National president - Karl Fender
 Professional BackgroundKarl Fender is a founding director of Fender Katsalidis (Aust) Pty Ltd, which has gained a reputation as one of Australia’s leading design firms working both throughout Australia and internationally. Karl gained his undergraduate degree at RMIT in Melbourne and his Masters Degree at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In his role as design director, he has been involved in many major projects, including Eureka Tower on Melbourne’s Southbank, which at 88 storeys, is the tallest residential tower in the world, and the New Quay precinct of the Melbourne Docklands. The practice is also currently undertaking major residential projects in Shanghai, Kuala Lumpur, Gibraltar, Jakarta and throughout Australia. Karl has lived and worked in Melbourne, London, Paris, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Boston and in Rome. Before returning to Australia in 1995, Karl had been involved in the master planning and architectural design of Muang Thong Thani, a new town in Thailand, while operating from his offices located in Melbourne, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Paris. This particular project provided housing of many differing typologies for 150,000 residents, with attendant infrastructural and recreational facilities, and 500,000 m2 of clean use industrial facilities. While designing and overseeing the construction of this project, his practice also master-planned and designed a number of other high-rise, and garden communities throughout Asia. Karl is committed to life in the city, where he lives and works, and has been very active in programs to further opportunities for the enhancement of life in Melbourne’s CBD. His projects with his partner Nonda Katsalidis have facilitated the public acceptance of inner city apartment living in Melbourne city, and have helped to further enrich the fabric and the vibrance of Melbourne as it has evolved into one of the most livable cities in the world. Karl was previously the Institute’s Victorian Chapter President from March 2008 to March 2010. Presidential Focus Overthe coming year, Karl will focus as President on three key issues - planningreform, the need for government architects and sustainable cities andcommunities. He will advocate for: 1. GovernmentArchitects · The Institutebelieves the establishment of Government Architect positions is essential inevery State and Territory, and at Federal Government level. · This will ensureAustraliaachieves a heightened levelof design excellence and sustainability – enriching the lives of all Australiansand enhancing the nation’s reputation internationally as a leader in design. 2. PlanningReform · The Institutebelieves that current DA systems inAustraliafail to work efficiently -resulting in lengthy delays and additional compliance costs. A better, effectiveand efficient planning approval system is crucial in avoiding wasted time andcosts. · The DevelopmentAssessment Forum has drawn on the expertise of its members to identify a betterway forward – theLeading Practice Model forDevelopment Assessment in Australia. · The Institute iscalling on the Local Government and Planning Ministers Council, and in turnState/Territory and Local Governments, to adopt this model. 3. Sustainable Citiesand Communities · Urgent action isneeded as we face challenges presented by climate change.The profession,as a key player in the development of the built environment, must continue toshow leadership and drive action. · TheInstituteadvocates a range of actions for government, architects, the design andconstruction industries, and the broader community that it believes will addressthese challenges. · The Institutebelieves commercial and residential building sectors offer great potential forachieving deep cuts in GHGs by 2050 through reduced energy demand and increasedenergy efficiency of buildings. · The Institute willcontinue to call for the establishment of policy frameworks to achieve greaterenergy and resource efficiency in the building sector, and to facilitateinnovation in building design and procurement. · The Institute willcontinue to push for immediate incentives to encourage the alteration,retrofitting and rebuilding of our current building stock to achieve moresustainable outcomes. |
