, this initiative seems to have stalled; however, the AASA will monitor the situation over the coming years and respond accordingly if required.

In Victoria, the ‘Building, Planning and Heritage Legislation Amendment (Administration and Other Matters) Bill was introduced by the planning minister in June 2022. The bill included numerous changes to planning and building legislation in Victoria and included changes to the composition and nomination processes for the Architect's Registration Board of Victoria (ARBV). Upon reviewing the draft legislation, the AASA provided a submission recommending amendments to the wording of the bill to ensure appropriate representation for the architecture profession and architecture schools on the board. No response was received from the minister; however, the legislation was not passed before the Victorian Government went into caretaker mode ahead of the upcoming state election. Following the election, the AASA will follow up with whoever occupies the relevant ministerial position to advocate for our position. 

 

Association of Consulting Architects (ACA) partnership

In July 2022, the AASA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the ACA. The ACA is the peak body in Australia representing architectural companies and employers in Australia. The decision to partner reflects the broader recognition of the AASA as the peak body representing architectural education. The terms of the agreement provide frameworks for closer collaboration around government advocacy, reflecting work undertaken in partnership over the course of 2020-21, as well as opportunities for research engagements and research dissemination around issues affecting the practice of architecture. Through the agreement, the ACA has provided access to its considerable library of resources and tools to support teaching professional practice and similar subject areas in Australian architecture schools. Several schools have already accessed these resources, and we strongly encourage members to reach out to the ACA to access them.

 

ADBED relationship

At the 2021 AASA AGM, the then president of the Australian Deans of the Built Environment (ADBED) gave a short presentation highlighting the key concerns of the organisation. Of relevance was information highlighted around the current levels of ARC funding provided to built environment disciplines, relative to the percentage of GDP generated by the built environment sector in Australia. Following the 2021 AGM, a letter was issued to ADBED requesting a closer working relationship and collaboration around issues of mutual interest. In 2022 two president-to-president meetings have been held, and a standing invitation has been a table for attendance at respective AGMs.

 

AASA Indigenous Portfolio

The leadership of the AASA Indigenous Portfolio remained unfilled during 2021 and 2022. At the June 2022 executive teleconference, it was resolved that in line with the proposed strategic direction of the AASA that a role could be created for the AASA executive for indigenous leadership in architectural education, recognising that the indigenisation of architectural education and practice should be considered an integral to the association’s activities. This approach would require an amendment to the articles of association and so will be discussed and voted on at the 2022 AGM.

 

ACSA relationship

The AASA has maintained a formal affiliate membership with the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) in North America. This relationship has provided access to the resources and events of the ACSA, which has over 200 member schools and 7,000 faculty members. In 2022 the AASA funded Dr Liz Brogden to attend the ACSA Teachers Summit at Pratte Institute School of Architecture to present the findings of the Climate Literacy and Action Project. As a result of this exchange, we have entered discussions with the ACSA leadership around the potential to host a future teachers summit in Australia or New Zealand, providing an opportunity for international dissemination and networking for AASA members. The AASA is also pursuing the possibility for a member of the AASA to sit on the ACSA board commensurate with the financial and cultural engagement of the affiliate relationship.

 

AASA Projects

In 2022 the following AASA activities were carried out under the AASA projects portfolio. 

  • The Digital Learning Research Grant was advertised in January 2022 and awarded to Dr Anastasia Globa from the University of Sydney. Dr Globa’s research explores the use of VR technology as a tool to augment and support rich learning experiences. Dr Globa completed her research in August 2022 and submitted a project to the AASA. Her report will be uploaded to the AASA website shortly.

  • The 2021 recipient of the Digital Learning Research Grant, Associate Professor Francesco Mancini, completed his project in April 2022, with the report available to the public on the AASA website.

  • The AASA Webinar series was completed in 2021 with webinars exploring the findings of the Climate Action & Architecture Education project hosted by Dr Liz Brogden and Dr Naimi Iftihkar and webinars as a part of the Visualisation in Architecture and Beyond hosted by Associate Professor Tim Schork, Associate Professor Ian Thomson, Professor Gerard Reinmuth and Associate Professor Alex Munt. The recordings of these webinars are currently hosted on the AASA website.

