Foreword

As architects we are adaptive to the language we use according to context. The words used when engaging with a laboratory stakeholder vary dramatically to a discussion with a commercial client. We bounce between specimen workflows and throughputs to cap rates in the same afternoon, addressing critical micro-planning matters, then analysing financial drivers for a commercial building. The language we use is crucial in managing our clients’ expectations while exercising levels of diplomacy at crucial meetings. Often our clients rely on our language for their own in-house bidding, assisting them with decisions and their own internal advocating for a project. Our genuine enquiring curiosity allows this varying engagement to stay on point, with an enthusiasm that is in our DNA. Architects advocating for the profession at large, particularly through government submissions, requires careful navigation to not only drive an issue, but to provide advice to a wider bureaucratic audience. Meeting and writing to government departments demands a level of language that is often foreign to architects – direct and evidence-based language with a significant emphasis on unintended risk. This is intended, and needed, for the decision makers to lose sleep over the matter – for them to act. The last six months have been hectic with this level of communication to government at both a national and state level as we propose a framework to address design and construct issues with novation procurement, consultancy contracts, products certification and more frequent inspections suited to current construction processes. It’s a new language all together and one that I hope will make a difference for all members. As we continue to collectively re-adjust and re-evaluate what we value in our lives during this period of global pandemic, the topic of this submission – Lost for words – is timely. The importance of written communication in architecture – from technical reference, policy structure or cultural history – is easily understood. However, the written word also plays a critical role within design thinking. Some of the most profound insights into the shaping of new architectural thought can be achieved through reading – words provoke, refute, lead, imply, they can instruct, contrast, and align. While drawing and sketching are critical functions in exploring design possibilities, it is often the written word which sparks a whole new line of thought to the design process. While an image can be captivating, provide technical clues, compositional critique and inspiration, the written word provides access to complex thought, on the foundation of which design can flourish. As a profession we need to continue to support, write, and purchase architectural text. We hope that this issue of AV causes you to pause and reflect on the value of words in your own career and the need to maintain their role as a fundamental pillar of architecture. The guest editor of this issue, Andrew Mackenzie, is an editor and publisher of architectural journals, books and writing. Contributing editor to Architecture Australia (2012–2016), writer for the Good Weekend, Australian Financial Review (2011–2018), the Saturday Paper (2014–2017) and Architecture Review UK (2014–2016), Andrew is also the codirector of URO, an independent publisher of more than 40 titles on architecture. Awarded the 2021 National President’s Prize while this edition was in production, we are honoured to have him as our guest editor.

Victorian Chapter President Bill Krotiris Victorian State Manager Tim Leslie