The role of the Government Architect in Western Australia is to provide leadership and strategic advice to Government to improve the design of public buildings and spaces and enhance the quality of the built environment.
The Government Architect (GA) has a whole of government focus and, where requested, can provide advice to the highest levels of Government.
The Office of the Government Architect (OGA) is supported through the State Department of Finance’s Building Management and Works unit, and the GA reports to both the Minister for Finance and the Premier as required.
The work of the Office spans projects, policy and design advocacy and in the last two years the staff has worked concertedly on the development of a built environment policy for Western Australia and a series of ‘design standards’ for key public works projects.
The “Better Places and Spaces” policy is the intended subject of a Cabinet Submission in the early New Year, and the highest level of endorsement is being sought for the initiative. As part of the implementation strategy for the policy, the design standards provide objective, performance-based guidance as to the design quality sought for public high schools, courthouses and hospitals. Design review by the OGA is a key element of the strategy to encourage better design outcomes.
The OGA is Steve Woodland (GA), Melinda Payne, Caroline Hickey, Carmel Van Ruth, Patrick Ford and Jarrod Motherway.
