Government
Architect Policy

Background

Architecture helps define a society and in this context Governments play a vital role in shaping our built environment. Most of the important buildings within our environment are key social and institutional buildings that are, by and large, built by Government eg, parliaments, town halls, museums, schools, hospitals, courthouses etc. The onus is on governments to lead by example through support of high quality design outcomes.

Where Government Architect positions don't exist, the defining characteristics of public architecture procurement can include political expedience, departmental reviews and steering committees consisting of inadequately skilled staff. These types of systemic problems hamper and inhibit good design, and demonstrate a general lack of understanding about the value of design and what design seeks to achieve for our everyday lives.

Without Government Architect positions in place, Governments have limited access to high level design advice and there is no avenue available to Departments for design leadership.

The Institute believes that the principle objective of the Government Architect position is to assist Government to achieve high quality design outcomes through:

  • Providing strategic advice to Government about architecture and urban design,
  • Assist Government to better understand building design and delivery,
  • Promote the value of good design both in the Government and wider community- to support the process of making great buildings, spaces and sustainable urban environments, and
  • Promote best practice in the built environment

Through this role, the Government Architect aims to encourage high quality buildings and public spaces that are environmentally, economically and socially sustainable and culturally rich.

The Institute believes the position should entail:

- generating support for a quality built environment,
- encouraging innovative design of public buildings and spaces,
- assisting architects in undertaking government work,
- ensuring quality is a key factor in government projects,
- encouraging the development of regional design,
- assisting Government in its commitment to public art in
   buildings and spaces, and
- promoting awareness about how good design can make
   great living places and urban environments.

The Institute does not view the role as:

  • an initiative to recreate the former Department of Australian Construction Services or State Departments,
  • duplicating the role of current Government resources,
  • adding additional steps to the planning process, nor as
  • an advocate for the Institute.

While New South Wales has continuously maintained an office of Government Architect, over the last decade Queensland, Western Australian, Northern Territory, Victoria and Tasmania have established new Government Architect positions - these initiatives have been welcomed by the Institute.

The Institute's position on establishing a Government Architect position within the Australian Government has received support from;

(i) the Australian Construction Industry Forum which passed a resolution in 2007 calling for a Government Architect role to be created within the Australian Government, and

(ii) the Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories' Inquiry into the role of the National Capital Authority (NCA) July 2008, which recommends establishing a Commonwealth Architect position to deliver independent strategic advice to the Commonwealth Government with the aim of achieving high quality, sustainable design outcomes.