Architecture

The 2025 Australia Day Honours list has acknowledged and celebrated the contributions and achievements of 732 Australians. Among them are three individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of architecture.
Steve Grieve of South Australia, was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for “significant service to architecture, and to arts development through leadership roles.”
Grieve was director of Grieve Gillett Andersen Architects between 2014–2019, director of Grieve Gillett Architects between 2000–2014, and the founding director of Steve Grieve Architects in 1982. He has been a member of the Australian Institute of Architects since 1988, became a life fellow of the Institute in 2018, and served as president of the South Australian chapter from 2013 to 2015. He also received the 2019 South Australian Architecture Awards with the Sir James Irwin President’s Medal. In addition to practice, Grieve was a professor at the University of Adelaide’s School of Architecture and the Built Environment from 2013 to 2018.
Tanya Trevisan of Western Australia was a recipient of the Medal of Order of Australia (OAM) for “service to architecture, and to business.”
Trevisan is the director of Tanya Trevisan Consulting and a director of Fiveight. She served as the national director of the Property Council of Australia between 2017–2019, and simultaneously as the president of the council’s Western Australian division. Trevisan is a former member of the Development Assessment Panel, Medium Density and Liveable Neighbourhoods Stakeholder Reference Group, WA Department of Planning and a former member of the State Planning Policy 7, Design WA Advisory Group, WA Planning Commission. She was a member of the editorial committee for the Royal Australian Institute of Architects The Architect journal from 2015 to 2017 and the Institute’s The Bulletin journal from 2000 to 2003. Trevisan was appointed a fellow of the Institute in 2018.
Keith Sawdy of New South Wales was awarded the Medal of Order of Australia (OAM) for “service to architecture, and to the community.”
Sawdy was the director of Sawdy and Black Architects from 1971 to 2010. He was a member of the Building Planning Advisory Committee, NSW Council on the Ageing between 1976–1991, and a past member of the NSW Ministerial Joint Committee on Transportation for the Disabled. Sawdy became a fellow of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects in 1970. He served as a past honorary architect for the Uniting Church in Australia and an architect for the Churches of Christ, NSW and ACT from the 1970s until the 1990s. More

Submissions are now being accepted for the 2025 Houses Awards, an annual program celebrating the pinnacle of Australian residential architecture.
This year’s program comprises 10 awards categories, including Australian House of the Year, New House under 200 m², New House over 200 m², House Alteration and Addition under 200 m², House Alteration and Addition over 200 m², Apartment or Unit, Sustainability, House in a Heritage Context, Emerging Architecture Practice, and the newly introduced Small Projects category.
This new category recognises achievement in the design of a small-scale residential project. Projects must relate to a larger primary dwelling, but should be able to be considered by the jury as a standalone project. Eligible projects include granny flats; pool houses; decks, pergolas and outdoor rooms; studios and workshops; garages, sheds and boathouses, and stables.
The 2025 jury includes John Ellway of John Ellway Architect, Polly Harbison of Polly Harbison Design, Dimmity Walker of Spaceagency Architects, John Wardle of Wardle and Alexa Kempton, editor of Houses magazine.
The 2024 Houses Awards program saw homes of exquisite resolve being honoured, including the Australian House of the Year award-winner Red Hill House and Studio by Zuzana and Nicholas, Shed House by Breakspear Architects, and Tomich House by Mark Jeavons Architect with Ohlo Studio.
Entries close 14 March 2025. To enter, visit the Houses Awards website.
Houses Awards are organised by Architecture Media, supported by Artedomus, Blum, Brickworks, James Hardie, Roca, Fulgor Milano, Architectural Window Systems, The Heritage Council of Victoria and Latitude. More

Sydney-based architect Jansen Che is among three winners of an international design competition that invited participants to reimagine Freedom Square in Kharkiv, Ukraine.
The Norman Foster Foundation, in collaboration with Buildner, the Kharkiv City Council, UNECE and Arup, launched the Norman Foster Foundation Kharkiv Freedom Square Revival Competition, calling upon architects, designers and urban planners to present concepts for the redesign of Freedom Square and the Regional State Administration Building adjacent.
The competition is part of an ongoing effort to develop a broader masterplan for the reconstruction of the city of Kharkiv, which has faced significant challenges due to its proximity to the Russian border. The mayor of Kharkiv, Ihor Terekhov, underscored the need for a new landmark during the United Nations’ Second Forum of Mayors – a project that could embody renewal, resilience and hope, while honouring the history of the city. The Freedom Square International Competition was launched as part of this vision. The broader masterplan, once developed, is intended to be used as a blueprint for the reconstruction of other cities in Ukraine.
The competition garnered more than 80 international submissions, with Che the only Australian to be shortlisted.

While the jury intended to award individual place-winners, they concluded that they would recognise three proposals as equal winners as they found that no single entry adequately addressed the diverse needs of the building and public space.

