Emerging
Architect
Prize

Contributing to architectural practice and design excellence

About the Prize

The Emerging Architect Prize (EAP), recognises an individual emerging architect or emerging architectural collaboration’s contribution to architectural practice, education, design excellence and community involvement, which advances the profession’s role within the public arena. Entrants need to be nominated by a member of the Australian Institute of Architects (or Institute members can self-nominate). 

2022 ENTRIES CLOSED

ENTRIES CLOSED

The International Chapter Emerging Architect Prize is awarded biennially, in each odd year. The International Chapter prize is a separate program to the Chapter/National prize. The International Chapter prize recipient will not therefore be eligible to progress to the National Emerging Architect Prize program. 

The Emerging Architect Prize is awarded annually, firstly at a Chapter level, then winners automatically proceed to be considered for the National Emerging Architect Prize. The winner of each Chapter Emerging Architect Prize will be announced at the Chapter Architecture Awards or celebration event., with the winner of the National Emerging Architect Prize being announced at the National Architecture Awards.

Chapter winners receive:

  •  $1,000 cash prize and a Certificate
  • Ticket to attend their local Chapter Architecture Awards or celebration event

National winner receives:

  • $2,000 cash prize and a certificate
  • Winner will present a virtual tour early the following year

key dates

Entry type Entries open Entries Close
Nomination and Self-Nomination Monday, 31 January 2022 11:59pm AEDT Monday, 28 February 2022
Submission of additional material for nominations Tuesday, 1 March 2022 Monday, 21 March 2022

find out more

Eligibility

Maitland Riverlink | CHROFI with McGregor Coxall | NSW | Photographer: Simon Wood

Advice on who can nominate

Nominate

Denton Corker Marshall Studio | Denton Corker Marshall | Vic | Photographer: Shannon McGrath

Our system involves a two step process, find out more

Judging Criteria

King Bill | Austin Maynard Architects | Photographer: Derek Swalwell

Find out more about the criteria used to assess your application

2021 winner

Find out more about our 2021 National Emerging Architect Dino Vrynios.

Eligibility

Maitland Riverlink | CHROFI with McGregor Coxall | NSW | Photographer: Simon Wood

Who can participate

Nominees, as an individual or as part of collaboration, must meet each of the following eligibility requirement:

Chapter/National EAP

  • Must be a member Level 1 Institute member.
  • Must be within 15 years of graduation of the AACA Accredited Master of Architecture degree (or equivalent) and have first been registered as an Architect anywhere in Australia, not more than 10 years ago and must be currently registered with any of the Architect Registration Boards in Australia.
  • Must enter in the Chapter in which they are currently residing.
  • Must be self-nominated or nominated by a member of the Institute (only members of the Institute will be eligible for this prize). 
  • Previous recipients of a Chapter or National Emerging Architect Prize are not eligible to enter.
  • Submission must be received by the closing date.

International Chapter EAP

  • Must be a member of the Institute (International Chapter) and working/residing overseas
  • Must be within 15 years of graduation of the AACA Accredited Master of Architecture degree (or equivalent) and have first been registered as an Architect in Australia or overseas, not more than 10 years ago
  • Must be self-nominated or nominated by a member of the Institute (only members of the Institute will be eligible for this prize). 
  • Previous recipients of a Chapter or National Emerging Architect Prize are not eligible to enter
  • Submissions must be received by the closing date specified by the International Chapter

Additional considerations:

  • Once nominated, the nominee must complete the required entry form. Nominations will remain on a register for three (3) consecutive years, after which the nomination will lapse.
  • A minimum of three (3) eligible entries must be received by the closing date or the Jury may decide not to award a winner.
  • The Chapter Jury may choose not to award a Chapter winner if they feel the entries received are not of a high enough standard or do not fulfill the judging criteria

Nominate

How do I enter

Entry into the Emerging Architect Prize is a two-step process.

  1. Nomination – eligible candidates are nominated by a member of the Australian Institute of Architects or  members can self-nominate via the online entry system.
  2. Submission of entry material – nominated candidates will be invited to continue with their submission. Should they wish to accept the nomination, the nominee will be asked to submit the entry material listed under ‘entry requirements’ via the online entry system.

Winners at a Chapter level automatically proceed to be considered for the National Emerging Architect Prize, no additional entry material is submitted for National judging.

