Board of Architects of Queensland News

Q Design Manual 

With rapid growth across many of the State's cities and towns, it is important to ensure that the quality of what is being delivered creates an urban environment that is well made, improves the quality of life for all and is distinctly Queensland. QDesign defines nine priority principles to guide the design, development, and decision-making process in order to raise capability and improve the quality of work being delivered.

Read the manual here for more information.

New Industry Profile for Architecture

Architects are skilled professionals at the centre of Australia’s $100 billion built environment sector.  This sector is significant for both its size and for the critical national role played by the provision of dwellings, commercial spaces, public buildings and infrastructure.   AACA's recently released "INDUSTRY PROFILE: The profession of Architecture in Australia" outlines how the  profession is meeting this expectation and more.
 

Phase 2 of the Minimum Financial Requirements 

(MFR) reforms commenced on 2 April 2019 through amendments to the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (Minimum Financial Requirements) Regulation 2018 (MFR Regulation).

These reforms strengthen the existing MFR Regulation, which was introduced on 1 January 2019. Phase 2 of the reforms also finalise the transfer of the new MFR framework into regulation and repeal the existing MFR Policy.

Key aspects of Phase 2 MFR reforms include:
i) a requirement for category 4-7 QBCC licensees (i.e. those with revenue of over $30 million) to provide additional debtor information to the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC);
ii) self-certifying licensees will need to report their current ratio using the QBCC online form;  the maximum threshold for self-certifying licensees has increased from $600,000 to $800,000;
iii) licensees now need to provide more detailed information about the financial position of a covenantor or related entity;
iv) the QBCC can obtain independent verification of financial information and recover costs if the QBCC believes false or misleading information has been provided in an MFR report;
v) any material changes to MFR reports must be clearly identified and based on updated financial information.

Further information about these changes

a) an updated MFR framework document
b) the Building and Plumbing Newsflash 563 for Phase 2
c) Q&A’s for Phase 2 

Queensland’s Urban Art Projects and bureau proberts design Australia’s pavilion at Expo 2020

Brisbane-based architecture firm, bureau^proberts and creative studio and workshop, UAP (Urban Art Projects) will take centre stage at Expo 2020 in Dubai as the designers of Australia’s pavilion.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the Australian Pavilion would be a space within Expo 2020 for Queensland businesses to interact with delegations from all over the world including Asia, Europe and the Americas.

“Dubai has long been a popular tourist stopover, but next year the city will welcome the world for Expo 2020 – the first world expo ever staged in the Middle East,” the Premier said.

“25 million people are expected to visit Dubai Expo 2020 over 173 days and more than 190 countries are confirmed to participate.

“The Australian Pavilion at Dubai Expo 2020 will host a targeted business program, a contemporary arts program, VIP events and trade and investment promotions.

“I’m pleased UAP has been selected to deliver the design for the Australian Pavilion – a Queensland company tasked with representing the very best of our State and our nation.”

“Dubai is also interested to learn about our experience hosting major events following the success of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games this time last year.”

UAP partnered with Brisbane-based architects bureau^proberts, to propose an imaginative and innovative design, which will provide a compelling participation space for Australia.

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