Melbourne-based sole practitioner Shelley Penn has been inaugurated as the 73rd National President of the Australian Institute of Architects at the Annual General Meeting in Melbourne.
Ms Penn mixes the fine scale of residential work with the big picture of working with government in various ways to advance the quality of design in the built environment.
Institute CEO, David Parken welcomed Shelley to the position.
“We are excited to have Shelley as the next advocate for not only the Institute but our members and the broader architectural community.
“She has been involved with the Institute for many years and is highly respected within the industry for her intelligence, resilience and her great passion for the profession. I very much look forward to working with her in her new capacity.’
Director of Shelley Penn Architects and a former Associate Victorian Government architect, Shelley believes ‘the Institute is healthy and lively with the vigour and enthusiasm of its diverse membership and staff.
“I’m proud to stand as leader of an organisation that is accustomed to seeing directors of larger practices in this seat, and I want to inspire other small practitioners, young architects and women to get involved through Chapter and National Councils.”
As an actively involved member of the Institute Shelley has chaired or been a member of awards juries numerous times; been a member of various committees, including the Victorian Practice Committee; was a Victorian Chapter councillor; and since 2009 has been a national councillor. Shelley is also completing a four year term as Deputy Chair of the Heritage Council of Victoria and is acting Chair of the National Capital Authority.
Her work has received several awards within Australia, and has been published and exhibited nationally and internationally. She has continually contributed to the advancement of architecture and the built environment through her practice, and through advising, writing, teaching and advocacy about architecture and design.
Shelley assumes the role from Brian Zulaikha who has gone to great lengths for the profession and the Institute.
David Parken expressed deep gratitude: “I want to thank Brian for his passionate commitment to the Institute and the profession, not only through his presidency, but also through his career. In particular, I would like to highlight his work advocating a national architectural policy and promoting urban density and urban design issues.”