Entry requirements
The nominee will be asked to submit the following entry material via the online entry system:

  • a statement addressing each of the key criteria items outlined in the judging criteria (within the entry form).
  • a resume: four A4 pages maximum (please ensure you provide the architectural registration number, date of registration and date of graduation for each individual being nominated).
  • a portfolio of works: this can include built and unbuilt work (five A4 pages maximum).
  • two references: from an employer or clients.
  • photo of entrant(s) – this can be uploaded separately to the requirements above.
  • entry requirements listed above must be uploaded on a single PDF document and must not exceed 10MB.
ENTER NOW
The 2019 Emil Sodersten Award | Denton Corker Marshall Studio | Denton Corker Marshall | Victoria | Photographer: Shannon McGrath

Judging criteria

Participation requirements / What we look for

All entries received by the due date will be judged by a Chapter Jury. Jury members will comprise:

  • The Chapter President or nominee
  • Previous Chapter Emerging Architect Prize winner
  • Chair of the local EmAGN group or a nominated representative

The Chapter Jury will select one (1) Chapter winner, noting that juries are not obligated to select a Chapter winner if the pool of candidates does not warrant a decision. Each Chapter winner then progress to the National Jury for judging.

The National Jury will comprise:

  • Institute National President or nominated representative
  • EmAGN President or nominated representative
  • Previous National Emerging Architect Prize winner or nominated representative.

Chapter and National juries will judge entries based on the following criteria:

  • excellence in architectural practice, research or education
  • involvement in Australian Institute of Architects activities and/or forums of similar professional bodies
  • contribution to architecture through leadership within the profession
  • contribution to community activities such as charity and voluntary work related to the profession is not essential but would be judged favourably. 
Blackwood St Bunker | Clare Cousins Architects | Photographer: Lisbeth Grossman

Emerging Architect Tour

SONA members at Victorian Super Studio 2021
Victorian Super Studio 2021

EMERGING ARCHITECT TOUR

Presentation 

The Emerging Architect Prize Winner travels to every state and territory, presenting a ‘show and tell’ of their works, experiences and architecture. 

Dates

Queensland – 10 May 2022 | Conrad Gargett
Northern Territory – 12 May 2022 | Vibe Hotel
Australian Capital Territory – 17 May 2022 | ACT Chapter Office
New South Wales – 19 May 2022 | NSW Teachers Federation Conference Centre
Tasmania – 24 May 2022 | TAS Chapter Office
Victoria – 26 May 2022 | VIC Chapter Office
Western Australia – 31 May 2022 | Curtin University
South Australia – 7 June 2022 | SAHMRI

2022 Emerging ARCHITECT PRIZE WINNERS

Australian Capital Territory

KATE SHEPHERD | ROB HENRY ARCHITECTS

Kate has returned from studying and working overseas to her hometown of Canberra bringing with her a strong focus on community, identity and placemaking.

Through her work, Kate’s intent is to bring together practice, research and education. She strives to positively contribute to the public realm both through professional work at Rob Henry Architects and an ongoing teaching role at the University of Canberra, where she is able to directly influence the future designers of Canberra and the built environment. 

2022 Emerging Architect Prize | Jury Citation

The Emerging Architect Prize has been developed to recognise an individual emerging architect or architectural collaboration’s contribution to architectural practice, education, design excellence and community involvement, which advances the professions role within the public arena. 

Kate has had an extraordinary career, demonstrating design excellence across the various scales of practice both domestically and internationally, including the recently awarded Royal Institute of British Architecture (RIBA) award for design excellence for the Wolfson Centre with FJMT. 

The knowledge she has gained through practice, Kate has applied and refined at both commercial and residential scales. She similarly shares and progresses her understanding of the industry through her teaching and mentoring positions, engagement with industry events and involvement in community organisations. 

Kate has demonstrated incredible longevity, breadth, and depth in her commitment to the architectural and broader community through leadership in voluntary community boards, SONA, EMAGN and most recently on Chapter Council in the equity and diversity portfolio as well as the planning portfolio. In addition to these roles, she has supported the industry through her contribution to system reform and registration processes with the AACA, and UK Generation 4 Change (G4C). Kate also continually advocates for the profession through numerous forums including publications, contribution to numerous conferences, events and festivals, as well as through not-for-profit volunteering in Timor Leste and Canal San Bovo – Italy. 

Kate’s bio states that “As practicing architects, we not only hold the responsibility to achieve professional excellence through our contribution to the sustainability of the industry, but also to invest in the development of the built environment and future generations.” 

Kate Shepherd exemplifies what it means to be an “Architect in society” as our immediate past president Tony Giannone has so passionately advocated for. 

Read Jury Citation
WESTERN AUSTRALIA

MATT DELROY-CARR | MDC ARCHITECTS

Matt Delroy-Carr is a graduate from the School of Architecture, University of Western Australia and is the director of MDC Architects.

