As we enter the second quarter of 2025, we reflect on an extraordinarily active and energising start to the year for the Victorian Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects. From thought-provoking discussions to landmark events, the energy and generosity of our community continues to shape a vibrant architectural culture in Victoria and beyond.
We are pleased to report that the 2025 Victorian Architecture Awards program is progressing smoothly, with 202 entries submitted this year (compared to 228 in 2024). In a period marked by economic uncertainty across the sector, the continued commitment to design excellence and industry leadership shown by entrants is truly commendable. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to every entrant—not only for your submission, but for your ongoing involvement in what is widely recognised as the most engaging and respected architectural awards program in the country. Your work enriches our built environment and deepens the discourse surrounding architecture in Victoria.
The Presentation to Juries event, hosted recently at Monash University Caulfield, was a resounding success. We offer our sincere thanks to the staff and student volunteers from Monash who supported presenters and jurors throughout the day with care, professionalism and enthusiasm. Their hospitality created an environment where thoughtful dialogue and meaningful reflection could flourish.
The shortlist is now available, and we encourage you to explore the diverse and inspiring projects that have progressed to the next stage. The site visits are a much-anticipated part of the judging process and will take place this year over four days later this month, just ahead of the National Conference in Sydney. Jurors have expressed their excitement at the opportunity to experience these projects firsthand, offering deeper insight into the work and design thinking behind each submission.
Looking ahead, the 2025 National Conference is fast approaching, and momentum is building. Although early bird pricing has now concluded, one and two-day tickets remain available, and they’re selling fast. With an exceptional line-up of local and international speakers, and events hosted at iconic venues including the Sydney Opera House, this year’s Conference promises to be a landmark moment for the profession. The program is designed to spark fresh thinking and critical dialogue, and to strengthen our collective capacity to address the challenges of a changing world.
Meanwhile, across the globe, preparations are well underway for the launch of HOME at the Venice Architecture Biennale, opening during the Vernissage in May. This First Nations-led exhibition, located at the Australian Pavilion, will place architecture in dialogue with Country, exploring the power of cultural knowledge and Indigenous leadership in shaping our shared futures. The Institute is proud to serve once again as Commissioner of the Australian Pavilion, a role that grants us creative oversight of the exhibition and reinforces our responsibility to nurture globally significant conversations within the profession.
The creative directors, Dr Michael Mossman, Emily McDaniel, Jack Gillmer (Lilley), and Bradley Kerr, are currently on the ground in Venice, overseeing the installation of the exhibition. Their vision for HOME is bold, generous and deeply resonant, and it has been made possible through the support of a remarkable network of partners, funders and collaborators. Their collective efforts speak to the critical importance of Country within the Australian architectural imagination, and to our shared ambition to bring that conversation to an international audience.
To ensure the successful delivery and ongoing viability of HOME, we invite you to support the project through a tax-deductible donation. Every contribution makes a tangible difference: if every Institute member donates just $32, we will meet the full cost of delivering the exhibition. Your support will not only help realise this significant cultural moment, but also ensure that the voices and knowledge systems it represents are heard around the world.
To donate via EFT:
Account Name: Australian Institute of Architects Foundation Limited
BSB: 333-025
Account Number: 553 930 726
Reference: Venice <Full Name Member Number>
Please email foundation@architecture.com.au upon completion of your transfer to receive a tax receipt. All donations are warmly received and deeply appreciated.
If you, or your practice, would like to make a larger contribution, we invite you to visit the Institute’s Venice Biennale page and consider the various partnership tiers.
Thank you once again for your continued engagement with the Institute, and for the extraordinary work you do as part of the architectural community in Victoria. We look forward to sharing more exciting developments with you in the months ahead, and to seeing many of you at events and gatherings that celebrate the power and potential of architecture across our state and beyond.
Kind regards,
Daniel Moore RAIA
Executive Director, Victorian Chapter