Reconciliation Prize
About the Prize
Reconciliation Prize
The Reconciliation Prize seeks to recognise architecture and professional practice in NSW which advances the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait people.
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Background of award
Purpose
The Reconciliation Prize seeks to recognise architecture and professional practice in NSW which advances the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait people.
The prize shall be awarded to an individual, organisation or collaboration; and seeks to recognise projects, research, practice, or bodies of work which demonstrate one or more of the following qualities:
- An authentic partnership with, and authorisation of, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- Responds to traditional custodianship and the cultural practices, knowledge, history and values of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- Encourages the training and employment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Please note that the full body of work of an individual or collaboration based in NSW will be considered beyond state borders, please check the eligibility criteria.
The Prize also seeks:
- To increase professional awareness of best practice via an annual key note lecture
- To raise awareness and positively incentivise practices which promote reconciliation
- To recognise the value of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural knowledge and its contribution to architecture and professional practice
- To promote initiatives which show leadership on reconciliation from within the architecture profession to attract more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to consider architecture as a career pathway
Prize
The winning entrant will be awarded a certificate and acknowledged in Institute communications. They will also be invited to deliver a keynote address relating to the awarded work.
Partner
We thank the Macquarie Group for their ongoing support of the Reconciliation Prize.
Judging Process
Evaluation criteria
The appointed jury will evaluate submissions according to how they perform in relation to the following criteria:
- Achieves an authentic partnership with, and authorisation of, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- Responds to traditional custodianship and the cultural practices, knowledge, history and values of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- Encourages the training and employment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- Has the endorsement of a member of the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community it relates to
- Progresses the rights of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people within the community it relates to
- Has been undertaken respectfully, has brought positive benefits to the community it relates to, and has considered long term impacts
- Demonstrates scalable and/or replicable learnings, contributing to the broader goal of reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians
In addition to meeting one or more of the criteria above, the entry must demonstrate innovation and/or excellence in the field it relates to (architecture, research, policy, methodology, or practice).
Jury composition
Eligible entries must be received by the closing date or the jury may decide not to award a winner. All entries received by the due date will be assessed by a Chapter-specific jury selected by the NSW Chapter. Jury members will comprise the following people:
- NSW Chapter President or nominated representative from the NSW Reconciliation Working Group
- Immediate previous Prize winner, or nominee thereof
- Architect with an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander background
- Interstate/international or an allied discipline expert nominated by the Reconciliation Working Group
The Chapter-specific jury will select one (1) winner, however, the jury may choose not to award a winner if they feel the entries received are not of a high enough standard or do not fulfill the judging criteria.
2023 Jury
- Adam Haddow – Chapter President, SJB
- Abbie Galvin – Government Architect New South Wales
- Alison Page – Zakpage
How to enter
Eligibility & conditions of entry
The Reconciliation Prize is open to any individual or collaboration that has advanced the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in a significant way through the practice of architecture. The winner is not required to be an architect or a member of the institute, however, the project, collaboration and/or individual contribution being acknowledged must be based in or relate to the practice of architecture in NSW, or the individual or collaboration must be based in NSW.
Key dates
Submissions for 2023 Reconciliation Prize are now open.
Winners will be announced at the Prizes and Honours Awards on Friday, 24 November 2023.
Submission requirements
Entrants are required to lodge in their application the following:
- A written statement (max. 1000 words) describing:
- what the entry project/initiative is
- how the entry demonstrates innovation and/or excellence in the field to which it relates (architecture, research, policy, methodology, or practice)
- how the entry meets each applicable evaluation criteria
- Three to five high resolution images including copyright permission for use in Institute produced and/or Institute-related digital and print publications
- Endorsement of the entry by an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community representative, either via written statement and/or offer for verbal reference
Should further clarification of the entry be required, the jury may choose to interview shortlisted candidates.
Contact
For more information regarding this prize, please email melena.dirou@architecture.com.au
2023 Reconciliation Prize Winners
Dr Michael Mossman
Empowerment.
