The NSW Productivity and Equality Commissioner recently delivered a report to the Premier and Treasurer on housing supply challenges and policy options in NSW. In a press release and letter to the Premier, the ACA highlights several areas of concern and offers recommendations to address these issues.

Join the ACA NSW/ACT on Wednesday 23 October for an insightful breakfast event that explores key design issues in Canberra, from macro to micro. Hosted by Artisan Exterior in Fyshwick, this gathering will feature the ACT Government Architect, Catherine Townsend.

Are you up-to-date with the latest issues shaping development assessment and the DA process? Do you know how to best navigate your way through the Land and Environment Court? Join the ACA NSW/ACT on Wednesday 9 October for an engaging and informative webinar featuring experienced Planning Lawyer Steven Griffiths.

On Friday 16 August, the ACA attended a briefing session on the new Building Bill 2024. If passed in its current form, this Bill could significantly impact our profession and the quality of the built environment in NSW. The ACA NSW/ACT Committee seeks feedback from members about the impacts on your business and possible alternatives. Feedback due COB Friday 23 August.

The NSW/ACT Committee has recently expanded, with new members adding to the existing team of committed, enthusiastic volunteers. Issues of interest to the group include fees and tendering, architectural education, communicating the value of architecture, and solving the profession’s big challenges.

The NSW/ACT branch committee has continued working hard in 2024 to deliver informative CPD presentations as well as useful resources to the membership. Discussion within committee meetings have addressed issues such as mental wellbeing, university engagement, reconciliation and regional practice.

In this recorded webinar hosted by ACA NSW/ACT, Special Counsel Christopher Larcos presents an informative session on the ABIC and MBA Cost-Plus Contracts in construction. Don't miss this opportunity to stay informed. Originally held 17 July 2024.

The ACA was delighted to present an online webinar with energy efficiency champion Jenny Edwards and her colleague Duncan Hall. View this informative session for invaluable advice on creating highly efficient, all-electric, climate-resilient homes, highlighting the delights of small spaces and the transformative power of renovation.

Watch this insightful presentation by Sharon Levy from Bartier Perry Lawyers to learn about the statutory duty of care under the Design and Building Practitioners Act NSW (2020). Originally held 1 May 2024.

Watch this insightful presentation by AGWA Limited, exploring the intricate details of optimising window selection for 7-star homes. Originally held 27 March 2024 and hosted by ACA NSW/ACT.

Watch this informative presentation on the findings from the Design & Building Practitioner (DBP) Audit and the latest from NATSPEC on how to use and document Australian Standards. Originally held 6 March 2024 and hosted by ACA NSW/ACT.

The NSW/ACT branch committee has continued working hard in 2023 to deliver informative CPD presentations as well as useful resources to the membership. Mental wellbeing, university engagement, reconciliation and regional practice have also been a strong focus.

The NSW/ACT Committee was proud to present three Architecture students from the University of Western Sydney with a prize for outstanding work in units related to Practice Management.

Last month, Michael Lewarne from Unmeasured delivered an informative face-to-face presentation about mindful leadership and its impacts in practice for an enthusiastic Sydney audience. Jennifer Crawford provides a recap.

Architects are exposed to contractual and statutory risks on every building project in both the residential and commercial sphere. Please join the ACA NSW/ACT branch committee and Rob Kalde from Bartier Perry for an informative online morning presentation on Security of Payment legislation. FREE for everyone!

The NSW/ACT Committee is delighted to announce a new member benefit, a discounted rate on the newly developed Tools™ app, which summarises the NCC into simple, interactive graphics, helping architects specify how to build properly, save time and avoid mistakes and rework.

As a leader in your practice, would you like to be more productive, more innovative and less stressed? Would you like to have more engaged and happier staff, and be more agile and adaptable in practice? Watch this recorded CPD event delivered by Michael Lewarne from Unmeasured for an informative presentation about mindful leadership and its impacts in practice. Hosted by ACA NSW/ACT. Originally held 14 September 2023.

