Image Credit: Sophie Skipper Photography.

Jerene Irwin, Associate Director at Chaplin Farrant in Norwich, is the new President of the Norfolk Association of Architects (NAA). Jerene is the second female President in NAA’s 96-year history, following the late Sheila Gooch, who was President in 1975-77.

Jerene’s key activity during the first six months of her two-year presidency is to lead planning for FANN17, the biennial Festival of Architecture in Norwich & Norfolk. 

Jerene joined Chaplin Farrant in 2007, continuing her studies part-time before qualifying in 2010. As lead Architect in the companies’ commercial team, she has a breadth of experience in education and community based projects. Her team has delivered many large-scale projects, including the new Sweet Briar retail park, numerous public sector buildings and are architects for East Coast College’s multi million-pound Energy Skills Centre that was announced recently.

“It was FANN13 that inspired me to get involved with NAA,” said Jerene Irwin. “This year our festival will focus on the theme of Memory. I am passionate about raising awareness of the role that good architecture plays in shaping our lives. Our biennial festival was launched in 2009 to champion a greater appreciation of the built environment, celebrate contemporary architecture in the region and engage with the community to encourage wider understanding of the benefits of good design.”

The Design & Craftsmanship Awards on Thursday, September 28, a collaboration between NAA and the National Federation of Builders, will launch FANN17, with festival events running throughout October. FANN17 will culminate on Thursday, November 2 with the annual Norwich Lecture at UEA, which will be delivered by Caruso St John Architects, winners of RIBA’s 2016 Sterling Prize for their work on the Newport Street Gallery in south London, home of Damien Hirst’s private art collection.

The festival programme will include a showcase exhibition of the region’s Architects held at The Forum, children’s events at the Castle Museum, exhibitions and lectures co-ordinated by Norwich University of the Arts, guided walking tours in Norwich and at UEA, architectural themed films at Cinema City, a Pecha Kucha (quick-fire presentations) evening and a public photography competition.

“It’s going to be an exciting six months collaborating with the county’s architects to deliver FANN17, promoting the Design & Craftsmanship Awards and discussing the role of good architecture with visitors to our exhibition and events.”

For more information see www.norfolkarchitects.org.uk and www.fann17.org.uk

FANN17

The Norfolk Association of Architects

NAA is the Norfolk branch of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). Local NAA activities are organised to support the strategic priorities and vision of RIBA which are:

To champion better buildings, communities and the environment through architecture and our members.

To be known for excellence in the promotion of architecture, setting standards, stimulating innovation, sharing knowledge and demonstrating the economic social and environmental benefits of good architecture.