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News and Events AWF Newsletters AWF Newsletter No.8 - Nov 09
| AWF Newsletter No.8 - Nov 09 |
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AWF is working with the Thamarrurr Development Corporation in Wadeye, NEWS + ANNOUNCEMENTS | UNIVERSITY REPRESENTATIVES | GET INVOLVED | CHAPTER MEETINGS | VIETNAM UPDATE | NEPAL EXPEDITION | WADEYE UPDATE | DATE CLAIMERS ▼ news & announcements◄ continuing professional developmentArchitects Without Frontiers projects are now eligible to receive CDP accreditation from the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA). We will be working in future to develop these links and get more projects accredited. Please click on the links to see how you can get CDP accreditation and which AWF Projects are covered. ◄ new volunteers at AWF
 Erin Torn-Broers “I’m am 21 years old and currently going into my 3rd year studying Architecture and Construction Management at Deakin University, Geelong. I have discovered while undertaking my design degree that I have passion for International Development and specifically improving living conditions in developing countries through sustainable design. I have recently been able to become involved as an intern with Architects Without Frontiers. This involvement has given me opportunities to become more actively involved in International Development projects and meet with some amazing and inspirational people. I will shortly be spending 2 months in India, Bhutan and Nepal, some of which time will be spent joining a construction team working in a remote village in Nepal, helping the local community to build a school through a project that AWF is affiliated with. In Australia I am currently becoming involved with an initiative to promote responsible design within Universities. I feel AWF plays an important part in promoting and educating the public about the importance of responsible design and development, and my involvement so far as a volunteer has been extremely rewarding on both a personal and professional level.” See the Get Involved section of the newsletter for information about other volunteer opportunities. ◄ deductible gift recipient statusAWF was endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) on 30 June 2009 as an Ancillary fund. While we are still working towards full DGR status as an entity, this endorsement allows AWF to issue tax deductible invoices for certain projects when we are partnered with other DGR organisations. Currently DGR status applies to the AWF/RMIT project in Dien Ban, Vietnam. If you would like to make a tax deductible donation to this project, please send us an This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . ▼ university representativesUniversity Representatives have been appointed at many universities following the call in AWF‘s previous newsletter. AWF welcomes:
AWF also welcomes Loren Adams and Erin Torn-Broers who will be coordinating the University reps nationally. Julia Suh has been appointed as Research Coordinator, and Sarah Rickard, Lily Lim, Vanessa Sooprayen, Morsaleena Faruque, Kelly Harrington and Simon Hall will be working as Research Volunteers. AWF received a high level of interest from many outstanding applicants and thanks those who expressed interest. If you are interested in a volunteer role with AWF, please see the notices in the Get Involved section. ▼ get involvedAWF has several volunteer roles available and is looking for committed people to take on the following roles: Quantity Surveyor AWF is seeking the pro-bono services of a Quantity Surveying firm to provide initial costing for two remote Indigenous projects in the Northern Territory: a business centre and an arts/cultural centre. The arts/cultural centre will be a renovation of an existing structure. The costing will be based on schematic design drawings. Services are required by 15th December 2009 to complete scoping so that the community can apply for funding. Please send enquiries or expressions of interest to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . University Representatives AWF is seeking a contact person at the following institutions:
You do not need to be studying architecture and students in any design stream will be considered. You will provide the link between AWF and others interested in the organisation at your institution. The time commitment will be a couple of hours per week. Summer Internships Please apply by submitting this form by the 25th November. Only AWF members are eligible for volunteer opportunities. Online membership forms are on the AWF website – update your membership and details online. Stay in touch with AWF via Facebook and Twitter. Link to them from our website homepage. Don’t forget to add us to your email contacts so you can receive our emails. We currently receive many ‘bounce backs’ whenever we send out mail. If you add This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to your contacts, you will receive information from us. ▼ chapter meetingsIn Sydney, Giuseppe Calabrese presented about mudbrick construction and technology in Australia, Italy and the Middle East. The talk was attended by 12 AWF supporters. The Melbourne Chapter presented two talks recently as part of the Design + series. Design + Remote Indigenous Communities featured Martyn Hook discussing iredale pedersen hook architectsí projects in remote Western Australian Indigenous communities, and Garry Ormston talking about AWF’s work on an Arts and Cultural Centre in Gunbalanya in the Northern Territory. At Design + Climate Change event, Dr Beau Beza spoke about sustainable practice methodology, focusing on two waste management strategies implemented in six villages at the Sherlo Monastery, Nepal. The strategies are necessary because of the increase in rubbish in the Mt Everest landscape. Dr Peter Fisher addressed urban forests, the effects of government policy on water conservation on urban green spaces, and the effects of this for climate change. For information about upcoming Chapter meetings, please see the date claimers section of the newsletter. ▼ vietnam update
