POWER OF COMMUNITY presenter
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.
MEET OUR EXPERT - Marcio Da Silva from No.1 Roofing & Building Supplies
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."
RAA President’s Welcome to 2026
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.
Learnings from Central 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
RAA presents Mparntwe: When you come to another Country
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
MPARNTWE: First Regional Architecture Association Event in Central Australia Announced for 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
MPARNTWE: First Regional Architecture Association Event in Central Australia Announced for 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.
Questioning resilience in architecture with RAA
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
It’s all about CONTEXT
The Regional Architecture Association (RAA) is putting on an experience in Canberra in March 2025.
13th March 2025
Gathering around the edges in the Blue Mountains
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
CENTRED 2024: Celebrating regional architecture in Yamba
The Regional Architecture Association (RAA) is planning something big for Regional New South Wales! MiCRO kicks off in March.
4th June 2024
Big Ideas at MiCRO with the Regional Architecture Association
The Regional Architecture Association (RAA) is planning something big for Regional New South Wales! MiCRO kicks off in March.
19th February 2024
Immersive hands-on learning at First Peoples Architecture event
Beginnings – First Peoples Architecture presented by the RAA, took place 19th-21st October. Hands-on in its learnings, attendees also gained CPD Points.
22nd November 2023
BEGINNINGS - FIRST PEOPLES’ ARCHITECTURE | A REGIONAL ARCHITECTURE ASSOCIATION EXPERIENCE
A continuation of their support of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, Regional Architecture Association (RAA)’s next event, BEGINNINGS – First Peoples’ Architecture is a chance to be immersed in a deep cultural experience of architecture and language from the families and elders who have an ancient connection to Coolendel.
Beginnings: First People’s Architecture
A deep cultural experience, Beginnings is an opportunity to learn from First Nations peoples about the link between architecture and connection to Country. As part of the event, First People’s will build structures in the spirit of ancestors who historically built on the same land, in Coolendel.
Australia’s Indigenous Architecture on show at RAA’s Coolendel Event in October
The Regional Architecture Association (RAA) is organising an immersive event designed to provide attendees a comprehensive experiential introduction to First Nations’ design and building practices.
20th September 2023
POWER OF COMMUNITY fringe event
The Saturday morning program of fringe events will include a site visit to a modest Goldfields home by Melbourne firm Design Office where architect Mark Simpson will show delegates around and provide insight into the project.
At last, regional architecture takes centre stage
Following the devastation of bushfires, floods, and the pandemic, in 2021, a group of like-minded regional architects banded together to form a new, member-driven organisation with a focus on bringing about positive change in Australia’s regional areas. Thus, the Regional Architecture Association (RAA) was born.
6th July 2023
Architecture to affect change: Regional Architecture Association
In the regions, architects and those interested in the built environment are pooling their knowledge to help affect change. Jan Henderson introduces us to the Regional Architecture Association and what it does.
23rd November 2022
Renovation Collaborative Podcast
Three of our RAA members were interviewed across season 3 of the Renovation Collaborative podcast put together by respected Australian residential architect Stephanie Skyring who collaborates with design and construction industry experts to share up-to-date knowledge.