2010 ACT President's Introduction & Individual Award Winners

President' Medal - Peter Overton
A critical issue in achieving sustainability in our urban environments is the design of the housing that makes up our cities. The majority of the buildings we will in live in during the next 20 years are already built and the retrofitting of our suburbs to enhance their environmental performance is a priority. This will not only involve creating new buildings that reduce energy, water and material use, but requires us to enhance the performance of existing buildings
Throughout his career, Peter Overton has been committed to environmentally sustainable design. Through design and advocacy he has lead improvements to the energy efficiency and overall sustainability of buildings.
Peter’s practice as an architect has been primarily, but not exclusively, in residential design. His work is characterised by the integration of a range of features that promote comfortable living in delightful spaces whilst minimising the energy and water used. A long-term collaborator with TT Architecture, both Peter’s and his colleagues’ designs have received extensive recognition through the HIA and MBA awards for contributing to increased awareness of the principles of ESD in the broader industry. This includes the National HIA Greensmart Award and MBA Resource Efficiency Award in 2000 for the Tidbinbilla Visitor Information Centre for which Peter was the Project Architect.
In collaboration with Tony Trobe of TT Architecture, Peter has designed three sets of Public Energy Efficiency Display Developments since 1993 and has also contributed as an initiator and designer to two further energy efficiency study projects undertaken by ACT Public Housing.
Together with colleagues from other small practices in the early 1990’s, Peter commenced a series of public consultation sessions that provided an easily assessable forum for the public to seek advice on domestic design issues and a way for architects to promote their practice and skills. Initially taking place at shopping centres, these consultation sessions ultimately metamorphosed into the MBA Talk to an Architect series.
Peter’s advocacy work on environmental issues also started at this time and since 1995 Peter has served on the ACT Branch Committee of the Australia and New Zealand Solar Energy Society, including a period as Branch President from 2000 to 2003. Peter is also a founding member and Vice President of the ACT Urban Ecology Group. Urban ecology promotes the consideration of urban areas as systems which include not only biological and physical features but also built and social components. Through this group he has been building community awareness of sustainable design and planning issues.
Since 1995 Peter has been convener of Sustainable House Day. This annual event showcases environmental design principles and practice to a broad audience through visits to houses incorporating sustainable design features. The low key, enjoyable experience for visitors belies the effort involved each year in ensuring a broad range of different planning, construction and technology options are presented to the public. A number of local architectural firms have been able to make their work known through inclusion in this event.
Peter has been an active member of the ACT Chapter Sustainability Committee since 2003 and became Chair this year. The knowledge built up through his practice, research and multiple qualifications in assessment of building performance underpins the advice he provides both to the Institute and, through his affiliation with the Institute and other organisations, to the broader community and government.
Peter has quietly, consistently and tenaciously pursued the promotion and implementation of sustainable design principles and it is with great pleasure that I am able to recognise his significant contribution to the profession by awarding him the President’s Medal.

Clem Cummings Medal - Ken Murtagh
Ken J Murtagh has made an outstanding contribution to architecture and the built environment through his lifelong work as a civil and structural engineer. He is a Charted Professional Engineer and his qualifications include an Associate of Sydney Technical College Diploma in Civil Engineering, 1962, a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of NSW in 1964, and a Master of Engineering Science from the University of NSW in 1972.
Ken has over 50 years design experience and began his professional career in 1959 as a design engineer for Australian Iron and Steel (BHP). He later joined Bond James Laron & Reid Consulting Engineers as a Senior Design Engineer in 1965 and designed the major Commonwealth/State Law Courts in Sydney, one of the most significant government buildings erected in Australia at the time.
Ken became a Principal of Murtagh Bond in 1972 in the ACT. He has cultivated an excellent relationship with the architectural profession, working closely with architects on a prolific number of projects. His considerable body of innovative work includes the Bruce Stadium, the new Swim Training Centre for the AIS, the ACT Magistrates Court, the National Convention Centre and Hotel and the new AusAID Office Head Quarters. A particular interest in prefabricated structures has generated new approaches in apartment and office building systems, which have been adopted in the ACT and studied closely by the steel industry as a way of coping with construction cost increases and market share reduction.
Ken was at the forefront of the transition in the use of computers in design and has also lectured in structural engineering at the University of Canberra from 1994 to 2003.
For his sustained contribution to the built environment and for his commitment to architects in the ACT, Ken Murtagh is awarded the 2010 Clem Cummings Medal.

The Clem Cummings Medal recognises contributions by non-architects and architects to architecture and the public interest. The spirit of the Award is exemplified by the public service exhibited by the late Clem Cummins RAIA, who died in 1997. Clem was well regarded in the Canberra profession, through his practice: C.G Cummings & Associates, and his contribution to the profession with the Chapter Council, the Complaints Committee, as a founding members of the RSTCA Committee and his involvement in establishing the architectural student mentoring scheme.

