Helen Lochhead facts for kids

Helen Marian Lochhead is an important Australian architect and urban planner. She is known for designing and improving big city projects. She has worked in many different places, including for the government, in private companies, and at universities. She was even the head of the Faculty of Built Environment at UNSW Sydney and the national president of the Australian Institute of Architects. She also served as the Deputy Government Architect in New South Wales.

Early Life and Education

Helen Lochhead studied architecture at the University of Sydney. She earned two degrees there: a Bachelor of Science (Architecture) and a Bachelor of Architecture. Later, she continued her studies at Columbia Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation in the United States. There, she completed a Master of Science degree in Architecture and Urban Design.

Helen Lochhead's Career in Design

Helen Lochhead is a registered architect, a landscape architect, and a planner. This means she is officially qualified in all these areas. She has held senior positions in both private companies and government roles in Australia and the United States.

Her work has mostly focused on urban design, which is about planning and designing cities. She also worked on public projects and large-scale urban regeneration projects. These projects involve making old or run-down city areas new and better.

Helen is a strong supporter of women in architecture and construction. In 2016, she started a group called "Engaging Women in Built Environment." This group helps to highlight and connect women working in research and the building industry.

From 2013 to 2014, Helen was a special fellow at Harvard University and the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy. During this time, she studied how to design cities that are more sustainable and can handle climate change, especially along the coast.

Helen ran her own company, Helen Lochhead Urban Projects, from 1996 to 2006. Her company created big plans for areas like Rozelle Hospital and Gladesville Hospital. She also worked on projects like Rouse Hill Town Centre and public spaces.

From 2004 to 2007, she was the executive director of sustainability at Sydney Olympic Park Authority. In 2007, Helen became the Deputy Government Architect in New South Wales.

From 2011 to 2016, Helen was a special professor at the University of Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning. From 2012 to 2013, she was in charge of place development at the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority.

In 2015, Helen Lochhead became the first female dean of the Faculty of Built Environment at UNSW in Sydney. In 2020, she also became the Pro Vice-Chancellor for Precincts at UNSW. In 2022, she was given the title of emeritus professor of architecture and urbanism at UNSW Sydney. This means she is a retired professor who keeps her title because of her important contributions.

Other Important Roles

Helen Lochhead was an elected council member of the Australian Institute of Architects starting in 2013. She served as the national president of the institute from 2019 to 2021. During her time as president, she also led the board for the 2020 Venice Architecture Biennale (Australian Pavilion). She also worked on the Climate Action and Sustainability Taskforce.

She has also served on many other important groups and boards. These include the NSW Independent Planning Commission, the Australian Heritage Council, and the National Capital Authority. In September 2024, she was appointed to the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust.

Awards and Recognition

Helen Lochhead has received many awards and honors for her work:

• 2024: She was made an Officer of the Order of Australia. This is a very high honor in Australia for her service to architecture and urban design.
• 2022: Named Emeritus Professor in Architecture and Urbanism at UNSW Sydney.
• 2020: Received the Royal Institute of British Architects Presidential Medal.
• 2020: Received the American Institute of Architects Presidents Medal.
• 2020: Received the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada President's Medal.
• 2019: Won the Paula Whitman Leadership in Gender Equity Prize from the Australian Institute of Architects. This award is named after architect Paula Whitman.
• 2019: Named one of the 100 Women of Influence by The Australian Financial Review.
• 2019: Became a Life Fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects.
• 2019: Won the RAIA NSW Lloyd Rees Award for Urban Design for Harold Park Precinct, Sydney.
• 2019: Won the City of Sydney Lord Mayor's Prize for urban design excellence for Harold Park Precinct, Sydney.
• 2016: Became a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
• 2015: Received a Bogliasco Fellowship from the Bogliasco Foundation in Italy.
• 2015: Won the AIA Presidents Prize for her contributions to Sydney's built environment, design education, and the architecture profession.
• 2013/4: Received a Loeb Fellowship from Harvard University Graduate School of Design.
• 2013: Received a Lincoln Fellowship from the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, Cambridge.
• 2013: Won the Marion Mahony Griffin Prize from the Australian Institute of Architects. This award recognizes a female architect's important work and contributions to the profession.
• 2011: Received a National Award from AILA for her leadership in adapting to climate change and promoting sustainable Australian communities.
• 2010: Received an AV Jennings Winston Churchill Fellowship.
• 2009: Won the National Association of Women in Construction Vision Award for her leadership in the construction industry.
• 1996: Won the Landcom Design competition.
• 1995: Received an Australian Postgraduate Award.
• 1993: Won the RAIA Merit Award for Urban Design.
• 1991: Received the Byera Hadley Travelling Scholarship from the NSW Architects Registration Board.
• 1986: Received the William Kinne Fellows Travelling Scholarship from Columbia University, New York.
• 1985: Received a Fulbright Fellowship.
• 1985: Received the University of Sydney Hezlet Bequest Travelling Scholarship.
• 1985: Won the Stephenson Turner Scholarship & Medal.
• 1984: Won the NSW Board of Architects Medallion.
• 1982: Received the Marten Bequest Travelling Scholarship.