“Did you get the Email?
“Which one?
“The one from the Board of Architects on the celebration for those who have been registered for 50 years.”
“No, I must have missed that one. What was it about?”
“The event was held last week at Parliament House.”
“No, I knew nothing about that.”
And so the discussion continued on into the details of the occasion.
“We were all to be presented with a silver pin.”
“A what? Why? Why is the Board involving itself in such an occasion? I have never heard of such a thing.”
My colleague handed me a small publication.
“Here, have this. We have two copies; and read the letter inside.”
“Do you have the pin to show me? What was it like?”
“No. The letter will explain that. There is an illustration of what the pin might be like in the booklet.”
And so the discussion continued.
In short, it was hardly a gala occasion.
More details of the morning were discussed along with the design of the pin that was based on a medallion designed by Michael Bryce, commissioned by the Board in 1995. It had the lettering ‘Board of Architects of Queensland’ wrapped around a diagrammatic Corinthian column capital on one side as a coin might look with ‘AUSTRALIA’ on its circumference - might this be the Board's seal?; on the other side, there is a pair of dividers superimposed on the ‘unhappy face’ arc of a rising sun - or is it fireworks? - with the number 50 below. This was the illustration in the booklet. We assumed the pin might be similar to this side, but had no idea of the size. Might it be the size of the old silver threepence; or maybe the sixpence? Would the shilling-size be too big for a pin? What was the pin for? What was one supposed to do with it? Was it a tie pin; a hat pin; or a pin to poke into one’s clothing, perhaps a lapel? No one knew. No pin had yet been seen.
The details of the morning poured out. It hardly seemed to be a successful event to some eyes; maybe the Board saw it differently? It seemed to have Board members who were very keen to speak and to be involved in such an apparently momentous occasion.
When we arrived home, I checked the Emails. No, there was no communication from the Board on this subject. On reading the booklet, it became obvious: the idea was to select 50 architects who had been registered for 50 years to celebrate the occasion. Whose idea was this – 50/50? It all looked half-baked.
The first question was: how were the 50 selected? The names of the fifty were published in the back of the booklet. The only thing that one might assume is that the same lottery system that is apparently used to choose the architects to be audited for the CPD year, was used to select the 50 architects who were to be given congratulatory silver pins. It seemed an odd decision to make. Why exclude anyone? The danger is that some might get offended at being neglected, because the book noted that: The BOAQ acknowledges the significant contribution and commitment to the architecture profession in Queensland demonstrated by the following architects who have been registered for 50 years. The obvious implication to make is that, by not being selected, one had not made a significant contribution, or had not displayed any or sufficient commitment to the architecture profession in Queensland; or any other quality that might be recognised. This seemed to be a very silly, divisive decision.
It is not the first time one has been critical of the Board: see - https://voussoirs.blogspot.com/2018/12/educating-profession-cpd-occasion-exam.html ; https://voussoirs.blogspot.com/2018/12/on-cpd-points-whats-point.html ; and https://voussoirs.blogspot.com/2012/04/normal-0-is-asquality-in-graphics-that.html One has to ask about the rationale of the Board’s action on this occasion, in the same manner as one has questioned its decision to change its graphic to its present sloppy identity; and again on how it has managed CPD. CPD stands for ‘Continuing Professional Development,’ but is more like ‘Compulsory Professional Development’ as it is strictly policed by the Board that frequently reminds architects, very bluntly, that it is a legal requirement that carries penalties if not carried out or recorded properly. The idea is that a professional has to ‘keep up with things’ and not be allowed to ‘fall behind,’ such is the dominant idea of progress in our era that uses the phrase ‘moving forward’ just too much, thoughtlessly.
CPD has been much criticised, as the Board has chosen to have all of the authority, but wants nothing to do with supervising the process, or the quality of the presentations that can be attended to accumulate points. This criticism has been made clear before. Sessions can be run by commercial salesmen who, at the end of their ‘2-point’ session, set an exam for the architects who have attended to make sure that they were paying attention, to see if they have earned their two points. The whole situation has been reversed. Salesmen now hold power over architects when it should be the other way around, with architects questioning the salesmen in order to check on their product that may be used for a client with their recommendation.
