It has been my honor to serve as jury chair for this year’s International Chapter Architecture Awards. Together with my fellow jurors – Luke, Natalie and Vince – we congratulate all the architects who have entered into this year’s awards. We recognize their challenges and celebrate their success in finding moments of delight.
Now, more than ever, amongst significant international climate, political and humanitarian challenges – architects are faced with the extraordinary challenge to be leaders in shaping the built environment. We are asking ourselves how can we create architecture and places that will be safe, social and sustainable?
We have been encouraged by this year’s award entries with their various challenges based on unique cultural, geographical and environmental circumstances. The various methodologies applied in many of these projects have translated into unique architecture that is also inherently Australian in their integrity of material, form and detail.
This also reflects the evolving membership of the International Chapter as we continue to grow and diversify. As member of the jury but also the International Chapter Council it has been wonderful to see new members this year based all over the world bringing their energy and enthusiasm to bring us all together on occasions likes this.
What a fitting venue and way to celebrate Australian architects on a world stage like the Expo 2025 in Osaka. As architects abroad, we value more than ever this connection to the Australian architecture community both in person and virtually.
Wei Jien Ito RAIA
Jury Chair, International Chapter Architecture Awards
Australian Institute of Architects