National architecture prizes & competitions

The Australian Institute of Architects supports a range of prizes and competitions that recognise and reward outstanding contributions in the fields of architecture and the built environment.

Page contents:

Gold Medal for Architecture

The Gold Medal is the Institute's highest individual architectural honour. The Award is made in recognition of most distinguished services by an individual architect who has designed or executed buildings of high merit or produced work of great distinction to promote or facilitate the knowledge of architecture, or by work which has endowed the profession of architecture in such an exceptional or distinguished way as to merit the award.

In exceptional circumstances, the Gold Medal may be awarded to a group of individual architects who have demonstrated that they have collectively met the above criteria.

Gold medal nominations

Nominations for the gold medal honour can be made via Chapter managers and Presidents. Nominations are open for several weeks in the middle of each year, usually around July.

Nominations must include the name, biography, career history and distinguished work of the nominee, with evidence/examples of their work. Nominations will be considered each year for five consecutive years.

2013 Gold Medallist

The 2013 Gold Medal for Architecture was awarded to Peter Wilson. Download the jury citation.

Gold Medallists 2012–1960

2012 Lawrence Nield 2011 Graeme Gunn 2010 Lindsay and Kerry Clare 2009 Ken Maher 2008 Richard Johnson 2007 Enrico Taglietti 2006 Kerry Hill 2005 James Birrell 2004 Gregory Burgess 2003 Peter Corrigan 2002 Brit Andresen 2001 Keith Eric Cottier 2000 John Neville Morphett 1999 Richard Leplastrier 1998 Gabriel Poole 1997 Roy McCowan Simpson 1996 John Denton, William Corker, Barrington Marshall 1995 no award 1994 Neville Quarry 1993 Kenneth Frank Woolley 1992 Glenn Marcus Murcutt 1991 Donald Campbell Rupert Bailey 1990 Professor Peter McIntyre 1989 Robin Findlay Gibson 1988 Romaldo Giurgola 1987 Daryl Sanders Jackson

1986 Richard Butterworth 1985 Richard Norman Johnson 1984 Philip Sutton Cox 1983 Gilbert Ridgway Nicol and Ross Kingsley Chisholm 1982 Sir John Wallace Overall 1981 Colin Frederick Madigan 1980 John Hamilton Andrews 1979 Harold Bryce Mortlock 1978 Mervyn Henry Parry 1977 Ronald Andrew Gilling 1976 Harry Seidler 1975 Sydney Edward Ancher 1974 Raymond Berg 1973 Jorn Utzon 1972 Edward Herbert Farmer 1971 Frederick Bruce Lucas 1970 Jack Hobbs McConnell 1969 Robin Boyd 1968 Sir Roy Grounds 1967 William Purves Race Godfrey 1966 William Rae Laurie 1965 Sir Osborn McCutcheon 1964 Cobden Parkes 1963 Sir Arthur Stephenson 1962 Joseph Charles Fowell 1961 Louis Laybourne-Smith 1960 Leslie Wilkinson

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Neville Quarry Architectural Education Prize

 

The Neville Quarry Architectural Education Prize acknowledges an outstanding contribution in architectural education in one or more areas of: teaching, scholarship, research, leadership and community engagement.

Individuals and/or groups of individuals who have contributed to architectural education in Australia can nominate or self-nominate for this prize. The online entry form must be completed with the following details. Entries will open 22 August and close 10 October 2013.

• A statement of excellence addressing one or more of the selection criteria (teaching, research, community engagement, scholarship, leadership). The statement should be a maximum of 1 x A4 page and be in a format suitable for publication.
• A curriculum vitae of no more than two A4 pages referencing the nominee's/applicant's educational qualifications, career history and teaching positions and experience (where applicable).
• Contact information of two referees/nominators. If you are self-nominating please provide the contact information of two referees. If you are nominating someone please provide contact information of two nominators.
• An image of yourself or the group.

The jury is appointed by the National President and will comprise:

• National President (Chair)
• Chair of the National Education Committee, or nominee
• AASA President or nominee
• SONA President or nominee
• A prominent practitioner or academic

Past winners:

