The Office of the Victorian Government Architect is encouraging suitable built environment professionals to join the Victorian Design Review Panel.

It is seeking nominations from those interested in supporting improved design outcomes for significant projects in Victoria. According to the OVGA the ideal candidate should be:

  • passionate about delivering high quality places and wonderful buildings for people, and well used and loved public spaces;
  • an expert at reviewing complex projects, seeing their potential, and identifying issues to resolve;
  • as well as a strong and confident communicator, able to influence clients and design teams in a constructive and positive way.

Established by the OVGA in 2012 to provide independent and expert design review of significant public and private sector projects, to ensure best value and highest quality in the interests of all Victorians, the Victorian Design Review Panel has, since its inception, undertaken 200 design reviews of significant projects with a total value of $16 billion.

Over 1400 people have participated in Victorian Design Review Panel sessions representing public and private projects of all scales being planned for and delivered across Melbourne and Victoria.

Suitably qualified individuals with strong experience in design review can apply to join the Victorian Design Review Panel for a 2-year term (with an option to extend) commencing May 2016. The OVGA seeks individuals from the fields of architecture, landscape architecture, planning and urban design, or built environment professionals with specialist expertise particularly in heritage, Indigenous cultural heritage, transport and infrastructure, economics, development value capture, design competitions and urban planning.

The Victorian Design Review Panel typically reviews projects every month in half-day sessions. Panel members are required to commit to four half-day sessions per year and are paid a sitting fee for their time.

A briefing and Q&A for interested parties will take place at the OVGA offices on Thursday 17 March from 8:30 - 9:30am.

Nominations close at 5pm, Wednesday 30 March 2016.