FEATURED ARTICLE
Architecture For All and the UIA Year of Design for Health by Belinda Seale (Australian UIA AFA Rep) & Allen Kong (UIA AFA Co-Director)
Belinda Seale is the Principal Architect and Access Consultant at Haptic Space, with over 20 years’ experience in the design and delivery of enabling and therapeutic environments. She chairs the Australian Institute of Architects Victorian Enabling Architecture Committee, serves on the National Enabling Architecture Committee, and represents the Institute on the International Union of Architects (UIA) Architecture for All Work Group. She is currently a PhD candidate at Deakin University, undertaking research into rehabilitation environments. Allen Kong is the Director of Allen Kong Architect. Allen’s cultural background has influenced his conceptual framework for his holistic view of architecture. He blends evidence-based design with the inalienable understanding of the living spirit relationship AKA work has been recognised with many international awards including UN World Habitat Award and UN Scroll of Honour for Human Settlements, UIA Architecture for All; World Congress of Health and Design for Salutogenic Design. Both World Architecture News and Banksia Foundation Design for Sustainability. Allen has further roles as Co-Chair of International Union of Architecture (UIA) Architecture for All Work programme, Co-Chair and Director of Indigenous Architecture and Design Victoria (IADV), Convenor of RAIA National Enabling Architecture Committee, Member of Building Appeals Board Victoria (BAB) and Sustainable Architecture Forum Victoria.
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he Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the role the built environment can play in both spreading and controlling disease, as well as the importance of healthy, safe environments for all. It is in this context that the International Union of Architects (UIA) has declared 2022 as the UIA Year of Design for Health, encouraging architects to use evidence-based design to promote health in buildings and cities. The UIA is a non-government federation of national architectural organisations from 115 countries and territories worldwide. It was founded in 1948 with the aim of uniting architects around the world, providing a platform for sharing knowledge, innovation and collaborative solutions, with a particular focus on sustainable development. The UIA is made up of five regions, a governing Council, a range of work groups and commissions, and organises triennial congresses, forums and international design competitions1. The Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA) is a member of the UIA in Region IV - Asia and Oceania, and has representatives on the Council, the Sustainable Development Goals Commission and various work groups, including the Architecture for All work group with ACAA members Allen Kong (co-Director), Belinda Seale and Eric Martin all currently representing the RAIA. The Architecture for All Work Programme (AfA WP) aims to raise awareness of architects’ responsibilities to design accessible and inclusive environments and promote good practice in this area. The triennial UIA Friendly and Inclusive Spaces Awards is organised by the group to 1 UIA website https://www.uia-architectes.org/webApi/en/about
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THE MAGAZINE FOR THE ASSOCIATION OF CONSULTANTS IN ACCESS AUSTRALIA
