Cities of the future are being planned and designed today. Learn how architects, designers and advisors are working upstream with and within government to add value to the processes that shape future civic buildings and places. This session examines how the values of good design can be embedded in key government projects through two case studies - Maitland Riverlink and Sydney Metro - told by the client and design advisors.

This free, live event is taking place at the Chau Chak Wing Museum at the University of Sydney, although tickets are limited. In person attendees are invited to the Designers in Government showcase and refreshments after this panel event.

The event will also be live streamed on the Henry Halloran Trust Youtube channel. Please register for remote attendance.

Panel

Aaron Cook, Maitland City Council

Abbie Galvin, Government Architect NSW

Ivan Glavinic, Sydney Metro Deputy Executive Director for Place Making and Property

David Evans, Maitland City Council General Manager

Introduction: Olivia Hyde

Chaired by: Prof Mel Dodd, Monash University

Aaron Cook is the Operations Manager Projects and Contracts at Maitland City Council. He has over 25 years of experience in project design, procurement, management, and delivery across a broad range of project types for both private and public sector clients, including the Maitland Riverlink.

Abbie Galvin is the NSW Government Architect. Prior to this appointment, she worked for 30 years in architectural practice on projects across a range of sectors that have been highly awarded, published and recognized internationally for bringing fresh approaches to common project types. Abbie is passionate about the public domain, and the ability of architecture and our built environment to positively affect human behaviour, the way people interact, and the manner in which institutions and organizations operate.

Ivan Glavinic is the Deputy Executive Director for Place Making and Property at Sydney Metro. van has extensive experience in town planning/development advising, property development management, negotiating commercial agreements and leases, project management, disposals and acquisitions and has worked on a large number of complex urban development projects, mostly in the public sector. He has worked both in private consulting for large multi-disciplinary architecture and planning firms as well as for two large State Government Corporations.

David Evans is the General Manager of Maitland City Council. David has more than 40 years experience in local government: in this time, he has contributed significantly to the wider Hunter Region and to local government through his various leadership roles on regional bodies. He was recognised for his contribution having been awarded the Public Service Medal in 2014 for outstanding public service, particularly through the Maitland City Council.

Olivia Hyde is a Professor of Practice in Architecture at the University of Sydney and Director of Design Excellence at the Government Architect NSW (GANSW). She is a registered architect with diverse private sector experience on local and international projects ranging from residential extensions to public libraries and large infrastructure. In her role with the Government Architect, Olivia leads the development of policies and programs to support and promote greater design quality in the built environment across the state.

Professor Mel Dodd is an architect and academic responsible for practice-based research and pedagogy that bridges the gap between the academic institution and the profession, industry, government and society. She has led architecture departments at a range of institutions internationally including at Central Saint Martins in London and is currently Professor and Head of Department of Architecture, MADA, Monash University. Her publications include ‘Live Projects: Designing with People’ (RMIT Press, 2012) and most recently ‘Spatial Practices: Modes of Action and Engagement with the City (Routledge 2019).

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The annual Festival of Urbanism is an initiative of the University of Sydney's Henry Halloran Trust and is hosted in partnership with Monash University.