  • A call for webinar topics in 2022 was made; however, no submissions were received. The expectation is that, moving forward, webinars will be held around key issues of relevance to the organisation in line with the new strategic direction of the AASA.

  • The Climate Literacy and Action project funded by the AASA, led by Liz Brogden, Naima Iftikhar, Philip Oldfield, Naomi Stead, Charlotte Kessler, Chris Knapp and Dagmar Reinhardt was completed, with the final report submitted in 2022. The report provides insights into current practices and understandings around addressing climate change in architectural curricula in Australia and New Zealand. While the report provides some cause for optimism, it makes a series of recommendations on how best to embed climate literate approaches in architectural education. The report is available through the AASA website. Dr Liz Brogden was sponsored by the AASA to present the findings of the report at the ACSA teachers conference in New York in July 2022. A report of her presentation is available through the AASA website.

  • The AASA has continued its support of the ‘Architectural Work Cultures: Professional Identity, Education and Wellbeing’ project led by Professor Naomi Stead from RMIT University. The project released the preliminary findings of its practitioner survey in early 2022. The project team are currently compiling results from a similar survey of architecture students and conducting focus group sessions with practitioners. As a part of the project, we have invited Professor Stead to conduct a focus session with Heads of School, which is intended to build upon the findings of both the practitioner and student surveys. The final report and a toolbox of approaches for practice are expected in 2024 to complete the project.

  • The Australian Modernism project, led by AASA Vice President Deborah Ascher Barnstone, has continued to develop through 2022. Working from the CSIRO National Map as the data host, the project will form a publicly accessible archive of primary resources on Australia and New Zealand Modernist architecture. The project team has grown to include a new partner, James Melsom, a GIS expert. Currently, the group is developing categories for the database to properly host the information and make it searchable by architect, project name or interactive geographic location. The team is setting this system up so researchers around the region can contribute to the database.

  • The AASA has continued the Architecture Program Provider Longitudinal Study of Student, Staffing, and Coursework (2019–2029) led by AASA Treasurer Dr Chris Brisbin. We thank members for taking the time to provide information for the survey. The project is rapidly becoming an invaluable resource in assessing the impact of decisions on course and program structure, teaching hours and modes and overall staffing. This database intends to broadly support the AASA in advocating for members and the discipline. Several members requested information from the database in 2022 to support the activities of individual programs/schools.

  • Following discussions with the ACA, the AASA began preliminary work in scoping out a potential ARC Linkage project to build upon work undertaken in the AASA Architecture Program Provider Longitudinal Study of Student, Staffing, and Coursework (2019–2029). The project is being led by AASA Treasurer Dr Chris Brisbin, who has reached out to potential stakeholders in the state & territory boards, AACA, ACA, and AIA and received strong support. Dr Brisbin will provide an overview of the project at the 2022 AASA AGM.

  • The AASA Education Prize for Early Career Academics was relaunched in 2022. This edition focused on studio and other teaching activities that demonstrated innovation in using digital technologies or tools to support remote learning. The prize sought to recognise significant work undertaken by, in particular, early career and emerging academics during the covid-19 period. We had several outstanding submissions from Australia and New Zealand. We are excited to host a small exhibition of the shortlisted entries at Curtin University as a part of the AASA AGM, where we will announce the 2022 winner.

Finally, the nomination of new officers – the position of AASA Co-Secretary (Dr Tanja Glusac) will be opened to members at the AASA AGM. We thank Dr Glusac for her outstanding contribution to the role.

Should members be interested in these positions, please do not hesitate to contact the Secretariat, Dr Martha Liew.

 

Dr John Doyle

AASA President

MEET DR JOHN DOYLE, THE NEW PRESIDENT OF THE AASA!

Sunday, 3 October 2021

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Dr John Doyle as the new President for the AASA, effective from 1 October 2021.

