2020 NSW Life Fellows
Joe Agius, LFRAIA
Joe Agius is a past Institute NSW Chapter President (2013-14) and an award-winning architect for numerous projects. He remains an inaugural member of the ‘Architects Male Champions of Change’ (established by the NSW Chapter), and was a NSW Chapter Councillor (2010-12), Jury Chair of the student awards (2010-11), Chapter awards committee (2013-14), and a member of built environment committee (2011-14).
Joe has been a member of the NSW Minister for Finance & Services, business advisory group (2013-14), and a Board Member of the NSW Architects Registration Board (2015-16), and currently sits on the Deans Advisory Board to UTS and Canberra University.
Joe has been a Director of COX since 2006, and is part of the national practice’s group driving strategic direction, as well as being a Principal Design Director of the Sydney office.
He has won numerous awards for sustainability including the 2007 Canberra Medallion (AIS Aquatic Centre), and 2012 Institute’s National Award (Adelaide studios) among many others.
Assoc Prof Melonie Bayl-Smith, LFRAIA
Melonie Bayl-Smith is a long-standing contributor to the Institute as Chapter Councillor from 2015-2017, and her contributions to many Institute committees in NSW. As an outspoken, driven and respected leader, Melonie is admired in her role as Director of BIJL Architecture. Under her direction, BIJL Architecture focuses on inventive and imaginative problem solving and continuous learning through research.
Melonie has been a Board member for the Architects Registration Board of NSW since 2017, an LEP Assessor and has been an examiner for NSW ARB’s APE part 3 since 2007. Simultaneously, Melonie has made a great contribution to architectural teaching in Universities across NSW, and in her current role as Associate Professor of Practice, with the University of NSW.
Melonie has received many awards, including the Byera Hadley Travelling Scholarship and the Paula Whitman Leadership in Gender Equity prize.
Full of creativity, Melonie believes in the potential of architecture to influence and change how people live. Through her involvement and commitment to many facets of the profession and the community, Melonie demonstrates her advocacy for improved engagement and involvement of women in the building industry.
Camilla Block, LFRAIA
Camilla is one of three Directors at Durbach Block Jaggers (DBJ) Architects. Along with partners Neil Durbach and David Jaggers, Durbach Block Jaggers has established itself as one of Australia’s most important design-based architectural firms. They are in many respects “the architect’s architects.” Each of their new projects is highly anticipated and they are extremely influential on contemporary architectural directions in the country.
Camilla joined Neil Durbach in practice in 1992, establishing Durbach Block Architects in 1998. Camilla worked as the Project Architect on the Droga apartment (completed 1998) which received the Institute’s Robin Boyd award for housing and the Leslie Wilkinson award for housing (NSW), which they have won on multiple occasions.
2014, Camilla received an honorary appointment as adjunct Professor from UTS: University of technology, faculty design architecture and building.
In 2020, along with John Wardle architects, DBJ were awarded the NSW architecture medallion, the Sir Arthur G Stephenson award for commercial architecture and the John Verge award for interior architecture for Phoenix Central Park.
SHAUN CARTER, LFRAIA
Shaun Carter was the Institute’s NSW Chapter President 2015-2017, Chair of the NSW Chapter’s publication ‘Architecture Bulletin’ 2013-2015, a Board member and National Councillor 2015-2017 and the NSW Chapter Emerging Architect in 2014.
Shaun continues to contribute in many ways including: as an ARB Board member; Sydney Architecture Festival contributor, NSW Chapter committee member, and coconvenor of the 2019 regional architecture conference: ‘Always was, always will be’.
Shaun’s long-held affiliation and active engagement with the Institute’s NSW country division, his design collaboration with other architecture practices and disciplines (engineering, art, landscape, stakeholder, community), University tutorial work and public advocacy for architecture, urban design, heritage and design excellence are further examples of his exemplary contribution.
Shaun is the Principal of Carter Williamson architects, a practice that has won the Institute’s NSW Chapter architecture award (cowshed 2013) and sustainability award (2013), numerous commendatons and further ‘Houses awards’, the Marrickville Medal, Dulux colour awards, Inde awards and the Australian Interior Design awards.
Darrel Conybeare, LFRAIA
Darrel Conybeare is a renowned architect and urban designer. He worked in the USA with numerous practices, including the office of Ray and Charles Eames as the project Design Director on the national fisheries centre. Upon returning to Australia he worked for several practices before establishing Planning Workshop pty ltd in 1971 where he practised as an architect and urban designer for 10 years. Notable works include the Masterplan and public domain of ADFA campus in Canberra, ACT and the Geelong Growth Centre, VIC.
Darrell is a founding Director of Connybeare Morrison (1980), where he made a significant contribution to the shaping of Sydney. Notable projects include project sunrise Masterplan to redevelop Darling Harbour, garden island modernisation plan (1982).
