Western Australia’s first government architect, Professor Geoffrey London, has moved to create a framework that will ensure the pursuit of quality design in the state’s architecture.
Western Australia’s first government architect, Professor Geoffrey London, has moved to create a framework that will ensure the pursuit of quality design in the state’s architecture.
Professor London took up his position as Western Australia’s first State Government Architect in February last year, the year of the built environment.
A professor of architecture at the University of Western Australia, his role as government architect is to improve the design of public buildings.
Among the projects with which Professor London is involved are: the design of the development on the recently refurbished old Treasury Buildings site; the design of the new $42 million performing arts venue on the corner of William and Roe streets; the new $195 million District Court project; 140 William Street (development site to be sold by LandCorp); and two public housing projects on Pier Street.
Professor London will work closely with the architects to review the concept designs as they are being developed.
Architects Donaldson-Warn, Sandover Pinder, Palassis and Melbourne-based architect Peter Elliott have been selected to produce a redevelopment plan for the old Treasury buildings site, while the winner of a design competition for the new performing arts venue is expected to be announced in November.
Expressions of interest will be sought mid September from LandCorp for developers interested in the William Street site, where LandCorp has indicated that a demonstration building highlighting sustainable principles will be created.
“There has really been an international thrust to have government architects, and WA has been quick off the ranks in this regard,” Professor London said.
“One of the things I have been keen to do is to establish a policy for archi-tecture which commits to the pursuit of design quality – we have drafted one now and it is with the minister.”
Professor London said that while there was some very good architecture in Perth, there was always room for improvement, and to some extent there had been a tradition of “making do”.
“The whole-of-life cost of buildings needs to be considered more,” he said.
“Good design does cost more up front, but is very minor over the life of a building and contributes almost more than anything to the enjoyment of a building. An up-front investment in good design will repay itself over the life of a building.”
Professor London said a well-designed building would be likely to have much lower running costs than a poorly designed building.
