One of Australia's most promising young architects, Melbourne-based Michael Barraclough, has won this year's Marten Bequest Travelling Scholarship in architecture.
The Trust Company has announced the winners of scholarships, each worth $20,000, were awarded in the fields of architecture, ballet, instrumental music, poetry and prose.
The Trust says the 30-year-old Barraclough is one of Australia's most promising young architects and the Judges were unanimous in their decision.
“We believe that Michael will go on to contribute to the advancement of architecture in Australia; being awarded the Marten Bequest Travelling Scholarship will help make this possible,” said one of the 2012 Judges, Alec Tzannes (Dean and Professor, Faculty of the Built Environment, University of New South Wales).
“We were incredibly impressed by his academic achievements and by the diversity of his professional experience to date, having already worked for two of Australia’s leading architectural practices.”
Barraclough will use his scholarship to fund his post-graduate study in London at the influential Architectural Association, Design Research Laboratory (AADRL).
John Atkin, Chief Executive Officer, The Trust Company said: “Awarded annually to talented young artists, the Marten Bequest Travelling Scholarships were established by John Chisholm Marten, a life-long patron of the arts and literature.
“The Trust Company, as Trustee, promotes the legacy of Marten through administering these scholarships; supporting aspiring young artists to develop their gifts and achieve their dreams through travelling either abroad or interstate. As Trustee, we are delighted to award these five talented young Australians with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” he said.
Barraclough commented: “Only a few leading architects have the knowledge and skills to maximise a building’s potential using both existing and novel architectural theory and practice. I hope to move towards becoming one of those few.”
