1970-01-01
ACA President’s Comment
Better procurement practices will support building quality, but also healthier, safer work practices for a wide range of people in the construction industry, says John Held.
1970-01-01
ACA President’s Comment – July 2020
ACA President John Held reflects on the need for a finer-grained approach to stimulus, and the importance of being active and assertive in creating a post-pandemic future.
1970-01-01
ACA President’s Comment – June 2020
As we release the preliminary findings of our third Pulse Check Survey, John Held explores the key issues in the profession, from workflow to JobKeeper, from stimulus to flexibility and the future of work.
1970-01-01
The Power of Sharing Stories
ACA National President John Held invites members to share their stories, views and impressions on how to create better places to live, work and be.
1970-01-01
ACA President’s Comment – March 2020
As architectural practices face uncertain futures in the time of COVID-19, ACA National President John Held discusses the importance of sharing stories, ideas, and love and consideration for each other.
1970-01-01
ACA President’s Comment – February 2020
As disaster strikes, John Held discusses the importance of sharing knowledge and experiences, and the broader role of the architect in society.
1970-01-01
When Will Architects Be in the Firing Line?
Every day a new story hits the headlines outlining a case of workplace exploitation and underpayment. John Held ponders when architecture’s long hours culture will hit the front pages, and what the ACA can do to help ensure we have fair and efficient businesses.
1970-01-01
A Question of Standards
With the high cost of accessing Australian Standards, how can we expect high levels of compliance in the building industry? Easy access to clear, understandable Standards must be a priority, argues John Held.
1970-01-01
How Can Architects Take Action?
As governments tackle systemic issues in the building industry, John Held outlines some of the ways that architects can make an impact.
1970-01-01
What Keeps Architects Awake at Night?
How do we ensure our profession remains relevant and vibrant? John Held draws threads through the many issues facing architecture and the construction industry, and asks how can we support each other as we face the future.
1970-01-01
ACA President's Comment – April 2019
In light of the release of the Building Confidence Implementation Plan, ACA National President John Held revisits the recent history of regulation in the Australian construction industry and the challenge of timely reform and coordination between all states and territories.
1970-01-01
President's Report - April 2019
National President John Held discusses long hours, unpaid internships and the value in getting involved.
1970-01-01
Building Commissioner Auditing Not Enough
The NSW Government announcement of a new Building Commissioner to audit building design and construction does not go far enough. Government needs to investigate the construction contracting methods, relationships and behaviours that affect building quality and safety.
1970-01-01
John Held, New ACA National President
John Held, long-time ACA - SA President, is the new ACA National President. He introduces himself and plans for the future.
1970-01-01
Building Confidence
John Held provides an overview on recent discussions at the COAG Building Ministers Forum regarding the Shergold-Weir Report, Building Confidence.
1970-01-01
Fee Redemption: A mutually assured future
The conversation about fees is taking off across social media. John Held argues that many of the contemporary problems facing architects derive from unpriced risk, and that nationwide research and smarter business practices are part of the solution.
1970-01-01
Building Confidence: The Shergold-Weir Report and its Implications for Architects
The Shergold-Weir Report argues for better quality documentation and improved oversight. ACA - SA President John Held digs down to see what the recommendations might mean for architects.
1970-01-01
A Year of Highlights for ACA - SA
This year has been a busy one for ACA - SA, with increased membership and plenty of new initiatives for research, advocacy and engagement.
1970-01-01
ACA - SA November Update
There is a real opportunity to work on the new 'design-led' schools program in South Australia. John Held explains - and how ACA can help.
1970-01-01
News from SA - August
30 years of ACA - SA. John Held outlines current work, and reviews the last year of advocacy and action.
1970-01-01
Step Up, Don’t Step Back
John Held argues that stepping up to the small stuff is also the path to improving the profession's wider role in society.
1970-01-01
What Does the 2017 Federal Budget Mean for Architects?
John Held reflects on the findings of the 2017 ACA Federal Budget Impact Survey.
1970-01-01
May News from SA
ACA - SA is forging ahead with advocacy around the procrement of STEM works and proposed changes to government contracts.
1970-01-01
News from ACA - SA
The ACA - SA's latest update features a strong program of events and advocacy for 2017.
1970-01-01
Research in Practice
John Held reflects on conjunctions of research and practice in a talk presented at the Australian Institute of Architects Flipped Forum, which asked ‘Can practice lead research?’
1970-01-01
1970-01-01
Learning Environment Opportunity Study
ACA - SA has been working closely with the SA Department of Education and Child Development to introduce a new type of planning study for schools.
1970-01-01
SA 2016: A year in review
President John Held reports on a busy year for ACA in South Australia. Membership has risen, there’s generally a better vibe about the amount of work around.
1970-01-01
1970-01-01
Give SA graduates a chance!
South Australia produces some great architecture graduates. ACA - SA argues that they should also have the chance to design buildings for their universities as they proceed with their careers.
1970-01-01
Local Content
Specifying local content is important to South Australia's economy. A recent ACA - SA Round Table explored the issue with Industry Participation Advocate Ian Nightingale.
1970-01-01
ACA - SA 2016 President's Report
It’s been another busy year for the SA branch of the ACA. Membership has increased and feedback is positive.
1970-01-01
What Does the 2016 Federal Budget Mean For Architects?
The 2016 Budget Impact Survey indicates a fairly neutral overall response to the 2016 Federal Budget by architectural practices. The good news is that a over half of respondents are busier than last year, although not all are more profitable. John Held considers the findings.
1970-01-01
ACA - SA March 2016
Procurement, research, registration and roundtables - a brief update on a very active month at ACA - SA.
1970-01-01
ACA - SA December Update
The last SA update for 2015. (Have you done the State of the Profession Survey yet?)
1970-01-01
1970-01-01
What does the 2015 Federal Budget mean for architecture?
The message from the 2015 Federal Budget Impact Survey is clear - some short-term gains for some, but few long terms benefits.
1970-01-01
1970-01-01
The Gap Between Authority and Expertise - BIM and Government Procurement
John Held reflects on the importance of the educated government client and architects who have a sophisticated understanding of the client organisation.
1970-01-01
Improving Government Procurement in South Australia
ACA - SA is on the front foot with changes in government procurement - a report on the recent DPTI priorities survey.
1970-01-01
Deskilling and Reskilling
John Held reflects on deskilling and reskilling in the profession. Have architects lost the role of ‘trusted advisor’? What do low registration rates mean and what skills do we need to be effective in the future?
1970-01-01
Do We Need a Construction Happiness Index?
John Held on happiness, mental health and the construction industry.
1970-01-01
July Update
It is always busy at ACA - SA. John Held outlines recent events and activities.
1970-01-01
SA President’s Report, 2013 - 2014
John Held, ACA - SA President, reports on the previous year and on plans for the future.
1970-01-01
I've Looked at Clouds From Both Sides Now ...
John Held considers the opportunities and costs of cloud computing in small practice.
1970-01-01
Celebrating 50 years of ACA - SA
ACA - SA celebrates 50 years with an event at the SA Architecture Museum.
1970-01-01
ACA - SA Advocacy - February update
ACA - SA has kicked off 2014 with energy and enthusiasm. John Held provides an update on recent advocacy and initiatives.
1970-01-01
SA Workplace Health & Safety Working Group
A new working group in South Australia aims to rationalise the work health and safety material presented to architects.
1970-01-01
1970-01-01
Australian Construction Industry Forum Update
John Held provides an update on recent ACIF activities.