Australian Institute of Architects facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Australian Institute of Architects

AIA National and Victoria Chapter Offices, corner of Exhibition Street and Flinders Lane, Melbourne by Lyons Architects 2014
Abbreviation	RAIA
Formation	6 September 1929; 95 years ago (6 September 1929)
Legal status	Professional body; members association
Headquarters	Level 1, 41 Exhibition Street, Melbourne
Location	Melbourne
Region	Australia
Fields	Architecture
Membership (2022)	13,798 individual, 1925 A+ practices
CEO	Prof. Cameron Bruhn
President	Stuart Tanner
Subsidiaries	NSW Chapter VIC Chapter QLD Chapter SA Chapter WA Chapter TAS Chapter NT Chapter ACT Chapter
Affiliations	International Union of Architects
Website	Architecture.com.au

The Australian Institute of Architects, also known as the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (or RAIA), is the main group for architects in Australia. It helps architects do their jobs well. Members of the Institute can use special letters after their names, like FRAIA for Fellows and RAIA for other members.

This Institute supports about 14,000 members across Australia. It also helps around 550 Australian architects who work in 40 different countries. There are also special groups for students (SONA) and for architects who have graduated in the last 15 years (EmAGN).

History

How it Started: State Groups

Before the big national group, different parts of Australia (which were called "colonies" back then, and are now "states") had their own groups for architects.

For example, the Royal Victorian Institute of Architects (RVIA) started in Victoria in 1856. It even got a special "royal charter" in 1889. South Australia's group began in 1886, and New South Wales had one from 1871. Queensland's group started in 1888, and Western Australia's in 1896.

1929: The National Institute is Born

On 6 September 1929, all these different state groups decided to join together. They formed one big national group called the Australian Institute of Architects. The Victorian group (RVIA) was one of the first to join.

Then, on 18 August 1930, the King gave the group permission to use the word "Royal" in its name. So, it became the Royal Australian Institute of Architects. Other states joined later, like Queensland in 1930 and Western Australia in 1943. South Australia joined in 1962.

The main office for the Institute used to be in Canberra. It was in a building designed in 1968. Today, that building is still used by the ACT (Australian Capital Territory) Chapter.

In 2008, the Institute decided to keep using "Australian Institute of Architects" for everyday use. But its official legal name is still "Royal Australian Institute of Architects".

What the Institute Does

The main goal of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects is to support and improve the architecture profession. It works to make sure buildings are well-designed and good for the environment.

The Institute works with many government and industry groups. It is also connected to the International Union of Architects (UIA), which is a worldwide group for architects.

The Institute has smaller groups, called "chapters," in each state and territory. These chapters hold events, activities, and yearly awards for architecture in their local areas. These local awards then lead to the national awards.

National Awards and Prizes

The Institute gives out special awards every year to celebrate amazing architecture. These are called the National Architecture Awards and have been given since 1981. Some of the awards are named after famous architects or important people.

Some of the main awards include:

• Sir Zelman Cowen Award for Public Architecture (for public buildings)
• Robin Boyd Award for Residential Architecture, Houses (New) (for new homes)
• Lachlan Macquarie Award for Heritage (for old buildings that have been kept or updated)
• Harry Seidler Award for Commercial Architecture (for business buildings)
• Walter Burley Griffin Award for Urban Design (for planning cities and towns)
• Jørn Utzon Award for International Architecture (for projects outside Australia)
• David Oppenheim Award for Sustainable Architecture (for buildings that are good for the environment)
• National Award for Enduring Architecture (for buildings that have been important for a long time)

The Institute also gives out special individual prizes:

• AIA Gold Medal: This is the highest award an individual architect can receive in Australia. It has been given out every year since 1960.
• Paula Whitman Leadership in Gender Equity Prize: This award celebrates architects who help make the architecture world fairer for everyone, especially women.
• National Emerging Architect Prize: This prize is for new architects who are doing great work in design, teaching, or helping their community.
• National President's Prize: This award is for people who have helped architecture in important ways, even if they aren't architects themselves. Past winners include people who advocate for good design in cities or write about architecture.

State and Territory Architecture Awards

Each state and territory chapter of the Institute also holds its own yearly awards. These awards celebrate the best architecture in their local area.

For example, in the Australian Capital Territory, they have the Canberra Medallion. New South Wales has the NSW Architecture Medallion and the famous Sir John Sulman Medal. Victoria has the Victorian Architecture Medal. Each state has many different awards for various types of buildings, like houses, public buildings, and sustainable designs.

Regional Architecture Awards

Besides the state awards, some regions within states also have their own architecture awards. For example, in New South Wales, there are awards for the Newcastle area and for the wider country regions. In Queensland, there are awards for Central Queensland, Greater Brisbane, and other regions. These awards help celebrate local talent and great design in specific areas.

Coat of Arms

Arms of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects

Notes In May 1953, the Federal Executive Council of RAIA resolved to seek the design of a coat of arms. The final design was Granted by the Kings of Arms, of the College of Arms. Adopted 28 September 1956 Escutcheon Per fesse Azure and Or masoned Sable, issuant from the fesse point a rising Sun Gold, overall an Ionic Column Gules. Supporters On either side a Kangaroo proper, collard and chained Or. Compartment A field of Grass Vert. Motto Latin: Artem Promovemus Una ("United we advance architecture") Symbolism In 1927 the Federal Council of Australian Institutes of Architects adopted a design for the seal of the proposed Federal Institute by two Tasmanian architects, Alan Cameron Walker and Archibald Thomas Johnston, that was based upon the seal of the Royal Institute of British Architects, using kangaroos instead of lions and a rising sun in the shield. The coat of arms granted by the College of Arms in 1956 was based upon this seal, as have all subsequent institute logos and badges, with the most recent version of the logo adopted in 2008. The Latin motto was originally adopted at the suggestion of Victorian architect, William Arthur Mordey Blackett, at the 1928 Conference of the Federal Council of Australian Institutes of Architects, which discussed the establishment of the federal institute, with the motto's original translation given as "We advance our Art together". In a 1951 edition of the Institute Journal, Architecture, the RAIA President, Cobden Parkes, explained further on the motto and its meaning: The Institute motto, "Artem promovemus una", literally translated, means something like "Together we advance the profession". More subjectively it is construed in the first tenet of the Memorandum of Association of the Institute as "the advancement of architecture"; for when it speaks of a profession, our motto obviously means that of architecture.

The Royal Australian Institute of Architects has its own special coat of arms. This design was officially approved in 1956. It includes symbols that represent Australia and architecture.

The shield on the coat of arms shows a rising sun and an Ionic column, which is a type of classical architectural column. On either side of the shield, there are kangaroos, which are a symbol of Australia.

The motto, written in Latin, is "Artem Promovemus Una". This means "United we advance architecture" or "Together we advance our Art." It shows that the Institute believes in working together to improve architecture.

Images for kids

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  RAIA President's Award for Recycled Buildings 1985, Wharf Theatre, Walsh Bay, Sydney