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Timing is Everything: Getting Value from Design Review
Emma Williamson FRAIA | Government Architect Western Australia
Early and collaborative engagement in design review has always been a key ingredient to leveraging best value out of design review processes.
Combine early engagement with the opportunity for GAWA pre-review discussions around project “readiness” and review pathway options, enables a deeper understanding of project needs and opportunities, and has opened the door for more efficient and agile approaches to design review. Emma will provide an update on the activities of the Government Architect of Western Australia with a particular focus on changes to the State Design Review Panel process to align with planning reform agenda of removing barriers to enable development.
This session will take place in the main conference room - BelleVue Ballroom 1
About Emma
Emma Williamson was appointed Government Architect for Western Australia in February 2024.
The Government Architect provides design leadership and strategic advice to enhance the quality of the built environment and ensure that good design is at the centre of all development for the benefit of the Western Australian community.
In this role, Emma provides independent, expert advice on significant projects and strategic planning to State Government, the Premier and Minister for Planning.
Recognised nationally for her skills in design review, Emma was a member of the Western Australian and South Australian State Design Review Panels, as well as the Chair of several local government Design Review Panels prior to her appointment as Government Architect.
Now as Chair of the State Design Review Panel, Emma plays a significant role in the design evaluation of major and city-changing projects.
Emma is Co-founder and a former Partner at award-winning creative consultancy , with almost three decades of architectural experience in the design and delivery of projects at all scales, in both the public and private sector. Emma has worked on projects such as Boola Bardip WA Museum, Murdoch University's Boola Katitjin, and Karratha’s Super Clinic.
She holds degrees in architecture, interior design and business, has written work appearing in national and international publications, and has been regularly invited to present to the government and public on topics such as design, gender equity, leadership, and practice management.
A highly credentialled architect, Emma was named a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects in recognition of her contribution to the profession beyond architectural practice in 2022 and awarded the RAIA Paula Whitman Leadership in Gender Equity Prize in 2023.