RAA is known for its distinctive in person events, which reflect the true diversity of regional practice as well as its relevant and informative online CPD sessions.

Shoalhaven River - Corroboree led by Ghadungal Marring - Dharawal Country - Image: Tom Roe

RAA In Person Events

RAA ‘s in person events encompass so much more than architects talking to other architects. The problems and issues faced by regional practitioners are distinct from those of our city colleagues and RAA events act as forums for discussion and engagement as more and more people seek a lifestyle away from urban centres. These events set out to inspire, showcasing how architecture can truly benefit and engage regional communities and culture, whilst also contributing to the local economies where they take place.

The main day for a RAA event is always on a Friday, with fringe events taking place on the Thursday and Saturday either side.

All events cover formal CPD with performance criteria being addressed from the AACA National Standard of Competency for Architects 2021.

RAA events are open to associated disciplines and interested community members as well as RAA members.

RAA Online Events

RAA’s series of regular online events are hosted by fellow members, industry experts and others and are planned around current and relevant issues based on member input. All events cover formal CPD with performance criteria being addressed from the AACA National Standard of Competency for Architects 2021.

RAA Commitment

In support of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, the Regional Architecture Association remains dedicated to providing education around First Nations building practices. The organisation is seeking to establish itself as a leader in its commitment to First Nations deep understanding of Country and how this can inspire and inform regional architects. The organisation acknowledges our Traditional Custodians hold enduring knowledge about our flora and fauna and where we should live and therefore build. There is a lot to be gained by seeking to better understand the land we inhabit.

 

Upcoming Events

RAA Events
RAA In Detail – DBP Act Overview and the Importance of Collaboration with Industry Suppliers- AWS
May 15
RAA In Detail – DBP Act Overview and the Importance of Collaboration with Industry Suppliers- AWS

NOTE DATE CHANGE TO 15TH MAY
This session will present an overview of the importance of collaboration between practitioners and industry suppliers, in this case aluminium windows, door and facades.

RAA In Practice - Wandering with Intent - Bobbie Bayley & Owen Kelly
May 29
RAA In Practice - Wandering with Intent - Bobbie Bayley & Owen Kelly

Bobbie & Owen’s story begins with two pushbikes, Australia's latitude 25 and student naivety as they set out to find Australia’s architecture in 2017. That was the start of Dogspike aka. The Grand Section as they filled gaps in their knowledge through full immersion. Holes in knowledge have been launching pads for inquiry, each question below is one of these starting points... and it is just starting to get real spicy after having moved to Mparntwe, central Australia in 2023. Things are heating up...

CENTRED - making space for community
Jun 13
CENTRED - making space for community

While regional practices may be physically removed from each other, they often face shared challenges. CENTRED is an event to bring them together in beautiful coastal Yamba. There we will discuss how we can influence, advocate and shape the spaces centred in our communities.

RAA In Practice | Beaumaris Modern with Fiona Austin & Wilko Doehring
Jul 24
RAA In Practice | Beaumaris Modern with Fiona Austin & Wilko Doehring

Beaumaris is a bayside suburb of Melbourne about 20km from the city centre known for its mid century architecture. Beaumaris Modern is a not for profit community group that was started in 2017 with the aim of celebrating, educating about and promoting the area’s mid-century architecture.

EARLY BIRD TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE FOR RAA’S WINTER EVENT - ‘CENTRED’ WILL TAKE PLACE IN YAMBA 13-15TH JUNE 2024 - JOIN US! more information here.

DETAILS COMING SOON FOR OUR SPRING EVENT IN THE BLUE MOUNTAINS 19-21ST SEPTEMBER 2024.

Past Online Events

RAA Events
RAA In Detail – Deemed to Satisfy Compliant Level Entry Thresholds - Stormtech
May 1
RAA In Detail – Deemed to Satisfy Compliant Level Entry Thresholds - Stormtech

As with all aspects of the construction sector, the specification of level entry thresholds in Australia involves compliance with the National Construction Code (NCC). As is also standard, compliance of these products can involve either Performance Solutions (which vary according to the specific job) or the more prescriptive and standardised Deemed-to-Satisfy (DTS) solutions.

RAA In Practice |  MiCRO online lead up event | modular & tiny homes - the successes & challenges | Jackson Dannock of Made by Bare with Brent Dunn of TAKT Studio for Architecture
Mar 6
RAA In Practice |  MiCRO online lead up event | modular & tiny homes - the successes & challenges | Jackson Dannock of Made by Bare with Brent Dunn of TAKT Studio for Architecture

As we get even closer to the MiCRO event in Mudgee, this is the second of two related online events, expanding further on the rather large subject of all things MiCRO. This second session unpacks the trials and triumphs of modular building and tiny homes based on the extensive experience of Jackson Dannock of Made by Bare and Brent Dunn of TAKT Studio for Architecture.

RAA In Practice | MiCRO online lead up event | experiencing regional practice with Cameron Anderson and Sarah Aldridge
Feb 21
RAA In Practice | MiCRO online lead up event | experiencing regional practice with Cameron Anderson and Sarah Aldridge

As we get close to the MiCRO event in Mudgee, there will be two related online events, expanding further on the rather large subject of all things MiCRO. The first of these will unpack small scale regional practice, concentrating on a hybrid / remote working model.