Matt’s focus on design lies within an intent to create experiences through a simple understanding of materials and space. His fundamental belief is that architecture should be for everyone, and is central to an improved quality of life.

2022 Emerging Architect Prize Winner | Jury Citation

Matt Delroy-Carr is the director of MDC Architects. His fundamental belief is that architecture should be for everyone, and that good design is central to an improved quality of life. 

With a focus on infill housing, accessible to the wider majority, Matt has completed the design and documentation of a number of single and multiple residential projects in Perth.  

With this experience, Matt was one of the contributors to the State Government’s draft Medium Density Design guidelines, which aim to improve the design quality of medium density housing for Western Australians and address the need for greater housing diversity and choice. 

Prior to establishing his own practice, Matt was a collaborative partner of felix. working on a number of research and competition proposals. Of note was Matt’s role as one of the Creative Directors for the felix_Giles_Anderson + Goad team for the Australia Pavilion at La Biennale di Venezia 2014, curating the digital content for the exhibit Augmented Australia 1914-2014. 

Balancing his work with contribution to the profession, Matt has been a sessional staff member at the University of Western Australia since 2009 and continues to coordinate design studios in the undergraduate degree. 

Read Jury Citation
victoria

DANIEL MOORE | OPEN CREATIVE STUDIO

Daniel is an architect and director of Open Creative Studio, an emerging architecture, design, and creative firm that specialises in environmentally conscious projects. In addition to design projects, Daniel also has a keen interest in communications producing podcasts and working as a professional voice-over artist.

2022 Emerging Architect Prize Winner | Jury Citation

Daniel Moore is a very deserving winner of the 2022 Emerging Architect Prize for Victoria.

The jury applauds Daniel’s prolific and generous contributions to advancing the culture of architecture in Victoria.

The jury notes Daniel’s commitment to engaging with the wider community in critical issues confronting the built environment, not only through his media projects but also through his architectural work at Open Creative Studio, where he has introduced a number of contractual innovations to incentivise high performance, biophilic and environmentally responsible design.

Outside of the day-to-day demands of practice, he continues to mentor in the industry, whilst also providing multiple platforms for emerging architects through the New Architects Melbourne (NAM) Forum; his podcast series, ‘Hearing Architecture’; as an architectural educator, through his involvement with the EmAGN Committee; and as an APE Examiner with the ARBV.

Read Jury Citation
Queensland

TANYA GOLITSCHENKO | HASSEL

Tanya is an Architectural Associate at HASSEL, living and working on Quandamooka, Jagera and Turrbal Country.


Tanya is passionate about Public Realm Architecture, specifically Rail and Transport and is currently the lead Architect on the Cross River Rail RIS project.  In addition to improving the region’s mobility network, the new station nodes are envisioned as an opportunity to catalyse urban renewal and precinct development.

2022 Emerging Architect Prize Winner | Jury Citation

Tanya Golitschenko is a consistent advocate for equity and accessibility, listening, mentoring and supporting others. After graduating from the University of South Australia, she has crafted a respected career in transport infrastructure projects, actively helping to shape the city and facilitating widespread accessibility in Brisbane’s public spaces, while simultaneously promoting the representation of young women in the design and construction industries.  

Tanya’s role as Project Lead on large-scale projects in practice is considered outstanding for an emerging architect, most significantly leading the architectural design and delivery of Brisbane’s Cross River Rail RIS project. Consisting of seven new and revitalised railway stations and associated buildings, Tanya’s and her team’s work has been praised by colleagues, clients and the community alike; her demonstrated leadership and experience described as ‘beyond her years’ and … ‘beyond her peers’ (Travis Dawson, Stations and Buildings Team Design/Engineering Manager, Cross River Rail UNITY Alliance).  

Of particular note is her admirable pursuit of equitable research-based architecture using innovative collaboration techniques to achieve best-practice equal-accessible outcomes for all transport users. Tanya’s submission demonstrates her efforts to surpass the Access Codes and Standards, exhibiting a deep understanding of transport users of all abilities. Her personal application and achievement have been acknowledged in the construction industry as a selected finalist in the Women in Design and Construction (WIDAC) Annual Awards and the Probuild Award for Achievement in Design.  

Tanya’s continuing work as an advocate, supporter and mentor of younger staff is admired by her colleagues as is her ‘enviable mix of tenacity, humbleness and empathy’ (Lucy O’Driscoll, Principal, Hassell). Her active role within Hassell is commendable, both in respect to the firm’s Gender Equality and Staff Development leadership groups, as well as her industry role as Co-Chair of the National Association of Women in Construction’s (NAWIC) Education and Mentoring team. Tanya has served as an AIA regional awards juror, a mentor and coach to young women, and a passionate advocate within the construction industry of the importance and value of design.  

