Malcolm Middleton OAM LFRAIA
Malcolm Middleton was appointed as Queensland’s Government Architect in July 2011, after amassing 30 years’ experience as a private practitioner in Brisbane.
In this role, Malcolm undertakes design reviews for projects across many diverse areas of government. He also chairs the Queensland Urban Design and Places Panel and is an advocate for well-considered design processes across the sector.
Over the past seven years, Malcolm has been instrumental in developing a wider policy base for important major projects, delivery structures and urban renewal sites within government. He has achieved this by championing design-based thinking as an essential part of capital decision-making processes, particularly in the initial stages.
One major project Malcolm pioneered is the Q Design project, which contains urban design guidelines and principles for development and is aimed at local government, architects and developers. He has since utilised this important policy work to provide more consistent design assessment processes through the new regional plan and the State Code 24 (Urban Design Trigger).
As Queensland’s Government Architect, Malcolm is at the helm of many critical conversations. He recently chaired the Premier’s Roundtable for the preparation of the Conservation Management Plan for QPAC and has undertaken targeted research into several inner-city sites with government ownership opportunities. He also represents the interests of government on many external panels, including the Design Development and Integrity Panel of Brisbane Airport Corporation, the Infrastructure Committee of UQ, and advisory committees for other universities and associations.
In 2017, Malcolm was appointed to the Prime Minister’s Official Residences Advisory Committee, providing guidance for the Lodge and Kirribilli House. In 2011, he served as the Director of the Australian Institute of Architects state awards program, gaining a comprehensive overview of architectural standards across the State. Additionally, he is a former member of the Queensland Heritage Council, has served on the South Bank Design Advisory Panel for over six years, and is a former Queensland State President of the Property Council.
Malcolm has an honours degree in Architecture from the University of Sydney, a master’s degree in Urban Design from QUT, and is a Life Fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects.
