Queensland architects to take Manhattan

Queensland’s architects have the USA in their sights as a prime market for their world-class, environmentally responsive services.

A meeting in New York this week between Queensland Governor, Her Excellency Ms Penelope Wensley AO, and representatives of the American Institute of Architects unveiled a new initiative to assist in bringing Queensland architectural expertise to the USA.

Premier Anna Bligh said that the meeting was an opportunity to present HEAT, Queensland’s new wave of environmental architects, a major marketing initiative of the Queensland Government, to the influential group.

“HEAT is designed to raise the international profile and export sales of Queensland architects and to raise awareness of their talent and skills,” Ms Bligh said.

“The US architecture and construction market has the potential to provide Queensland’s highly-skilled architects with opportunities to contribute to some of the most globally significant and challenging building and design projects.

“The presentation to the USA’s peak architecture body is a positive step towards building a stronger relationship that we will nurture to see Queensland architects sharing design ideas as well as collaborating on projects and new, innovative approaches to policy with their US colleagues.

“The Queensland Government is committed to promoting our architectural talent to the world through HEAT. We have recognised the significant opportunity for continued growth through overseas industry participation, and HEAT will ensure Queensland architects are in the perfect position to achieve this.

“The Department of Tourism, Regional Development and Industry has developed the HEAT initiative and is working closely with Trade Queensland on the project to raise the international profile of Queensland architects and the State’s creative industries.

“The Governor’s attendance at the New York presentation of HEAT, as part of her G’Day USA Australia Week program, helps to reinforce the world-class standards and competitiveness of the Queensland architecture industry.

“During the meeting, the Governor presented American Institute of Architects representatives with a copy of the Place Makers book, illustrating the major Queensland architecture exhibition that ran from 2 August to 23 November 2008 at the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art.

“Reports from the meeting suggest that the Institute was clearly impressed with the high quality of work in Queensland and eager to pursue the potential for the Queensland experience to inform solutions to design challenges in the Big Apple,” Ms Bligh said.

Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry, Desley Boyle said the name of the promotion reflects the hot, new wave of dynamic, energetic architectural talent in Queensland.

“The HEAT campaign focuses on contemporary environmentally responsive design and collaboration with international projects,” Ms Boyle said.

The HEAT campaign was produced in partnership with the Australian Institute of Architects and launched in 2008. It features a significant architectural design exhibition, international media familiarisation, high-quality marketing collateral and a broad range of inbound and outbound marketing and business marketing activities. The campaign is designed to generate significant economic opportunities for Queensland architects and related design service providers.

The Queensland architectural industry is already showing signs of strong export potential with architects participating in HEAT reporting significant international project work and high-profile tendering opportunities.