The Architects Association has been established in Australia as an international professional association dedicated to the preservation and continued development of traditional, classical and locally characteristic architecture, craftsmanship and building practices.
The Association brings together architects, academics, related professionals and others with an interest in the continuation and development of architectural traditions. It draws inspiration from the towns, buildings and public spaces that have evolved over generations, following local principles of design and construction that remain valuable today.
“Most of the towns we love to holiday or live in were built using locally unique architectural principles, developed and refined gradually over centuries, quite happily without abrupt globalised fashions and trends. There is a great deal we can learn from them, and much that remains just as relevant today,” said the Association’s founding president, Tasmanian architect Jiri Lev.
The Association’s activities will include education, publications, professional exchange and cooperation with specialist suppliers and craftspeople. Particular attention will be given to traditional materials and building techniques, and their continued development alongside modern methods of construction.
Making good architecture more widely accessible is another of the Association’s aims, particularly in ordinary housing and community buildings, where thoughtful design can make a considerable difference to people’s lives.
“Good architecture belongs to everyone. We would like to see more ordinary houses, public buildings, streets and neighbourhoods designed with the same care and sense of place that we admire in our architectural heritage,” Lev said.
As part of its commitment to community service, the Association’s members will offer pro bono architectural assistance to those who might otherwise be unable to obtain it. This may include families recovering from natural disasters, individuals facing hardship, or community groups seeking to establish worthwhile projects. Requests for assistance will be welcomed and referred to participating members wherever practicable.
The Association’s inaugural leadership comprises Jiri Lev as President, Sydney architect Michael Suttie, director of M. J. Suttie Architects, as Vice President for Professional Affairs, and architectural designer and writer Daniel Skinner as Vice President for Education & Publications and Secretary-Treasurer.
Having already attracted interest from practitioners and supporters in Australia and New Zealand, the Association is now welcoming members internationally.
The Association’s first conference, Architecture of Continuity, is provisionally scheduled for 11-12 March 2027 in Tasmania. The event, dedicated to the memory of architect and urbanist Leon Krier, will explore traditional architecture and evolution of sustainable building.
The Association views architectural traditions as a living body of knowledge, capable of accommodating changing needs, materials and technologies while preserving the qualities that have made buildings and places useful, beautiful and enduring.
Independent and apolitical, the Association was established on Christian foundations and is guided by the principles of charity, humility, honesty and diligence. Membership is open to people of all backgrounds, regardless of religion or political affiliation, who support its objectives and founding principles.
The Association welcomes enquiries from prospective members, educational institutions, industry partners, supporters and sponsors.
Further information: https://architectsassociation.org