The Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC) announces the appointment of their new president Ken Maher – a leading architect and Professor of Practice in the Faculty of Built Environment at the University of NSW.

Professor Maher is a past Chairman and current Fellow of multi-disciplinary architecture and design firm HASSELL, and a recipient of the Australian Institute of Architecture’s highest accolade, the AIA Gold Medal, as well as the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects’ Australian Award for Landscape Architecture. His long standing commitment to a sustainable future is evidenced through his role as a founding board member of the Green Building Council, and his commitment to the value of design excellence in the built environment has been recognised through several Sulman Medals and Sir Zelman Cohen awards for projects he has lead within HASSELL.

“I’m delighted and honoured to accept the presidency of ASBEC which is unique as the peak collaborative forum for organisations that champion sustainable, productive and resilient buildings, communities and cities.” said Professor Maher.

“ASBEC’s current focus is on informing the future of cities and regions through understanding the role of resilience, developing a sustainable built environment framework, informing sustainable housing and infrastructure, as well as ensuring appropriate skills development – all crucial to a sustainable built environment for the future at a time when climate change is clearly having an increasing impact.”

“I look forward to working with the leaders in the built environment sector to deliver policy, research, dialogue and actions to improve the value of the places we inhabit.”

In acknowledging the excellent work of outgoing president The Hon. Tom Roper over the past six years Professor Maher noted “Tom has overseen the operational revitalisation of ASBEC and many of the organisation’s most significant and influential initiatives including the Second Plank Report, the Built Environment Climate Change Adaptation Framework, and an Industry Roadmap for Net Zero Emission Homes.”

“In recognition of his time, wisdom and phenomenal dedication to the progress of a sustainable built environment, am delighted to announce ASBEC’s council have voted to make Mr Roper a Life Fellow of the organisation.”

Professor Ken Maher will commence as President of ASBEC on 3 February.

Download the ASBEC media release here.