 

In this position, John will provide strategic leadership to the Association while working closely with the Executive to deliver a range of projects and initiatives. 

John is a Senior Lecturer in Architecture and Urban Design Programs at RMIT University. He is the Program Manager and Head of the Master of Architecture program at RMIT. In addition, John is a practising architect and a director of COMMON, a Melbourne based architecture and urban planning practice. In the last decade, John has taught at numerous schools in Australia and internationally, including the University of Melbourne, Monash University and as a visiting professor at the Tokyo Institute of Technology.  He was the co-curator, along with Graham Crist and Yoshiharu Tsukamoto, of the 2019 Supertight exhibition at the Design Hub in Melbourne, and a key contributor to the 2012 Venice Architecture Biennale, 2019 Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism, 2019 The Shenzhen Bi-city Biennale of Urbanism\Architecture and 2021 Venice Architecture Biennale. 

 

The Executive is delighted to welcome John to his new role and looks forward to working with him. 

2021 AGM UPDATE

Sunday, 3 October 2021

The AASA AGM was held on 28 – 29 September 2021 via ZOOM this year. More than 50 school members and invited guests attended the two-day meeting.

    

2021 proves to be another challenging year for all member schools as coronavirus continues to cause havoc globally. While NSW, ACT, VIC and Auckland have seen a rise in new cases in July and August, we are also witnessing that Covid vaccines are working with hospitalisations and deaths among the adult population being more subdued this time around.  As the pace of vaccination in Australia and New Zealand is ramping up rapidly in recent weeks, it is feasible that our borders will open up in a more stable way than the travel bubble proved to be once we reach 70-80% vaccination uptake by the end of 2021.  

In the meantime, the AASA will continue to work collaboratively with our member schools and provide support where most needed.    

Considering the past 12 months, we are pleased to advise that the AASA has been undertaking the following activities:

 

Since November 2020, the AASA has been actively involved with Architectural Work Cultures: Professional Identity, Education and Wellbeing project with Professor Naomi Stead from Monash University.  To date, we have worked with Naomi and her team to develop the survey questionnaire and support the project by inviting her to host a workshop at the 2021 AASA AGM.  As Covid continues to cause a significant impact on our daily lives mentally, financially, and socially, it is critical that we keep abreast on this topic and consider the possibility of developing a national plan to mitigate the damage caused by COVID for the wellbeing of academics and students. 

We have completed the new AASA Website www.aasa-arch.org (led by Dr Yusef Patel and Dr Martha Liew).  The old website www.aasa.org.au has been decommissioned, but the domain aasa.org.au will remain ‘active’ as it is linked to the AASA’s Gmail accounts/drive.  The old domain will continue diverting traffic to the new website.

 

We have recently launched AASA Webinar Open Call (led by Dr Mohammed Makki) and the response has been very positive. To date, we have received four applicants wishing to present their research.  The first webinar series, 'Visualisation in Architecture and Beyond’ by Professor Andrew Johnston and Dr Linda Matthews (UTS), will explore the role that data visualisation operates in the architectural field and the lessons that can be learnt from the applications of visualisation in other disciplines. The series will be launched on 1st, 15th and 29th October 2021.

In the meantime, the Climate Action Working Group (led by Professor Chris Knapp) has proposed to conduct a series of workshops in November. We have also received a request from the University of Sydney and Griffith University.

The AASA’s Climate Action Working Group has recently commissioned Dr Liz Brodgen (QUT) to undertake a Climate Literacy Survey. The study will focus on (1) evaluation of the current implementation of sustainability, and climate change studies in architecture curricula, (2) confidence and satisfaction levels around the emerging area of learning and (3) beliefs held about the future of architectural education. The webinar series is part of Dr Brogden’s survey. It is anticipated that the report will be completed by 31 December 2021.

