ACT
Chapter

Brindabella | Bates Smart | Photographer: Peter Clarke | Canberra Medallion Winner 2023

Australian Capital Territory CHAPTER

The Institute’s ACT Chapter works towards making a positive contribution to the Territory’s built environment. We provide support for our members through various programs including CPD activities, design competitions, advocacy campaigns and awards.

We promote innovative, sustainable and increased housing diversity in the Territory, as well as equitable employment practices in our local workforce.

The ACT Chapter recognises the Ngunnawal people as the traditional land owners of Canberra. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging.

2023 ARCHITECTURE AWARDS

2023 ACT AWARD WINNERS

See the people and projects that were awarded this year in the 2023 Architecture Awards.

Dairy Road (3.3) | Craig Tan Architects | Photographer: U__P

Programs and Activities

Marist Jubilee Building | Collins Caddaye Architects | Photographer: Stefan Postles

The Institute is committed to developing and promoting a strong architectural profession and advocating for safer, more sustainable communities. Learn about local and national advocacy initiatives.

Ribbon House | Rob Henry Architects | Photographer: LightStudies

Our Chapter and National Awards programs are an opportunity for public and peer recognition of the valuable contribution architecture makes to our communities locally, nationally and internationally.

CPD

Diana’s Studio | Moss Architects | Photographer: Ben Wrigley

Continuing Professional Development is an important avenue to improve professional knowledge and competence.

View our range of online and face-to-face CPD opportunities.

National Award for Interior Architecture | Monaro Mall Canberra Centre | Universal Design Studio and Mather Architecture | Photographer: Tom Ross

Meet our Chapter Councillors and discover the local committees helping shape our work and the built environment.

National Award for Sustainable Architecture | Synergy | BVN | Photographer: John Gollings

Our Chapter hosts a range of local events celebrating architecture and catering to the profession and the broader community. Discover upcoming events now.

Shine Dome | Roy Grounds - Grounds Romberg & Boyd Architects | Photographer: iandolphin24 | Licensed with CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Architects from the Federal Capital Commission designed much of Canberra’s houses and public buildings in the city’s early years. As a result many of the older suburbs exhibit this largely cohesive ‘FCC style’ that is unique to Canberra.

National Award for Sustainable Architecture | Synergy | BVN | Photographer: John Gollings

Our Chapter hosts a range of local events celebrating architecture and catering to the profession and the broader community. Discover upcoming events now.

Looking for a room to hire or the latest architectural jobs in the ACT? Check out our notice board for the latest information. 

Looking for a room to hire or the latest architectural jobs in the ACT? Check out our notice board for the latest information. 

Continuing Education

ACT CPD Program

The ACT Chapter holds a series of talks and events for members as a part of its continuing professional development (CPD) program. Our speakers include local and visiting national and international architects, as well as specialist consultants from other built environment disciplines.

The Chapter also holds Practice of Architecture Learning Series tutorials to help participants prepare for the Architectural Practice Examination.

ACT Chapter President

2023 – CURRENT

SHOBA COLE, RAIA

I have lived on Ngunnawal Country for most of my life and what I love most is its richness of landscape. I am passionate about connecting to people and places, fairness, kindness, having a voice, enabling equity and celebrating diversity. These passions are embedded in both my personal and professional life – it is more than jargon.

In the past few years, I have been working on becoming an ally for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, through self-reflection, education and listening. I am committed to finding opportunities in my work and projects which can assist for an equitable and reconciled country for all. 

Having recently taken some time out, one of the things I have been reflecting on is wellbeing – what does it mean to me. We are all mindful now on the importance of wellbeing of ourselves, our family, our friends, and our colleagues. I believe there is more to do in this space, not just for myself, but for others. It needs to be not just a policy, but an action.   