• 2013 winner Peter Corrigan, RMIT University
• 2012 winner Shane Murray, Monash University
• 2012 commendation David O’Brien, University of Melbourne
• 2011 winner Associate Professor Anna Rubbo, University of Sydney
• 2011 commendation Barry McNeill, Tasmania
• 2010 Professor Gordon Holden, Griffith University
• 2010 commendation Associate Professor Samer Akkach, University of Adelaide
• 2008 Professor Graham Brawn, University of Melbourne
• 2007 joint winners Bill Busfield, University of Western Australia, and Dr Paula Whitman, Queensland University of Technology
• 2006 Professor Deo Prasad, University of New South Wales
• 2005 Professor Leon van Schaik, RMIT University
• 2005 commendation Dr Anna Rubbo, University of Sydney
• 2004 Rory Spence, University of Tasmania
• 2004 joint commendation David Morris and Nick Opie, University of South Australia
• 2003 joint winners Errol Tout and Stephen Parkin, Curtin University of Technology
• 2002 Professor Lindsay Johnston, University of Newcastle
• 2001 Professor Jennifer Taylor, Queensland University of Technology

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William J Mitchell International Committee Prize

The William J Mitchell International Committee Prize is awarded annually in recognition of a significant contribution to architecture internationally. The prize seeks to honour Australians who have made a significant contribution to the profession, study or advancement of architecture beyond our shores.

Entrants may be of any nationality, based in Australia or overseas and an architect or allied professional. It is not essential to be an Institute member in order to enter this award. The entry cannot be a project, and although group entries are accepted, individual entrants are preferred.

Nominations may be received from the entrant, any Institute member or any member of the International Area Committee. Submissions must be made via the online entry system.

Judging of all nominations will be conducted by the International Area Committee at their annual face to face meeting.

The Prize will be presented by the Chair of the International Area Committee at the Australian Achievement in Architecture Awards (AAAA).

John Andrews won the 2012 prize. Download the jury citation.

Leadership in Sustainability Prize

The Australian Institute of Architects’ Leadership in Sustainability Prize recognises exceptional leadership and an outstanding contribution to the advancement of sustainability and the built environment.

Eligibility

Individuals and/or groups demonstrating exceptional leadership and an outstanding contribution to the advancement of sustainability of the built environment may be nominated or self-nominate for this prize. Nominations are sought for excellence in the achievement in one or more of the following areas:

• creation and advancement of knowledge through research and education
• development and deployment of effective advocacy and policy
• development and implementation of effective practice
• engagement of industry and or the community with this knowledge, advocacy or practice

Judging criteria

The prize will be awarded on the basis of demonstrated national or international peer recognition of a contribution to the advancement of sustainable architecture through:

• education
• research
• advocacy
• community engagement
• policy development
• leadership

How to enter

Submissions must be made via the online entry system. The system will require entrants to submit personal contact information and upload their entry in PDF format. Entries will open 5 July and close 12 September 2013.

Jury

The Jury assessing applications will be appointed by the President on behalf of National Council and comprise:

• Institute National President or nominee (Chair)
• Institute National Sustainability Committee Chair or nominee
• Prominent practicing architect or academic
• Allied industry or government representative

Prize

The prize certificate will be presented to the winner at the Institute’s Australian Achievement in Architecture Awards (AAAA).

Past winners

2012 Prof Rob Adams & the City Design Division; 2011 Paul Pholeros, Healthabitat; 2010 Tony Arnel

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Student Prize for the Advancement of Architecture (SPAA)

 

This prize is for a most outstanding contribution by an individual student/SONA member towards the advancement of architecture in the areas of leadership, publication, community or education. The aim of the prize is to recocgnise those who:

• provide leadership amongst fellow students and/or within the profession
• promote the appreciation and advancement of architecture
• provide a forum for discourse and networking
• promote architects in the community
• advance the education of Australian architecture students

The nominee should demonstrate high achievement in one or preferably more of the following categories:

Leadership – chairing forums; organising student groups; effective representation of students on Institute and/or university committees; organising student activities such as conferences, competitions, camps, architecture weeks, exhibitions, architecture revues, guest lecture programs.
Publication – editing, designing and/or producing a student or professional publication; student design and theory work; student opinion; student reviews of works of architecture;  letters to the editor in prominent newspapers; articles in Architecture Australia and/or Chapter magazines; articles in student (campus-based) newspapers/magazines; digital publications.
Community – promoting architecture and/or architects to the public; involving students with community issues; involving the community with architectural issues.
Education – involvement in education activities that have consistently advanced architecture.

Who can enter?

Current financial student/SONA members who have advanced architecture in the previous two years may be nominated or self-nominate for this prize. The work must have been undertaken while still a student or while the student has deferred the course (with the intention of finishing their architecture study in subsequent years).

Nominations can be made by SONA members, SONA Executive, NEC members and Australian Architecture Schools/Programs. When nominated by other than the applicant, two nominators are required.

Current National Councillors, Australian Institute of Architects staff members and current Student Prize for the Advancement of Architecture jurors may not take part in the application/nomination process.