In addition to Dr Brodgen’s research, the AASA is excited to announce that the Australian Institute of Architects will contribute $10,000 towards the Climate Literacy Survey in response to the Profession’s increased demand for expertise in this area. The Institute considers the support of the project will provide the groundwork to tackle climate issues, such as a development of a curriculum framework or studio that prepare future architects for climate emergency. 

The AASA would like to take this opportunity to thank the Institute for their contribution to the project.

This year, the AASA is pleased to announce that the work of the Australian Modernism Working Group is gaining momentum. The group was established in 2018 under the leadership of the AASA’s Vice President, Professor Deborah Ascher-Barnstone, with the aim of creating a nationally available database on modern architecture in Australia and is guided by a Working Group consisting of academics from each state/territory who are working to collect a range of materials to be made available digitally on the AASA website. One of the tasks that the group has identified is the establishment of the Australian Modernism Archive. While COVID has prevented Australian Modernism Work Group members from meeting face to face annually, the group has commenced their research on Australian modernist architecture in Queensland (led by Dr Marja Sarvimaki, Bond University) and South Australia (led by Dr Julie Collins, University of South Australia).

The AASA is also pleased to advise that 2019 Digital Learning Research Grant winner Dr Rongrong Yu’s (along with Michael Ostwald, Ning Gu and Henry Skates) research on ‘Evaluating the Effectiveness of Online Teaching in Architecture Courses' has been released in early 2021. This timely research uncovered some of the challenges associated with online teaching. In the meantime, Associate Professor Francesco Mancini, the 2020 Digital Learning Research Grant winner, continues with ‘Digital Urban Lab.’ This research project seeks to explore an innovative approach to Blended Design Studio by providing an experiential learning space to interstate students and academics where they could remotely participate in-studio sessions and multidisciplinary design review panels.  ‘Digital Urban Lab’ aims to facilitate learning through discovery in an augmented learning environment that simulates emerging future practices. It is anticipated that the study will be completed by the end of 2021.

As for the 2021 Digital Learning Research Grant (led by Steven Feast), an EOI will be launched after the AASA AGM.

In addition to the COVID crisis, the architectural profession is also facing increased challenges from the Federal/State regulators.  In early 2021, the AASA responded to the Victorian Government’s discussion paper Framework for Reform (led by Dr Chris Brisbin and Dr Martha Liew) The proposal recommended the Victorian Building Authority’s regulatory power be expanded and is currently considering the removal of the regulatory function of the Architects Registration Board of Victoria (ARBV). As architectural education is part of the architects' registration components,  the AASA rejected the proposal and argued that the discussion paper overlooked the following points: (1) Omission of ARBV's critical role in architecture program accreditation and protection of the title "Architect"  (2) Lack of understanding of how architecture programs are accredited and how this accreditation process relates to procedures required for registration as an architect; (3) Lack of understanding on the robustness of architecture accreditation procedures and registration and how changes may impact on the profession’s reputation nationally and internationally. The discussion paper also failed to address their critical importance to ensuring quality building design. Finally, (4) Lack of consideration on the impact or ramifications on architectural education providers, students, and architects.

Around this time, the Federal Government is also exploring the possibility of granting Building Designers Level 1 Unlimited Design License in response to the lack of quality control over building design (notably the Opal Tower issue). Under the advice of the AACA, the AASA’s responded to the proposal and raised the following points to Federal, State/Territory Ministers and their oppositions: (1) Educational and Professional training of Building Designers is not equivalent to Architecture (2) Lack of understanding of how architecture programs are professionally accredited and how this accreditation process relates to procedures required for registration as an Architect by Law (3) Lack of understanding of the robustness of architecture accreditation procedures and registration and how proposed changes may impact on the profession’s reputation nationally and internationally. The discussion paper also failed to address their critical importance to ensuring quality building design. Finally (4) Lack of consideration on the impact or ramifications of proposed Building Designer license changes on architectural education providers, students, and Architects.

