With South Australia's election just days away, the Australian Institute of Architects urges all parties to prioritise climate-adaptive design in housing reforms amid intensifying weather shifts like prolonged droughts and flooding rains.
“Housing is climate infrastructure,” said SA Chapter President Kirstie Coultas.
“Good design reduces energy demand, lowers household bills and improves health outcomes during heat events.”
The Institute calls for robust, transparent implementation of the National Construction Code to deliver clear gains in energy efficiency, accessibility and resilience. This can provide industry certainty and clarity while addressing SA’s housing challenges.
“Good design is not an added cost — it is long-term economic protection for families and communities,” Ms Coultas added.
The upcoming election offers a critical change to embed these principles statewide.
Learn More here: https://www.architecture.com.au/wp-content/uploads/SA-State-Election-2026-RAIA-Policy-Statement-Housing-Quality-Supply-Diversity-FINAL.pdf
South Australia can lead the nation in delivering safer, healthier, more equitable and more resilient housing. By uniting design leadership with targeted investment, planning reform, construction capability, climate adaptation and social housing expansion, the State can address structural challenges that have developed over decades.
Good housing underpins economic participation, health, wellbeing and community connection. South Australians deserve homes that are designed for the future, affordable to access, safe to live in, and built to withstand a changing climate.
About us:
The Australian Institute of Architects (Institute) is the peak body for the architectural profession in Australia. It is an independent, national member organisation with around 13,000 members across Australia and overseas. The Institute exists to advance the interests of members, their professional standards and contemporary practice, and expand and advocate the value of architects and architecture to the sustainable growth of our communities, economy and culture. The Institute actively works to maintain and improve the quality of our built environment by promoting better, responsible and environmental design.
Contact details:
Craig Glasson - SA Chapter Manager
0403 748 370 [email protected]
Kirstie Coultas – SA Chapter President
0427 911 253
[email protected]
