Chair in Architecture, Deakin University
BArch, Melb Uni, 1981
Des Smith has combined the role of being an educator with running a successful architectural practice for the last eighteen years. Des Smith Architects was established twenty three years ago in Victoria and he has been practising in Perth for the last ten years as partner of Blacket Smith Architects. The company is involved in complex and specific responses to place especially in regional centres. Before joining Deakin, Des leds an integrated team of dedicated architects experienced in the delivery of high quality work within usually tight budgets. He has proven experience in designing and implementing design in the public realm especially in his work in the Education sector. The key factors of good design, sustainability and resilience all translate into the integrity of his architecture and the teaching of design. An innovative thinker with flexibility in communicating ideas to students, staff, clients, community members, stakeholders and members of the construction team invests Des Smith with an uncommon respect within the profession. His experience of twenty-three years practice as a registered architect has brought extensive experience with community groups, school committees, government instrumentalities and Aboriginal communities. His involvement within the firm of Des Smith Architects developed this experience in a wide range of areas, for public and private projects from $0.04m to $5.5m as Head Consultant, Project and Design Architect to Masterplanner.
A specific interest in representing our place in this country and fostering an Australian architectural culture is paramount to Des's teaching and architecture. His long term connection of academia and practice has developed his design philosophy of meaningful use. This aptitude in translating theory into construction enhances his work and his world view. In teaching and practice Des holds as paramount the way our environment is shaped and treated and considers each project, each site and each client individually -- thus his work and design studios tend to hold an uncommon variousness and uniqueness.