The National President of the Australian Institute of Architects, Howard Tanner, has called on the Federal and all State governments to look to the example being set by Queensland Premier Anna Bligh.

Queensland, Mr Tanner said, is leading the country with strong marketing to combat the global financial crisis by positioning that State’s architecture profession as major players on the world stage.

“When confidence returns to the global market, and it will, the work done over the past 12 months by Queensland will give firms in that state the edge when it comes to world class architecture and design commissions.

“With their sophisticated international campaign, called HEAT- Queensland’s new wave of environmental architects, Anna Bligh’s Creative Industries’ team has made real impact in Europe, the US and Asia – all vital export markets for Australian architecture.”

Mr Tanner called on other States and the Federal Government to follow Queensland’s lead, saying that creative industries – and architecture in particular – are one of the “new” economic powerhouses that need to be nurtured and driven with flair if Australia is going to successfully compete in an increasingly challenging export market.

“Australian architects are recognised as being innovative, resourceful and reliable – as well as being brilliant designers - but we need to ensure our credentials are continually reinforced on the global stage.

“In Queensland, the HEAT campaign has highlighted architects’ environmental responsiveness and adaptation to climate change and other difficult challenges, combined with their obvious expertise in tropical and sub-tropical design.

Since launching an international campaign in Venice at the Architecture Biennale last year, Queensland-led projects have gained excellent traction with world media and influencers of architecture all over the world.

“Anna Bligh might not have come up with the Smart State slogan, but with this campaign she’s certainly achieving it.”