The WA Committee could not do the work that we do without the support of our sponsors. This short article offers an overview of who they are and what they do in 2025.

The ACA WA is seeking a dynamic Executive Officer to join our team. This flexible role (approximately one day per week) offers WFH arrangements and involves coordinating committee meetings, managing industry events, creating marketing materials, and engaging with WA’s architectural community.

ACA WA invites members and friends to join us for breakfast at Wards Central Dining at Victoria House in Shenton Park. This relaxed event is an opportunity to catch up with colleagues and hear about ACA plans for 2025.

The WA branch committee wrapped up another vibrant year with a wonderful end-of-year celebration at Lums wine bar in Subiaco. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended and made the event so memorable. In this update, we look back at our accomplishments this year and what lies ahead.

The ACA WA Committee has been working hard on advocacy in recent years, with President Kukame McPierzie and Vice-President Kate Fitzgerald leading the charge. Here we introduce the complete WA team of committed practice owners and directors keen to make a difference. Learn more about their interests and goals with the ACA.

The first half of 2024 was jam-packed in WA, with social and informative events, critical advocacy, and a welcome to three new committee members – Fred Chaney, Kahla Murphy and Fernando Faugno. Sadly, we said goodbye to three retiring committee stalwarts – Malcolm Jones, David Gulland and Andrew Rogerson.

More than 65 people attended the recent Business of Small Practice (BoSP) event in Fremantle, which focused on recent medium-density housing advocacy and reform. ACA WA Committee member Emily van Eyk shares her observations.

What is the specific role of the building surveyor in the building approvals process? ACA WA proudly hosted the WA Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety Audit Manager, Paul da Costa for this informative webinar. Access the video recording today.

View ACA WA’s informative online presentation with construction lawyer Isla McRobbie on the merits and pitfalls of Joint Venture partnerships, with a focus on the WA context. Access the video recording today.

After several months of committed advocacy and campaigning led by ACA WA Vice-President Kate Fitzgerald, the ACA WA is delighted to share that the once-deferred Medium Density Code has been reintroduced. This will help ensure the supply of well-designed housing in suburbs and infill precincts for the State.

The WA branch committee finished off a busy year with an end-of-year celebration at Lawson Flats. It was great to see so many of our members, sponsors and industry colleagues at our event. It feels like the festive season is well and truly here! Here’s a snapshot of what the WA branch committee has been up to in 2023.

The WA branch committee has developed a survey to help guide their events and advocacy in 2024. WA members – have your say! Take the survey today!

The deferral of the Medium Density Code has dominated the activity of the WA Branch in recent weeks. While the ACA supports the Government’s mission to increase housing supply, we are concerned that the deferral will reduce the supply of well-designed housing in suburbs and infill precincts.

Lauren Morris and Allan Shiell from the WA Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety share critical information regarding balustrades design and tips to improve installation. Watch this special presentation today.

Advocacy has been a strong focus for the ACA WA Committee in 2023, with important work on the NRF and participation in the new Building Environment Reference Group. Activities have also included the development of a RAP, new resources and local events.

The ACA WA Committee hosted this webinar on the recently updated ACA Safety in Design templates for WA. Presented by a legal expert from Jackson MacDonald.

The WA Committee has had another productive year, providing business advice relevant to our state, advocating on behalf of our members and many opportunities to socialise. Our WA Update provides a summary of the activities that have kept us busy in 2022.

The ACA WA has organised an online presentation on First Nations History in Western Australia since British colonisation. Watch this very special presentation with valuable insights by Scott Patterson, Director at Ochre Project Services.

The ACA WA Branch wrote to Minister Roger Cook ahead of his meeting with State Building Ministers to advocate for the lifting of Energy Performance Standards in the National Construction Code 2022.

The ACA in WA continues to go from strength to strength, with 82 member practices representing nearly 600 staff. Advocacy on the National Registration Framework is currently a major focus for the WA Committee.

The WA Branch has two exciting events coming up – a Business of Small Practice event and the annual Business of Design Lunch.

Tom Earls from Fair Work Lawyers provides an overview of the new WHS laws brought into effect in WA in March 2022. Practices need to be aware that there are potentially significant changes to the way that safety in design is dealt with under the new WHS legislation.

The WA branch has had a busy start to the year on the advocacy front, with two major projects dominating our efforts and a strengthening of our collaboration with industry partners.

Emily Van Eyk, Director of Mt Eyk, shares her experiences of running a new practice through a pandemic, with the main challenges relating to supply chain delays, rising construction costs and keeping up with demand.

The key focus for the WA committee in 2021 has been to advocate, connect and inform, with ongoing advocacy for policy improvements with government Ministers and key decision makers within the built environment.

In mid-August, WA members gathered at Double Rainbow at The Rechabite for the ACA’s annual Business of Design Lunch, featuring speaker Adrian Fini, Founder of Hesperia and celebrated developer and patron of art and design.

More than 300 architects registered for our recent BoSP webinar on fees with Kate Fitzgerald, Warwick Mihaly and Mick Moloney, and we’re still not sure if it was the topic or the presenters that generated all that interest!

