Student Prize
for the Advancement
of Architecture
About the Prize
student prize for the advancement of architecture
This prize is for a most outstanding contribution by an individual SONA member towards the advancement of architecture in the areas of leadership, publication, community or education. The aim of the prize is to recognise those whom:
- provide leadership amongst fellow students and/or within the profession
- promote the appreciation and advancement of architecture
- provide a forum for discourse and networking
- promote architects in the community
- advance the education of Australian architecture students
Entrants can be individual or collaborations.
The Prize is a cash prize of $2,000 to the winner.
ENTRIES FOR THE 2021 PRIZE ARE NOW CLOSED!
find out more
Financial student/SONA members who have advanced architecture in the previus two years may be nominated or self nominate
The nominee should demonstrate high achievement in one or preferably more selected categories.
The nominee should demonstrate high achievement in one or more of the identified areas.
Find out more about our 2020 winner Chantelle Fry
Eligibility
Who can participate
Current financial SONA members who have advanced architecture in the previous two years may be nominated or self-nominate for this prize. The work must have been undertaken while still a student or while the student has deferred the course (with the intention of finishing their architecture study in subsequent years).
Nominations can be made by SONA members, SONA Executive, NEC members and Australian Architecture Schools/Programs. When nominated by other than the applicant, one nomination and an additional referee are required.
Current National Councillors, Australian Institute of Architects staff members and current Student Prize for the Advancement of Architecture jurors may not take part in the application/nomination process.
Achievements of the entrant considered by the Jury must relate to the advancement of architecture in leadership, publication, community or education activities other than those that form part of the role of SONA President.
Nominate
About the Process
The online entry form must be completed with the following details:
- A statement of excellence addressing one or more of the selection criteria (teaching, research, community engagement, scholarship, leadership). The statement should be a maximum of one A4 page and be in a format suitable for publication (PDF is preferred).
- A CV of no more than two A4 pages referencing the nominee/applicant’s educational qualifications, career history, teaching positions and experience (where applicable).
- Contact information of two referees/nominators. If you are self-nominating, please provide the contact information of two referees. If you are nominating someone please provide contact information of one nominator and an additional referee.
- An image of the nominee (individual or group).
ENTRIES FOR THE 2021 PRIZE ARE NOW CLOSED!
judging criteria
what the Judges look for
The entrant should demonstrate high achievement in one or preferably more of the following categories:
Leadership – chairing forums; organising student groups; effective representation of students on Institute and/or university committees; organising student activities such as conferences, competitions, camps, architecture weeks, exhibitions, architecture revues, guest lecture programs.
Publication – editing, designing and/or producing a student or professional publication; student design and theory work; student opinion; student reviews of works of architecture; letters to the editor in prominent newspapers; articles in Architecture Australia and/or Chapter magazines; articles in student (campus-based) newspapers/magazines; digital publications.
Community – promoting architecture and/or architects to the public; involving students with community issues; involving the community with architectural issues.
Education – involvement in education activities that have consistently advanced architecture.
NATIONAL JURY FOR 2021 PRIZE
- Alice Hampson, Jury Chair | National President
- Kirstie Coultas | National Education Committee
- Dr Helen Norrie | University of Tasmania
- Jaques Chevrant-Breton | Immediate Past SONA President
2020 winner
Congratulations to Chantelle Fry
Chantelle Fry is awarded the Australian Institute of Architects 2020 Student Prize for the Advancement of Architecture for her proven leadership amongst fellow students and within the profession. Since commencing her Bachelor of Architecture at the University of Adelaide in 2015, Chantelle has been committed to fostering student engagement and showcasing student work to the wider architecture community.
Chantelle is a passionate advocate for her fellow students at the University of Adelaide and also nationwide. She is genuine in her approach and conducts herself with openness and integrity. Through organising events such as ArchiSpiel, the Student Design Project, and the National Student Dinner, Chantelle has been able to strengthen the student community in South Australia. Joining the SONA national team in 2017 and 2018, she brought this same lively enthusiasm to organising the national SuperStudio competition.
Chantelle has shown an unrelenting passion for the profession through her mentorship of her peers and High School students. She has contributed to an open dialogue for students, engendering a healthier and happier architecture cohort. She strives to create a student community that embraces the values that she competently models and represents – enthusiasm, inclusivity, and leadership.
2019 winner
Bobbie Bayley and Owen Kelly
The 2019 Student Prize for the Advancement of Architecture is awarded to Bobbie Bayley and Owen Kelly for their project “Grand Section.” Inspired by the principles of the Grand Tour and an architectural section, Bobbie and Owen set out to explore the relationship between landscape, architecture and people in some of the most remote parts of Australia. Travelling by bicycle for ten months, the pair traversed the continent along latitude 25°S from Fraser Island in the east to Shark Bay in the west, a journey of 7,600 kilometres. Their journey was punctuated by week-long stopovers that afforded Bobbie and Owen opportunities for exchange by engaging communities in participatory workshops and discussions about place, people and architecture. The findings were captured and presented through onsite exhibitions and illustrated keepsake booklets.
Bobbie and Owen documented their journey via Instagram, Facebook and a blog – “The Grand Section: Girt by Sea, Girth by Desert” – and, since completing it, they have shared their research with the wider architectural community through conference presentations and numerous talks and workshops across Australia. They have also produced a travelling exhibition, Girthy with Slim Edges, comprising handmade display cases, printed zines and videos from their travels. They continue to travel and share their experiences and insights with both the architectural profession and the general public.
The jury unanimously awards this prize to Bobbie and Owen for their initiative, creativity and tenacity, and for their commitment to the advancement of architecture through leadership, publication, education and, most particularly, community engagement and advocacy in promoting the value and importance of Australian architecture.’– Jury Citation
Congratulations also goes to Julius Egan for receiving a Commendation for the 2019 Student Prize for the Advancement of Architecture
