This month’s highlight is an interview with the knowledgeable and esteemed immediate past President of the South African Institute of Architects (SAIA), Hassan Asmal. In this interview, Hassan shares with readers the highlights of his tenure as SAIA’s president, the changing role of the Institute and the challenges facing architecture in South Africa today.

When did you become president of the South African Institute of Architects?
I became president of SAIA in August 2006 and completed my term in August 2008.

What is the role of the president of SAIA and what responsibilities come with this position?
The role of the president is to represent the interests of the profession, but, most importantly, it is to ensure that the interests of SAIA’s members are looked after. The many other responsibilities that come with the position include: making sure that SAIA is represented in all the relevant forums, such as government, private sector, NGO and internationally; ensuring the administration of the Institute is run efficiently; looking after the interests of the built environment by ensuring that relevant issues are raised and addressed when required; constantly checking that our practice standards are up to date with international best practice, and creating opportunities for built environment practitioners through activities such as competitions and other initiatives.

What have been the highlights of your two year term?
There has been much positive activity within SAIA over the past two years. Some noteworthy items and events include:
• The winning of the bid to host the 2014 International Union of Architects (UIA) world conference.
The first winning bid of the UIA Conference for an African country in over 30 Years. The theme for the conference is Multiplicity and there is no better venue than Durban, a port of multiple cultures and a microcosm of the world itself, to host such a themed event.
• The Presidential Road show.
A first time series of road shows, which commenced in March this year, designed and effectively executed by the executive team of SAIA, to promote improved communication with its members and the general public.
• The introduction of two new publications namely, The Africa Digest and The Awards Book.
• The activities related to World Architecture Day — the Red Dot Campaign and the Visi initiative.
The Red Dot Campaign identified buildings of merit in the different regions, highlighting what the profession considers to be a building of merit, and the Visi initiative was based on an inclusive survey that asked members of the public to vote for their favourite building.
• Increased participation at an international level, especially with the International Union of Architects (UIA) and the Africa Union of Architects (AUA).
• Improved communications with Government and other bodies at a local level.
• The 2008 Biennial Convention.
A ‘stand alone’ event graced by a high standard of presentations and debate that focused on a sustainable and humane approach to architecture.

What changes took place within SAIA during your tenure as president?
During my term as president, we focussed on the following:
• consolidating the role of our committees within our structure;
• improving international communication;
• proactively implementing initiatives to understand our way forward in our local and international contexts. Some of these initiatives included: SAIA forum with academics, held for the first time in Bloemfontein; the review of SAIA structure driven by new president Al Stratford, and the focus on sustainable and humane architecture, lead by Fanuel Motsepe;
• the issue of the composition of our profession in a changing South Africa, as well as the quality of industry graduates and the current skills available.

What changes would you like to see take place in South African Architecture and within SAIA in the future?
We believe that the role SAIA plays has been underestimated by its members, as well as by the public. SAIA needs to keep its ‘finger on the pulse’ and ensure that the interests of architecture and the built environment are looked after. To do this effectively, we need the support of our members and an improved resource base. We will require more full time personnel to achieve our goals and maintain standards in the future.

Where is South African Architecture today?
South African architecture is healthy; however, it needs to address the challenges of South Africa as a developed/developing country and deliver in this regard without compromising standards. There is a lot of interest from prospective students, but the academies do not seem to be able to cope. Their resources are limited and are not geared for expansion. The future for those seeking a career in architecture looks bright and, given our infrastructure, housing and other needs, there should be good opportunities for those in practice; however, there is a concern with the availability of good, experienced resources at the present time.

What challenges do architects in South Africa face today?
The challenge facing architects, and all built environment professionals, is to produce appropriate environments that are sustainable and that respond to the differing needs of the various regions, as well as the people occupying them. This will not always conform to market forces or government policies, but we need to fight and support what we believe to be the right thing to do. In order to achieve some of these goals, we will need to be proactive and provide leadership when necessary.

What are the major challenges of SAIA in today’s South African climate?
The list is long. Sustainability, skills development, education and the delivery of appropriate environments are a few of the major challenges that the institute faces.

Al Statford’s inaugural speech presaged his intention to intensify architectural advocacy in government, industry and the public realm. In your opinion, does government need to be more involved in South African architecture?
Government is involved, but needs to get more involved so that it becomes integral to the debates relating to the built environment and expectations of the industry and public. While individuals may be involved in debates and discussions, one gets the impression that this is not the case throughout the structures. There is, currently, a serious lack of skills and capacity in government structures that needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency and the profession needs to assist in this regard.

What do you think about the work done by SAIA and the state of Architecture in South Africa today? Do you agree with Hassan Asmal? Post your comments here and share your views.