Melbourne’s own internationally renowned architect, Sean Godsell, will deliver a headline address at the National Gallery of Victoria this week in honour of his Australian Institute of Architects’ 2022 Gold Medal.
Mr Godsell was awarded the Gold Medal, the Australian Institute of Architects’ highest honour, in May for a lifetime of work as a true master craftsman and for his commitment to excellence.
The University of Melbourne graduate returns to the National Gallery of Victoria on 12 September as part of his national Gold Medal speaking tour, which explores the impacts of globalisation on architecture and the importance of regionalism and environmentalism to his work.
“In the past twenty years or so, globalisation has caused architecture to become homogenous, where the very cultural considerations that make architecture possible – history and tradition and local conditions have become abstracted and amorphous,’’ he said.
“With each project we strive for clarity, coherence and integrity. We don’t subscribe to architecture that is desperately interesting for its own sake. We do strive to make each building somehow a little better than the previous one and, most of the time, we manage to achieve this goal.”
Mr Godsell’s notable portfolio includes the RMIT Design Hub, Carter Tucker House, Peninsula House, St Andrews Beach House and House in the Hills.
In awarding him the Gold Medal in May, the jury noted his exemplary commitment to “excellence in design, detail and resolution” and contribution to expressing a significant architectural response to Australia’s unique landscape.
The Gold Medal acknowledges architects who have served with distinction and designed or executed buildings of high merit, produced work of great distinction to advance architecture or endowed the profession.
Mr Godsell’s lecture series also speaks to the role architects will play in tackling global climate change.
“As a profession, our global response to climate change is most meaningful when handled locally rather than by cure-all panaceas that, in the case of architecture, more often than not, result in formulaic outcomes,’’ he said.
“I think that architects are great creative problem solvers, whose contributions to society resonate throughout our built environment.”
“Throughout history, we have served the community by designing buildings that continue to evolve and endure as we do and now we stand at the frontline of the battle with climate change, ready and willing and able to continue to help make the world a better place.’’
The Gold Medal tour is supported by the Institute’s National Corporate Partner, Bosch.
For the dates of the 2022 Gold Medal Tour with Sean Godsell and ticket information, please visit https://www.architecture.com.au/prizes/gold-medal/. Sean Godsell image credit: Earl Carter
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For interviews, please contact: Rosanne Barrett on behalf of the Australian Institute of Architects
M. +61 (0) 425 420 024 | hello@barrettcomms.com.au