In 1984 Darrel won the the Institute’s Ideas competition to upgrade Circular Quay, was involved in the Masterplanning and architecture for Luna Park in 1989-91, and was invited to be part of the organising committee of the Sydney Olympic Games to prepare the Masterplan for the site at Homebush in 1995.
Darrel and Conybeare Morrison Fellow Director, Bill Morrison, expanded their practice in 1990 to include landscape with ‘context landscape design, where they were commissioned to prepare numerous Masterplans for Sydney motorways and links.,
Kim Crestani, LFRAIA
Kim Crestani established her practice, Order Architects, in 1984, one of only six architectural practices appointed to design the Newington Village for the Sydney Olympics in 2000. Order Architects has also received numerous architectural awards and commendations including the restoration of many of Parramatta’s significant buildings such as Barrack Lane and Bakers Mews.
Within the public sector, Kim has been the Director of Architecture at Sydney Metro, Principal Manager of Architecture and Station Precincts for the North West Rail Link, and City Architect at Parramatta City Council, to name a few. She has also been engaged as a highly respected design review panel member for most of Sydney’s major infrastructure projects.
Her appointment to the GA NSW, pilot NSW State Design Review Panel, further cements her track record on major projects. Kim has also been entrusted by the NSW Premier, as a member of the NSW Nation Building and Jobs Plan Taskforce, to assist in the stimulus package initiated by the Federal Government.
In 2006, Kim was awarded the prestigious Marion Mahony Griffin prize, and to recognise the contribution of women architects in NSW. She was also the recipient of the alumni award at UTS’s design, architecture and building faculty in 2016.
Kevin Debnam, LFRAIA
Kevin Debnam was actively involved with the Institute for over 30 years, as a member of the Country Division committee, as well as operating a successful practice, Teilion Architects in Albury, with his partner Rob Simmons. Kevin was Chair of the Institute’s Country Division from 1994 -1997 (2 terms) and was then Treasurer from 1998 until his retirement from the committee.
Since finishing as a committee member, Kevin has undertaken compiling the country division history, making available historic documents, photographs, seminars and newsletters from its inception in 1960.
Teilion Architecture has operated for over 30 years since its establishment in 1986. During this time, the practice has completed many successful projects in Southern NSW and Northern Victoria. These include commercial club renovations and extensions over many stages, baker motors, Albury railway station and Corowa Civic Centre to name a few.
Kevin retired from the business in 2016 and has since operated as Kevin Debnam Architect, undertaking smaller projects, and continuing his association with Defence and RMS projects.
Neil Durback, LFRAIA
Since winning a design competition with Harry Levine for the new wing at Tusculum, home of the Insititute’s NSW Chapter in 1983, Neil Durbach has assembled a portfolio of work that has consistently been recognized by his architectural peers with awards at the highest level.
Neil Durback graduated from the University of Cape Town in 1978 and moved to Australia along with Partners Camilla Block and David Jaggers.
His firm of Durback Block Jaggers has established itself as one of Australia’s most important design-based architectural firms. DBJ have won the Institute’s Robin Boyd Award (national) and Leslie Wilkinson Award (NSW) for residential architecture three times.
Neil has regularly taught and tutored Architectural Design at Sydney schools of architecture, and in 2005 was made an adjunct Professor at the University of NSW. He has lectured, exhibited, judged awards and been published both nationally and internationally. In 2008, he co-curated the Australian pavilion at the Venice Biennale with the theme ‘abundant’.
Richard Francis-Jones, LFRAIA
Richard is a Founding Partner of Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp (FJMT), which has gained a reputation as one of Australia’s leading, innovative design firms working throughout Australia and internationally.
As Design Director, Richard has led the design of a formidable body of highly acclaimed and international award-winning work, including being awarded the prestigious World Building of the Year award, the Institute’s Jorn Utzon award, the RIBA International award, the NZ Architecture Medal, the Sir Zelman Cowen Award, and the Sir John Sulman Medallion.
Richard is a considered and reflective design thinker, one of those architects whose practice is informed by theory but determinedly not theory-driven. While he has a refined approach to contemporary design, his buildings are distinctly realised and their contribution to the public realm is never passive.
Richard’s deep knowledge of architectural and design history is always applied in a way that establishes a clear spatial signature while still responding attentively to site, program client and community.
Abbie Galvin, LFRAIA
Abbie Galvin, a long-standing contributor to the Institute, has been a NSW Chapter Councillor (2010-11), a state visiting panel member for the University course accreditations (2010-14), a member of the Institute’s national committee competitions policy (2016), and the Institute’s national taskforce to review and restructure the State and National Architectural Awards in 2013.
