The Business of Architecture*

Kerstin Thompson’s recent presentation for the ACA - SA was a thoughtful reflection on the business of design, busting some stubborn myths about architectural practice, and emphasising the need to balance design quality with business practice excellence, financial strength, thriving people and workplace health.

Architects and building certifiers found much common ground at a recent roundtable discussion in South Australia. Mario Dreosti reviews the main points, including the current appetite for increased speed and reduced cost over quality, and the importance of professional culture in effecting change.

Is reintroducing fee scales and further regulation the solution to fee slashing and ‘the race for the bottom’ among architects? Is this really feasible in a world of increasing globalisation and diversification of service providers? Ceilidh Higgins considers other options.

Broadening the procurement process to consider the value of good design brings economic benefits to the state, argues SA Industry Advocate Ian Nightingale.

Peter Barda argues that BIM offers a way for architects to regain their role as trusted advisor.