In terms of our engagement with allied organisations, we are pleased to advise that AASA (in particular, the Hon. Secretary Dr Tanja Glusac who participated in the review) has been working closely with the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA) on the development of the new National Standards of Competency for Architects (NSCA) in the last 18 months. As the majority of our members are yet to familiarise themselves with new NSCA, we have invited the AACA’s new CEO Kathlyn Loseby and Manager of Accreditation and Evaluation Michelle Breen to take us through the new NSCA and discuss its transitional arrangement at the 2021 AGM.   

Also, we would like to inform members that Professor Sandra Kaji O’Grady will step down as the AASA’s representative on the AACA’s Accreditation Management Committee by the end of 2021, her position will be replaced by Associate Professor Chris Landorf (UQ) for a three-year term (2022 – 2024).

Administratively, we have completed the following tasks since the last AGM:

  • We welcomed Dr Chris Brisbin as the new Treasurer to join in the AASA Executive Team

  • In April, we have updated the AASA Bank account holder. Previously the account holders were Professor Chris Knapp, Dr Chris Smith and Dr Martha Liew. As of April 2021, Dr Chris Brisbin and Dr Martha Liew are the account holders of the AASA.

  • Completion of financial and audit reports for FY 21 (Dr Chris Brisbin and Dr Martha Liew)

  • Renewal of the ACSA membership for 2021 – 2022 (Dr Martha Liew)

  • Renewal of Parlour sponsorship ($10,000 per year for 3 years) over the period of FY 2022 – 2024 (Dr Martha Liew)

  • Appointment of Dr Tanja Glusac and Dr Martha Liew as co-secretary of the AASA

Unfortunately, the following projects were put on hold for one year:

  • AASA Education Prize for Early Career Academics (Prof Chris Knapp).

  • Identification of a new Indigenous education portfolio leader

We are pleased to announce that Dr John Doyle (RMIT University) has been appointed as the new President of the AASA for a two-year term (2021 – 2023).  Mr Peter McPherson (Unitec), who has been leading the AASA for more than five years, has officially stepped down from the position on 1 October 2021.  Under Peter’s leadership, the AASA has grown considerably, including the creation of several portfolios (Online Learning, Indigenous education, webinar series, Australian Modernism) and system (New AASA website) as well as building connection with other allied organisations (ADBED, Australian Institute of Architects and several program providers).  Although the education sector is facing increased challenges from COVID, the AASA has been able to operate effectively and relatively unscathed by the current volatile environment. Peter will remain as Immediate Past President of the AASA until October 2022.  Thank you, Peter, for your vision and leadership in steering the AASA in the right direction.  The Executive will miss working with you!

Finally, a big thank you to our members and invited guests who attended the AGM this year. These include Ms Kathlyn Loseby (CEO) and Ms Michelle Breen, Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA); Professor Martyn Hook (President), ADBED; Ms Lisa Moore (National Education Committee Chair) and Ms Erin Crowden (EmAGN Chair), Australian Institute of Architects (AIA); Ms Leanne Haider (President), Ms Nicole Mesquita-mendes and Ms Aiswarya Nair, SONA; Ms Sakina Ali and Mr Robbie Anderson, SANNZ; Professor Naomi Stead, Dr Byron Kinnaird, Dr Kirsten Orr, Dr Maryam Gusheh and Dr Julia Rodwell (Architects Wellbeing project) and Dr Liz Brogden, QUT (Climate Action). 

What a busy year! Thank you again for all your support of us during this challenging time.  With the rapid uptake of vaccines in recent months, we hope to see you all face to face at the next AGM in Perth!

2020 AGM UPDATE

Friday September 25, 2020

The AASA AGM was held on 22 – 23 September 2020. The meeting was originally scheduled to be held at QUT’s Creative Industries Precinct in Brisbane, however, due to COVID 19, the face to face meeting was replaced by virtual meeting via ZOOM. We had more than 30 member schools from Australia, and New Zealand attended the event.

