Top architect named

19/05/05
The man who helped design Lang and Rose Hancock's Prix D'Amour has won Western Australia's most prestigious architects' award.
Housing and Works Minister Francis Logan presented the 2005 Architects Board Award to Brian Wright at a dinner function today.
The award recognises architects who are registered in WA and whose attitudes and personal contributions to the profession and the community have enhanced public confidence in the standing of the profession.
Mr Logan said Mr Wright was widely respected in the profession and had been instrumental in the development, drafting and eventual passage through State Parliament of the Architects Act 2004.
"Mr Wright currently holds the professional positions of president of the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia and chairman of the Architects Board of Western Australia," the Minister said.
"Clearly he is a worthy recipient, because he more than meets the objectives for this prestigious award.
"I look forward to his continuing efforts in advancing the status of the profession via the new Act and through his reappointment to the new Architects Board."
Mr Wright graduated from the WA Institute of Technology (now Curtin University) with an Associateship in Architecture in 1975. After graduating, he worked in the United Kingdom for a couple of years.
After returning to WA, Mr Wright received his registration as an architect and was then registered as a builder in 1979. Two years later, he formed his own architectural practice.
At the time, the firm had the distinction of being the only architectural practice in WA to design a number of 'best selling' project homes for the major project homebuilders in Perth.
After merging with Palassis Architects, Mr Wright worked on the $40million Observation Rise units in Scarborough and Prix D'Amour.
Mr Wright said while he was saddened by the news that Prix D'Amour was to be demolished, he could certainly understand the reasons behind the decision.
"It is a house that is clearly identified with one particular person and, therefore, I imagine would be very difficult to sell," he said.
"Professionally, I was very pleased with the project, because the firm delivered exactly what the client wanted - and that is what being an architect is all about."
Mr Wright then spent four years as a full-time consultant for BP Australia, which led to his involvement working on sites with potentially explosive or hazardous environments. His is the only architectural practice in WA that has current professional indemnity insurance extended to include work on sites with fuel-related activities and potentially explosive atmospheres.
During the awards night, Mr Logan provided an update on the progress of the new Architects Act.
"The Architects Act 2004 received Royal Assent in December," he said.
"I am very pleased to announce that the Act has now been proclaimed and will come into effect on July 1 this year."
The Minister said the Act would continue the effective registration of architects, maintain professional standards and allow only the qualified to use the title architect.
The new Act continues the role of the Architects Board of WA, albeit with a broadened composition that incorporates consumer and educational representation - in line with current Government policy on board membership.
The new board of 10 people is to consist of four members who represent community interests, two drawn from professional and educational bodies, and four elected registered architects.
Mr Logan said the new Act was part of the Gallop Government's commitment to improving the quality of services to all Western Australians.
Minister's office: 9222 8950