Alongside her leadership qualities in strongly advocating for industry equity and greater outcomes in the level of accessibility in delivered projects, Tanya has a decade-long involvement with the Redland’s Koala Action Group. using her skills to work with government and inform planning and environmental policies for the betterment of Koala habitats. This combination of professionalism, mentoring and service to the community makes Tanya a worthy recipient of the Emerging Architect Prize. 

Read Jury Citation
New South Wales

QIANYI LIM | SIBLING ARCHITURE

Qianyi Lim leads Sibling Architecture’s office in Sydney.

Qianyi works across all scales of projects and problem-solving from exhibition design to large-scale civic buildings. Qianyi has a real interest in civic architecture where the design offers up space to the city through a series of spatial strategies. Qianyi’s attention to the future of Australia’s cities and regions has seen her speak at cultural festivals and institutions across Australia, including the Sherman Centre for Cultural Ideas, MPavilion and Australian Centre for Contemporary Art.

2022 Emerging Architect Prize Winner | Jury Citation

The 2022 NSW Emerging Architect Prize has been awarded to Qianyi Lim, Director at Sibling Architecture.

Amongst a group of highly talented nominees, the jury considered that Qianyi’s impressive and rounded career portfolio that spans across private practice, education and advocacy made her the ideal candidate for this prize. Qianyi has used her reach in the profession to champion diversity and advocate for women in architecture through invited panels and talks. Further to this, her built work puts Sibling’s research into practice exploring relevant societal themes such as models of home ownership, ageing and multi-generational housing.

As a co-founder of Sibling Architecture, Qianyi established the Sydney office in 2017 and has grown the team and led the expansion of the firm’s work across project scales ranging from exhibitions, residential through to civic projects, which have been recognised through multiple publications and awards.

Qianyi’s contribution and esteemed expertise to the wider profession is through her involvement co-chairing the AIA NSW Education and Research committee, award juries and as panel member on the State Design Review Panel. Most notably, after years of teaching at various universities in Melbourne and Sydney, her appointment as Associate Professor of Practice at the University of Sydney School of Architecture, Building and Planning sees Qianyi contributing directly to the development of the masters curriculum and shaping the next generation of architects.

The jury congratulates Qianyi Lim on this well-deserved recognition of her extensive contribution to the profession.

Read Jury Citation
SOUTH AUSTRALIA

DAVE BICKMORE AND GRAHAM CHARBONNEAU | STUDIO GRAM

The team at studio-gram are collaborators. They enjoy working together with all project team members and client groups. Their project teams range from art directors and photographers, to botanists and permaculturists, through to audio specialists and mixologists.

Each project is treated with the same respect, research and investigations as the last, creating designs that meet the aspirations of the clients, respond to site conditions, and create experiences for future occupants.

2022 Emerging Architect Prize Winner | Jury Citation

Born during their time studying together at the University of South Australia, studio-gram (Dave Bickmore and Graham Charbonneau) has designed and realised countless award-winning spaces and environments in South Australia and beyond. Their strong bond, underpinned by an appreciation and respect for each other’s individual strengths, has created a partnership which has contributed richly to the South Australian design landscape since 2014.

Dave and Graham’s dedication to their craft is exemplary, having completed over 50 commercial and residential projects across Australia and Indonesia, continually proving themselves as an influential force within the design community. Their work has been recognised nationally and internationally with notable awards including The Robert Dickson Award for Interior Architecture on two occasions – for local hospitality favourites Oggi and Fino Vino, the John Schenk Award for Residential Architecture Alterations and Additions at the 2018 Australian Institute of Architects (SA) Awards, as well as the 2018 COLORBOND Award for Steel Architecture (SA).

studio-gram has also been named the Emerging Interior Design Practice of the Year at the World Interior News Awards and the recipient of the Collaboration Award by the Design Institute of Australia. Outside of practice, the pair have led and participated in a wide range of activities that support the profession, including tertiary education, publications, lectures, discourse, and awards program judging.

Thanks to a genuine pursuit for meaningful collaboration, Dave and Graham have shifted the dial on architecture and interior design in South Australia. The rich narratives they have conceived and embedded enhance the built environment significantly, and the entire community is better for their contribution.

Read Jury Citation
tasmania

JASON LICHT RAIA | LICHT ARCHITECTURE

Jason is the director of his own practice, Licht Architecture, and has extensive project experience in commercial, heritage and conservation projects, restaurants, boutique hotels, multi-residential & boutique residential projects.

