Members Hitting Milestones in NSW/ACT
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.
To celebrate this milestone, we asked each member to reflect on the value of their ACA membership through the decades, and to offer input into what we should be doing in the future. Here’s a snapshot of what they had to say.
Steve Kennedy, Kennedy & Associates (and former National President, ACA)
(pictured above)
Location: Annandale, NSW
Member since 1995
How many staff do you have, and how many did you have when you joined the ACA?
3 then, 20 now.
Why did you initially join the ACA?
Because I was setting up a practice, with no real network, and was looking for relevant advice on how to manage the business side of my work. The ACA NSW newsletter at that time was a very valuable source of information that assisted me in understanding what I was taking on and gave me contact with other businesses.
How have you seen the ACA change and grow?
The ACA has changed profoundly over the years I have been involved with it. When I first joined, it was a somewhat parochial and branch-focused organisation, with a limited scope of activities and almost no national presence. Over the 25 years I have been a member, and particularly the last 15, it has evolved as the respected national voice for the business of architecture throughout Australia.
What are the benefits of ACA membership?
There is a constant focus on proactively raising and addressing current issues and ensuring members are well informed. The work the ACA does on the Award and other legislative issues is critical. It has also been a very good voice in advocating for and promoting good work practices within the industry. The newsletter and CPD programs are excellent, as are the tools, surveys and resources it provides.
What initiatives would you like to see the ACA pursue?
The holy grail of any organisation is to not only provide relevant information to its members but also to be heard by, and influence those with real power, especially government at ministerial level.
The biggest challenge for the architectural industry in Australia remains achieving a much greater public appreciation and respect for the importance of architects to the Australian economy. All our issues relating to fees and recognition stem from that lack of understanding or appreciation.
The ACA has done a very good job in this area but, as its membership and constituency grows, it has both the opportunity and responsibility to create more opportunities to be heard and influence change.
Nick Katris, Katris Architects
Location: Burwood, NSW
Member since 1991
Why did you initially join the ACA?
At the time, there was no Architects Award, and we were served with a Notice from APESMA … which is now Professionals Australia, but at the time was essentially a union that wanted to establish an Award for architects. I believe 100 small business firms were served with the same notice and we had to get representation to appear before the Industrial Arbitrator at the time. I don’t remember what it was called then. The ACA came to our rescue and did some good work in representing us, which helped to establish an Award that appeared to be fair and sensible.
How have you seen the ACA change and grow?
Over the years it has expanded from being a small operation with very few staff and few resources – but I must admit, the persons that we could turn to were very knowledgeable and very competent in the advice that was given. It now provides many more services to our small business, and it obviously has access to more resources, which in turn benefits us as members.
Simon Parsons, PTW
Location: Sydney, NSW (plus offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City)
Member since 1987
How many staff do you have, and how many did you have when you joined the ACA?
Current
Sydney 104
Vietnam 106
China 78
1987 100 staff (approximately)
How have you seen the ACA change and grow?
We’ve seen the ACA evolve to not just be concerned with architecture and the built environment but to embrace the all-important broader issues around mental wellbeing, equality and diversity.
What are the benefits of ACA membership?
The ACA has always been inclusive of a diverse group of members to share their views and perspectives.
What initiatives would you like to see the ACA pursue?
It’s always insightful to hear more about new models of practice and the future of the profession.
Eric Martin, Eric Martin & Associates
Location: Kingston, ACT
Member since 1997
Why did you initially join the ACA?
We joined as a benefit of the business, especially given the potential loss of recognition of architects by other pressure groups in the 1990s. We hoped the ACA would be a group that would look after the interests of architects.
What are the benefits of ACA membership?
Access to information on running a business of architecture, and the diversity of CPD. Also, representing architects to government.
Peter Phillips, Orwell and Peter Phillips
Location: Sydney NSW
Member since 1991
Why did you initially join the ACA?
My father, who was a sole practitioner before I joined the practice in 1981, was a member of one of the NSW Practising Architects Groups that evolved into the ACA, so it was a logical progression to join.
How have you seen the ACA change and grow?
I have seen ACA grow from an organisation mainly focused on employer architects to one with a much broader scope, including client relations, professional development and architects’ welfare.
What initiatives would you like to see the ACA pursue?
I am generally happy with what ACA is doing for me as a member. I would like to see a firm focus on climate change and the benefits of adapting and reusing existing buildings to conserve embodied carbon.
SQC Group
Location: Bruce, ACT
Member since 1999
Why did you initially join the ACA?
There was a Union push in the late 1990s (with an ambit claim) seeking exorbitant entitlements for employees under the draft Architects Award. There needed to be representation of employers interest, which the RAIA would not fill. The ACA accepted this role and I joined to participate in seeking a fair outcome for all parties in the new Award. This was achieved and our practice was named as a co-joined employer under the terms of the industrial outcome.
How have you seen the ACA change and grow?
The ACA has remained a peak body representing the interests of employers, from its inception in the late 1980s to today. It grew in prominence through industrial matters, including workplace conditions and Award negotiations. In addition to its IR platform, the ACA is the go-to association for advice on the “business of architecture” and has increased the available resources and contemporary advice to members, including CPD webinars.
What initiatives would you like to see the ACA pursue?
I don’t think the ACA should try to be a competitor with the AIA. It should continue to be an excellent collaborator from a business and employer point of view.
Perhaps one area where I see opportunity: Current architectural education seems to contribute very little to the business side of architectural training. As an employer, and from a business point of view, I see that there would be great advantage if graduates came out with a stronger business sense in association with their design expertise. The ACA could make a substantial contribution in this space.
Rolfe Chrystal, Architects of Arcadia
Location: Arcadia, NSW
Member since 1991
How many staff do you have, and how many did you have when you joined the ACA?
I am a sole practitioner architect; my wife Fiona Robbé is a Landscape Architect with a couple of staff members (1 Architect and 1 Industrial Designer) together with some part time admin staff. When we joined I was in a partnership, Whitelaw & Chrystal Pty Ltd (Stuart has since retired). We had 1 member of staff. We are Architects of Arcadia Pty Ltd now.
Why did you initially join the ACA?
To get an alternative view to the RAIA and to see what the ACA could offer!
What are the benefits of ACA membership?
Webinars, guides for running a practice, industrial awards, and ability to learn and gain CPD points, have all been added to the excellent documentation available.
PARAGRID
Location: Annandale, NSW
Member since 1996
Why did you initially join the ACA?
It was refreshing to meet like-minded architects who just wanted to get things done!
How have you seen the ACA change and grow?
From being a loose collection of state bodies with a very limited membership to a much stronger federal organisation with a dedicated staff and support team. The ACA is still dedicated to its original aims of dealing with the business of architecture.
What are the benefits of ACA membership?
Being able to discuss issues and solutions and to have these distributed to members promptly – eg, the ACA Short Form Client Architect Agreement, the amendments of standard building contracts to allow normal progress claims, Covid contractual issues etc.
What initiatives would you like to see the ACA pursue?
- Organise better links with country members;
- Research workloads for various forms of work, setting up benchmarks for typical projects;
- A marketing campaign for an architect’s referral service for the general public and also aimed at specific authorities (eg, LGAs, schools, real estate agents);
- Set up a business program for new architectural studios to ensure their business success (like an MBA program for Architects);
- Offer a mentor scheme for new registered architects when they join ACA; and
- ACA should immediately share next week’s lotto numbers with its members!