Professor Alastair Swayn, the inaugural ACT government architect and director of Daryl Jackson Alastair Swayn Architects in Canberra, passed away on 4 August.
On behalf of the Australian Institute of Architects, national president Ken Maher offered his sincere condolences to Mr Swayn’s friends and family.
“Alastair has made an incredible contribution to the profession most recently through his tireless work as the inaugural ACT government Architect, a role he undertook until early this year, and as a Professorial Fellow of the University of Canberra.
“As ACT government architect, Alastair made a significant contribution to the urban design of the City Centre leading to the creation of the City Plan in 2013, and the development of Urban Design Guidelines for the City Centre in 2015. In addition, he has also encouraged and advised on a number of design competitions, as well as sitting on Design Review Panels.
“Alastair had a strong interest in the professional education of architects, as well as creating valuable links between education and practice as demonstrated by Daryl Jackson Alastair Swayn’s support for the Institute’s ACT Graduate Prize.
“Alastair was a thoughtful, sensitive and accomplished architect who was broadly recognised for his services to architecture, education and the public interest. He will be deeply missed by many across the full spectrum of the profession.”
Mr Swayn was ACT AIA Chapter president from 1988 to 1990 and was made a Life Fellow in 2010. In 2016, he was the recipient of the President’s Medal.
Mr Swayn was director in charge of the DJAS Canberra office from 1979 until his passing, and also a director of Daryl Jackson International Ltd.
The Canberra practice was recognised for its excellence in sustainable design, and was the recipient of multiple Canberra Medallions from the AIA.
He had resigned his position as the ACT government architect in March 2016 due to ill health.
ACT minister for planning and land management Mick Gentleman said Mr Swayn had “made a valued contribution to design quality in the development of our city during his five years of tenure.
“He has ensured design and contemporary thinking is at the fore of decision making and assisted in placing Canberra as a small ‘new world city’,” Mr Gentleman said.