This situation may sound a little unbelievable, but a colleague has sent me the exam questions he had to answer at a session he attended recently, quaintly titled QUIZ:
Name:
Email:
Date:
Registration Number:
QUIZ:
CPTED principles provide detailed solutions to minimize safety and crime:
True
False
What are the key virus contamination routes identified as by British Council for Offices Briefing Note November 2020?
Contact and Airborne
Airborne
Contact, Airborne- large and small droplets, Faecal- oral
When designing toilet cubicles, the minimum internal space has to be:
1.2 m2
2.0 m2
1.0 m2
Are modesty panels mandatory in accordance with….. F2.5 of NCC Volume One and 3.8.3.3 of NCC Volume Two.
True
False
For budget projects, which material is suggested for partitions?
Compact
Prefinished Board 18 mm
Solid Thermoplastic Polymer
What is the optimal board sheet size for partitions?
3660 x 1830 mm
3660 x 1220 mm
2460 x 1830 mm
Which surface provides a more hygienic and easier to clean surface?
A) Paint
B) Compact Laminate wall cladding
C) Aluminium
National Construction Code states that in an early childhood center, there must be sanitary compartments screened by a partition which, except for the doorway, is opaque for a height of at least 900 mm but not more than 1200 mm high above the floor level.
True
False
Result:
It is truly infantile and embarrassing for a trained professional to have to go through this process managed by a commercial salesperson, especially after 50 years registration that has earned him a pin, yet to be seen.
On mentioning this celebration to another colleague, he said that he knew for certain that one of the 50 had not been registered 50 years! Does anyone care? The Board does nothing but sit back, tick the boxes, and carry out audits. The facts of the situation, or the true usefulness of any CPD presentation to the practice of architecture, seems more than petty; irrelevant. The idea that the Board might choose to run its own talks, or publish its own material, does not appear to interest the current members. One could envisage a ‘Boyer lectures’ system like the ABC Radio has, where the Board chooses an individual or a group to prepare material for talks and publication annually, so that all members can share in this material, even debate it, and gain useful points with quality public presentations that truly promote and improve the profession.
My colleague has pointed out that at all of the sessions he has attended, the presenter always gives everyone the answers at the end, perhaps to ensure that everyone gets the points, and to make the session look useful, successful. Sometimes attendees are asked to prepare a short written submission on a presentation and send it in; but no one seems to know who checks what; and what happens if one fails to meet whatever the level might be. Alas, the Board is happy to plough on with its silliness, threatening architects who do not comply.
Now we get back to the pin saga: Whose idea was it? The letter explained the concept as my colleague had suggested:
The material sterling silver has been specifically chosen because of the purity of the metal, its sheen, and its historical significance; that there is “something pure” in pins being a single silver colour, resonating with fidelity to materials and the profession. Sterling silver also has a proud tradition and history in commemorating valour and honour.
The ideas appear jejune, of another era; but the pomp is shortly deflated into farce with the next paragraph of the letter:
It had been hoped to be able to present this pin to you at today’s ceremony, however, unfortunately there has been an unexpected production/delivery delay beyond the control of the Board which has resulted in the pins not being available on time.
It is close to laughable that, after such an exuberant build up, the stuff-up has to be acknowledged. The whole meaning of the day has disappeared with both valour and honour. Is one surprised by a Board that lets such outmoded, magisterial language be published about the profession? Does the Board know anything about the everyday profession at all? Such expressions describing this occupation might have made sense in 1929 when the Board was established, but today? It sounds like florid gibberish. Meanwhile, fifty architects have turned up at the Premiers’ and Speakers’ Hall in Parliament House at 9:30am on 9 December 2021 for nothing but a sad apology. At least they could see the 83 newly registered architects of 2021 get presented with their certificates of registration.
