The NSW chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) will once again be holding their popular houses tours in November 2008.

The tours have so far seen over 100 homes and apartments with more than 1000 visitors taking part. From architects and students to interested professionals, the tours attract a range of different people.

The architect of each project is always in attendance, giving a tour and talking about the home. “Whilst the beauty of some great art may be in the personal interpretation, who wouldn’t like to have the artists at the art gallery lined up next to their paintings to ‘walk them through’ their works?,” asks Leeanne Baker-Louis of AIA NSW chapter.

The tours visit a range of projects including beach houses, award-winners, Northern Beaches houses, architects’ own homes and Sustainable designs – with projects from established architects on huge budgets to emerging architects and inner-west semis.

“Some clients stay and meet those on the tour, they are very house proud. Which adds something to the tour – we get to see how the client feels about the entire project from start to finish,” Baker-Louis says.

The next tour will take to Adelaide from the 1 – 2 November 2008, coinciding with the 2008 National Architecture Awards. Projects to be visited are-

Kaurna & Hawke Building, University of SA – Wardle + Hassell
Sacred Heart College – Tridente Architects
Marion Cultural Centre – ARM/Philips Pilkington Architects
Aptos Cruz Gallery – Con Bastiras Architect
Amazon Waterlily Pavillion – Flightpath Architects
North Adelaide House – Dimitty Anderen (TBC)
Robin Boyd House – Robin Boyd (TBC)

Tickets are $130 for members and $150 for non-members. Or attend both the tour and the awards ceremony for $320 (members) and $340 (non members).

Contact Leeanne Baker-Louis – leeanne.baker-louis@raia.com.au or call 0418 606 367

Hero Image: Marion Cultural Centre, Phillips/Pilkington Architects in association with Ashton Raggatt McDougall architects. Photographer – Peter Bennetts.

Cheong House

Scarp House