The Australian Institute of Architects’ Incoming President, Jane Cassidy, urges architects that the best way to predict the future is to create it.
Ms Cassidy is the APAC – Service Line Leader – Architecture and design and director on the board of GHD Design. With over 25 years of specialist experience in education, public infrastructure, healthcare, and cultural institutions, Ms Cassidy is known for her effective and inclusive stakeholder engagement and her strategic creative approach to architecture. She is a director at GHD Design, operating within GHD’s large multidisciplinary architecture, urban design, engineering, project management, digital and advisory business.
Ms Cassidy brings a business of architecture perspective including a deep understanding of the drivers of investment across the built environment. She leads large public projects with a focus on environmentally, culturally, economically and socially sustainable architecture.
“Our task, as leaders in our community is to adapt to the ever-accelerating pace of change and deliver solutions at the speed demanded by our planet and its inhabitants,” says Ms Cassidy.
“We must shift from adopting sustainable principles to consistent approaches for measuring low-carbon outcomes supplying investment confidence for industry enabling innovation architecture’s value must be leveraged as we transition to circular economy models. It takes a long time to deliver a big building or grow a precinct. As an industry and as a nation, we must adapt at the speed of change and deliver timely, affordable, resilient, and sustainable solutions at the pace required by our community and our planet,” says Ms Cassidy.
Ms Cassidy’s national presidency was confirmed at the Institute’s Annual General Meeting held at the Australian Architecture Conference on Saturday 11 May in Melbourne.
“In my role as National President, I will be focused on the profession’s shift to circular economy models, leveraging digital transformation and amplifying the value of architecture in solving the challenges of our times. I hope to bring together more of our passionate architecture community through our institute’s committees, events and activities. There is incredible value that can be captured as we shift to collaboration as a dominant force in the profession,” says Ms Cassidy.
Ms Cassidy has served on the Australian Institute of Architects ACT Chapter Council for six years, including two years as ACT President. She is also a director on the Australian Institute of Architects Board. Through these roles, she has fostered an inclusive and collaborative approach to advocacy and policy development including social equity, housing affordability and choice, heritage, sustainability, active transport, design and building quality.
The Australian Institute of Architects is the peak body for architecture in Australia representing more than 14,600 members globally.
Adam Haddow appointed National president-elect
The Australian Institute of Architects is delighted to announce the appointment of Adam Haddow as the National President-Elect.
The current NSW Chapter President, Mr Haddow, was appointed by the Institute’s National Council to take up the role. This will see him assume the role of National President following the Institute’s 2025 Annual General Meeting, to be held in May 2025.
Adam Haddow is the director of SJB, a multidisciplinary design practice with studios in Sydney and Melbourne.
For further information, please contact:
James Kennedy
Head of Communications
Australian Institute of Architects
james.kennedy@architecture.com.au
+61 (0) 433 936 527
