Architecture students Maitri Gohel and Lucinda O’Neill are the recipients of the 2024 Philip Y. Bisset Planning (Architecture) Scholarship, announced by the Australian Institute of Architects’ Queensland Chapter.

As Bisset Scholars, the students will each receive $15,000 in grant funding to support international research, highlighting the importance of continuous professional development in architecture. The recipients were chosen for their exceptional insights into issues critical to Queensland’s built environment.

Maitri Gohel

Gohel’s multidisciplinary experience at Hassell across diverse sectors informs her passion for adaptive reuse and regenerative design. Her research investigates why adaptive reuse is more widely embraced in European architecture, focusing on how circular economy principles and urban regeneration contribute to cohesive, sustainable designs.

Maitri Gohel

2024 Bisset Scholar Maitri Gohel | Photo credit: Hassell

“By exploring how these practices and policies can be adapted to the Queensland context, I aim to identify opportunities for systematic change in design and sustainability while supporting the evolution of our profession,” she explained.

The jury appreciated Gohel’s thoughtful and collaborative approach as well as her ability to connect policy reform with practical solutions, ensuring her research delivers actionable outcomes.

Lucinda O’Neill

O’Neill’s program involves participation in a six-day workshop in Turin, Italy, followed by four weeks of investigation into innovative material applications in Italy and Belgium. Her project focuses on studying materials that address pressing issues such as sustainability, affordability, and energy efficiency, with an emphasis on applying advanced materials including hempcrete, waste-derived bricks, and other sustainable options to Queensland’s built environment.

Lucinda O’Neill

2024 Bisset Scholar Lucinda O'Neill | Photo credit: Anjanette Webb

"My research will explore the role of advanced materials in shaping sustainable architectural practices,” said O’Neill. “I aim to understand how materials can address barriers in implementation, such as public perception, legislation, and industry practices. By applying these findings to Queensland’s construction industry, I hope to contribute solutions to challenges posed by material shortages, rising costs, and the need for climate-conscious design."

O’Neill’s focus on material study came in for praise from the judges for having significant potential to impact the profession. “Her project aligns with critical conversations around the National Construction Code and the challenges facing Queensland’s construction industry,” the panel noted.

“These scholarships are not only an investment in two exceptionally talented individuals but also a reflection of our commitment to shaping a resilient, innovative architectural profession for Queensland,” said Anna Svensdotter, Queensland executive director of the Australian Institute of Architects. “Maitri and Lucinda’s work addresses critical challenges, such as sustainability, affordability, and construction innovation, offering insights that will benefit our state as we prepare for the 2032 Olympics and beyond.”

“These scholarships are essential for ensuring that Queensland’s architects continue to uphold the highest standards in design, innovation, and community building,” Svensdotter added.

The Philip Y. Bisset Planning (Architecture) Scholarship honours the legacy of the late Philip Y. Bisset, whose contributions to Queensland’s urban landscape remain an enduring inspiration. Since its inception, the scholarship has provided a pathway for final-year Master of Architecture students to gain global perspectives and bring transformative ideas back to Queensland.

Image: St Mary's Cathedral, Darwin, designed by Philip Y Bisset (Source: https://www.architecture.com.au/)

Main Image: Lucinda O'Neill (left) and Maitri Gohel (right).

Branko Miletic

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