Dr. Michael Mossman is an Architect and educator and is a Kuku Yalanji man from Cairns, now living and working on Gadigal land. Based at the University of Sydney, Dr. Mossman gained a Doctor of Philosophy in 2021 with his thesis: ‘Third Space, Architecture and Indigeneity. Michael’s ambition is to create a structural shift in the education, practice and policy of the architectural profession – seeing First Nations cultures as agents for change. With his focus firmly on growing capacity within the profession through the promotion of greater cultural competency, while helping to build a pipeline of First Nations built environment practitioners, Michael is asking the profession to look differently, asking us to consider our physical landscape through a broader cultural lens, with the intent of decolonizing the built form. His intent is that through the identification of a new starting point we might achieve built outcomes that better reflect, celebrate and respond to the unique landscape and cultural history of the places our projects exist. With the awarding of a $1.4m Australian Research Council Linkage grant Dr. Mossman will be investigating the capacity of Architects to deliver on Designing with Country competencies, with the intent of assisting in the amplification of professional skills.
Gujaga Foundation
Voice.
The Gujaga Foundation is a community run social enterprise that leads language, cultural and research activities within the La Perouse Aboriginal Community. The Foundation has established a framework of engagement that allows built environment professionals to better connect and understand First Nations stories in an authentic and culturally appropriate way. Through the foundation they have established a consultancy framework, ensuring that the community’s cultural knowledge is fairly and appropriately managed, while at the same time investing in research and truth telling – with the ambition that gaps in Australia’s history can be restored. By taking control of their cultural capital the community generates income that is reinvested into education programs enabling their youth to learn language and better connect with their history. This is a program that has identified a commercial need and is leveraging the opportunity to create a positive future history rooted in cultural authenticity. Gujaga has established a framework that is helping to empower their local community while providing an example for other First Nations community groups to engage with the built environment sector to create culturally rich places, to the benefit of all Australians.
Photo: Gujaga Foundation
Heritage NSW and Heritage Council of NSW
Truth.
To truly achieve reconciliation our nation must address historical truths. This will be difficult but will ultimately allow us to collectively own our entire history – both painful and wonderful.
This year Heritage NSW and Heritage Council of NSW added the Appin massacre site of 1816 to the State Heritage Register. The listing acknowledges the significance of one of the earliest and most traumatic frontier conflict events between First Nations People and European settlers. At least 14 Aboriginal men, woman and children were killed in the attack ordered by Governor Lachlan Macquarie. This listing on the State Heritage register recognises the injustices of the past and provides and opportunity for healing and reconciliation. The listing includes topography and natural features of the landscape that have sacred significance to the Dharawal traditional custodians and the Gundungurra people and will ensure the protection of the site and cultural landscape so that future generations can learn from the injustices of the past. Leadership of this type, acknowledging the pain sometimes imbedded in our physical environment should be acknowledged and protected is the sign of a truly enlightened and open society.
Through acknowledgement will come understanding, helping to build empathy and community. As an organisation we fully support truth telling through the lens of the physical environment and congratulate the Heritage NSW and Heritage Council of NSW for this significant step.
Photo: Appin Massacre Cultural Landscape | Heritage NSW
2021 Reconciliation Prize Winner
BVN
The 2021 NSW Reconciliation Prize is awarded to BVN Architecture for Kimberwalli located on Darug Country, in Mount Druitt, Western Sydney.
Meaning ‘many stars’ in Darug, Kimberwalli has been designed and delivered with self-determination and pride in culture front of mind, reflecting the centre’s objective to create an Aboriginal Centre of Excellence which encourages better learning outcomes and improved career pathways for young Aboriginal people in Western Sydney.
It is an exemplar for reconciliation both in its community leadership, conception, architectural response and the process undertaken to realise the project. A project control group consisting of 8 Aboriginal youth assisted in the development of the project, regular community events were held to engage with community and Aboriginal people were employed throughout project delivery. Architecturally the renewal of two existing brutalist buildings has resulted in a striking outcome for the Centre which has a strong indoor and outdoor presence in the campus.
The buildings are grounded in Country through a fire pit which is pivotal to the journey into the site and forms a cultural heart and gathering space. Reflecting cultural values, demonstrating positive community benefits, authentic partnerships and deep engagement, the Kimberwalli project illustrates what can be achieved when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are enabled to lead, design and build projects for their communities.
COMMENDATION: Ngardang Girri KalatMimini(NGKM) in collaboration with Koskela | luk
A commendation is awarded to luk a beautiful pendant light and artwork luk created by Ngardang Girri Kalat Mimini (NGKM) in collaboration with Koskela, engaged by Gensler on the refurbishment of Ernst and Young (EY) offices.
Responding to EY’s ambition to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, the lighting piece was designed to reflect the significance of the eel trap and it’s importance to the traditional and artistic practices of Aboriginal people.
