In its submission to Treasury, the Regional Architecture Association strongly supports the Federal Government’s commitment to housing reform and the streamlining of the regulatory framework surrounding the National Construction Code (NCC). From a regional perspective, the Association highlights the distinct challenges faced by practitioners working hundreds of kilometres from major urban centres, where regulatory programs and consultation processes are often not tailored to local conditions. The submission emphasises that reform must recognise the realities of regional practice while maintaining high-quality, design-led outcomes delivered by skilled professionals.

ArchiTeam Cooperative and the Regional Architecture Association are pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), formalising a long-standing relationship and strengthening support for architects practicing in regional Australia.

Both organisations share a commitment to championing architects working in small, sole, and regionally based practices. This MOU confirms a closer collaboration between ArchiTeam and RAA, particularly in the development and coordination of their respective Continuing Professional Development (CPD) event calendars. By aligning programming and sharing opportunities, the partnership aims to expand access to high-quality CPD and professional networks for members of both organisations.

Innovation in regional Australia is at the heart of Field: Architecture Gone Regional and it was the theme of the panel discussion as a crowd gathered in Sydney recently to celebrate Issue #1 of RAA’s annual journal publication.

Sarah Aldridge, RAA Secretary and panel moderator, reflected on the piece by Anthony Burke, Professor of Architecture at UNSW and host of Grand Designs Australia. While reviewing projects featured on the program Burke observed that 70 per cent were located in regional areas. Given that the show selects projects with innovation at their core, this finding suggests that much of Australia’s architectural innovation is emerging from the regions.

Overall, the event was a wonderful opportunity to expand on the important conversations that Field has begun.

In its submission to the Department of Transport & Planning Victoria, the Regional Architecture Association has broadly supported reform of the Architects Regulations, while calling for fair, evidence-based and proportionate changes that do not unfairly burden architects — particularly those practicing in regional Victoria.

The Saturday morning program of fringe events will include a site visit to the grounds of Crosby Architects’ development ‘The Paddock’. There we will be guided by the members of the owner’s corporation who manage the cluster housing development in Castlemaine and will speak about their experience of living there.

As part of the Power of Community program, there will be updates from both Victorian Government Architect Jill Garner and ARBV CEO & Registrar Dr Glenice Fox; this will serve to provide an overview and opportunity for discussion around what is happening in the state of Victoria more broadly.

Dr Jock Gilbert will speak about the Yulendj Weelam Lab at RMIT University and their work combining design thinking with Indigenous cultural heritage knowledge to support the built environment sector through partnerships, advocacy, and community-led projects. Their work builds organisational capacity, embeds First Nations perspectives into practice, facilitates respectful Indigenous-led design processes, and supports First Peoples communities to advance projects that reflect their needs and aspirations.

Emily Knight, principal of Emily Knight Design, has been an active member of the RAA Committee and its events since 2022. A self-confessed sustainability nerd and passionate advocate for community, Emily is committed to professional development within our industry, ensuring her work is informed by current ideas, processes, and materials.

David Booth, aka Ghostpatrol, will discuss his practice generally, particularly around his involvement in Hepburn Energy and his characters Gale and Gusto which are depicted on the turbines there.

He then has “…a fun little drawing exercise game to loosen us up. We’re drawing to laugh and connect, we’re drawing to make something new.” 

“My little drawing game is addictive and you’ll be taking home the meme to play with your friends and family. Trust me you’ll love it.” 

“Be brave and let’s let the drawings come to life.”

Dr Mark B. Luther will speak about and display his prototype hydronic suspended ceiling panel. Radiant systems are healthy and environmental conditioning systems, operating at about 1/3 of the cost. His ceiling panel has overcome many of the problems of past radiant systems, that are slow, embodied energy intensive and costly.  

Geoff Park will speak about Renewable Newstead, a pioneering community-led initiative demonstrating how a small regional town can transition to renewable energy in a way that is technically feasible, commercially viable, and socially equitable. Located in central Victoria, Newstead has delivered a 3MW solar farm and 5MWh battery system capable of generating six times the town’s electricity needs. The project stands as a model for how local leadership, strong partnerships, and deep community engagement can drive meaningful energy transformation.

Marcio Da Silva, General Manager, Architectural Specification for No. 1 Roofing & Building Supplies, supports architectural projects across New South Wales, the ACT, and now Queensland, where they are currently expanding their presence.

Connecting with regionally based architects is, for Marcio, one of the most rewarding aspects of his role. He deeply appreciates that their designs are intrinsically linked to local context, community, and climate, which often demands inventive solutions. He believes these architects are doing more than just designing buildings; they are "shaping the identity and resilience of their communities."

As we move into 2026, the Regional Architecture Association looks forward to extending our presence within the design community and strengthening our role as the peak body representing architects and affiliated professions across regional Australia.

For the Regional Architecture Association’s recent experience in Mparntwe/Alice Springs, titled When you come to another country, creative directors Bobbie Bayley, Owen Kelly and Tonielle Dempers set an ambitious agenda: a three-day forum for sharing knowledge grounded in place.

30th September 2025

A RAA event where visitors will come away with a felt sense of Mparntwe’s layered Country, where design converges with story, land and reality, and a deeper reckoning with the intricate, often uneasy entanglements of community, climate, landscape and water.

1st August 2025

The Regional Architecture Association (RAA) has announced its third event for 2025 – MPARNTWE: WHEN YOU COME TO ANOTHER COUNTRY — to be held in Alice Springs on Arrernte Country and representing the organisation’s first foray into Central Australia.

25th July 2025

The Regional Architecture Association (RAA) has announced its third event for 2025 – MPARNTWE: WHEN YOU COME TO ANOTHER COUNTRY — to be held in Alice Springs on Arrernte Country and representing the organisation’s first foray into Central Australia.

The Regional Architecture Association is presenting an educational event on 'Questions of Resilience', looking specifically at Australia's burgeoning hemp industry for sustainable construction.

20th May 2025

The Regional Architecture Association (RAA) is putting on an experience in Canberra in March 2025.

13th March 2025

The Regional Architecture Association (RAA) is set to host a three-day event focusing on regional architecture and its impact on the perception of place.

29th August 2024

The Regional Architecture Association (RAA) is planning something big for Regional New South Wales! MiCRO kicks off in March.

4th June 2024