First exclusive Building tour
Angelo Candalepas (pictured above front right) led a tour through his nearly completed office building at 61 York Street. Participants were able to explore one of Sydney’s newest workplaces that incorporates unusual elements like the external balconies, that are large enough to use as meeting spaces, but are open to fresh air and the sounds drifting up from the city below. Yes that is Stella’s thumb in the image.

LAST Twilight Walks
The last of the summer light is nigh don’t miss the final twilight walks on Wednesday 19th and Wednesday 26 March starting at 6.00pm in front of Customs House, 31 Alfred Street, Circular Quay.

These walks largely follow the route of the Sydney Skyscraper Walk and provide information on many of Sydney’s most important contemporary high-rise buildings as well as important interventions like the extensions to the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

FIRST Castlecrag tour
Ben Gerstel will lead the first 2008 tour of Castlecrag on Saturday 15 March at 2.00pm departing from the Castlecrag Shops Quadrangle, Edinburgh Road, Castlecrag. This tour looks at a number of interesting houses as Ben also explains Walter and Marion Mahoney Griffins plans for this suburb in the bush. Book here.

NEW Col Griffiths tour
Colin Griffiths spent his first 30 years of architectural practice working as Harry Seidler’s right hand man. In this new tour he is focussing on the skyscrapers that pre-dated the modernist buildings he helped design. The tour include some of Sydney’s finest office towers of the 20s, 30s and 40s. If you didn’t think there were any of these left, Col has a surprise or two in store for you. Friday 11 April at 1pm, departing from Railway House, 17 York Street, Sydney (next to the entrance to Wynyard Station). Did we mention you can book online

Surry Hills
If you haven’t had a chance to take the AAA’s most popular tour, perhaps the change to a Sunday afternoon may provide the opportunity. Join in and discover architectural gems like the Readers Digest Building and learn about one of Sydney’s fascinating suburbs on Sunday 30 March at 2.00pm on the corner of Elizabeth and Cleveland Streets, Chippendale. Reserve your place

Residential Bus tour
Book ahead for the first residential tour of 2008, that will include new houses by Vivianne Marston, Stephen Varady, a new apartment complex by Frank Stanisic and the classic Seidler house led by Penelope Seidler. Saturday 19 April starting at 9.30 am. Book here.

Architecture Harbour Cruise
The next harbour cruise will be on Saturday 5 April with an architectural commentary from architect and harbour expert Nick Hollo. Secure your spot on the boat here

‘The role of the Australian Architecture Association is to explain architecture to the community so that we can improve the quality of our cities,’ claims AAA President, Mr James Grose.

As our cities become denser this role becomes more important according to Mr Grose who noted recent news that NSW Mayors are revolting against the State’s Planning Minister is an indicator of increasing pressure on the built environment.

‘The comments by the LGA President that, ‘for every Mum and Dad applicant there’s a mum and dad neighbour,’ highlights the need for more education about architecture,’ said Mr Grose

Read the AAA full news release here.

Architecture tours as presents
What about including a residential tour voucher in your favourite person’s Christmas stocking, or give them a ticket to an architecture harbour cruise in the New year.

For friends who enjoy architecture, put one of our new red tickets inside their Christmas card, you only pay for two walking tours, they receive three which they can use throughout 2008.

Download an order form or call 02 8297 7283 to buy your gift.

The Murcutt folio
This year’s GG (generous gesture) comes from 01 Edition publisher Liisa Naar who is offering a $200 donation to AAA from the $1650 cost of each Glenn Murcutt, Architect folio sold through the AAA in December.

The Murcutt folio has been described by Architecture Australia as ‘…an exquisite object, the texts erudite and the photographs sumptuous…’. This is the special gift for a special person in your life. There are only 1,000 numbered copies available worldwide and a display copy is available at the AAA office if you want to drop in to see one before making a decision.

Download a pdf of the brochure and order form here and call 02 8297 7283 if you want to arrange a viewing.

Sydney Design Guide
A new guide to Sydney Design is being launched this week, and it too is a limited edition undertaking.

AAA has provided the Sydney Architecture tour narrated by Vincent Lam, chair of the AAA Volunteer Tour Leaders and his deputy David McCrae.

The special offer for AAA members is a discounted price of $30.00 – this would make another great gift for all those lovers of design.

Click here to purchase your copy.

AAA Donation
Finally in the spirit of giving, why not make a donation to the AAA Fund to enable the AAA programme to expand its programme into schools.

Click here to make a donation.

The third AAA Annual General Meeting for 2007 is scheduled to happen on Thursday 31 May 2007 (6.00 pm followed by drinks) at The Seidler Apartment, Level 5, 2A Glen Street, Milsons Point.

Here are the relevant documents:

Notice of Annual General Meeting
2006 AAA Annual Report
AAA Committee Nomination form
Minutes of the 2006 AAA AGM

The meeting will be followed by drinks, all members are welcome.

Thanks to our volunteer tour leaders, all AAA tours tell a compelling story about Sydney and its architecture with a focus on the contemporary city.

Sydney City Walk every Saturday morning at 10.30am.

Sydney’s central business district from Martin Place down to Circular quay changed dramatically after World War 2. We examine many of the buildings in the cbd and trace the development of modernism and the high rise tower. From Harry Seidler’s iconic Australia Square completed in 1967, the tour explores the most exciting free-standing buildings of the late twentieth century, including the recently completed Deutsche Bank Place by British architect, Sir Norman Foster. Also on this tour are ingenious solutions to more recent heritage requirements, like the dramatic canilevering of the Governor Philip tower that protects 19th century terrace houses, or the excavation beneath the Botanic Gardens to provide more classrooms for the Conservatorium of Music.

Download the booking form here or call 02 8297 7283 to reserve a place. Tours take 2 hours and start from the fountain in the plaza at Australia Square, 95 Pitt Street, Sydney.