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Che, an architect and senior associate at Lippman, has now been revealed as one of the winners. His proposal Memory seeks to revitalise Freedom Square with minimal intervention, opting instead to retain the expansiveness of the public realm so it maintains its ability to serve as a flexible space for events, festivals, protests and other civic functions.
A below-ground memorial with an oculus is introduced as part of the concept. The oculus establishes a visual link to the Regional Administration Building, reinforcing the symbolic connection between democracy and its people. Elements from the war-damaged heritage facade of the Regional Administration Building are incorporated into the design.

Upon being recognised as a joint winner, Che stated, “This achievement is particularly meaningful to me – not only because of its vital role in the revival of Ukraine, but also because it was chaired by Lord Norman Foster. I think he is one of the greatest architects ever and is someone that I have always looked up to throughout my career. It is a privilege to contribute to such a significant project, and I am excited to see the vision for Kharkiv take shape,” said Che.

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The two other equally recognised proposals include a concept from Nischal Ba (India), which comprised a seasonal landscape framework with biodiverse green zones, shaded pathways and multifunctional spaces for year-round engagement, and a scheme from Daniel Mintz (Israel), which focused on balancing historical preservation with contemporary insertions.
The ideas behind each of the three winning proposals will inform a forthcoming second stage competition, which will be open to new entrants as well as those who competed in the first stage.
The winners were each awarded from a prize pool of €10,000 (€3,000 for each winners and €1000 for a student prize). More

In Perth’s northern suburbs, the TAFE Balga Campus redevelopment has reached completion and is set to open to students from term one. The upgrade to the city’s education institute has been underway since 2022 and will replace the site’s 22 modular and transportable classrooms originally constructed in the 1970s.
Designed by Hassell, the upgraded facility includes two new buildings aimed at providing apprentices with high-quality training in future construction skills, students with foundational knowledge and new migrants with training in English. According to a release from the Western Australian government, the new Construction Skills Innovation Hub will host more than 5,800 students annually.

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WA Premier Roger Cook noted, “At the heart of North Metropolitan TAFE’s new Construction Skills Innovation Hub is a cutting-edge Future Trades Workshop, where students can gain the skills needed for jobs using emerging and future construction technologies.” The Western Australian government claim that the 1,140-square-metre workshop is the first of its kind in the country and estimate that it will accommodate 750 students each year.
On the ground floor, a flexible layout incorporates a digitally enabled training space that connects to a large, open workspace. The release noted that the workshop “also includes a simulated energy-saving smart home training facility, outfitted with new and emerging technologies adopted by the construction industry, giving electrical apprentices opportunities to build skills in digital light and home automation integration so they are job-ready to join this growing industry.”

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Alongside the Future Trades Workshop, a new three-storey multipurpose building operates as the entry point to the campus, hosting a student resource centre and learning hub, classrooms, computer labs, student breakout spaces, a client services centre, and student and staff amenities. The hub is outfitted with a simulated kitchen with automated cabinet hardware and a light gauge steel framing construction, showcasing a variety of building products and giving students an opportunity to familiarise themselves with what they will encounter in the industry.
The new Construction Skills Innovation Hub is part of wider $250 million investment in new and upgraded infrastructure at WA TAFE colleges. It is the final capital works project – of a total of 15 – delivered at TAFE campuses throughout Western Australia since 2021. More

An international ideas competition has launched, inviting tertiary students and graduates of urban planning, architecture and landscape architecture to submit an urban adaptation proposal for a site of their choosing.
The Future Climate Future Home Competition is an annual competition initiated by the Australian Urban Design Research Centre (AUDRC), part of the School of Design at the University of Western Australia. The 2025 theme “Adapt Me” invites participants to select an existing urban site – developed or undeveloped – and adapt the site to projected climate conditions, focusing on extreme temperatures.
Conceived to promote better understanding of the design and planning implications of increasing temperatures on urban precincts, public open spaces and housing, the competition offers a total prize pool of $15,000 to be divided among the winners.

The jury for the competition is yet to be announced. The jurors will assess entries according to their working knowledge of established climate-sensitive urban design strategies and their development of innovative approaches. Rather than a purely technical exercise, the judges will recognise entries demonstrating creative engagement with increasing temperatures as a springboard to designing delightful, socio-ecologically enriching, innovative urban proposals.