Although the 2-day meeting only runs for three hours on each day, we managed to cover a number of topics, presentations and had two workshops organised. We started the day with our virtual host, Professor Lisa Scharoun from QUT welcoming attendees and gave a presentation on a range of activities undertaken by the school in the past 12 months, followed by a series of reporting, such as financial/audit reports, projects and initiatives that we are currently undertaking. Some of the projects that have been successfully delivered by the Executive and portfolio leaders include:

  • Building and refining new AASA Website via WIX with an aim to save maintenance cost. The current website will be decommissioned by the end of 2020 or beginning of 2021 (Dr Yusef Patel and Dr Martha Liew)

  • Implementation of Indigenous Archive (over 300 articles) in preparation for the new AASA website (Dr Martha Liew and Dr Yusef Patel).

  • Completion of the incorporation of the AASA in July. The AASA is officially registered in Victoria (Dr Martha Liew)

  • Finalisation of Articles of the Association. The new articles can be accessible via G Drive (Dr Tanja Glusac)

  • Completion of financial and audit reports for FY 20 (Prof Chris Knapp and Dr Martha Liew)

  • Addressing superannuation issues arising from the audit report (Executive)

  • Renewal of the ACSA membership for 2020 – 2021 (Dr Martha Liew)

  • Implementation of Digital Learning Research Grant 2020 (Steven Feast)

Also, we have participated in the following reviews and initiatives:

  • Review of the AASA’s NCSA discussion paper

  • Federal Government’s Job Ready Graduates Package

  • Monash University’s Architectural Work Cultures: Professional Identity, Education and Wellbeing

  • Supporting Griffith University and University of Queensland’s application to ARC Linkage Project (Smart Apps – a resource library for architects, town planner etc. with an aim to strengthen the connection between practitioners and researchers and cultivate research culture). 

In response to COVID 19, we have undertaken the following new initiatives:

  • Implementation of AASA Webinar Series in response to COVID 19 with curator
    Dr Mohammed Makki (5 webinars were conducted between April and June)

  • Implementation of 2020 AASA Student Logo Design Competition to engage our students (Dr Yusef Patel and Dr Martha Liew) and building of an online gallery (Dr Martha Liew)

Unfortunately, the following projects were put on hold for one year:

  • Pedagogy Portfolio – Australian Modernism (Prof Deborah Ascher-Barnstone)

  • AASA Education Prize for Early Career Academics (Prof Chris Knapp).

  • Identification of a new Indigenous education portfolio leader

 

In relation to the AASA membership, we have the following announcements:

  • AUT is officially an affiliate member of the AASA.

  • Charles Darwin University is no longer offering Bachelor of Architecture program. The school withdrew AASA membership in August 2020.

  • Potential members the University of Hong Kong and National Fuji University – we are unable to continue our pursuit with both schools due to COVID 19 and introduction of National Security Law in Hong Kong.

 

The AASA is also pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Chris Brisbin as the new Treasurer. Our current Treasurer, Professor Chris Knapp, who has been serving the AASA since 2014, will step down from his position after the AGM.

The AASA would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to Professor Chris Knapp, who has been a key contributor to the AASA for more than six years in his role as Treasurer. During his tenure, we have seen significant improvement of AASA’s financial systems, including the delivery of audit reports dating back to 2013, finalisation of tax return, positive financial reports, business registrations and more. The change is significant for the association. Chris also instigated the connection with the ACSA and the Education Prize for Early Career Academics, and he always brings a thoughtful and constructive voice to proceedings. Thank you, Chris, for your leadership and dedication to the AASA!

Finally, the AASA would like to thanks our long-term collaborators, including Kate Doyle, CEO and Michelle Breen, Architects Accreditation Council of Australia; Professor Martyn Hook, President, ADBED; Lisa Moore, National Education Committee Chair, the Australian Institute of Architects and Sian Singh, SANNZ for their support to the AASA. We also like to thank Dr Rongrong Yu, Professor Francesco Mancini, Dr Mohammed Makki, Professor Naomi Stead, and Lyndsay Swan for their presentations and sharing their work with us.

Thank you for all your support of us during this challenging time. Let us look forward to 2021, hopefully, beginning to bring us more normality to how we do things. 

Peter McPherson

President, AASA

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