Working in partnership with Georgia MacGuire, Aunty Glenda Nicholls, Aunty Lorraine Brigdale and Aunty Janet Bromley (NGKM), Koskela facilitated the creating of luk, which was first conceptualised by First Nations artists through a series of weaving workshops before being faithfully realised by Koskela’s industrial design team.
The project not only delivers on EY’s ambition to celebrate culture, but demonstrates meaningful engagement, authentic partnership and provides positive community benefits. Koskela’s deep level of commitment to realising this project in collaboration with First Nations people is an exemplar for the positive artistic and cultural collaborations which can occur as part of architectural and interior fit out projects.
COMMENDATION: Yarrabah Community and the University of Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning | Burri Gummin Housing Studio
A commendation is awarded to the Burri Gummin Housing Studio a collaboration between the Yarrabah Community and the University of Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning.
Undertaken on four occasions, the studio is focused on exploring alternate housing typologies for remote Aboriginal communities. Held on Gungganyji land, north East of Cairns, with the generous participation of the Yarrabah community, students are given the opportunity to work directly for the community, obtaining unique insights and cultural perspectives to inform their research and studio work.
This immersive experience is an important opportunity for students to participate in meaningful engagement with Aboriginal people, respond directly to their needs and provides a forum for cultural exchange on Country.
The studio provides an important forum for raising cultural awareness, teaching meaningful engagement, and encouraging students to develop authentic partnerships with Aboriginal communities – all of which will build important professional capacity in our future practitioners.
A commendation is awarded to the Burri Gummin Housing Studio a collaboration between the Yarrabah Community and the University of Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning.
Undertaken on four occasions, the studio is focused on exploring alternate housing typologies for remote Aboriginal communities. Held on Gungganyji land, north East of Cairns, with the generous participation of the Yarrabah community, students are given the opportunity to work directly for the community, obtaining unique insights and cultural perspectives to inform their research and studio work.
This immersive experience is an important opportunity for students to participate in meaningful engagement with Aboriginal people, respond directly to their needs and provides a forum for cultural exchange on Country.
The studio provides an important forum for raising cultural awareness, teaching meaningful engagement, and encouraging students to develop authentic partnerships with Aboriginal communities – all of which will build important professional capacity in our future practitioners.
2020 Reconciliation Prize Winner
Kaunitz Yeung Architecture
This is the second year for this relatively new award recognizing inspiring work in the pursuit of equality and equity in architecture. The jury panel was unanimous in awarding the clever and imaginative architectural design outcomes for and with grass roots Indigenous communities and Indigenous makers. The projects contribute to cross-cultural shared learnings that not only meet the aspirations of Indigenous communities, but equally achieve ambitious designs despite the limitations of tight government funding.
Kaunitz Yeung is a small practice with a growing body of projects across vastly different Indigenous communities from red earth deserts to tropical coastal sea islands. Projects spread from Wiradjuri country, (Orange, NSW), to Punmu, Parnngurr, Jigalong and Kunawarritji on Martu country, (Pilbara region -Western desert, WA) and across to Pirlangimpi, (Melville Island in the Tiwi Islands off Darwin, NT). In remote to extremely remote locations, limited budgets can often result in architecture lacking imagination, invention and comprehensive consultation. This is not the case with this practice which has developed a remote building type and dialogue inviting Indigenous artists to create culturally expressive designs. These then become critical elements interwoven into the building’s architectural and cultural identity.
Kaunitz has elsewhere described the substance of the practice’s work is dependent on “….a lot of time in the community not making assumptions, listening to local people and repeating the process, providing forums and both formal and informal opportunities for every voice to be heard.” Of particular note with this recognition and award, inspiring architecture is achievable through in-depth consultation while simultaneously pursuing meaningful outcomes.
2019 Reconciliation Prize Winner
The University of Sydney
Wingara Mura – Bunga Barrabugu (“thinking path to make tomorrow”) strategy
The University of Sydney Wingara Mura- Bunga Barrabugu Strategy is a visionary, reconciliatory proposition of institutional transformation that activates the design of culturally inclusive and safe physical environments.
The strategy is a unique, exemplary framework for an Australian university setting to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Islander cultures and values and sets a benchmark for the design of space and place.
ex histories and reflect the present state. The role of anticipating the future and determining what story these places will come to tell and how they will continue to support diverse people and communities is an important endeavor. The built environment has an enormous responsibility to connect and provide a good quality of life for all. This pursuit is one that is shared across disciplines and requires the good thinking of many – architects, urban designers, landscape designers and city planners, to produce positive outcomes.
