The Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA)
The RAIA is the peak body for the architectural profession, representing more than 9000 members across Australia and overseas. The RAIA actively works to improve the quality of our built environment by promoting quality, responsible and sustainable design, representing more than 9,000 members across Australia and overseas.
The RAIA has a National Environment Committee as well as an environment committee in each of its state & territory chapters. These committees constantly review issues of relevance to the profession and sustainability issues in their jurisdiction, and advise their national / chapter body accordingly.
The RAIA has been a part of initiatives to bring the concern for a sustainable built environment to government through the Built Environment Meets Parliament held for the first time in 2007. Submissions to government are frequently made on issues that concern the environment at both state & federal level. As well government organisations frequently invite comment from the RAIA as a peak professional body, which allow the RAIA to further advocate for a sustainable built environment.
Awards
Publications
Events
Research
Reducing environmental footprint
Potential offsetting strategies for carbon emissions
Awards that encourage and/or recognises sustainable behaviour in the built environment?
The RAIA National Architecture Awards have been held annually since 1981. These Awards are the most prestigious in the design and construction industry, and have had a significant influence on trends in architectural design. Sustainable architecture is an award category, honouring design that incorporates sustainable design principles.
The annual awards program commences at state/territory level. Selected projects of excellence which become state finalists and/or award recipients move into contention for the National Architecture Awards.
Publications that encourage and/or recognises sustainable behaviour in the built environment?
On behalf of the Built Environment Design Professionals (BEDP), the RAIA publishes the Environment Design Guide on all aspects of design, for the development of ecologically sustainable projects. An impeccably researched and presented resource, the award-winning EDG is a subscription-based quarterly specifically for built environment professionals.
Architecture Media is an associate company of the RAIA, publishing a number of print magazines and online information covering architecture, landscape architecture, interior architecture, design and building products & services.
The RAIA has been involved in many initiatives for a more sustainable built environment including input into the Australian Greenhouse Office’s resources: Your Home, Your Building and Your Development.
Events provide (or sponsor) that promotes new learning in the built environment?
Continuum is the RAIA’s web-based portal to quality continuing professional development. Architects and related industry professionals can access online training across a spectrum of topics, including sustainable architecture for different climate zones and integrated water services.
Refuel is the brand of the RAIA’s continuing professional development program, a bi-monthly national seminar series delivered in eight cities around the country. Additional to these, there are continuing professional development events held in each of the state/territory chapters which frequently address sustainability issues.
Archicentre is the RAIA’s building advisory service, offering architectural services to new home buyers, new home builders and renovators. Archicentre distributes free technical advice across the country through property inspections, the Architect’s Advice line and a series of homebuyer seminars held in most states.
Recent research regarding sustainability in the built environment?
The above mentioned BEDP Environment Design Guide constantly documents new & existing research knowledge on the built environment. Case studies that critique built projects are regularly added, allowing for valuable learning in the refinement of existing practices.
The RAIA has been a part of the ARIES project that is researching ways to equip built environment professionals to deal with climate change.
In order to understand its members and their attitude to the RAIA, member surveys are regularly conducted, which include questions about sustainability.
Reducing environmental footprint (office, travel, internal communications etc.)
Initiatives are variable across the various RAIA offices. Paper use is minimised, with online communications preferred for most communications. Offices are in various stages of refurbishment to ensure appropriateness of materials and minimisation of energy usage. 5-star green star performance is targeted. Interstate meetings are held via teleconference or video conference rather than in person, wherever practical.
In order to decide to make such a move, a study of the impact on the organisation is required. Such a study has not been commissioned.
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