ACT Chapter President | Shoba Cole

2021 – 2023 | Jane Cassidy

2020 – 2021 | Shannon Battisson

2018 – 2020 | Philip Leeson

2016 – 2018 | Rob Henry

2014 – 2016 | Andrew Wilson

2012 – 2014 | Tony Trobe

2010 – 2012 | Sheila Hughes

2008 – 2010 | David Flannery

2006 – 2008 | Melinda Dodson

2002 – 2006 | Catherine Townsend

2000 – 2002 | Colin Stewart

1998 – 2000 | Dominic Maiuto

1994 – 1998 | Graham Humphries

1993 – 1994 | Annabelle Pegrum

1992 – 1993 | Peter Freeman

1990 – 1992 | Colin Stewart

1988 – 1990 | Alastair Swayn

1986 – 1988 | Eric Graham Butt

1984 – 1986| Barry Malcolm Cameron

1982 – 1984| Geoffrey Thomas Butterworth

1980 – 1982 | Ian Thompson

1978 – 1980 | Mervyn Bryce Willoughby-Thomas

1976 – 1978 | Anthony Kimbal Cooper

1975 – 1976 | Neil Renfree

1974 – 1975 | Arthur Chrisus Tow

1972 – 1974 | William Frank Batt

1970 – 1972 | Horace Holt

1968 – 1970 | John Goldsmith

1966 – 1968 | Peter Firman Harrison

1964 – 1966 | Edward John Scollay

1962 – 1964 | Malcolm Johnson Moir

Canberra Medallion

2023 CANBERRA MEDALLION Winner

BRINDABELLA | BATES SMART

Right from the initial approach, Brindabella impresses with a visual pedestrian axis cleverly dissecting the large site creating a human scale forecourt. This provides a focal point to the complex, framed by two beautifully crafted buildings, while the thin cylindrical columns supporting the high-level canopy define the precinct. The ground floor retail tenancies with their lightweight pedestrian scale awnings and soft landscaping create a sense of welcoming while activating the ground plane.

The extremely well executed relationship of façade elements is seamless between materials from the concrete base to the elegantly resolved curtain wall glazing and aerofoil fins above. Upon entry, the buildings open into richly detailed central glazed atriums inviting the visitor to engage with and occupy the voids. Functionally, the integration of allied engineering disciplines is highly complex and seamlessly well executed to create flexible, open floor plans that engage with the central atriums.

All encompassing in scale from the macro to the micro, the design rigour demonstrated in managing the various scales from the urban context through the finite detail is clearly evident in execution. Brindabella is a finely crafted, incredibly elegant pair of commercial buildings that demonstrates extreme beauty in complex simplicity and is a deserved winner of the 2023 Canberra Medallion.