Who makes decisions on the Board? All the members, or one; or a few? Take the booklet that came with the letter. It has the clumsy Board graphic on the back, an image that seeks to be slick and modern, but is a muddle; but the cover presents a Corinthian column, as if it might be as essentially relevant to the profession today as it once was. Inside, along with a few ‘olde worlde’ images of Classical details and ruins, there is what one assumes to be the medallion, the inspiration for the pin. One formal side with the Board mentioned in letters around a diagrammatic, crude Corinthian capital at the centre looks like an old penny, only the penny is better. The other side has a strange Masonic appearance with the dominating dividers and the sun or fireworks blaze, held together by an arc that slides over the number 50. What on earth is all this imagery supposed to mean? Given the close attention to the symbolism of the silver pin, why does the referencing seem to disappear here into what looks like visual mumbo jumbo? We seem to be rooted deep in the Victorian era, where flowers had a language – see: Flora Symbolica, Or The Language And Sentiment of Flowers John H. Ingram, Frederick Warne & Co, London, 1869. Today, no one cares for such pretentious, emotionally charged analogies.
It is an understanding that holds no relevance today. Was there no one on the board who could understand this? Here one recalls PM Abbott’s knighthood that was given to Prince Phillip. Such an alarmingly stupid idea seemed to have met with no questioning in the PM’s office. Why? Did anyone on the Board question the idea of the pin; the idea of silver; the symbolism? Did anyone on the Board ever check on the production of these 50 awards to ensure they might arrive on time? This is the Board that checks on every architect to ensure that the CPD points have all been properly accumulated over the year – no excuses.
This situation almost looks like resignation material. Does the Board ever question itself? Does anyone on the Board raise ideas for discussion; bring forward questions to be debated? Why not? Looking at the list of speakers at this ‘Conferring Ceremony,’ as the booklet is titled, one sees that there are seven different Board members who wanted to get involved in the ceremony, either as speaker or presenter of presentations. Are the members only interested in their power with some indulgent nostalgia? There is history in the Board that was established in 1929. A photo of the original Board members is inside the front cover. One cannot see any pins in the lapels. Why does the Board seek to stay rooted in the past? Why do ideas to improve the profession not come from the Board that is appointed to manage the quality of the profession, not to award pins.
The Board can spend money on this publication and the making of the pins - how much? - but why does it limit itself to such mundane issues, celebratory matters that turn out to be less than spectacular occasions with mumbled speeches - so I am told – and the bungled delivery of the pins that were supposed to be the reason for the occasion. What on earth is going on at Board meetings? Does it delight in its fanciful, Victorian sentiment? This Email sent to a colleague makes the critique clear:
This is the wording I referred to:
The material of sterling silver has been specifically chosen because of the purity of the metal, its sheen, and its historical significance; that there is "something pure" in pins being a single silver colour, resonating with fidelity to materials and the profession. Sterling silver also has a proud tradition and history in commemorating valour and honour.
The language is anachronistic, having nothing to do with the raw, cut-throat nature of the profession today.
It seems that the Board is still rooted in the ideology of the 1920's when it was formed, a time of late-Victorian, cheap sentiments.
There is little 'purity' or 'fidelity' in architecture today, let alone in architects; there is certainly no 'valour' or 'honour' - just self-interest.
I am still wondering what on earth one might do with a pin?
Does the Board still think that tie pins and hat pins are used?
And who is going to care if it is poked into a lapel?
Maybe just the Board members; they apparently still see the Corinthian column as having some relevance and significance in architecture.
The only useful symbolic reference with silver is that it requires constant attention to hold its sheen; that it tarnishes quickly.
It is an attention to maintaining 'purity' that no one even cares about today, leaving everything tainted and corroded: yes, that's appropriate.
So one might learn from the material, silver – the need for constant care and attention to outcomes, to ensure that the ‘sheen’ remains with continued vigilance, rather than just have folk sit around in isolation, and watch the profession tarnish, become tainted and corroded, irrelevant. Unfortunately the Board has let the profession fall into disrepair as it gazes into the past. We need much better. How this improvement is to be achieved needs to be discussed. It might need drastic action. Something has to happen so that we can add quality and meaning to the profession rather than continue to have it divided and demeaned, left deteriorating. Little wonder that it now holds so little respect.
18 JAN 22
Those who have an interest in matters to do with anniversary metals should know that gold is the metal for the 50th, not silver: see - http://www.jewelrywise.com/gifts-occasions/article/anniversary-metals and https://www.myweddinganniversary.com/anniversaries/50th-year-anniversary/
50th anniversary: gold
Following the lead of those medieval Germans, the 50th wedding anniversary has long been associated with gold.
