The 2009 AIA Gold Medal recipient Ken Maher is the new president for the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC), starting 3 February 2015.

The former HASSELL architect will take over the role from Tom Roper who served at the realm of ASBEC for six years and Maher said he was both delighted for the opportunity and thankful for Roper’s dedication over the years.

“I’m delighted and honoured to accept the presidency of ASBEC which is unique as the peak collaborative forum for organisations that champion sustainable, productive and resilient buildings, communities and cities,” said Maher.

“Tom has overseen the operational revitalisation of ASBEC and many of the organisation’s most significant and influential initiatives including the Second Plank Report, the Built Environment Climate Change Adaptation Framework, and an Industry Roadmap for Net Zero Emission Homes.”

“In recognition of his time, wisdom and phenomenal dedication to the progress of a sustainable built environment, I am delighted to announce ASBEC’s council have voted to make Mr Roper a Life Fellow of the organisation.”

Maher said that ASBEC’s goal will be to focus on the future of cities, based on the proliferation of high quality information about sustainability and resilient buildings.

“ASBEC’s current focus is on informing the future of cities and regions through understanding the role of resilience, developing a sustainable built environment framework, informing sustainable housing and infrastructure, as well as ensuring appropriate skills development – all crucial to a sustainable built environment for the future at a time when climate change is clearly having an increasing impact."

Maher is a past Chairman and current Fellow of HASSELL architects, and was a recipient of the Australian Institute of Architecture's (AIA) highest accolade in 2009, the AIA Gold Medal.

His work at HASSELL saw him receive several Sulman Medals and Sir Zelman Cohen awards which ASBEC says puts him in good stead as a leader of the built environment industry body.

He is also the Professor of Practice in the Faculty of Built Environment at the University of NSW and founding board member of the Green Building Council.

Images: Australian Institute of Architects.