The 2025 Contemporary Australian Architects Speaker Series, presented by the Australian Institute of Architects in new partnerships with the National Film and Sound Archive and Eifer, has wrapped up another compelling season of architectural discourse and inspiration.
Featuring Archier (and Candour), Searle x Waldron, Tina Tziallias Architects, and Shaun Lockyer Architects, the series showcased diverse perspectives and examples of contemporary design, which span varied scales, contexts, and business models.
Across four engaging sessions, key themes emerged around building performance, material honesty, collaborative practice, advocacy in the evolving role of practitioners, and prompting examination on definitions of sustainability in contemporary practice.
From the refined, contextually embedded works of Archier, to the innovative prefabrication systems of Candour; the textural, colourful gestures of delight and respite by Searle x Waldron; the future heritage sensibility of Tina Tziallias Architects; and the robust subtropical critical regionalism of Shaun Lockyer Architects, each speaker contributed meaningfully to expanding the national conversation on Australian architecture.
With strong engagement across the series and the accompanying EmAGN/SONA Speaker Breakfasts, the 2025 program reaffirmed the importance of open architectural dialogue and the value of sharing practice insights with both the profession and the public. The series continues to serve as a vital and motivating platform to celebrate innovation, reflection, and values-driven leadership in architecture.
– Vyasa McPherson RAIA, Acting ACT Chapter President