Vernacular shop houses in Dien Ban, 8km from Hoi An Photo: Deb Kunda; In October 2009, following the devastating Typhoon Ketsana, AWF staff visited partner organisation the Kianh Foundation in Quang Nam province, central Vietnam. Ketsana hit Quang Nam province with winds of up to 144 km/h and caused the worst flooding on record. The Kianh Foundation fortunately received only minor damage. AWF is working with Melbourne-based partner firm BURO architecture, RMIT University and the Kianh Foundation to develop concepts for a Disability Day Centre in Dien Ban, Quang Nam province. Due to a change of site location for the facility, and the recent impact of Typhoon Ketsana, the concept is being redeveloped. The new site is 6km from the tourist hub of Hoi An and located in a new development area in Dien Ban where 38 new residences are planned. ▼ nepal expedition
School under construction: Gosshing Kaulie and works site at Siurung With departure just over two months away, details are being finalised for the AWF/OzQuest Nepal expedition. At least two groups of architects and architecture students from universities across Australia will participate in a four week expedition. They will be immersed in Nepali architecture and culture while contributing to the local community through community development projects. This year the architecture firm Hayball Pty Ltd has sponsored four Nepalese architecture students from Nepal Engineering College to join the expedition during the construction phase. AWF is continuing to develop a relationship with Nepal Engineering College and actively invest in architecture education in Nepal. Places are still available for the next trip to Nepal - please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it at or phone 0407 823 569. There will be two public talks at TIME, Loop Bar, 23 Meyers Place, Melbourne on:
▼ wadeye update
Arts and Cultural Centre site visit In July 2009 the Thamarrurr Development Corporation (TDC) asked AWF to provide sketch design and scoping services to the Wadeye Community, Northern Territory, for two projects: an Arts and Cultural Centre and a Business Centre. In October 2009, through the financial assistance of the Thomas Foundation and the TDC, four AWF volunteers travelled to Wadeye to carry out consultation with the stakeholders and inspect the sites for the projects. The AWF team for these projects is Esther Charlesworth, Garry Ormston, Mick Pearce and Rebecca Adams. AWF will return to Wadeye in mid-November to present a first stage of design for the two projects to the community for feedback. Following feedback, the sketch design will be modified as needed, costed and included in a document that scopes the project including discussion of the sites, material availability, community capacity, cultural issues, local conditions and other relevant considerations. Thamarrurr Development Corporation will use this document to apply for funding to build both buildings. ▼ date claimersMelbourne Thursday 10 December – Combined AWF/EWB Christmas Drinks at 6.30pm, Yarra Yarra Rowing Club, Yarra River opposite Alexandra Gardens. Tix $15 (includes BBQ dinner) available online at Register Now or on the night. Enquiries, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Tuesday 16 February 2010 – The Melbourne talk series will resume at 6.30pm at Loop Bar, 23 Meyers Place, Melbourne. Sydney Saturday 21 November – FOCHTA Fundraising Dinner Info: Beth Murphy Thursday 10 December – ANGAN-What?! Festivities, fundraising and Bollywood 6pm til late in Surry Hills (venue to be confirmed – please contact us) Join us for the Anganwadi Party and help raise building funds for pre-schools in India. A small group of AWF volunteers are aiming to raise at least $2500 being the cost of one pre-school. Info: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it About the project: http://www.anganwadiproject.com AWF Supporters Planet Wheeler Foundation | Freehills | DGC Consulting | Allen Jack and Cottier | City of Melbourne AWF Patrons Gareth Evans | Phillip Adams AWF Board Esther Charlesworth | Jane Rothschild | David Anderson Advisory Board Rob Adams | John Fien | John Gollings | Norman Day | Davina Jackson |
Rowena John started working with AWF in March 2009 after spending time abroad volunteering in Mongolia. With a background in interior design, and placement with the Royal Academy in Copenhagen studying architecture, she is working with AWF to develop local awareness of our current and future projects. She has been undertaking postgraduate studies in interior design, focusing on user-centred design and sustainability, and has been running AWF’s bi-monthly meetings as the events coordinator.
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