RAA In Practice - Trent Jansen discusses Ngumu Janka Warnti (all made from rubbish), a collaborative project with Nyikina man Johnny Nargoodah 
Feb 7
RAA In Practice - Trent Jansen discusses Ngumu Janka Warnti (all made from rubbish), a collaborative project with Nyikina man Johnny Nargoodah 

Trent is a frequent collaborator with indigenous creators due to his immense respect for cultural heritage. In this session, Trent will speak about the project he undertook with Nyikina man Johnny Nargoodah ‘Ngumu Janka Warnti (all made from rubbish)’.

RAA In Detail – American Hardwoods: Specifying with Confidence – presented by Roderick Wiles, AHEC Director: Africa, Middle East, India & Oceania
Dec 6
RAA In Detail – American Hardwoods: Specifying with Confidence – presented by Roderick Wiles, AHEC Director: Africa, Middle East, India & Oceania

The aim of this presentation is to give architects and designers an understanding of where American hardwoods come from, what they are, what their environmental credentials and impact are and how to use them and specify them realistically.

RAA In Detail – Fundamentals of Polycarbonate Building Materials and Compliance Issues – Danpal
Nov 29
RAA In Detail – Fundamentals of Polycarbonate Building Materials and Compliance Issues – Danpal

This CPD runs for approximately 1 hour, including time for Q&A, and will be hosted by Jeff Trevarthen, Danpal’s NSW/ACT Specification Consultant. Learning outcomes are: PC12, PC39 and PC45.

RAA Masterclass - Procurement from small/medium practice-based perspective - Chris Bresler & Kerry Ioulianou - Lander & Rogers
Nov 2
RAA Masterclass - Procurement from small/medium practice-based perspective - Chris Bresler & Kerry Ioulianou - Lander & Rogers

In collaboration with acclaimed legal firm Lander & Rogers, this exclusive event is designed to empower you with the knowledge and tools to navigate complex risk scenarios.

RAA In Practice – IP and Architecture with Marina Olsen and Dougal Phillips of Banki Haddock Fiora
Jul 12
RAA In Practice – IP and Architecture with Marina Olsen and Dougal Phillips of Banki Haddock Fiora
RAA In Practice – NSW Security of Payment Legislation and Architectural Services – John Goggins – Integrated Engineering Systems Wednesday 28th June 1pm-2pm
Jun 28
RAA In Practice – NSW Security of Payment Legislation and Architectural Services – John Goggins – Integrated Engineering Systems Wednesday 28th June 1pm-2pm

This presentation will summarise fundamental statutory payment entitlements and obligations of those providing architectural (and related) services within the NSW building (including residential) and construction industry. Circumstances where architects are “the payee” and “the payer” will be explored.

RAA In Practice – Copyright, Commissioning & Publishing Architectural Photography with Ben Guthrie
May 31
RAA In Practice – Copyright, Commissioning & Publishing Architectural Photography with Ben Guthrie

Ben Guthrie of Image Makers Association Australia discusses best practice agreements between architects and photographers.

Past In Person Events

News
LIGHT - the essence of architecture - event wrap fIlm by Timothy Birch
LIGHT - the essence of architecture - event wrap fIlm by Timothy Birch

Bark Architects founders Lindy Atkin and Stephen Guthrie hosted the inaugural Queensland event for the Regional Architecture Association, 'Light- the essence of architecture.'

Taking place in July 2023 in Noosa, ‘Light’ coincided with 25 years of their practice and was held on Gubbi Gubbi / Kabi Kabi Country at their adaptive reuse 'Art Room' project and Studio.

‘Light’ set out to inspire and explored the allure of creating lightness in architectural design, with eight practitioners sharing their personal perspectives, focussing on evocative space, lighter footprints on the land, and the agility of regional practice.

In the spirit of creating community through architecture, ‘Light’ also offered fringe activities like yoga, art, photography, music, and exploring Sunshine Coast houses.

BEGINNINGS - First Peoples’ Architecture - event wrap by RAA president Tim Lee
BEGINNINGS - First Peoples’ Architecture - event wrap by RAA president Tim Lee

BEGINNINGS was an exploration of First Nations culture and customs through a series of yarning circles and workshops, curated by Renee McGuinn and Wes Hindmarsh in association with Raymond Timbery, Uncle Steve and members of Gadhungal Marring, Dharrawal Traditional custodians.

BEGINNINGS - First Peoples’ Architecture - event wrap by delegate Ujjaval Lalwani
BEGINNINGS - First Peoples’ Architecture - event wrap by delegate Ujjaval Lalwani

Architects, landscape architects, interior designers, object, and furniture designers, all got together for two and a half days and learned the songs and stories of the first nations people, their culture, and the land we all live on. While the stories inspired each and everyone of us, it also sparked conversations among us and contemplation in our minds.

Shining a light on the Sunshine Coast: LIGHT event wrap.
Shining a light on the Sunshine Coast: LIGHT event wrap.

Over two and a half days, starting with art and photography workshops and a wonderful Welcome to Country, moving through sunrise yoga to ten varied and engaging speakers and ending with an expansive day of house tours – the RAA has well and truly made an impression on Queensland. And who could forget the food!

Kinship forged in the bush: SITING event wrap.
Kinship forged in the bush: SITING event wrap.

After uniting dozens of regional architects, designers and their building industry colleagues, the RAA looks back on SITING as a formative springboard to galvanise a movement for working with allied disciplines in designing not just in, but for regional areas into the future.

ELEMENTS – The Full Review
ELEMENTS – The Full Review

Over three days in mid-November the Regional Architecture Association brought together over 50 delegates, fantastic local food and some serious inspiration in Moruya on the NSW South Coast for our ELEMENTS event.

Founding Technical Members

Technical Members