September 2009
| President’s Message |
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Dear Members and Sponsors
There has been a huge amount of contact, gatherings and conversations since the last report – with high visitation and involvement by members and our sponsors.
The AILA design Salons have taken us to the workplaces of Jane Irwin, Oculus, Aspect, McGregor Coxall, and Kiah Infranet, where we have seen a significant depth of work spanning all scales, sectors, and levels of success. The outcome of these events is living up to the ambition – which is to get inside contemporary practice, and learn from the current projects that our colleagues are undertaking (in a suitably informal way). The next workshop is at 360° on Wednesday 21 October.
The recent sustainability workshop held at the Park at the Former Water Police Site and Ballast Point Park had over 85 people in attendance to get an insight in to the water sensitive urban design and recycling initiatives in these two recent Sydney Parks.
The first President’s lunch was held recently – with Bruce Mackenzie as the guest of honour to welcome our new AILA members. Bruce’s message was an optimistic and reflective one about the value of collegiality and relationships which have sustained his personal and professional life over the last 40 years.
Public space and politics have been at the fore in our media in recent months with a focus on Sydney Olympic Park and the V8 - and its greater legacy as we lead up to the 10th anniversary of the Green Games, Barangaroo - and the public conversation about Keating’s vision for the site and its contrast with the winning master plan scheme of Hill Thallis/Berkemeier and Irwin, and last but not least the call for comments on the Bays Precinct.
AILA’s chair of Urban Design Helen Mansfield recently coordinated a round table workshop of Landscape Architects, Architects and Planners, the aim of which is to produce a coordinated response from the three institutes to SHFA to ensure that the public realm and the social, infrastructural, and environmental issues around it are considered as the primary components of any future development brief.
If you wish to be involved in this or any other of AILA’s initiatives please step forward.
Finally I look forward to seeing you at any or all of the up and coming workshops, Salons, and talks, and events.
Also keep an eye out for AILA’s involvement in the Sydney Architecture Festival, and By George hidden networks as a part of the City of Sydney’s Art and About festival.
Best Regards
Sacha Coles