The WA Committee outlines activity and priorities for the last six months and plans for the year ahead, with a strong focus on quality information, advocacy and connection.

The ACA – WA reflects on the successful (and impactful) Medium Density Symposium and asks members to save the date for an upcoming event on the Business of Design.

New reform promises improved medium-density outcomes, but what key measures will better shape Perth’s urban future? Katie McDonald from Business News takes a look at WA’s proposed medium density planning policy and the ACA’s recent symposium in Perth.

On 31 March, the WA branch hosted its most ambitious event yet – a symposium on the State Government’s proposed policy to guide medium density developments across Western Australia. Emma Brain provides a recap.

The WA branch has been leading a series of initiatives aimed at engaging the architecture profession with the State Government’s draft Medium Density Code. Watch our short film featuring some of the designers who worked with DesignWA to shape this policy ... and then have your say.

Architecture is a second career for Michelle Blakeley. Here, she talks about the advantages of age, the influence of her former career, and the founding of an organisation to build homes for people experiencing homelessness.

It’s been a huge start to the year for the WA branch with two functions, an influx of new members and one new sponsor joining our community. Here’s a rundown of where we are at and where we are headed in 2021.

The ACA is delighted to announce the appointment of new WA Branch President Kukame McPierzie, who shares his first message for 2021. 

Our WA branch offers an overview of 2020, a glimpse of upcoming advocacy and activity in 2021, and some reflections from our retiring WA President Malcolm Jones and Committee stalwart, Leigh Robinson.

The WA Committee is excited to announce that our Christmas drinks are back on the rooftop of the Alex Hotel for another year!

Join the WA Committee and tech entrepreneur Bill Withers on 15 October to explore how to build a successful and sustainable business, through challenges and adversity.

The WA branch committee provides an advocacy update and is delighted to welcome three new committee members.

ACA – WA President Malcolm Jones reflects on JobKeeper, the flexible workplace, and the need for more resources for infrastructure of long-term benefit.

The WA branch is getting back into the swing of things, with an upcoming government meeting and the annual Business of Design lunch.

Highlights for 2020 for ACA - WA have been three successful online events and continued government advocacy.

COVID-19 disruption has been all-encompassing, but there are signs of innovation, community resilience and relationship building emerging all around us, observes Kate Fitzgerald of Fremantle-based Whispering Smith.

Join the ACA - WA's Business of Small Practice (BoSP) team and Line Paras from business support agency Counting Clouds on 22 April for a webinar on how to manage small business finance in a crisis.

TheFulcrum.Agency partner Emma Williamson explains how the consultancy is responding to COVID-19 and offers advice about how to proactively manage through a crisis while maintaining the cultural integrity of your practice.

Taylor Robinson Chaney Broderick (TRCB) has been trialling staff working from home for a number of weeks. Leigh Robinson generously shares details about how this is working, lessons learned, and the guidelines the practice has developed.

The ACA – WA Committee has a host of interesting events planned for 2020. Here’s a rundown. Keep an eye on your inboxes for more detailed invitations.

Our WA branch celebrated the end of the year with drinks at the rooftop bar of The Alex Hotel, with special guests and a broad range of members from all scales of practice.

The ACA - WA Committee invites all members to a casual breakfast on Thursday 6 February to celebrate the start of a new year in business.

The ACA – WA Committee offers an overview of 2019 and a glimpse of 2020’s upcoming initiatives.

The ACA - WA committee is proud to support a public forum organised by the WA chapter of Architects Declare that will debate how we as a profession might tackle the climate and ecological emergency.

The Business of Small Practice forum series is an initiative of the WA Committee of the ACA. It brings together architects to share insights about the behind the scenes functions of practice. The third BoSP event in Perth focused on Money Matters.

Join the ACA - WA on 31 May for an exclusive luncheon presentation on the Lacrosse Fire ruling and its implications for architects.

There was standing room only at the ACA's recent Data at Work event in Fremantle, which combined a presentation of Parlour's most recent Census Report with a panel discussion about future action and advocacy. Emma Brain reports.

Join the ACA - WA on Thursday 4 April for a panel discussion on the merits and pitfalls of joint ventures.

The ACA - WA recently held its second Business of Small Practice event, talking shares, trusts, asset protection and employee ownership.

Business courses, development programs and mentoring opportunities have helped motivate a reassessment and continual improvement approach for Rosalie Pech Eva.

Join ACA - WA and Cbus on 2 November for a 'Lunch and Learn' about mental health on site and in practice.

The ACA - WA’s first Business of Small Practice forum focused on the importance of the ‘connected economy’, with networking and relationships at its core, writes Rachael Bernstone.

The ACA is delighted to announce the appointment of Malcolm Jones as President of the WA branch.

ACA National President and WA Branch President Kieran Wong steps away from his leadership roles, and we thank him for all his passion and hard work.

A client focus and a reverence for place have been fundamental for Denmark firm PTX Architects.

An inquiry led by former under treasurer, John Langoulant, into recent WA state government projects and contracts has revealed gross incompetence and highlighted the need for a major reformation to current procurement processes.

The ACA Industry Discussion Paper on Procuring Architectural Services aims to provoke conversation and thought about the role procurement plays in the development of our cities and communities.