In 2017 I was co-appointed by Australian governments to conduct a review of building compliance frameworks across Australia. At that time, I had been advising the ARBV and many other building regulators for 20 years. This made me acutely aware that the erosion of design quality over many years was a strong factor contributing to the systemic failures in Australia’s building regulatory systems.
Concerns about adequacy of design cannot be fully addressed by laying this issue at the feet of architects, engineers or designers. Over a period of 30 years, the introduction of performance based design, the emergence of design and construct procurement methods and the privatisation of the building approvals process has resulted in a diminished contribution from architects and engineers to the design and construction process. This has manifested in less detailed design and limited competency of design professionals in understanding the requirements of the National Construction Code.
The publication of the Building Confidence Report, subsequent reforms in some jurisdictions and the fall-out of the cladding crisis have provided architects with a valuable opportunity to review their role and reset their value proposition.
Now has never been a more important time for architects to reflect on and explore the culture of their profession. This report, “Strengthening the Compliance Culture in the Architecture Sector”, considers professional workplace culture with a focus on compliance – exploring what a compliance culture is, why it is important, the extent to which it exists amongst Victorian architects and how to strengthen it.
The existence of a genuine compliance culture is essential to any profession that seeks trust and confidence from its clients and the community. The investment in the development of this very thorough and diligent report by the ARBV is to be commended.
Not only does the report provide an opportunity for self-reflection, it also offers the ARBV thoughtful guidance on its role as the regulator of the profession of architects. The report articulates the dual roles of the regulator - to bring accountability to those who are non-compliant whilst also promoting examples of strong compliance culture to provide a benchmark for what “good” looks like for others to aspire to.
It is essential for regulatory bodies to deeply understand the entities that they regulate. This report informs that understanding and in doing so, offers suggestions to architects on strategies to improve compliance culture using case studies.
This report will stand as a body of work that can inform the ARBV and its counterparts in other jurisdictions. It is also recommended reading for other occupational licensing bodies and professional associations that engage with building industry professionals.
Bronwyn Weir
Director Weir Legal and Consulting & Co-author of the Building Confidence Report
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