Fitzpatrick + Partners has been awarded 2024 Best in Practice (Medium-Large) by the NSW Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects, recognising the firm's commitment to sustainability and industry-wide advocacy through knowledge sharing and evidence-based design.

“We are very grateful to the Australian Institute of Architects for this recognition, while its always rewarding winning awards for our built projects, this feels special as it gives us the chance to celebrate the people, ideas, and values at the core of our studio. It also reflects our commitment to evidence-based design and our belief in a collective industry approach to creating a more sustainable future,” says Studio Partner James Fitzpatrick.

“This award follows the studio's recent success at the World Architecture Festival (WAF), where 88 Walker Street in North Sydney was named Mixed Use Building of the Year.”

The accolade was presented at the 2024 NSW Prizes and Honours Awards, which celebrates individuals and practices that have positively contributed to the architectural profession through academia, literature, practice, and advocacy.

Launched in 2019, the Best in Practice prize recognises firms dedicated to building supportive, and inclusive workplaces while promoting positive work cultures within the architectural industry.

Held bi-annually, the award spotlights a unique theme for each instalment, with this year’s focus on “Sustainability in Practice.”

This year’s theme provided an opportunity for us to highlight the steps the practice is taking to drive positive change both within our studio and across the wider industry. The jury commended our commitment to knowledge sharing and advocacy.

“Fitzpatrick + Partners is a strong advocate for sharing their expertise and knowledge in order to support the whole industry to make positive change. They have shared through their website considerable intellectual property that many practices would keep for their own competitive advantage,” says the jury.

“The entire industry can utilise their in-house developed embodied carbon calculator, can use their sustainability action and reconciliation action plans as templates for their own policies, and are free to reference their sustainable materials guide. This generosity is deliberate and part of their industry-wide advocacy for change.

“The work of Fitzpatrick + Partners is primarily in the complex world of commercial towers and health infrastructure. These are building types that have traditionally been very slow to adopt more sustainable practices, yet the practice has managed to shift the dial by diligent use of evidence-based design. They understand both the sustainability and financial consequences of design decisions and how that correlates with the agenda of their clients, and in bringing these together have been the catalysts for significant change.”

According to the jury, Fitzpatrick + Partners is demonstrating the future of a sustainable industry, through sharing experiences and expertise for the greater good of our built environment.

Image: The Fitzpatrick + Partners team/supplied

Clémence Carayol

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