Achievements of the entrant considered by the Jury must relate to the advancement of architecture in leadership, publication, community or education activities other than those that form part of the role of SONA President.

How to enter

The online entry form must be completed with the following details. Entries will open 29 August and close 17 October 2013.

• A statement of excellence addressing one or more of the selection criteria (teaching, research, community engagement, scholarship, leadership). The statement should be a maximum of 1 x A4 page and be in a format suitable for publication.
• A curriculum vitae of no more than two A4 pages referencing the nominee's/applicant's educational qualifications, career history and teaching positions and experience (where applicable).
• Contact information of two referees/nominators. If you are self-nominating please provide the contact information of two referees. If you are nominating someone please provide contact information of two nominators.
• An image of yourself or the group

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BlueScope Steel Glenn Murcutt Student Prize

The BlueScope Steel Glenn Murcutt Student Prize was established in 2005 to recognise outstanding architectural student work which demonstrates excellence in response to place, technology and Australian culture. The prize is presented every second year, at the Australian Achievement in Architecture Awards (AAAA). For more details, go to the BlueScope Steel Glenn Murcutt Student Prize site.

COLORBOND Steel Student Biennale

Since 1985 this prize has recognised outstanding works of design by architecture students across Australia. The competition represents the profession’s recognition of quality in design by students of architecture. It acknowledges outstanding design work and communicates this quality to both students and the profession. Established by the Australian Institute of Architects and sponsored since its inception by COLORBOND® steel, the competition celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2010. For more details, go to the COLORBOND Steel Student Biennale site.

Graduate prizes

The Institute's Graduate Program provides encouragement and support for architecture graduates as they embark on their professional careers. Graduate Prizes vary from state to territory. For more information on the prizes available, contact your local chapter. If you were awarded a graduate prize prior to 2009 please contact the National Prizes Office.

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Dulux Study Tour

The Dulux Study Tour recognises and rewards emerging architects for their contribution to architectural practice, education, design excellence and community involvement. The five winners proceed to commence a ten day international study tour of Shanghai, Barcelona and London.

The Dulux Study Tour provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity through an intensive visit for young architects - who are clearly intending to be leaders in our profession - to gain exposure to leading architectural practices and visit recent projects overseas.

Eligibility

Entry is open to all architects and graduates of architecture of up to 10 years from graduation of the two-tier or five year Bachelor of Architecture degree. It is only open to Australian citizens/residents and New Zealand citizens residing in Australia. It is not mandatory that entrants are Australian Institute of Architects members.

Entrants may be nominated by an employer or self-nominate if they are self-employed. The nominating employer must be an Australian Institute of Architects member. Self-nominees must be an Australian Institute of Architects member, and will be required to supply additional supporting documentation.

Judging Criteria

The prize will be awarded to five emerging architects on the basis of their individual contributions to:

• Architectural practice
• Education
• Design excellence
• Community involvement

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Emerging Architect Prize

The Emerging Architect Prize recognises an individual emerging architect or emerging architectural collaboration’s contribution to architectural practice, education, design excellence and community involvement, which advances the profession’s role within the public arena. Entrants need to be nominated by a member of the Australian Institute of Architects.

Entry into the Emerging Architects Prize is now a two step process.

1. Nomination – eligible candidates are nominated by a member of the Australian Institute of Architects via the online entry system
2. Submission of entry material – nominated candidates will be invited to continue with the submission; should they wish to accept the nomination the nominee will be asked to submit the entry material listed under 'entry requirements' via the online entry system

Winners at a Chapter level proceed to be considered for the National Emerging Architects Prize. Entries are now open in NSW, NT, TAS, and ACT.

Nominate someone today!

Entry requirements

The nominator

Australian Institute of Architects members wishing to nominate an individual or collaboration are asked to submit the following via the online entry system. Nominators will be asked to provide the following information:

• the nominator’s name and contact details
• the nominee’s name and contact details
• a brief (max 150 words) outlining the reason for the nomination

The nominee

Once a nomination has been made, the nominee will be invited to continue with the submission. Should they wish to accept the nomination; the nominee will be asked to submit the following entry material via the online entry system:

• a statement addressing each of the key criteria items outlined in the judging criteria (two A4 pages maximum)
• a resume: four A4 pages maximum (please ensure you provide the architectural registration number, date of registration and date of graduation for each individual being nominated)
• a portfolio of works: this can include built and unbuilt work (five A4 pages maximum)
• two references: from an employer or clients
• photo of entrant(s) – this can be uploaded separately to the requirements above
• entry requirements listed above must be uploaded on a single PDF document and must not exceed 5MB
• finalists may be asked by their local Chapter to submit additional materials to the local jury including CDs or hard copies

