At the 2024 NSW Prizes and Honours Awards and End of Year Party, the Australian Institute of Architects recognised the best of the best in our industry, whether it be projects, people or practices.

The prizes and honours end of year celebration recognises an array of architectural work, encompassing culture and literature, excellence in practice, reconciliation, distinctive bodies of work by female architects, emerging perspectives on design in the public realm, and recognition of individuals’ contributions to the profession.

This year’s event was held at the Intercontinental in Sydney last Friday, 22 November.

“It was a fantastic night in celebration of the diversity of our profession across NSW practices and practitioners,” Chapter President Elizabeth Carpenter says.

“While our society is going through a deeply complex and challenging time of upheaval, our built environment and its architecture that can offer support, shelter, and safety. Architecture is the very thing that binds together community, making the impact of well designed spaces paramount.

“This year we recognised the outstanding achievements of individuals and practices that set an example of how to move the entire industry forward, improving the quality, innovations, and sustainability of the built environment.”

The Australian Institute of Architects NSW Chapter Prizes and Honours Awards were granted to over 40 practitioners and organisations from among an outstanding pool of shortlisted candidates.

Two President’s Prizes were awarded last Friday, the first to Dr Caroline Butler-Bowdon, State Library of NSW for her 20 years of leadership experience in public institutions, including Sydney Living Museums (the Historic Houses Trust) and the Art Gallery of NSW.

“I am honoured to award the President’s Prize to Caroline. Her career has been dedicated to leadership that connects citizens and visitors to special places, culture, and heritage through a broad range of statewide public engagement programs,” Carpenter says.

“Through Caroline’s wealth of experience in placemaking and public spaces, she continues to champion the importance of libraries as civic spaces. At the Institute, we look forward to sharing knowledge with Caroline through a common interest on the importance of the public domain and civic spaces.”

Chris Thomas was posthumously awarded the President’s Prize in recognition of his significant contribution to Public Architecture and Public Domain.

“Chris was instrumental in helping instil an appreciation for quality design outcomes - championing design excellence across a portfolio of architecture, landscape architecture and public art. He showed a deep understanding of the importance of delivering exceptional and site responsive projects for the community,” says National President-elect and Immediate Past NSW Chapter President Adam Haddow.

“His work has had a significant and lasting impact on the quality of Sydney’s public domain and the day to day lives of many.”

The Reconciliation Prize was awarded to Bangawarra for their contributions to reconciliation in architecture in NSW.

Co-founders Dr Shannon Foster and Jo Paterson Kinniburgh celebrate their interactions with architecture through practices that privilege Country. A commendation was also awarded for Naabámi (thou will/shall see): Barangaroo (army of me) by Professor Brenda L Croft, a powerful curation of First Nations female portraits exhibited in public places around the world.

“It is crucial that we, as designers, listen to and learn from First Nations perspectives. Such a deep connection to Country and rich cultural heritage can inspire considered and sustainable design solutions for our collective future,” Carpenter says.

The David Lindner Prize for graduate and emerging architects encourages new research on architecture in the public realm.

Awarded to an emerging architect in honour of the late David Lindner, it recognizes submissions that generate ideas for solving real challenges facing our cities and contributes to the profession as well as the broader community.

It was awarded to Aiden Morris for his submission entitled “Could Big-Box Malls Save the High Street? The placemaking potential of shopping centre sites in regional NSW”.

Annabel Lahz, Lahz Nimmo Architects, won the Marion Mahony Griffin Prize. Recognising the exceptional work of an individual, this award celebrates women’s substantial and critical contribution to the profession.

Penny Craswell won the Adrian Ashton Prize Award for ‘The New Sustainable House’, a considered, important and enjoyable curation of projects showcasing aspects of design and architecture that can make our houses more sustainable. Commendations were received by David Meagher for ‘No Space Like Home’ and Karen McCartney for ‘Architecture: 50 Years of Shaping How We Live’.

Best In Practice was awarded to two practices dedicated to creating an engaging place to work and sharing their methods in the future of sustainable industry, considered design, and beautiful outcomes. Fitzpatrick + Partners was awarded the Medium-Large Practice Award, while Studio Prineas won the Small Practice Award.

Life Fellowship, the highest honour class of Institute membership, was awarded to Fellow members who, in the opinion of the National Council, have rendered notable contributions to the progression of Architecture in design, construction, literature, education, public service, or in any other way deemed worthy of the honour.

“Their commitment to excellence, innovation, and collaboration has raised the bar for architectural design and practice,” Carpenter says.

Image: Trophies at AIA NSW State Awards at the Intercontinental in Sydney/supplied

Clémence Carayol

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