The 2025 Barry McNeill Graduate Prize was announced at an exhibition on Thursday 27 November, showcasing the work of shortlisted graduating students from the University of Tasmania’s Master of Architecture program.
This year, the panel has awarded Jack Rose with the Barry McNeill Graduate Prize, and a commendation to Jacob Tripp. Congratulations to Jack and Jacob.
The shortlisted students also included Luke Pendergast, Shannon Terry, Zachary Tregenza and Lachlan Sutton.
The annually awarded prize is made possible by prize sponsors, JAWS Architects and VOS Construction and Joinery, and the jury, who this year consisted of Scott Verdouw of JAWS Architects; Josh Mulcahy, Construction Operations Manager, Southern Tasmania, from VOS Construction and Joinery; Leigh Woolley, of Leigh Woolley Architects; Cath Hall, of 1+2 Architecture; and Nicky Adams, of MANA Architects.
The evening also included the announcement of the Board of Architects of Tasmania’s 2025 Prize in Professional Studies, which was awarded to Jacob Tripp. This prize recognises excellence in Professional Studies in the Master of Architecture course at the University of Tasmania, and was presented by Board of Architects of Tasmania member, and the Institute’s Tasmanian President, Daniel Lane, of Preston Lane.
The citations from the jury are as follows:
Winner: Jack Rose
Jack has an intuitive design sensibility backed up by an analytical, enquiring mind. His mature design considerations find solutions beyond the obvious, as evidenced by his consistent portfolio.
His Archive Project on Maria Island, for example, indicates how self-imposed constraints can become opportunities, in the right hands. His considered aesthetic sensibility and presentation skills are provided through nuanced drawings, confirming a discerning awareness of design across scale, and time.
The jury were impressed by his confident yet unassuming presentation, coupled with an enthusiastic pursuit of complex topics, pursued through explorative sections.
Jack’s openness to conversation, his communication skills and clearly evident design potential, coupled with the desire to practice, make him a worthy recipient of the Barry McNeill Graduate Prize.
Commendation : Jacob Tripp
The jury were impressed with Jacob’s multi layered appreciation of the cinematic, in his pursuit of a design ethos and architectural modus operandi. His considered projects reflect a design confidence underpinned by academic rigour. The jury look forward to seeing this pursued in practice, to which he is undoubtably ready.
The prizes were awarded at an exhibition launch on Thursday 27 November, at the Tasmanian Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects, 1/19a Hunter Street, Hobart, at 6.00 pm, where the shortlisted student work is on display. The exhibition will continue to be on display until Thursday 4 December, and is open for viewing weekdays, 9.30am-5pm.