LEAD ARCHITECT JOINS UNI MELB

One of Australia’s leading architects, Donald L. Bates, has been appointed Chair of Architectural Design at the University of Melbourne.

Donald is Director of award-winning Lab Architecture Studio, the architects behind one of Melbourne’s most recognised landmarks, Federation Square, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.

The appointment strengthens the University’s foundation in the teaching of architectural design and helps expand and shape educational programs in architecture of the highest quality.

Donald said he was looking forward to working with the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning at an exciting but challenging time for the industry.

“One of the tasks of contemporary architectural education is to create more engagement with problems and projects that have an active relevance to contemporary urban issues,” he said.

“I hope to use my international contacts – professional, academic and governmental – to create new opportunities for the Faculty and to promote their programs to a wider audience.”

Donald, who took up the position last week, will combine his new academic role with his international architectural practice.

The Dean of Architecture, Building and Planning, Professor Tom Kvan, said Mr Bates’ exceptional blend of industry and academic experience would provide new opportunities for the faculty and its students.

“Donald’s appointment will provide vision and leadership in architectural design for the faculty at a time when we are not only working towards transforming our facilities, but the way we deliver teaching and research across the built environment and design disciplines,” he said.

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