ABOUT 50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES
The 50th golden wedding anniversary is one of the most venerable milestones in married life. And rightly so, as it is a rare celebration for any couple.
Appropriately, the 50th wedding anniversary symbol is gold… beautiful, strong and resistant to corrosion. All qualities that are essential for a marriage to last for 50 years…
Why did the Board not celebrate in gold? Did it think that ‘resistant to corrosion’ was an inappropriate quality to represent the profession; or was it simply cost?
The word is that, some five weeks after the event, the pins have not yet arrived.
2 FEB 22
The ‘Notice of BOAQ Election 2022 – How to Vote’ form arrived today in an Email. The messy BOAQ graphic is located awkwardly in the top left-hand corner. Down the right-hand edge of the page is some sideways lettering; it reads: PROTECTING THE PUBLIC / REGISTERING ARCHITECTS / ADVANCING EDUCATION IN ARCHITECTURE.
Registering Architects seems a clear enough task; and the public can complain to the Board if there is a problem, so this could be seen as Protecting the Public; but one has to wonder about what the Board is doing about Advancing Education in Architecture. The Board records that it has this role to play, but its lack of involvement in CPD material and education generally leaves one concerned, wondering just why the Board is not a lot more active in this field.
10 March 2022
It took time, but finally the pin arrived at the end of February 2022, nearly three months late. Surprisingly it was not forwarded by registered mail as was proposed. Maybe the Board wanted to save money?
The 'pin' turned out to be a stud pin rather than a tie pin. The design was the 'Masonic' image suggested in the publication. It was 20mm diameter, larger than anticipated; about the size of a 20 cent coin. The rear was marked 'STG SL' which one assumes to be 'Sterling Silver.' It is unfortunate that Australia has never bothered to implement an assay system for precious metals, leaving the details of quality, maker, place, and date lost in the sloppy 'She'll be right' attitude; or did Australia simply rely on the 'old country' for such things?
The appearance of the pin has only confirmed every concern mentioned previously. It carries a lingering, indulgent carelessness as a self-centred, divisive insult that the profession should never have been burdened with: perhaps the dividers are meaningful?
MEANINGS
Square and Compasses
As
well-represented as the All Seeing Eye is, the Square and Compasses
are really the most well known or recognized Freemason symbol. The
meaning behind it is quite literal, with the square representing
morality in that Freemasons need to ‘square [their] actions by the
square of virtue with all mankind’.
The compass then
measures the ability to wisely conduct actions within certain
boundaries. In other words, together the Square and Compasses remind
Freemasons to explore their desires and passions without stepping
outside the realms of moral behaviour.
Masonic
Blazing Star
The Masonic Blazing Star is said to be the
pinnacle of a Freemason’s journey. In Masonry, a man tries to use
knowledge to guide him, much like a star that is blazing against a
dark night sky.
One has to be careful with meanings, even when perhaps unintended. Might one assume some relevance to the Board’s pin design? The references might infer actions within boundaries guided by knowledge, but seem to drop the association to moral activity. What might this say about the profession? Does the arc brush this aside?
23 MARCH 2022
This Email arrived today with yet another example of a CPD exam or 'quiz' as it is called. When it this nonsense going to stop? It does very little for the standing of the profession.
HI ……..AWAITING TO START ANOTHER CPD SESSION ON “ASSISTED LIVING ACCESS”…… FINAL TEST IS ATTACHED
Name:
Email:
Date:
Registration Number:
QUIZ: (5 out of 6 questions need to be answered correctly)
1. What is the highest-level design category in the SDA Design Standards document?
• Robust
• High Physical Support
* Fully Accessible
2. What does NDIS stand for?
• National Disability Information Scheme
• National Disability Insurance Scheme
• National Diabetics Insurance Scheme
3. When does the SDA design standard officially start?
• July 2021
• October 2019
• July 2020
4. What does the SDA Design Standard document set out?
• design requirements for education buildings
• the maximum design requirements for each Design Category
• the minimum design requirements for each Design Category
5. In a fully accessible and high physical support category, what is the minimum bench space required?
• 900 mm
• 800 mm
• 600mm
6. In high physical and fully accessible what is the minimum clearance from underneath the worktop required?
• 720-1020 mm
• 650-850 mm
• 1020-1320 mm
Result:
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