Get to know ACT Government Architect, Catherine Townsend

 Architect Tony Trobe of TT Architecture talks to Catherine Townsend about her role as the ACT Government Architect.

TT You are the ACT Government Architect what do you actually do?

CT In good public service tradition, I provide independent advice to government on architecture and planning and related matters. In particular, the role addresses the promotion of high-quality design and urban design across all government agencies.

TT That sounds a bit generic? What does ‘the promotion of high-quality design’ mean to the ordinary punter?

CT Well it is a role where I try to look at the big picture issues rather than the small scale. The critical strategic issues include looking at how we can improve design quality and also address the hot topic of construction quality in buildings. Although it has become a mantra for organisations to address climate change with both strategic and practical measures it remains an overarching concern in achieving sustainable city planning.

TT What experience do you have that makes you relevant to the position?

CT In addition to being an on-the-ground practising architect, my professional background is broad and enables input from a number of viewpoints. I have been the President of the Institute of Architects and had the almost opposite role of policing them as the Chair of the ACT Architects Registration Board, i.e. both advocate and referee. I also wear an educators hat as Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Arts and Design at the University of Canberra which enables me to have input to, and understanding of, the education of the next generation of practitioners.

TT What are the priorities for you and for Canberra?

CT I think they go hand in glove. Broadly speaking, our big issue is how to arrive at the future: how to meet the complex challenges of climate change and growth in ways that sustain all of us.

TT That sounds like both a platitude and a huge challenge, what specifically can be done?

CT OK, I’ll address the issues around building design first – we need our buildings to be more responsible citizens. They need to better respond to the actual conditions of the site, neighbourhood and context and be able to provide an improved social and physical environment as opposed to diminishing it.

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TT But what is currently diminishing the physical environment?

CT The planning approval process for buildings influences the quality of the outcome: at present we have a prescriptive set of rules that must be satisfied in order to achieve planning approval. The rules are derived from well-substantiated requirements but are so generalised and universal they perversely lead to low-quality solutions. Poor process supports poor outcomes. It is well recognised that good design is contextual and that the simplistic binary process currently in place works against good outcomes. Since my appointment, I have been working with the planning directorate to introduce a new approval process for large projects that supports responsive and nuanced design.

TT There are many battles you could choose, why are you particularly interested in construction quality rather than say, urban density or the state of Civic?

CT Well, my appointment is part time so by necessity I must prioritise the issues. I have a special interest in construction quality because unless we improve the current poor outcomes, we will be unable to respond to even basic aspects of building performance and climate change. Even more urgently we must ensure that new buildings meet currently mandated minimum performance levels.

TT Where are the big problems with building quality occurring?

CT The issues are most oft en seen in apartment buildings where construction omissions or faults become apparent post construction. I have inspected apartment buildings where insulation was omitted; where inappropriate external wall jointing materials were used leading to widespread leaks. Rectification of these sorts of faults is very expensive and oft en difficult.

• Tony Trobe is director of the local practice TT Architecture. Is there a planning or design issue in Canberra you’d like to discuss? Email tonytrobe@ttarchitecture.com.au