Advocacy & Research
The Advocacy Working Group champions the cause of small practice architects, shedding light on the invaluable work they do and their relevance in today's world. By demystifying the role of architects, we aim to communicate their true value with clarity and impact.
Our ArchiTeam Advocacy Committee has spearheaded numerous projects to advance this mission. In collaboration with Open House Melbourne, we produced four series of "The Naked Architect: A Guide to Commissioning and Working with a Residential Architect," providing an insightful guide for clients (accessible below).
Another groundbreaking initiative is RASP (Research for Architects in Small Practice). Launched in 2018, our first crowdfunded research project, conducted by Dr. Peter Raisbeck at The University of Melbourne's Melbourne School of Design, tackled the question: "Do small practice architect-designed renovations improve capital gains in the Melbourne residential property market?" The results, announced in 2020, confirmed that they do. Now, RASP 2 is underway, continuing to provide crucial insights for our field.
The committee has also undertaken initiatives such as supporting the Nightingale model of architect-led housing, responding to the Better Apartments Draft Standards, advocating for extensions to the Homebuilder Scheme, implementing a Post Occupancy Evaluation survey, and creating a Residential Documentation Checklist for members.
We invite all ArchiTeam members to join these grassroots efforts to bolster the architecture community. Each year, a dedicated core group of up to six members is selected to drive the Advocacy Key Project forward. Your involvement makes a difference—help us champion the future of small practice architects!
If you would like to add your voice to our Advocacy group please send an expression of interest to advocacy@architeam.net.au
Advocacy & Research Projects
RAsP - The results
Launched on Thursday 19 November the Research for Architects in Small Practice (RAsP) report provides consumers with the long-awaited answer to the question - Are architects worth it?
In 2018 ArchiTeam Cooperative, in conjunction with the University of Melbourne, undertook the first-ever crowdfunded research for small practice architects - Research for Architects in Small Practice (RAsP).
RAsP’s first research topic was: “Do small practice architect designed renovations improve capital gains in the Melbourne residential property market?” Examining the financial impact small practice architects have on the properties they transform. Read all about it here
RAsP - Research for Architects in Small Practice
Research for Architects in Small Practice (RAsP) is a crowdfunded research program led by ArchiTeam.
We need research into the issues that affect small practice architects – what are the challenges we face, and what is the unique role and importance of small practice in Australia? RAsP aims to fill this gap. Read more...
RAsP – UPDATE
ArchiTeam’ s research initiative, RASP (Research for Architects in Small Practice), is up and running. Contracts between the University of Melbourne and ArchiTeam have been signed and exchanged. Dr Peter Raisbeck is Read more...
RASP – DECEMBER 2019 STATUS REPORT
Data collection was completed in September and the subsequent creation of comparative data pools completed in October. Dr Peter Raisbeck + research assistant, Christine Storry, currently have the statistical analysis stage in progress and will begin drafting their interim report soon. Read more...
The Naked Architect Series - a guide to commissioning and working with a residential architect
Are you looking to renovate or build a new home and have considered using an architect but don't know where to start?
Supported by the Architects Registration Board of Victoria (ARBV), Open House Melbourne and ArchiTeam have produced a series of workshops that will arm you with everything you need to know about commissioning and working with an architect. Read more...
The Naked Architect Series 2 - WATCH NOW!
Are you looking to renovate or build a new home and have considered using an architect but don’t know where to start? The best way to truly appreciate the benefits of engaging an architect is to hear straight from the architects and clients themselves, and in the homes they’ve created together. This is the premise of The Naked Architect. Read more...
The Naked Architect Series 3 - WATCH NOW!
Series 3 of The Naked Architect Series is now available to watch. Read now...
The Naked Architect Series 4 - WATCH NOW!
Series 4 of The Naked Architect Series is now available to watch. Read now...
In July 2016, ArchiTeam launched a working group tasked to find ways it might “educate the public about the value of architects through marketing and public outreach”. This endeavour proposes to engage in both marketing and advocacy activities, a canny mix of pragmatism and altruism Read more...
Altruism and entrepreneurialism
Inspired by member interest, ArchiTeam decided last year to initiate a public outreach program that will advocate for architects and architecture. I covered the broad context of this development here, exploring why ArchiTeam might want to take on such a challenging role. Read more...
“I’m part of the Advocacy for Architects working group where we are looking at how and what we can do to advocate for architects, whether it be our members or the broader community. It provides a forum for discussion of issues pertinent to our industry that as an individual it’s hard to get traction on, but as a collective, with our members behind us, it could go somewhere bigger.”– Claire Scorpo, Claire Scorpo Architects & ArchiTeam member
“Architecture doesn’t offer great wealth, and, as a small business owner, it doesn’t offer a stress-free life. But it does offer the opportunity to be part of something bigger than yourself.”– Warwick Mihaly, Mihaly Slocombe Architects & ArchiTeam Director
We’d like to thank our committed and passionate Advocacy volunteers to date:
- Jo Foong (Current Chair)
- Delia Teschendorff (Current member)
- Karen Erdos (Current member)
- Qutaibah Al-Atafi (Current member)
- Imogen Pullar (Current member)
- Kalliopi Vakras
- Talina Edwards
- Leah Reynolds
- Jamie Sormann
- Renuka Rodrigo
- Wilson Tang
- Tom Bulic
- Warwick Mihaly
- Michael Kemp
- Claire Scorpo
- Esther Deutscher
- Aimee Goodwin
- Alp Soyogul
- Paul Orlandini
- Gerry McLoughlin
- Adam Newman
- Rod Neil
- Zoë Geyer
We look forward to continuing the growing work of the Advocacy group in 2024-25