Donald Bates appointed chair of architectural design at the University of Melbourne

Leading architect Donald Bates is the new chair of architectural design at the University of Melbourne.

In his new role, Bates will strengthen the university’s teaching of architectural design and help to expand and shape future educational programs in architecture.

“I hope to use my international contacts – professional, academic and governmental – to create new opportunities for the faculty and to promote their programs to a wider audience,” Bates said.

The dean of the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning, Professor Tom Kvan, said Bates’s exceptional blend of industry and academic experience would provide new opportunities for the faculty and its students.

Bates is the director of architectural firm Lab Architecture Studio, which is responsible for Melbourne’s landmark Federation Square. He took up his new position at the university earlier in June, and will undertake the academic role while continuing his work as director of his international architecture practice.