Perth architect Sandy Anghie, winner of the 2020 WA Emerging Architect Prize, has been elected as the deputy mayor of the City of Perth.
Anghie, who ran for council on a platform that included building an Indigenous Cultural Centre, “energizing” the CBD and connecting it to Kings Park and the Swan River, was voted into the role by five of eight elected members present at a special council meeting on Tuesday 17 October.
She will serve alongside newly elected mayor Basil Zempilas, a sports presenter and commentator who has controversially vowed to maintain his media roles with Seven West Media and The West Australian.
Zempilas won the mayorship on 29.44 percent of the vote, beating former ABC journalist Di Bain by just 284 votes. Anghie, who won 8 percent of the vote in the mayoral race, said her vision for the city aligned with that of Zempilas.
“It’s a real privilege to serve alongside the Lord Mayor as his deputy so I’m really looking forward to that role,” she told reporters.
Having started her career in corporate tax law, Anghie studied architecture at the University of Western Australia from 2006. She has since worked at the Office of Government Architect, Syrinx Environmental and Hassell, and has established her own practice, Sandy Anghie Architect.
She is also the editor of The Architect, the official magazine of the Western Australian chaper of the Australian Institute of Architects, and writes the “Meet the Architect” column for The West Australian.
The jury of The Australian Institute of Architects’ WA 2020 Emerging Architect Prize praised Anghie for her role in founding the non-for-profit Historic Heart of Perth.
“Sandy is recognized as being instrumental in the establishment of the Historic Heart project, seen as a catalyst for the revitalization of the east end of Perth,” the jury stated. “Her leadership and contribution to the project is commendable and has helped promote meaningful community engagement with heritage architecture and its value.”⠀
In her role on council, Anghie has vowed to focus on practical solutions for people experiencing homelessness and to aim for “social, economic and environmental sustainability.”
She says she wants to build the “assets and identities” of the city’s neighbourhoods while supporting business and encouraging entrepreneurship.
Source: Architecture - architectureau
