Emma Williamson has been officially unveiled as Western Australia’s new Government Architect, tasked with providing design leadership and strategic advice to enhance the state’s built environment as she succeeds Rebecca Moore after three years of service.
A West Australian Fellow of the AIA and Co-Founder of the strategic built environment consultancy firm The Fulcrum Agency, Williamson possesses over three decades of architectural experience. An AIA life fellow and the former Chair of the Institute’s National Committee for Gender Equity, Williamson was recently awarded the Australian Institute of Architects’ Paula Whitman Leadership in Gender Equity Prize for 2023.
A current Member of the WA State Design Review Panel, Planning Minister John Carey believes Williamson is the ideal fit for the role.
"I welcome the appointment of Ms Emma Williamson to the role of Government Architect Western Australia and Chair of the State Design Review Panel.
"Ms Williamson is a highly credentialed architect - with more than three decades of practical experience in the design and delivery of both public and private sector projects of all sizes.
"Ms Williamson's experience in design review will be integral to the position, as she will play a central role in the review and assessment of significant development proposals - through the new permanent assessment pathway - as part of our Government's planning reform agenda to take effect on Friday,1 March 2024.”
Williamson has worked on a suite of significant WA projects, including the WA Museum Boola Bardip, Murdoch University's Boola Katitjin, and the Karratha Super clinic. Her role will ensure good design is consistent across public and state significant projects, as well as providing expert advice to the Minister for Planning and Premier.
Carey was complimentary when speaking about outgoing Government Architect, Rebecca Moore.
"I would again like to thank outgoing Government Architect Ms Moore, for her contribution to the design of our State, and wish her well in her next endeavours."
