黑洞社区

The government has officially begun its hunt for a new head of architecture to replace former PRP chief Andy von Bradsky who his departure last week.

The grade 6 post has been on the civil service website with the location given as either London or Wolverhampton, where the housing ministry is due to open a in Glenn Howells鈥� i9 building. In a first for a departmental centre outside of the capital, it is set to have a 鈥渞egular ministerial presence鈥� with senior civil servants based in the building.

The head of architecture role comes with a salary of 拢63,465 for London-based applicants or 拢57,446 for those who choose to work from the West Midlands. A further 拢1,000 is available for 鈥渆xceptional鈥� candidates.

The successful applicant will report directly to the chief planner, Joanna Averley, the former Cabe boss and Olympic design director who took up her

The recruitment advertisement places the job firmly in the context of the government鈥檚 pledge to 鈥渂uild back better鈥� and housing secretary Robert Jenrick鈥檚 commitment to implement much of the 黑洞社区 Better, 黑洞社区 Beautiful report written by the late philosopher Roger Scruton and Nicholas Boys Smith.

The head of architecture will be expected to implement the work begun by von Bradsky on the National Model Design Code and National Design Guide and to 鈥渆mbed design quality in housing and placemaking鈥� 鈥� as well as the more controversial reforms to the planning system which critics have said is at odds with ministers鈥� quality agenda.

The government said it was looking for an experienced, energetic and credible architect to advise the ministry on architectural policy and practice and to develop MHCLG as a centre of knowledge and advice on design matters.

鈥淚n addition, you will champion the importance of good design outcomes to the construction industry, architectural practices, housebuilders and planning departments, to raise the design standards of new housing schemes, thereby influencing communities鈥� attitudes to new development,鈥� it said.

In line with von Bradsky鈥檚 that government has no longer considers architects unexpensive luxury, the job ad also states: 鈥淭he importance of design quality and the need for architectural expert advice, is woven throughout all aspects of work relating to housing and placemaking.

鈥淭his entails work on the design of all aspects of the built environment including the design and function of homes and neighbourhoods, streets, public spaces, public and cultural buildings and commercial and mixed use development. Our work on design takes a holistic approach of urban design, landscape architecture, town and country planning and architecture.鈥�

The job is advertised as a permanent contract as either a full time role or a part time job share.

The deadline for applications is Sunday June 27.