ARCHITECTS UNITE.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19734, 26 September 1929, Page 4

ARCHITECTS UNITE.

AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE FORMED

After negotiations lasting for several years, the Institutes of Architects in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, and Tasmania have founded a body which will be known as the Australian Institute of Architects.

It is hoped to obtain assent to the use of the prefix "royal." The new body will deal with all matters of inter-State concern. One immediate result is that the conditions of building contracts will be identical in all the participating States, as will be architects' fees, practice in regard to architectural competitions, and other similar matters. The honour of election as first president has fallen to Professor A. S. Hook, of the University of Sydney, who has been largely instrumental in bringing the long-drawn-out negotiations to a successful issue. The honorary registrar of the new body is Mr A. W. Anderson, of Sydney, the founder of the Federal Council of the Australian Institute of Architects which, after some 14 years' existence, has been I absorbed by the new Institute. The hon. secretary is Mr B. Richardson, of Sydney, and the hon. treasurer, Mr J. Aubrey Kerr, also of Sydney. The council comprises:—Messrs James Peddle (Sydney), W. A. M. Blackett, and j P. A. Oakley (Melbourne), L. L. Powell and J. V. D. Coutts (Brisbane), G. St. J. Makin and P. E. Claridge (Adelaide), and A. T. Johnston and E. S. Smith (Hobart). The inauguration of the Institute will take place in Melbourne as aoon as the formalities associated with the incorporation are completed. Commenting on the new development, the "Brisbane Courier" states:—To architects themselves this evens is of great importance; for in many matters of professional action the Institute will be as a law-giver. The value of the Institute to the general public may not at first sight seem to be very great, yet it is clear that when a profession, to which so much of the comfort of every* day life is due, organises itself at the top the good effects must at last reach the ordinary citizen. It will doubtless be found as time goes on that the Institute will give encouragement to the inventiveness of our architects. In Queensland especially there is need for a rich inventiveness on the part of architects. In many parts of the State the architect, when he is employed, must deal with tropical conditions. Now, in other parts of the world, the architecture shows that the climate and other local conditions have been thoroughly studied. When, in the tropical parts of Queensland, the architect has not been consulted the result is usually just four walls, a roof, and—nothing more. The quality of the work' done by our architects, as shown in the buildings that now grace our principal cities and towns, indicates that in the midst of us there is the ability to design for all parts of the State typeß of houses that would be comfortable, attractive, and cheap. Monotony in design will kill any city's reputation, and there is no denying that monotony is a characteristic of too many parts of this city. That is not the fault of the architect; he has had comparatively little chance to show how greatly he oould have improved matters. Too often the plan is drafted by somebody without any architectural training, and frequently the owner thinks he knows more than the architect. But the day of the architect is coming. Beauty, utility, and health demand it.