Key dates

Chapter	Opening	Closing
NSW Chapter	4 March 2013	nominations (step 1) 22 March 2013 submission (step 2) 12 April 2013
Tas Chapter	4 March 2013	15 April 2013
NT Chapter	4 March 2013	30 April 2013
ACT Chapter	19 March 2013	30 April 2013
SA Chapter	26 March 2013	30 April 2013
WA Chapter	2 April 2013	28 June 2013
Qld Chapter	19 July 2013	13 September 2013
Vic Chapter	5 August 2013	13 September 2013

Eligibility & criteria

Entrants, as an individual or as part of collaboration, must each fulfill the following prize criteria:

• must be nominated by a member of the Australian Institute of Architects
• once nominated, must complete the required entry form
• must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
• must have graduated from a two-tier or five year Bachelor of Architecture or Masters course up to 15 years prior to the year of entry
• must enter in the state in which they are currently residing
• must be a registered architect in the state in which they are entering the prize, and have first been registered not more than 10 years ago
• a minimum of three (3) eligible entries must be received by the closing date or the jury may decide not to award a winner
• the state jury may choose not to award a state winner if they feel the entries received are not of a high enough standard or do not fulfill the judging criteria
• previous recipients of the state or national prize are not eligible to enter
• submissions must be received by the closing date specified by each state or territory

Judging criteria

State and national juries will judge entries based on the following criteria:

• excellence in architectural practice, research or education
• involvement in Australian Institute of Architects activities and/or forums of similar professional bodies
• contribution to architecture through leadership within the profession
• contribution to community activities such as charity and voluntary work related to the profession is not essential but would be judged favourably

The jury

All entries received by the due date will be judged by a state jury selected by the relevant chapter. Jury members will comprise the following people:

• Chapter President or nominee
• previous Emerging Architect Prize winner
• Chair of the local EmAGN group or a nominated representative

The state jury will select one (1) state winner. Each state winner then goes through to the national jury which will consist of the following:

 

• Institute National President or nominated representative
• EmAGN Chair or nominated representative
• previous Emerging Architect Prize winner or nominated representative

The prize

Chapter winner
Chapter winners of the Emerging Architects Prize will be awarded a certificate and will be sponsored to attend a local awards ceremony. Winners will receive one year free membership with the Australian Institute of Architects. If the winner is already a member they will receive free membership for the following year. If won by a collaboration, each individual will receive one year free membership. Some Chapters have prize money associated with the prize. Contact your local chapter for further details.

National winner
The winner of the National Emerging Architect Prize will be awarded with a single $2000 cash prize, a certificate and be sponsored to attend the Australian Achievement in Architecture Awards. If won by a collaboration, it will be the responsibility of the group to split the cash prize as they see fit and to nominate an individual to be sponsored to attend the awards event. The National winner will receive and additional year of free membership with the Australian Institute of Architects. If won by a collaboration, each individual will receive one additional year of free membership.

2013 state & national winners announced!
Entries for the 2013 Emerging Architect Prize have been judged and awarded all across the country. Congratulations to the following Chapter Emerging Architect Prize winners.

• ACT Chapter – Robbie Speight, Colin Stewart Architects
• ACT Chapter Commendation – Bronwen Jones, Collins Caddaye Architects
• NSW Chapter – Penny Fuller, Silvester Fuller
• NT Chapter – Jimmy Walker, Build Up Design Architects
• QLD Chapter – David Teeland, Teeland Architects
• SA Chapter – no prize awarded
• TAS Chapter – Peter Walker, Cumulus Studio
• VIC Chapter – Clare Cousins, Clare Cousins
• WA Chapter – Kieran Wong, CODA Studio

These winners at a Chapter level automatically proceeded to be judged by the National Jury. The National Emerging Architect Prize was awarded to Clare Cousins at the Australian Achievement in Architecture Awards in Canberra on 20 March 2013.

Past winners
2013 Chapter & National Winners
2012 Chapter & National Winners
2011 Chapter & National Winners

Contact
For further information, please contact your local Chapter or the National Prizes Manager:
National Prizes Manager | Australian Institute of Architects
3/60 Collins Street Melbourne 3000
T: 03 8620 3877 | prizes@architecture.com.au

Other awards & prizes

Australian Interior Design Awards

Entries are now open for projects across the public, retail, workplace, hospitality, residential and installation design categories.

www.australianinteriordesignawards.com

 

Houses Awards

Presented by Houses magazine, the Houses Awards is an annual program celebrating Australia’s best residential projects.

www.housesawards.com.au

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