[1] The Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF) was used as the model for the development of the organization in its initial phases.
In 2005, regular architecture tours showcasing important buildings and architecture of Sydney led by volunteer tour leaders began in Sydney city and architecturally significant suburbs of Surry Hills and Castlecrag.
[2] The founding committee had a mix of architects, marketing professionals and publicists.
The founding President was Glenn Murcutt, winner of the 2002 Pritzker Prize and the founding committee consisted of: Wendy Lewin, Harry Seidler, Richard Johnson, James Grose, Ian Moore, Alex Popov, David Bare and Manu Siitonen.
Supporting them were the founding directors, Stella de Vulder and Annette Dearing.