Emerging Architect Prize 2010 recipient - Nathan Judd
Nathan Judd has demonstrated significant contribution and commitment to the architectural profession in Canberra in many ways including advocacy, lobbying, leadership and design through architectural practice and much industry involvement. Nathan graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Sydney in 2002 after completing the first tier degree, a Bachelor of Science in Architecture (with Honours) also from the University of Sydney in 2000. Nathan has worked with a number of significant national firms based in the ACT including Daryl Jackson Alastair Swayn, Cox Humphries Moss and BVN Architecture prior to establishing his own practice Nathan Gibson Judd Architect in 2007. Since then he has been widely published in Architecture Australia, Houses Magazine, Houses Style Magazine, Venue Magazine and the Canberra Times. Nathan received a commendation in the 2009 Australian Institute of Architects Architecture Awards in the residential category for the Butterly House.
Nathan has been a very active member of the Australian Institute of Architects since 2005 both on a local and national level. In 2005 Nathan established the current ACT faction* committee (emerging architects + graduates in Canberra) and was the inaugural founding chair until mid 2009. Whilst undertaking this position, Nathan initiated and led a prolific number of significant initiatives such as Regi(fru)stration and The New Push exhibitions. Nathan’s demonstration of commitment to emerging architects is evident as co-initiator of the National Emerging Architects + Graduates Network (EmAGN) where he was a key member of its establishment in 2006. Through this, Nathan solely initiated the 2009 Architectural Desk Diary which proved to be a great success. Nathan was an ACT Chapter Councillor of the Australian Institute of Architects from 2006-2009. Nathan is currently a design studio tutor at the University of Canberra and Design Studio Coordinator at the Canberra Institute of Technology. Nathan has been a member of numerous jury panels and has been a guest speaker within the industry.
Nathan Gibbson Judd Architect focuses on residential and small scale commercial design focused projects and is building a reputation in the ACT for quality architecture rendered within tight budgetary constraints. This has been clearly illustrated in Nathan’s highly resolved and designed affordable housing competition schemes and proposals in which he was awarded a commendation in the 2008 joint Australian Institute of Architects/HIA Affordable Housing Design Competition.
Nathan’s enthusiasm, contribution, leadership, vision for the advancement of the profession of architecture and commitment to the City recognises him as a deserving recipient of the 2010 ACT Emerging Architect Prize.
The jury for the ACT Emerging Architect Prize 2010 included Dominic Pelle (Jury Chair), Sheila Hughes & Marcus Graham

Emerging Architect Prize 2010 commendation - Greg Waddington
Greg Waddington graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture (Honours) from the University of Canberra in 2002 after completing the first tier degree, a Bachelor of Applied Science in Environmental Design also from the University of Canberra in 1999. As a student, Greg worked with some significant national firms in Canberra and upon graduation relocated to Sydney to work with Quattro Design. In 2005, Greg returned to Canberra to establish and manage the ACT office of Quattro Design where he worked until 2009. Greg has recently joined local firm The Expert Client as one of three directors.
Greg’s experience has allowed him to develop an excellent combination of high quality design in architectural practice and business acumen. From small scale projects (including exhibition design) to urban scale interventions, his design excellence in unexpected places and research contribution to the recent Territory Plan Solar Access Review distinguishes Greg as a respected professional within the emerging demographic and beyond. Greg received a commendation in the 2007 Australian Institute of Architects Awards Small Project category for the Goolarri Exhibit at the National Museum of Australia, and third prize in the Australian Institute of Architects Adelaide Eco-Housing Competition in 2004.
Greg’s exceptional professional diligence, leadership and professional ethics have been demonstrated through his teaching in various design studios at the University of Canberra over the past few years. His work clearly outlines design excellence which is transferred through his teaching.
Greg’s commitment to client, profession and community, through his demonstration of sustainability and city making, instils quality and value to the built environment. It is upon this value that Greg Waddington is awarded a commendation for the Emerging Architect Prize in 2010.
The jury for the ACT Emerging Architect Prize 2010 included Dominic Pelle (Jury Chair), Sheila Hughes & Marcus Graham

ACT Chapter Medallion - Elizabeth Masters
Elizabeth Masters was awarded the 2009 ACT Chapter Medallion for attaining the highest grade point average over the five years of her architectural education at the University of Canberra. Elizabeth consistently pursued her studies with commitment and insight across all years of the architecture program, sustaining a high level of achievement through clear and focused application. Her striving for excellence was appreciated in both her own work and in her generous support of others.
The Medallion, first awarded in 1981, coincided with the ACT Chapter’s formal accreditation of the course offered at the then College of Advanced Education.

John Redmond Prize - Kelvin Ka Ton Ho
Kelvin Ka Ton Ho is the 2009 recipient of the John Redmond Prize, awarded for the highest achievement during the first three years of architectural studies. Kelvin has demonstrated a thoughtful and considered approach to architecture and the built form. His conceptual designs incorporate a high appreciation for context, program, volume, light and space. Kelvin’s enthusiasm for architecture is reflected in his work and he is well respected by both the university staff and students alike, deeming him a worthy recipient of the 2010 John Redmond Prize.
The Prize was first awarded in 1978, in honour of Mr John Redmond, Chairman of the Chapter Education Committee 1969 - 1978. John Redmond, graduate of the University of Adelaide, completed a three year town planning post graduate thesis under Sir William Holford at the London University. He then went on to be one of the first architects employed by the National Capital Development Commission, working there until his retirement in 1973.

Daryl Jackson Alastair Swayn Graduate Prize - Oliver Gee
Oliver Gee is the 2009 recipient of the Institute’s Daryl Jackson Alastair Swayn Graduate prize, awarded for attaining the highest grade point average over the two years of the Masters of Architecture at the University of Canberra. Throughout his studies, Oliver impressed with his thoughtful and sensitive approach, intelligently pursuing architectural project outcomes of the highest calibre. Generous as both a tutor and mentor within the studio, Oliver has been instrumental in student initiatives for engagement within the profession. Oliver’s contribution in all aspects has been highly valued by his teachers and fellow students alike.
The Institute’s Graduate Prize provides encouragement and support for architecture graduates as they embark on their professional careers; it provides assistance through the registration process, supporting students in the transition from education to the profession.

Cox Humphries Moss Student Design Prize
Alvin Tsang - winner $1000
Shai Lambert - commendation $200
Sarah Windley - commendation $200

The jury for this prize consisted of:
Chris Millman , Gevork Hartoonian, Oliver Gee & Sheila Hughes