Thank you to all the members from the ACT and across Australia for taking part in a range of activities over the past week, celebrating architects, architecture and the Institute in Canberra. The program of events included the re-launch of the Federal Parliamentary Friends of Urban Design with AILA and PIA, local representation at the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council, and 2A Mugga Way hosting the National Council of the Institute for 2 days of meetings.
Thursday saw an evening of celebration with the National Gallery of Australia hosting the National Architecture Awards. A sold-out event saw work from across Australia celebrated, with guests including the Governor-General Sam Mostyn AC. Forty-six projects were recognised with an award or commendation from a pool of 77 shortlisted entries. Chair of the 2025 Jury Jane Cassidy LFRAIA noted “the projects we encountered this year are more than structures: they are systems of care, of connection, of transformation.”
The Griffin Lecture emerged from a short hiatus with a moving and thoughtful presentation by 3-time recipient of the National Award for Enduring Architecture – Gregory Burgess AM LFRAIA. Greg spoke of synchronicity, resonance, and transformation, with a focus on ways of working together for shared outcomes of forms and place. The lecture was followed by conversation facilitated by Dr Shaneen Fanitn FRAIA Adjunct Associate Professor at University of Queensland with Georgia Birks the associate editor of Architecture Australia, and a proud descendant of the Birpai, Dunghutti and Kamilaroi people.
It was fabulous to have the Canberra home of the Institute buzzing with activity across the week, and a great opportunity to celebrate and showcase some local architectural treasures. Thank you to the Institute staff team for the coordination, and the National Council for their time and dedication to our shared vision of advancing architecture together.