New president represents future of the Australian Institute of Architects

The newly elected national president of the Australian Institute of Architects represents the future of the Australian architecture profession.
Melinda Dodson of GHD Architects in Canberra at 39 becomes the youngest person ever to take the role of national president, and only the second female to hold this office. Louise Cox, the current head of the world's peak architecture body, the International Union of Architects, was the first female president. Dodson succeeds Sydney architect Howard Tanner.
During her career, Dodson has worked in practices in both Adelaide and Canberra, including a number of years with award-winning firm Alastair Swayn Architects. She has managed both large and small architectural projects in the areas of health, education, commercial offices, interior fit-outs and campus planning. She has been active in the Institute's ACT Chapter, receiving the Australian Institute of Architects ACT Young Architect Prize in 2005.
As national president, Dodson's key priorities for the Institute and profession over the coming 12 months are to focus on the development of:

• Sustainable cities and architecture;
• Effective contract and project partnerships;
• Support for young/emerging and female architects; and,
  
• A fostering of the Institute and architecture community working in Australia and offshore.
  

Dodson's key commitment is to increasing awareness and adoption of sustainability, saying that Australia is not yet meeting the challenge of climate change.
"To turn this around requires vision, leadership and effective action, and as leaders of a GHG-intensive industry, architects have a responsibility to act. Through the creative process, we can provide architectural solutions that sustain long-term human health and wellbeing," Dodson says.
She also believes that Australian cities must address the ceaseless suburban sprawl, which, coupled with other consumer trends, continues to increase carbon emissions.
"We seek 'smart growth' of our cities, such as urban infill. All new and existing buildings must work with our climate, not fight it. It's essential that, as the trend towards bigger and bigger houses continues, we all ask ourselves – how much is enough?"