The current architectural era is one of excitement and intrigue. This is because, in order to maintain our world in optimal condition, we, as a collective of building environments, must ensure our practices are not harmful to our environments. There has never been a better time to be a sustainable architect, so why not reward those who are making an effort early in their careers?

Architects have always been innovative, but the job description has changed slightly in the modern era. In addition to creating thoughtfully connected spaces that meet the requirements of a brief, architects must also be aware of the environmental impact of their designs. This is an unprecedented experience that will shape the future, as new ideas emerge from new architects. As we said before, there has never been a better time to be a sustainable architect.

The 2023 Sustainability Awards once again features the Emerging Sustainable Architect/Designer award category. This award recognizes those who, in their first five years as an architect, have led the way in the world of sustainability by bringing positive environmental change to the table at a time when many are still in their early years.

Kaunitz Yeung Architecture’s Marni Reti was the 2022 winner of the Emerging Sustainable Architect category. A proud Palawa and Ngātiwai woman, born and raised on Gadigal land, Reti’s heritage and context interweaves with her design outcomes.

Studying at UTS following a conversation with her mother regarding career direction, Reti quickly fell in love with the architecture profession. She looks back on her time at university and wonders whether the Australian DNA should be intertwined with educational content.

“When you study architectural history, you learn about ancient Greece, Rome, and Europe. This is important, but it is not Australian. Aboriginal architecture has a rich history and is regionally specific,” she says.

“This is not taught in architectural education, but it should be. We should learn about Aboriginal architecture so that we can apply it to Australian architecture in a way that is not Eurocentric. Aboriginal structures are fascinating because they work with the natural climate and materials of the land.

“Our construction methods are different now, but we can still learn from the dome shapes and permeable structures that were used in Sydney. I believe that Australian architecture can be unique and not just a mini England if it is rooted in Aboriginal history.”

Already a trailblazer in the field, Reti hopes to become an educator herself, ensuring caring for Country principles are deeply embedded within future Australian designs.

“The main thing I think of when we talk about this conversation is to speak to our elders. Particularly those who have cared for Country for extended periods of time,” she says.

“Our elders are revered. They are very important figures in our communities because they have all of this knowledge. So for me, if I were in a position where someone was asking me to do this, I would go straight to elders in communities that have experience caring for Country.

“Ideally, I would like to do this with the goal of teaching a history course, a core subject at universities that all architecture students have to take when they're undergraduates, solely focused on Indigenous architecture for a semester. My thinking is that there should have been a module on Indigenous architecture.”

Timberlink is the proud sponsor of the Emerging Sustainable Architect/Designer category. At Timberlink, sustainability is more than a policy; they believe it is part of their DNA and is ingrained in their overall purpose: to safely and efficiently manufacture timber to build a more sustainable world.

The company is a leader in sustainability. Timberlink has committed to reducing its scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 53 percent by 2030, in line with the values of past winners of the Emerging Sustainable Architect category.

According to the Science Based Target initiative, this puts Timberlink at the forefront of carbon reduction targets. The company has made significant investments in its manufacturing facilities over the past few years, with a focus on cutting-edge innovation to reduce emissions, waste, and inefficiency.

The Emerging Sustainable Architect/Designer category at the Sustainability Awards celebrates the people behind the projects who, despite their lack of experience, are able to be leaders in their field. The winner will be announced in November at a ceremony in Sydney. For more information, visit sustainablebuildingawards.com.au.