State Government architects – what do they actually do? - Queensland

The office is a small stand-alone unit located within the organisational structure of the Departmentof Public Works, and reports to the Deputy Director-General (Building Services and Works). The Queensland Government Architect chairs the Board for Urban Places, a ministerial advisory body that provides advice and support for high quality urban design for major infrastructure and urban planning projects.

Support for the Board is provided by the Department of Planning and Local Government. The Queensland Government Architect also sits on the Queensland Design Council – an independent strategic advisory board that informs the Queensland Governments Queensland Design Strategy which is administered by Arts Queensland. The key duties and responsibilities of the office include:

• providing project specific and general advice to the Queensland Government on built environment, urban design and heritage issues

• providing leadership and promoting community awareness in built environment issues and facilitating linkages between community expectations and Government built environment policy initiatives

• supporting and encouraging high standard, innovative design for Government Buildings and assisting in implementing Government policy in relation to public art in buildings

• supporting and encouraging opportunities for Queensland Architects, including regional Architects and the development of regional design

• maintaining effective relationships with architectural design schools in Queensland and be involved in their future

• working closely with relevant areas of the Department of Public Works, other Government Agencies and, (where appropriate) other levels of Government in pursuit of better built environment outcomes

• representing government on key architectural planning and urban design committees and bodies.

Recently the office has conducted the briefing, call for submissions and assessment protocols of an International Design Competition for the redesign and renewal of 10 ferry terminals on the Brisbane River damaged in the 2011 floods.

This work has been transferred to the Brisbane City Council for the implementation phase. The office has also take carriage of the Brisbane Open House initiative over the last two years and has established the event as an important awareness program for the built environment. It is proposed to take this initiative to a number of the regions in 2012.