He loves to work on projects big and small and currently am working on projects all across Tasmania – from Hobart where he is  based, all the way up to the north west coast where he grew up on a dairy farm. Jason is also working on projects across the ‘ditch’ in Victoria. 

2022 Emerging Architect Prize Winner | Jury Citation

Jason Licht has made outstanding contributions to architectural design, community and leadership in Tasmania. Jason has continuously worked on award-winning projects, both in his former role as Associate at Cumulus Studio and as Director of his own practice, Licht Architecture. He has made a significant contribution to Tasmanian regional tourism developments, including the Derby Floating Sauna, Dove Lake Viewing Shelter, Devils Corner Cellar Door, and the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre.

Jason is a highly professional and strong, measured voice for Emerging Architects in Tasmania. He has proven himself over the years to be a supportive and collegial member of the architecture community, acting as EmAGN Chair, Chapter Councillor and Vice President of the Tasmanian Chapter of the Institute. Jason has also been recognised as a future leader, through his involvement in the Tasmanian Leaders Program and SKAL/TCIT Future Tourism Leaders Scholarship which supported his ongoing research into regional tourism architecture in Tasmania. This opportunity was leveraged to promote the value of architecture to broader stakeholder groups within the community, including Tourism Tasmania and the State Government. As both a community leader and architect, Jason has a clear trajectory toward developing an enduring architectural practice with a high design and innovation ethic at its core.

Read Jury Citation
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Learn more about the awards program

2021 Winner

2021 National Emerging Architect Prize Winner | Dino Vrynios

Congratulations to the 2021 National Emerging Architect - Dino Vrynios, DAS Studio

Dino Vrynios has continuously and passionately engaged himself in all aspects of architecture and the community, tirelessly searching for and achieving his studio motto, “Make better.” After graduating from the University of South Australia, he quickly established a high-responsibility career within practice, while determinedly contributing to many new initiatives within the Australian Institute of Architects as well as the broader local community.

Dino’s dedication to work outside his practice is exemplary, including: co-founding the Festival of Architecture and Design (FAD) and undertaking the role of creative director; developing and expanding the Future Forum initiative in partnership with the South Australian chapter of the Institute; creating the 20 Minute City Podcast in collaboration with Citymag; researching modular construction and co-founding commercial organizations Escapod and MDLR; and sitting on the board of directors for Tutti Arts, a disability arts not-for-profit. Dino’s tireless work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit have seen him receive the Jack Hobbs McConnell Travelling Fellowship (2015), Indaily’s 40 Under 40 award (2020) and multiple state architectural awards within his previous practice.

After a frank acknowledgement of the toll a heavy workload can have on individual wellbeing, Dino re-evaluated his direction and established DAS Studio with his partner in 2019. The practice has grown rapidly and become a “home” for a group of mostly young graduates and recently registered architects in which knowledge sharing, mentoring and wellbeing are a focus. Dino has proven himself to be an influential and entrepreneurial leader as he continues to spread his enthusiasm about architecture and its capacity to create a better world.

Read Dino's Emerging Architect Prize post Tour review

2021 Chapter Winners

Australian Capital Territory – Sander de Vries, SQC Group

New South Wales – Alexander Symes, Alexander Symes Architect

Queensland – Tamarind Taylor, Conrad Gargett

South Australia – Dino Vrynios, DAS Studio

Tasmania – Emily Ouston, Core Collective

Victoria – Jacqui Alexander and Ben Sheridan, Alexander Sheridan Architecture

Western Australia – Louise Ward, Hillam Architects

International – Luke Hayward, atelier Luke 

Previous winners

Rodney Eggleston

Congratulations to the 2019 national Emerging Architect - Rodney Eggleston, march studios

‘From an exceptional field of contenders, Rodney Eggleston is a most deserving winner of this year’s National Emerging Architect Prize. Graduating from RMIT University in 2006, Rodney founded March Studio in 2007 with graphic designer Anne-Laure Cavigneaux.

With relentless consistency, Rodney and the other members of March Studio demonstrate design excellence in everything they do. They inspire our industry by continuing to innovate with material explorations and experimental methods – all with an entrepreneurial spirit. This leadership is demonstrated across the board in retail, residential, cultural, hospitality and furniture design. March Studio has been awarded numerous state, national and international awards. Rodney is a regular contributor to the architectural profession as an awards juror, a speaker at forums and a visiting teacher at RMIT University. His passion for and contribution to various community groups through his voluntary efforts is admirable. Having very much already emerged, Rodney is to be congratulated on a truly impressive body of work. We look forward to his continuing connection to the Australian Institute of Architects.’ – Jury Citation

Read more about the 2019 chapter winners

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