2023 Brindabella | Bates Smart

2022 ANU Birch Building RefurbishmentHassell 

2021 House for Hiroko | Anthony Knobel Architect 

2020 For Our Country, Australian War Memorial Edition Office and Daniel Boyd 

2019 Empire House Austin Maynard Architects 

2018 Australian Federal Police Forensics and Data Centre, Majura Hassell 

2017 Constitution Avenue NCA, JILA, Hill Thalis, SMEC and AECOM 

2016 Bowen Place Crossing Lahznimmo Architects 

2015 New Acton Precinct Fender Katsalidis 

2014 National Arboretum Tonkin Zulaikha Greer and Taylor Cullity Lethlean 

2013 2 & 4 National Circuit Fender Katsalidis 

2012 St Gregory’s Hall (2011) Collins Caddaye 

2011 AWM Eastern Precinct (2010) Johnson Pilton Walker 

2010 H House, O’Connor (2009) Nino Bellantonio, AIL Studio & Joanna Nelson 

2009 National Portrait Gallery, Parkes (2009) Johnson Pilton Walker 

2008 New Acton East, Acton (2008) Fender Katsalidis 

2007 AIS Aquatic Testing and Training Centre, Bruce (2007) Cox Humphries Moss 

2007 ANU Medical School, Canberra Hospital, Garran (2007) Bligh Voller Nield 

2006 Reid House, 19 Euree Street, Reid (2006) Roger Pegrum 

2005 ANZAC Hall, Australian War Memorial, Campbell (2005) Denton Corker Marshall 

2004 No Canberra Medallion awarded. 

2003 No Canberra Medallion awarded. 

2002 Clynes House Cox Humphries Moss 

2002 Australian Bureau of Statistics, Benjamin Way, Belconnen (2001) 

2001 Australian War Memorial Gallery Redevelopment, Campbell (2001) Mitchell/Giurgola & Thorp 

2000 CSIRO ‘Discovery’, Clunies Ross Street, Acton (2000) Daryl Jackson Alastair Swayn 

1999 Blake Dawson Waldron Fit-out, 12 Moore Street, Canberra City (1999) Mitchell/Giurgola & Thorp 

1999 Fowler House, 288 Duffy Street, Ainslie (1999) Townsend & Associates 

1999 Capital Jet Facility, Boomerang Street, Canberra Airport, Pialligo (1999) Daryl Jackson Alastair Swayn 

1998 Australian Geographical Survey Organisation HQ, Symonston (1997) Eggleston Macdonald 

1998 Morrison Alterations & Additions, 52 Beauchamp Street, Deakin (1997) Graeme Trickett 

1998 Hyson Green, Calvary Hospital, Mary Potter Circuit, Bruce (1998) Munns Sly Scott-Bohanna Moss 

1997 ACT Magistrates Court, London Circuit, Canberra City (1997) MCC Architects 

1997 AIS Ansett Sports Visitor Centre, Leverriar Crescent, Bruce (1997) Daryl Jackson Alastair Swayn 

1996 House at Fadden Hills, 10 Decker Place, Fadden (1996) Shane Blue & Rachel Bourne 

1996 My Cafe, Franklin Street, Manuka (1996) Freeman Collett & Partners 

1996 ACT Legislative Assembly, Civic Square, Canberra City (1996) Mitchell/Giurgola & Thorp 

1994 Ainslie Village Redevelopment, Quick Street, Ainslie (1994) Collard, Clarke & Jackson 

1994 Therapeutic Goods Admin Building, Narrabundah Lane, Symonston (1994) Australian Construction Services 

1994 Ainslie Fire Station, Wakefield Avenue, Ainslie (1994) Mitchell/Giurgola & Thorp 

1993 Boiler House Lecture Theatre, UC, Bruce (1993) Daryl Jackson Alastair Swayn 

1992 Faculty of Information Sciences & Engineering Building, UC, Bruce (1992) Mitchell/Giurgola & Thorp 

1991 Water Feature in Parliament House Forecourt (1988) Robert Woodward 

1991 AIS Athletics Field Grandstand, Masterman Street, Bruce (1991) Daryl Jackson Alastair Swayn 

1990 St Thomas Aquinas Parish Church, Lhotsky Street, Charnwood (1990) Mitchell/Giurgola & Thorp 

1989 National Science & Technology Centre, King Edward Terrace, Parkes (1988) Lawrence Nield & Partners 

1989 Parliament House (Special Award) (1988) 

1988 Psychiatric Hostel, Mary Potter Circuit, Bruce (1988) Ken Maher & Partners 

1987 Indoor Sports Centre, ADFA, Fairbairn Ave, Campbell (1987) Daryl Jackson 

1986 Caroline Chisholm High School, Hambidge Cres, Chisholm (1985) Lawrence Nield & Partners 

1986 Cadets Mess, ADFA, Fairbairn Ave, Campbell (1986) DH&C (ACT) & Ancher Mortlock & Woolley 

1985 Waterman Arts Centre, Canberra Girls’ Grammar School, Deakin (1985) Collard, Clarke & Jackson 

1985 Singapore High Commission Chancery, Forster Crescent, Yarralumla (1985) Daryl Jackson 

1984 AIS Swimming Pools, Leverrier Crescent, Bruce (1982) Daryl Jackson 

1984 Hill Station Addition, Shepherd Street, Hume (1984) Peter Freeman 

1983 Australian National Gallery, Parkes (1982) Edwards, Madigan, Torzillo & Briggs 

1982 Belconnen Public Library, Chandler Street, Belconnen (1982) Robin Gibson 

1981 Canberra School of Art, Acton (1980) Daryl Jackson Evan Walker 

1980 High Court of Australia, Parkes (1980) Edwards, Madigan, Torzillo & Briggs 

1979 Taylor Primary School, Marconi Crescent, Kambah (1977) Michael Adams of the Department of Housing & Construction 

1978 Kambah Health Centre, Jenke Circuit, Kambah (1975) Philip Cox & Partners 

1977 Giralang Primary School, Atalumba Close, Giralang (1975) Enrico Taglietti 

1972 Grandstand Amenities Pavilion, Randwick Road, Mitchell Hancock, Renfree & Associates

1971 Building No. 14, Russell Defence Group, Russell (1970) Collard, Clark & Jackson 

1970 Food Services Building, Bowes Street, Phillip (1969) Ian Mackay & Partners 

1968 Norwood Park Crematorium, Sandford Street, Mitchell (1968) Peter Sorel of Rosman, Hastings & Sorel 

1967 Commonwealth Club, Forster Crescent, Yarralumla (1966) Fowell, Mansfield, Jarvis & Maclurcan 

1965 Cater House, 145 Mugga Way, Red Hill (1965) Allen, Jack + Cottier 

1964 Downer Primary School, Bradfield Street, Downer (1961) Mockridge, Stahle & Mitchell 

1962 Mackie House National Circuit, Forrest (1959) McConnell, Smith & Johnson 

1961 Australian Academy of Science, Gordon Street, Acton (1958) Roy Grounds of Grounds, Romberg & Boyd 

1956 Fenner House, 8 Monaro Crescent and 1 Torres Street, Red Hill (1953) Robin Boyd 

Notice Board

ACT JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Looking for a new career opportunity in the Australian Capital Territory? View architectural and built environment job openings by logging in and viewing our job board on the Institute’s Community page. 

Want to advertise a job? Free job listings are an exclusive benefit for Institute members. Members can now post and manage their own job ads themselves through communities. When a member logs into Community, there is a tile that will take them straight to the jobs board. 

Chapter Staff

CHAPTER STAFF
 
Vanessa Hindmarsh

Member Services Officer – Events and Administration

Contact us

ACT Chapter
Australian Institute of Architects
PO Box 3373
Manuka, ACT 2603

2a Mugga Way
Red Hill, ACT 2603

P: +61 2 6208 2100
E: act@architecture.com.au

Our office can be tricky to find.
We are on the corner of Mugga Way,
Melbourne Ave and Tennyson Cres.

Enquiry

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