PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

LAURA COCKBURN FRAIA NSW CHAPTER PRESIDENT

The impacts of COVID-19 on private and public investment alongside the government’s broader efforts to keep construction charging ahead are manifest in this year’s bumper crop of entries in the NSW Awards. With nearly 300 entries across 12 categories, the variety and quality of projects represented flag exciting times for architecture in the state.

The design and realisation of many of these projects were influenced by COVID-19 in various ways, and so too will be their reception, now and beyond, by a general public whose awareness and appreciation for quality spaces has been heightened as a result of the major disruptions we have all experienced through the pandemic to our relationships with the environments in which we live, work and play.

Natural disaster has also contributed to approaches taken in a number of this year’s projects, with innovative and beautiful responses to bushfire risk shaping many decisions. And nor was the judging process itself immune to the forces of unpredictable phenomena! Intermittent COVID clusters and major flooding across the state ensured that transporting juries safely to make over 130 site visits across the state became a major logistical and scheduling feat in its own right. I extend a huge thank you to the jurors who adapted as circumstances (repeatedly!) changed, and enthusiastically attended to each entry to see it given the full consideration the Institute’s awards program uniquely provides.

The decision to announce the awards online again this year proved judicious with huge numbers of members finding themselves in lockdown again, separated from their teams and professional peers on awards night. In this context we look forward more than ever to enjoying a much needed face to face celebration at the end of the year. Let us hope circumstances allow this to eventuates and we have the opportunity to congratulate and celebrate our 2021 award winners for their fine achievements.

Thank you to our Chair of Juries Peter Mould for another year of gracious, sagacious leadership throughout the demanding judging process. Thank you also to all entrants for your support of this important program for recognising and showcasing design excellence. And lastly, thank you to the Chapter staff who have gone above, beyond and all out to successfully deliver a very big program in particularly challenging conditions.