Buchan principal Lynn Van Dievoort is a valued leader with over 15 years of experience in the built environment. She has worked in Europe, the Middle East and Australia and has qualifications in architecture, urbanism and spatial design. Lynn brings strategic focus to projects across mixed-use, multi-residential, seniors living and sports precinct design.

What drives you as a designer?
A very important thing to me is to give back to the community, through buildings and also the way their surroundings are used by people. I have an urban planning background, and it’s very important to look beyond the one building to the impact of a project on its wider setting. I’m interested in creating something that lifts a place and the area around it. The community needs to be involved, to collaborate and contribute, and I love it when it all comes together and works.

What recent projects have excited you?
I’m leading the redevelopment of the Bulimba Barracks site, which is a masterplanned community on the Brisbane River. It’s a fantastic site and precinct and will open up access to the riverfront. Our first stage includes two multi-residential buildings and a hospitality and community space in a historic shed. That will become the community heart and establish a strong identity for the neighbourhood. It’s exciting to be involved in a project of this scale that will become a new destination for the city.

What’s important when masterplanning a whole neighbourhood?
A masterplan is a complex puzzle with sustainability at its core – environmental and also social sustainability that will support the community to evolve and grow strong over time.

I’m interested in designing places that allow people to flourish. A good neighbourhood is walkable and supports creativity and culture. Planning starts with site-wide connectivity, accessibility and greening. Climate resilience is a big consideration. I love to imagine how people will use the site – where will they connect with nature and each other? How will they move around the site, the wider neighbourhood and the city? It is important to engage with First Nations people on land stewardship and connection to Country, to help shape how people experience and care for a place.

With the upcoming Brisbane 2032 Olympics, what role will stadiums and sports venues play?
A stadium is not something on its own – it is an anchor, and everything ripples and expands from the stadium out to the wider precinct. There are practical things to consider around infrastructure, but the exciting thing is creating opportunities for the local community and people that visit. There’s a uniqueness to Brisbane and Southeast Queensland that comes with the lifestyle, the climate and the people. That needs to be reflected in design. The Olympics is a great catalyst for creating something uplifting and long-lasting. The community will take ownership of the precinct, and it will live a life beyond the Olympics.

What do you enjoy about working at Buchan?
We have a fantastic team and collaborate on a national and international level. Strong proposals come from bringing out the best in each team member and drawing on their strengths. It’s a great environment to work in.

Photography: Jes Lindsay
Renders: Brisbane Design Alliance