We are thrilled to announce a number of key appointments to the Victorian Chapter.
Introduction to Tim Leslie FRAIA, the new Victorian State Manager
Tim is a Fellow of the Institute and a registered architect in Victoria, with over twenty years of experience in the profession, in Australia and UK.
He has held the position of Studio Director at Bates Smart, where he worked for 14 years, prior to that he spent two years in London with Allies and Morrison and four years at Jackson Clements Burrows.
Tim has worked across a broad range of sectors with a focus on developing projects from inception through to planning approval and tender stage. He is highly regarded for his architectural integrity, leadership and tenacity. Notably, during his time at Bates Smart, Tim was the Director in charge for the competition-winning Australian Embassy in Washington, DC.
He has had leadership roles on many key projects in Victoria, including award-winning commercial projects at 171 Collins Street and neighbouring 161 Collins Street, the residential towers at 17 and 35 Spring Street, and both Bendigo and Cabrini Hospitals. A number of these projects won Institute and other National and State awards.
In addition to his professional roles, Tim has undertaken a number of advocacy, governance and thought leadership roles.
In the not for profit sector, Tim founded Centre for Architecture Victoria | Open House Melbourne (OHM) in 2008, which in 2012 received a special award in the Institute’s Architecture in the Media category, and the Victorian President’s Prize. He has been on the OHM Board for 13 years, with 9 years as President. Part of the original success of the event lies with Tim’s insight into architecture and how to communicate its value to others.
Tim is on the Office of Victorian Government Architects Design Review Panel, the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) Building Estates Committee, and the Melbourne School of Design Architecture Advisory Board. He has lectured both locally and internationally, moderated panel discussions in relation to architecture and provided commentary in the media about the role of design. He has been both a Jury Chair and Juror for Institute’s State Awards, and a number of other award programs.
Tim has been a Victorian Chapter Councillor for six years and was admitted as a Fellow of the Institute in 2018.
Bill Krotiris RAIA appointed Australian Institute of Architects’ Victorian Chapter President
John Wardle Architects and the Institute congratulate Principal Bill Krotiris on his appointment as Victorian Chapter President. Working closely alongside State Manager Tim Leslie, Bill will assume the role immediately.
Bill joined John Wardle Architects in 2004 and has led projects in large-scale commercial, residential and institutional sectors. He has been a Principal at JWA since 2014 and is a valued member of the senior leadership team.
Bill has been a member of the Institute’s Victorian Chapter Large Practice Forum since 2015, contributing to the Draft Code of Novation for industry and government advocacy. He is also a member of the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia’s Expert Reference Group, which earlier this year commenced a Review of the National Standard of Competency for Architects.
With over 30 years’ experience as an architect, Bill brings to the role highly valuable commercial insights. “I am thrilled to be contributing to the leadership group of the Victorian Chapter of the Institute. It is a terrific opportunity and an honour to be part of something I am passionate about at such a critical time, a period of immense change and challenge for our industry,” says Bill.
Founder and Partner of JWA, John Wardle warmly applauds Bill’s appointment: “We are extremely pleased for Bill, his vast experience and understanding of the profession will benefit the Victorian architecture community immensely”.
Bill has worked on a range of a JWA projects, concentrating on the commercial portfolio of the practice: York & George in Sydney, Spire Apartments in Brisbane and most recently 271 Spring Street and Holme Apartments in Melbourne.
Bill is interested in developing greater links between government, education, community and industry. He looks forward to providing strong advocacy and strategy for the initiatives of the Victorian Chapter and advancing the opportunities for the Institute in the broader industry: “I am looking forward to driving a series of key initiatives for the Institute, and bringing my professional experience to bear on decision making within the new Victorian Chapter team.”
Welcome Paul Zanatta
The Institute welcomes Paul Zanatta to the Advocacy and Policy Team and to the Victorian Chapter in the newly created position of Advocacy and Policy Manager.
Paul’s career started in nursing, moving quickly into broader community health and human services, and progressing to operational and strategic management positions. He holds tertiary qualifications in nursing, community health, public health, counselling and governance, including a Master of Public Health (UNSW) and as a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).
Paul arrives at the Institute having spent most of the past fifteen years in senior and executive Policy, Research and Advocacy roles at Aged and Community Care Victoria, VincentCare, and the Australian Medical Association (Vic) and has sat on many Commonwealth and State government advisory groups and committees. He has had substantial engagement with built environment and government policy and planning in relation to infrastructure grants, homelessness and affordable housing, aged and community care, retirement living, and community hubs.
“From my many years in human services and policy research and advocacy roles I have been tempered by the critical need for a high-quality built environment to create positive impacts on our lives. I have seen that good design and engaging community spaces can improve our physical and mental wellbeing, create more socially inclusive communities and promote environmental sustainability”.
In 2011 Paul received an award for his policy advocacy work at the annual ACCV State Awards for Excellence. Paul is enthusiastic about the contribution he will make though his advocacy and policy work at the Institute.
“Architects are among the most significant custodians and proponents for high-quality built environments. It is essential that the Institute (and Chapter) is positioned as an effective and critical friend of government and, in turn, ensures that the Architecture profession is well-positioned to be ‘open for business’ and create a positive impact in our society”.