Meet Richard Choy, CEO of NATSPEC - AAA Sponsor. This month Richard offers some advice on how to protect your interests during your upcoming building project.

The Chippendale Walk resumes this month on Saturday 20 June. In Focus this month features an article written by Carmen Galan, a passionate AAA volunteer tour leader, who is talking about one of her favourite buildings on her Chippendale walk - Indigo Slam designed by Smart Design Studio.

On Saturday 13 June 2020, explore Middle Cove, a small peninsular bush suburb between Castlecrag and Castlecove planned by Walter Burley Griffin.

Dear Friends of the AAA Community

We are pleased to announce the recommencement of AAA’s activities on 13 June.  Come and enjoy an outdoor walking tour of Middle Cove located on Sydney’s lower north shore and discover how architects designed their houses to interact with this amazing landscape and bush.  On the same day, you can also experience a leisurely two-hour Sydney City walk visiting city landmarks such as Australia Square and Conservatorium of Music.

Due to Covid-19, the Australian Architecture Association (AAA) had to temporarily suspend all of our activities in late March and have found it extremely difficult to keep operating with the majority of our revenue gone.  We have received some contributions and really appreciate the support of our AAA members and friends, however, AAA still needs your help, so please consider donating to our Pandemic Appeal which would make a huge difference to our future.

All care is being taken with safety measures on our walks and at our events which include limiting numbers, social distancing and sanitisers.

In the meantime, take care, stay safe and look forward to seeing you soon.

Warmest regards

Annette Dearing

Founding Director

During COVID 19 we've been missing being able to share amazing Australian architecture on our tours. Now that measures are relaxing, we are happy to announce that our @home tours will be resuming in July with a special discount to visit a home designed by Vanessa Wegner.  While we eagerly await this tour, we thought we would share a sneak peak at a Benn + Penna residence which will be opened as part of our @Home program in August.

Enjoy our never before offered, 20% discount for @home early bird tickets.

As you know, due to COVID-19 we had to postpone all of our architecture tours and events. However, we are pleased to announce that our @home tours return in July with some special savings for you to take advantage of now.

Right now you can buy 2 early bird tickets for $56, a never before offered, 20% discount off our upcoming @home tour of a residence in Gladesville, designed by architect Vanessa Wegner.

Dear Friends of the AAA Community
 
The Australian Architecture Association (AAA) is committed to providing a safe experience for its’ members, AAA Friends and tour attendees.  With the worldwide medical crisis, COVID-19, AAA is taking precautions in conducting our activities and suspending all of our walking tours and events until June 2020.
 
While our plans are to reopen and resume some of our programming by the middle of June, we will continue to reassess the situation and keep you informed of any changes to those plans.
 
WE NEED YOUR HELP
 
For over a decade our not for profit organisation has been offering a variety of unique experiences of architecture and design. We have done this with limited operational funds. 
 
Unfortunately, the Pandemic has effectively cut off our key source of income that we rely on to continue meeting our operational costs. We are appealing for you to click this link to:

• Just want to help AAA
• Become a member of AAA, or
• Renew your AAA membership early 

More information on specific cancellations and postponements will be available on our website including our walking and bus tours, At Home and other AAA events. You can also keep in touch with us on social media – Instagram, Facebook and through our website and newsletter.
 
While we believe our immediate Community is at low risk, we are taking every precaution in conducting our activities to make sure the virus is contained and that we all remain as safe as possible.

Thank you again and hope you and your family stay safe and healthy during these very difficult and challenging times.
 
Warmest regards
 

 
Tone Wheeler
AAA President

The Seed House was one of 5 houses on show on the AAA Residential Tour on the 7th March 2020. On arrival, not much was revealed from the street of the house except for the garage. However, once inside, the interior was stunning.

The entry to the house was approached by steps down from the street. The site is very large and fan shaped. It is narrow at the street and becomes wider as you move down the site. This geometry is reflected in the wedge shaped form of the house. The site connects with the bush reserve below which adjoins Sugarloaf Bay. 

James Fitzpatrick is the architect and owner of the house. His approach was experimental as he explored different ideas in the choice of the fittings, finishes and materials to achieve his design ideas and then the final built form. These decisions influenced the interior and exterior aesthetic of the house. James labeled the house as his “forever house”.

Dear AAA Members and Friends

There has been so much happening since we wrote to you last week due to the COVID-19 Crisis.  With new restrictions now in place here, AAA still remains committed to staying connected to all of you in our architectural Community .    

I would like to share a positive story written by Ben Gerstel, AAA Vice-President/architect, about one of the amazing houses we visited recently on our ever popular residential coach tour.   AAA’s residential tours are extremely popular with members and friends and the Seed house by James Fitzpatrick was one of 5 houses we opened on the day. Architects Sam Crawford, David Boyle, Ben Peake and Manuelle Schelp shared their ideas and solutions to the design/renovation of their residential project on the day. It was a fabulous day, shared with likeminded people. 

We want to be able to keep offering our residential tours once this crisis is over but it may take many months, so your support today is crucial for AAA’s survival through this world wide health crisis, click here to help us during these uncertain times.

MORTUARY STATION

By Michelle Maras

Mortuary Railway Station is situated at the Sydney Railway yard at Chippendale close to Central Railway and Railway Square.

This beautiful ornate Gothic style building was part of Sydney’s Rookwood Cemetery railway line. Carrying the dearly departed and their funeral mourners to their final resting place at Rookwood Necropolis by train. At the other end was a similar Mortuary Station also built out of the Pyrmont sandstone.