The Government Architect Western Australia (GAWA), under the leadership of Emma Williamson, is dedicated to enhancing the built environment with a clear vision – to create better places, by design, for everyone
GAWA provides design leadership and strategic advice in architecture, urban design and landscape architecture aligned with the State Planning Policy 7.0 Design of the Built Environment to ensure that good design is at the centre of all developments – from housing to major city-shaping projects.
This includes providing expert and independent advice to the Premier and Minister for Planning on key developments which shape the State’s future and facilitate quality outcomes for all Western Australians.
Community is at the centre of GAWA’s thinking. Working alongside partners, GAWA seeks to tackle societal challenges such as housing affordability, cost of living and climate change, to create a sustainable and inclusive legacy for future generations.
Government Architect – Emma Williamson
As Western Australia’s Government Architect, Emma Williamson champions design excellence to elevate the quality of the built environment and create positive outcomes for all Western Australians
The Government Architect provides design leadership and strategic advice to ensure that good design is at the centre of all developments for the benefit of the Western Australian community.
In this role, Emma provides independent, expert advice on significant projects and strategic planning to the State Government, the Premier and Minister for Planning.
As Chair of the State Design Review Panel, Emma plays a pivotal role in the design evaluation of major, transformative projects which shape the future of our city and regions.
Prior to her appointment as Government Architect, Emma was a member of the Western Australian and South Australian State Design Review Panels, as well as the Chair of several local government Design Review Panels.
Emma is co-founder and a former partner at award-winning consultancy TheFulcrum.Agency. With nearly three decades of architectural experience, she has successfully designed and delivered projects at all scales, in both the public and private sector.
She holds degrees in architecture and interior design as well as qualifications in business management. Emma’s written work appears in national and international publications, and she is a sought-after speaker on topics such as design, gender equity, leadership and practice management.
A highly credentialled architect, Emma is an Adjunct Professor at Monash University and was named a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects in 2022 for her contribution to the profession beyond architectural practice. In 2023, she was honoured with the RAIA Paula Whitman Leadership in Gender Equity Prize.
Barbara Gdowski – Principal Associate Government Architect
Show moreBarbara has a Bachelor of Architecture (University of Western Australia) and has been working for 30 years within the built form and land development industries as an executive manager, design practitioner, senior development manager, and client representative for both the public and private sector.
Barbara was responsible for establishing the State Design Review Panel, a state government initiative which aims to prioritise quality design for major and significant projects. Barbara’s past roles have focused on optimising design quality for a range of award-winning projects for which she was responsible, including the Knutsford redevelopment precinct, as part of the LandCorp (now DevelopmentWA) team.
Barbara’s core interest is to contribute in a meaningful way to improving the quality of the built environment.
Carmel van Ruth – A/Principal Associate Government Architect
Show moreCarmel is a registered Architect and passionate advocate for good design.
Carmel has close to 30 years of experience; from local and overseas private sector practice delivering a wide range of project types and scales; to the public sector where she has worked for nearly two decades supporting the work of Government Architects in Western Australia.
Carmel has significant experience in chairing, participating, and advising on design review processes for the State and Local Government. Having led the Office of the Government Architect contribution to developing the State’s DesignWA Stage One suite of state planning policies, including State Planning Policy 7.0 Design of the Built Environment (SPP 7.0) she is able to apply her in-depth understanding of the policy to projects of all types.
To assist in leveraging the best long-term value from public projects Carmel works to embed good design across the life of a project, providing strategic advice during early project definition and procurement stages of proposals and improving project "readiness" for later design review and approvals processes.
Government Architects Network of Australia
Show moreThe Government Architect Western Australia is a member of the Government Architects Network of Australia (GANA) which is a network of State Government Architects from around Australia.
Government Architect of New South Wales
Victorian Office of the Government Architect
Contact Us
Show moreGovernment Architect Western Australia
PO Box 2506 Perth, Western Australia 6001
(08) 6551 8002 - please ask for the Executive Assistant to the Government Architect.
gawa@dplh.wa.gov.au