DIVISION OF EDUCATION, ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
LOUIS LAYBOURNE SMITH SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Brief notes and actions from the meeting
31 May 2007 from 6:00pm in K3-13, Kaurna Building, City West campus
1.
Present
Mr Nick Tridente (Chair)
Mr Ivan Cavuoto
Ms Mary White
Mr Chris Ware
Prof Annabelle Pegrum
Mr Tony Kearney
Mr John Maitland
Prof Mads Gaardboe
In attendance
Dr Gini Lee
Mr Stephen Loo
2.
Dr Linda Walker
Mr Julian Eitzen (Executive Officer)
Apologies
Mr Adrian Evans
Prof Michael Rowan
Nick welcomed new member Mr Chris Ware, National Product Manager: Dixon (Asia
Pacific) Pty Ltd.
3.
Minutes
The minutes of the previous meeting on 2 November 2006 were approved subject to
amendment to minute 5.4 - first sentence … environmentally ecologically sustainable
design.
4.
School’s community involvement
Mr Stephen Loo introduced this item and indicated that the inaugural Port Adelaide
Festival had been the focus of the School’s community involvement. Staff led two
main activities in the Festival:
 Ephemeral Public Art
 “Future Port” public forum
Dr.Linda Walker described the development of the Ephemeral Public Art project that
included a diverse mix of eight local artists with local knowledge assistance from Tony
Kearney. Arts SA acknowledged the quality of the funding application (Visual Arts and
Design Research Group) and the value of the links developed in the project by funding
it for $40,000 –unusual for a project of this nature. Linda noted that the artists
developed strong camaraderie by assisting each other through complex negotiations
that built an intense involvement with the location and ultimately politicised them with
the Port Adelaide redevelopment issue. Linda suggested that although the nature of
the work was ephemeral, its resonance with the community would last a long time.
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Stephen highlighted the political nature of the project. Gini noted that the project had
impressed the Chair of Arts SA (Greg Mackie) and that it was likely they would expand
their support for public art practices as a consequence.
John queried whether the School would be involved in spin-off activity from the project.
Stephen indicated that research would be produced and that the School intended to
participate in the 2009 Festival of Port Adelaide. Annabelle asked whether any of the
follow-up would lead to policy worker research. Stephan emphasised the community
empowerment aspect – that awareness had been raised of the importance of saving
the Port’s existing urban fabric and preserving its social and cultural history.
Gini described the “Future Port” public forum event highlighting two national profile key
speakers from interstate:
 Linda Gregoria – associated with the Sydney Olympic development
 Karl Fender – associated with the Melbourne Docklands development
The speakers were welcomed for their willingness to engage with controversial issues
and their capacity to contribute alternative solutions for redevelopment projects. Tony
highlighted the central concern with the Port Adelaide redevelopment was the
developer’s complete lack of engagement with community consultation. The entire
project will be filmed by DAA. Around 80 members of the public attended the forum.
Stephen indicated that a book concerning the Port redevelopment, to be titled “There
forever” was scheduled for publication in mid 2008. He noted that the School’s lead in
both projects had provided it with influence with:
 Arts SA and policy makers
 Port Adelaide and Enfield Council
 Concerned sub-groups
He suggested that Port Adelaide provided an amazing laboratory for staff and students
to engage with the issues surrounding a major redevelopment project. A national
symposium was to come, with planning for it about to commence.
Annabelle encouraged the School to maintain its involvement and contribute to a plan
of action. She indicated that making connection with the right media person could be
critical to the public profile and perception of the community’s concerns about the
redevelopment. She suggested that the School should be applauded for its
contribution to and concern for the social and cultural environment of Port Adelaide
and Adelaide.
The Committee adjourned to the South Australian School of Art Gallery to view the
exhibition “Strangely Familiar” – an installation-based exhibition undertaken between
LLS School of Architecture and Design and the Interior Design program at RMIT
University. Members acknowledged their excitement and appreciation of the
exhibition.
5.
Business arising
5.1
Canberra biennial
Annabelle indicated that the biennial would take place in November 2007 and feature a
two day symposium “Winning by Design”. The symposium would include models for
the Beijing Olympics, theme activities associated with ‘place for healthy lifestyle’, and a
community aspect exhibition. Annabelle welcomed student involvement and invited
Gini Lee to be curator of the exhibition.
