QDesign the new roadmap for cities of the future

New guidelines released by the Palaszczuk Government today will help ensure the state’s unique lifestyle remains the envy of the nation.

Minister for Housing and Public Works Mick de Brenni said the QDesign report would help shape the quality, character and experience of Queensland’s streets, parks, open spaces and buildings for years to come.

“Good urban design plays an essential part in the transformation of our modern cities, towns and regions and also has a major influence on how we live, work and play,” said Mr de Brenni.

“QDesign articulates the key values and desired qualities for future development and public works throughout Queensland,” he said.

“Written by architects, for architects, QDesign offers a unifying position statement of priority design values for our state for the first time.

This will be a blueprint for design practitioners, developers, community representatives and local councils across Queensland.”

Mr de Brenni said that Queensland had a unique climate and topography and needed its own unique design approach.

“This approach has embraced everything we love about our State – none more recognisable than the iconic Queenslander home,” he said.

“Now our cities and towns are growing and competing internationally to attract investment, talent and visitors.”

The Palaszczuk Government is committed to high-quality, contemporary design that stood the test of time.

“Queenslanders deserve homes that are well designed come rain, wind or shine.

“2018 has been a year of extreme weather events in Queensland,” Mr de Brenni said. “Not only should our homes be more environmentally sustainable, they should be built to withstand these increasingly harsher settings.

“The built environment should complement our bustling regional and coastal towns, our remote communities and natural landscapes of bushland, beaches, ranges, rivers and lakes.

“We believe in creating spaces where Queenslanders want to live, work, holiday and invest.”

Queensland Government Architect Malcolm Middleton said QDesign waspart of the Queensland Government’s commitment to achieving better urban design outcomes.

“QDesign has been endorsed by the Council of Mayors SEQ, the Australian Institute of Architects and the Planning Institute of Australia,” he said.

“It supports our office’s role in providing independent and expert design advice across government, the private sector and community.

“It also supports already established planning policies, including the State Planning Policy and South East Queensland Plan, that recognise the importance of urban design in delivering liveable, well-designed and sustainable communities.”

The President of the Queensland Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects Paul Trotter welcomed the launch of QDesign.

“It’s very pleasing to see this initiative, developed by Malcolm Middleton and his team in the Office of Government Architect, has been proudly adopted and endorsed by the Palaszczuk Government,” he said.

“Given the rapid development across Queensland’s urban centres it’s important the government and the community demand high quality urban design outcomes. With increased density comes increased design responsibility as there is so much at stake. QDesign puts design quality front and centre in our quest to build great communities and places.”

Mr Middleton said QDesign would be followed by a supplementary online design resource, QCompanion, which would provide ideas and techniques for the translation of the priority design principles and strategies.

Media contact: Rosie Gilbert – 0466 834 330