The Australian Institute of Architects proudly celebrated the elevation of Suzanne Hunt and Kate Hislop to Life Fellows of the Institute.
Suzanne Hunt and Kate Hislop were presented with their certificates by Australian Institute of Architects (WA) President Sandy Anghie and Chair of the Honours Committee Warren Kerr AM at the 2023 Fellows Dinner.
The dinner was held on the 27 July at the University Club of Western Australia
Kate Hislop
Kate Hislop’s unparalleled contribution to the architectural profession spans three decades as a practitioner, mentor, educator, and leader in tertiary education. Kate studied architecture at the University of Western Australia (UWA) and was first registered as an architect in 1997. While working with several architectural offices and in her own private practice, Kate continued to build her career through a combination of practice and teaching.
Appointed as a lecturer at UWA in 1999, Kate quickly demonstrated her strength as an academic. In 2017, she was appointed to the position of Dean and Head of the School of Design at UWA and continues in that role today. As an extension of her UWA roles, she has positively impacted the lives of many architectural students who have gone on to successful architectural careers. Kate continued to further her own academic education by completing a Master of Philosophy (Australian Studies) in 1996 and a PhD at UWA in 2012.
Outside of academia, Kate has been active in the West Australian Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects since first joining the editorial team for ‘The Architect’ (WA) in 1992. She was the first woman appointed to the role of co-editor and then editor from the mid to late 1990s. Kate contributed further through participation on several Institute committees, including Public Affairs, Practice Committee, Contracts Committee, Education Committee, and the WA Chapter Council. She was involved in the WA Chapter Awards program as a juror, chaired the Enduring Architecture Award panel, and in 2014, was the Chair of Juries.
Kate has been a member of the Architects Board (WA) and an examiner of candidates sitting the Architectural Practice Exam. She is the current Chair of the National Advisory Panel for the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA) and participated in working groups conducting a review of the National Standards of Competency for Architects (NSCA).
Kate has always been a role model of achievement and participation for the profession and is very worthy of a life fellowship.
Suzanne Hunt
Suzanne Hunt, also known as Suzie Hunt, has made an outstanding contribution to the architectural profession and has had a significant and positive impact on the wider community through her dynamic public engagement. She leads a multi-award-winning design practice and continues to be an exemplary role model through her effective advocacy on design and policy issues, her commitment to service outside of immediate practice, her successful initiation of groundbreaking professional opportunities, and her attentive mentoring of early career professionals.
As the first female president of the West Australian Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects, Suzie used her platform to raise and reinforce the role of women both within the profession and across the wider public realm. Her presidency saw the establishment of the #WorkWomenWisdom networking forum, a major initiative that addressed issues of gender disparity and was nationally recognized in 2021 through the Institute’s Paula Whitman Gender Equity Prize.
Suzie’s engaging public presence in print, TV, and social media platforms has ensured the visibility of the Institute’s membership and its place in providing valued community leaders. She has maintained a consistent level of service to the Institute, serving on chapter and national councils. Suzie has also participated as a chair and member of various awards juries, served on both the Honors and Gender Equity Taskforce committees, and contributed her professional expertise to local government and numerous other organizations and institutions.
Overall, Suzie’s exceptional leadership, advocacy, and service have not only had a positive impact on the architectural profession but have also contributed to advancing gender equity and promoting the value of design within the wider community.
