Kirsten Orr has been appointed registrar at the NSW Architects Registration Board, succeeding Timothy Horton.

A registered architect, Orr previously worked as professor of Architecture and dean of the School of Technology, Environment & Design at the University of Tasmania. She also served as the NSW ARB’s Academic Board Member between 2011 and 2012.

“After more than 20 years in academia, I am excited to work outside the higher education context to advance the interests of the architectural profession and protect consumers of architectural services,” says Orr.

Aside from her academic achievements, Orr has been highly influential in the governance and regulation of the architectural profession. Between 2015 and 2016, she was chair of the National Education Committee of the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) and between 2016 and 2017 she was president of the Association of Architecture Schools of Australasia.

Since 2016, she has been a director of the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA) providing leadership in the development and delivery of the new Architecture Program Accreditation Procedure and the brokering of mutual recognition agreements with Malaysia, Singapore and the United Kingdom.

“I am looking forward to drawing on these diverse experiences,” says Orr.

“My deep understanding of the architectural profession, the university sector and the workings of State and Federal Government will be invaluable in my new role.”

NSW ARB president, Deborah Dearing, says Orr was chosen from a strong field of local and international applicants.

“Her highly regarded experience within industry and university sector equips her well to realise our mission of registering architects, protecting consumers, informing the public and promoting architecture at a time when global trends and new technologies result in continual change,” says Dearing.

“We welcome Kirsten to the role and look forward to her adding new insights and driving the progressive and innovating strategic program of our ambitious Board.”

Orr is particularly keen to promote a better understanding of architecture in the broader community through new partnerships and interdisciplinary collaborations with allied professions.

“There are incredible opportunities to develop an expanded program about architecture’s role in improving the liveability of our cities,” she says.

Orr begins her role as registrar from 4 February, 2019.