Ron Edgar was a long-term and valued member of the ACA, including as a member of the NSW Committee and a period as treasurer. Former NSW/ACT President Steve Kennedy and Ingrid Pearson FRAIA reflect on the life and work of Ron Edgar, who recently passed away.

The ACA was delighted to host the first Business of Small Practice (BoSP) event in Sydney last month, featuring keynote speaker Warwick Mihaly and a fantastic panel who generously shared their experiences and advice. Jennifer Crawford provides a recap.

It’s been a busy six months for the NSW/ACT branch committee, who have been working hard to deliver informative and relevant CPD presentations and networking opportunities as well as discounted webinars and resources, and advocacy for its members. A recent highlight was the first Business of Small Practice (BoSP) event in Sydney.

Join the ACA NSW/ACT committee, Warwick Mihaly from Mihaly Slocombe and a fantastic panel of speakers for Sydney’s first Business of Small Practice event on 15 June. Book now!

The NSW/ACT branch is pleased to present David Bannerman, Principal of Bannermans Lawyers, for a CPD webinar on the NSW Design and Building Practitioners Act, including recent changes and compliance.

The Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning at the University of Sydney is offering a 20% discount for ACA members for its Practicing on Country CPD course, an online, self-paced 1.5 hour learning module.

It’s been another busy and challenging year for all in the architectural community. The NSW/ACT Branch Committee has continued working hard to deliver informative CPD presentations and networking opportunities as well as useful resources to the membership.

The NSW/ACT Committee is proud to present two students in the Architecture course at the University of Western Sydney with a prize for outstanding work in units related to Practice Management.

Stephen Pearse provides a recap of the ACA’s recent six-monthly catch-up and CPD event in Canberra. It was an excellent evening for all, with informative presentations and a chance to learn, earn CPD and meet up.

Our NSW/ACT branch is celebrating 24 member practices who have been with the ACA for 25 years or more! This special group have been with us almost since the beginning and have witnessed dramatic change in both the profession and in our Association.

BVN’s Head of People & Character Brian Clohessy describes the practice’s wellbeing initiatives, including inhouse Working Cultural Groups, which focus on the three pillars of physical, social and mental wellbeing.

The Industry Report on Digitalisation of Design and Construction of Class 2 Buildings in New South Wales was launched in late August, after extensive research conducted by the University of Western Sydney’s Centre for Smart Modern Construction.

The third of a five-part CPD series on the NSW Design & Building Practitioners Act (DBP Act) features an information session by Paul Viney on the consequences of the Act in relation to regulated design requirements and the provision of architectural services.

Number four in a five-part CPD series on the NSW Design & Building Practitioners Act (DBP Act) features Simon Gray and Carina Bogaard from Planned Cover discussing the insurance implications of the bill.

The ACA – NSW/ACT Committee is delighted to welcome four new elected committee members (from top left, clockwise): Jennifer Crawford, Ivana Simkovic, Justine Money and Fabricio Siqueira.

Jennifer Crawford highlights the eligibility issues of JobKeeper and HomeBuilder, and describes her recent move back to the life of a sole practitioner.

Existing investment in new digital platforms has meant that dwp|design worldwide partnership was well placed to switch to working mode when the COVID-19 crisis arose.

Hayball has explored varied modes of working and learning over many years, but the rapid shift to remote, distributed workplaces in the era of COVID-19 is a new challenge.

For BVN, the transition to all staff working from home has been ‘seamless’. The ease of the move is an outcome of already having robust flex systems in place, a commitment to open honest communication, and a focus on health and wellbeing.

For Sydney-based Aileen Sage, early collaborations with artists, academics, innovators, larger architectural practices and other consultants have opened up a diversity of projects and opportunities.

Learning when to say no to the wrong client, the wrong project or the wrong situation in general has been valuable for Shannon Battisson of The Mill in Canberra.