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5.2
Lochiel Park project
Mads advised that the next round of Honours students would be offered the Lochiel
Park project as a case study. John suggested that the project was not all that he had
hoped for from the original plans – that the ecological principles had become
compromised, however, it still represented a great project for student learning.
Mads advised that he had recently met with the Head of the Architecture School from
Carnegie Melon and the possibility of collaboration with the School in offering short
courses. He commented on Carnegie Melon’s focus on sustainable architecture.
John welcomed the development as a positive opportunity.
6.
New business
6.1
Highlights since last meeting – Report by Head of School
SUMMARY
 Undergraduate demand
Program

2006
2007
Architecture
80
Interior
Architecture
Industrial Design
87
TOTAL
240
90
(+20)
118
(+38)
51
(-19)
259
(+39)
73
2007
quota
70
80
70
220
Postgraduate Master of Sustainable Design approved by Division and
University.
ARCHITECTURE
 New structure approved by Division and University: 3 years Bachelor of
Architectural Studies and 2 years Master of Architecture.
 Marketing of the new structure to include fliers (High School Careers Advisors,
practices, international agents, universities, other suggestions?); web page
announcement; PLACE article and ad; Other universities publications.
 Highest TER ever just under 75 for Architecture, 60 Interior and 55 Industrial
Design.
 Bates Smart Grand prize now offered.
 Series of talks commenced in cooperation with RAIA.
 SAHANZ Conference organised with three international speakers (Mark
Crimson, UK, Keith Egler and Paulette Stingley, US).
 Two staff on RAIA Council: John Schenk and Damian Madigan.
 David Morris’ Construction Group relocated with own presence.
 Mt. Franklin Visitor Centre ACT nearing completion.
 Close to signing contract for Mens’ Quarters, Mimili – over $1/2M consultancy.
INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE
 Preparing an exhibition in the Hawke Centre for the opening of the Hawke
building using the Museum’s resources.
 Professional Master Classes has been launched with success.
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
3rd year students participated in the DIA competition and were commended for
their creative and expressive work.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
 Worked on curriculum, in particular technical drawing skills and graphic design
is in focus.
 Working on a double degree with Education. Probably ready for 2009
(considering commitment to Master of Sustainable Design degree).
 Prepared joint transnational program for graduates from the Polytechnic
Institutes in Singapore: Bachelor of Technology (product Design and
Innovation) with School of Advanced Manufacturing and Mechanical
Engineering. Two of eight courses.
 Marketing in Shanghai coming up, Electrolux etc. by Sandy Walker and Mads
Gaardboe. (MG also Hong Kong, Beijing and Nanjang)
 4th year mentor scheme works well.
 OHSW issues with WorkCover and our workshop gave disruption and courses
had to be amended at the end of the semester.
MUSEUM
 Growing number of visitors and researchers.
 Mervyn Smith donation. Unfortunately space and staffing restricts the growth
of the collection.
 History Week seminars by Louise Bird, Research Fellow, Dept for Environ and
Heritage. Anticipate a continuation of the fellowship grant.
 Monograph series launched. Copies of book for committee members.
OTHER
 RQF stock-take of outcomes. University Architecture discipline Panel members
Christine Garnaut and Joanne Cys, and Christine Garnaut also on University
Working Party to identify research groupings and case studies. Positive is a
wider set of reporting categories for DEST.
 School has highest number of Supported Researchers ever – 6. (20%).
 Capital Cities Symposium: David Headon, NCA, and Stephen Hamnett with a
panel of Chris Bowe, Tony Radford, Christine Garnaut and James Hayter.
 Parklands controversy. Matt Davis and Mads Gaardboe addressing Parklands
Preservation Society’s AGM.
 Positive meeting with Head of School Carnegie Mellon on possible future
collaboration.
 Community workshops in Port Adelaide to be presented by Gini Lee, Linda
Walker and Stephen Loo.
 Strangely Familiar exhibition by LLS staff in SASA Gallery.
 Inform: New Vice Chancellor – Peter Høj
6.2
School review of 2006
This item was largely covered by the report from Head of School. Please do not
hesitate to contact Mads with any query relating to the Review of 2006.
The meeting closed at 8:10pm.
7.
Next meeting
The next meeting is THURSDAY 4 OCTOBER 2007.
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