Entries for the competition can be submitted until 28 February 2025. Find out more at the AUDRC website. More

Architect and urbanist Caroline Stalker has been named the new president of the Queensland chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects, succeeding immediate past president Russell Hall.
With more than 34 years experience working in the built environment sector, Caroline has held numerous leadership positions at Architectus, Arup and Hassell. Currently, she serves as principal at Pilot Places, where she leads projects that address urban challenges, such as housing needs and climate resilience. In addition to professional practice, Caroline is an Adjunct Professor at the Queensland University of Technology, as well as a member of the Queensland Urban Design and Places Panel and Brisbane City Council’s Integrated Design Advisory Panel.
As president, Caroline emphasised her commitment to “expanding architects’ contribution to solving the complex issues of cities.” She will also advocate to government and community for the inclusion of the architecture profession in tackling contemporary issues within the built environment.
“We’re facing pivotal decisions about housing and planning in Queensland. Governments, communities and corporations are grappling with unprecedented housing, equity and climate crises. Our unique training, 3-dimensional minds, and ability to be both practical and visionary, means that architects have a hugely important role to play in helping address all these challenges.” said Caroline. More

From a customisable sunshade to a double-coated oven, these practical items elevate the outdoor living experience without compromising on style and sophistication.
Icarus UX Shade Umbrella
Inspired by nature, the Icarus umbrella’s cocoon-like form acts as a sun shade and wind shelter, with 360-degree rotation, adjustable height and a retractable canopy. The range is designed and manufactured in Belgium using water-repellent and UV-resistant materials. Visit website.
Warema Terrea awning

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Engineered to tolerate high winds, the Warema Terrea folding arm awning features robust functionality, without compromising aesthetics. A range of fabrics allow integration within an existing scheme, while optional automation offers convenience. Visit website.
Morsø Forno outdoor oven

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Crafted to be the centrepiece of an entertaining area, the Morsø Forno outdoor oven featuresa sculptural curved form. The double-coated cast iron ensures perfect heat distribution for cooking wood-fired pizzas, with an additional door for smoking fish. Pair with the Outdoor Table for easy food preparation and storage. Visit website.
EK Outdoor Fireplace from Escea

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Escea’s engineers consulted professional chefs in the design of their EK Series grill. With 13-point adjustable height grills and an ember generator, the design redefines traditional barbecue capabilities for a more sophisticated cooking experience. Visit website.
Fanco Sanctuary DC ceiling fan

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A fresh take on a traditional fan, the DC ceiling fan adds a sculptural touch with its elegant solid timber blades. The fan is available in four sizes and several finishes. Visit website. More

The Northern Territory is anticipated to soon have its own crop of locally educated architects, following an announcement that Charles Darwin University has launched a Bachelor of Architectural Design course.
The course has been developed to foster a community of locally trained architects with firsthand knowledge of the unique environmental conditions in the territory. According to the university, the course will focus on equipping students with the knowledge and skills necessary to design buildings that are suitable for and resilient to these conditions. It will also provide students the opportunity to explore quintessential Northern Australian architecture – such as Darwin’s cyclone-proof residences, Queenslander homes and desert dwellings – and the concepts and theories underpinning these architectural styles.
Previously, Charles Darwin University (CDU) offered a major in architectural design as part of its Bachelor of Arts program. The university’s decision to introduce a dedicated course stemmed from the need to address the shortage of homegrown architects.
Director of CDU’s Academy of the Arts, Dr Amanda Morris, said the course is expected to reduce the reliance on architects from southern states, who are often engaged in major projects and natural disaster rebuilding efforts.
“Following the destruction of much of the domestic housing in the northern suburbs of Darwin from Cyclone Tracy, new building codes were introduced and new homes were constructed, but these were built as replicas of southern designs which didn’t suit the tropical environment of Darwin,” Morris said.
“Fifty years on, we are starting to design domestic houses and public buildings for the tropical environment with the territory having only a small workforce of architects.
“We need more architects who understand the unique challenges of designing buildings for tropical environments and this is where CDU’s new course fits in, providing a local workforce which understands the unique tropical and arid environments of the territory.”
Enrolled students will be offered opportunities to gain industry experience through work placements and a desert project based in Alice Springs. Additionally, students will be provided collaborative study opportunities through the design studio.
“Students will be able to create architectural designs in response to extreme environments as well as being able to build sustainably for domestic and public infrastructure and develop methodologies to engage with Indigenous communities and those living in regional and remote areas,” Morris added.
CDU acting vice-chancellor Professor Fiona Coulson said there is high employability demand for architects in the territory. “CDU is proud to be able to meet the needs of the territory by supporting construction growth and providing a foundation for students to get a local education that will see them make a difference to the territory’s skyline.”
President of the Northern Territory Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects Miriam Wallace said a local profession with experience and detailed understanding of the territory is critical to the sustainable development of cities and communities.
“Long-term strategic attention to a locally grown territory architecture profession does deliver dividends,” Wallace said. “This is evident, for example, in the alumni from CDU’s previous built environment degrees who now fill key positions in NT Government and local industry, and who have made long-term commitments to living and working in the NT.”
The university will soon appoint a professor of architecture to help facilitate the new course.
To achieve accreditation as an architect, students must complete a total of five years of education, which includes both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree. CDU is in the process of launching a Master of Architecture course, which will enable architecture students to complete their study in its entirety at CDU.

The Bachelor of Architectural Design program is set to commence in the first semester of 2025, with students able to enrol now. The Master of Architecture will open for enrolment in 2026. More