Abbie has been a member of many boards (BVN Board, NSW architects registration Board) and design review panels (the inaugural NSW state design review panel, design advisory panel to the Sydney Opera House, UNSW campus design advisory panel, and University of Newcastle strategic advisory panel. Abbie is the recipient of many awards and always credits the team at BVN as a collective for these results. She has been an active member of many design juries, Institute national awards, NSW Institute Chair award (2014), along with numerous others.
Abbie conceived and led the public program for the Museum of Sydney’s inaugural “Sydney Open” in 1997. This important public program is now a successful annual event run by the Historic Houses Trust. Abbie has considerable project experience in the delivery of major public and urban design projects in Australia and internationally.
Abbie has transitioned to the NSW Government architect as the first female in its 200 year history.
Jocelyn Jackson, LFRAIA
A pioneer for women in leadership positions in practice, Jocelyn Jackson has been a Director of Tanner Architects, and now TKD Architects, for close to thirty years.
Her talent for architecture was highly awarded as a student, and over her career she has prepared an impressive portfolio with strengths in urban and architectural design in the sectors of education, commercial, community, institutions, residential and adaptive re-use.
Always striving for excellence, this continuous body of quality work demonstrates a consistent energy and capacity to push boundaries and experiment with new concepts.
Jocelyn’s work is particularly impressive considering her tireless mentorship and advocacy for an architectural culture.
Recognised as a leader and specialist beyond our profession, Jocelyn’s voice on decision making Boards for the Institutions and client bodies, has ensured the thoughtful consideration and championship of good design for the built environment.
Virginia Kerridge, LFRAIA
Virginia Kerridge formed her own studio in Australia in 1995. The practice is renowned for its design of contemporary housing projects of diverse scale, that integrate cleverly conceived interiors with innovative exterior spaces.
Virginia tutored in design for the Bachelor of Architecture at the University of NSW, and in 2018 was a design tutor for the Master of Architecture also at the University of NSW. Virginia was selected on the jury for the National Institute awards 2014 and the houses awards jury in 2016.
Virginia has been as a guest lecturer at the Abedian school of Architecture (QLD) 2018; Brickworks double speaking series, 2019 and the ASIA Pacific architecture festival, Brisbane 2020.
Over the past 25 years Virginia’s practice has regularly received awards for design excellence from her peers, including numerous residential and interior architecture awards from the Institute and houses awards. Her work has been widely published in architectural journals both locally and internationally including Architecture Australia, Monument, Marie Claire, Vogue Living, Belle, Country NSW Architectural Digest and more.
Annabel Lahz, LFRAIA
Annabel Lahz is a distinguished architect with a substantial body of built work, and she is recognised by her peers for her significant contribution to the architecture profession through regular invitations to speak at conferences, as well as participating on a variety of award and review panels.
Annabel is known for her strong conviction to the built environment facilitating appropriate cultural and societal experiences. architecture, Annabel says “should be tactile as well as visual.” As one of the two inaugurating Directors of Lahz Nimmo, Annabel’s practice has won numerous awards and commendations at both the NSW and national level.
Lahz Nimmo architects are recognised for their contribution to architecture, urban design and sustainability. Their work ranges from public to private residential and commercial projects. Among the design excellence awards received by Lahz Nimmo is the Walter Burley Griffin award for urban design in 2009 and 2016, the highest urban design award offered by the Institute.
Annabel was the youngest award winner of the RAIA Queensland Chapter, Robin Dods Award for outstanding domestic architecture in 1990, and has thereafter remained a driving force in the architectural profession.
wENDY lEWIN, LFRAIA
Wendy has been engaged in architectural projects for 27 years since founding her practice Wendy Lewin architect in 1993. She began her career at Ancher Mortlock and Woolley Architects (1979) and was Associate Director, (1983-86). Wendy then co-founded Lewin Tzannes Architects in 1986. As Director, she was in charge of numerous residential and commercial commissions, taking particular interest in material refinement and detailing of architectural components, including furniture elements.
Wendy and Glen Murcutt were co-designers of the Arthur and Yvonne Boyd Centre (with Reg Lark), their own house in Mosman, the Education Centre for the University of Wollongong, and Lightning Ridge Opal and Fossil Museum. Both are known for their exceptionally fine pen and pencil drawings. Wendy has a long-term involvement in architectural education and her emphasis on materiality and ‘making’ are noteworthy. Her two-fold expertise as practitioner and educator underpins her recent appointment as a member to the advisory committee for Master’s degree design program, sustainability stream at the University of Sydney.
Wendy has contributed actively to the profession, serving as a jury member for Institute Chapter awards, and mentoring young architects. Since 2004, in her role as a Founding member of the Australian Architectural Association (AAA), Wendy has made an important contribution to promoting architectural discipline.
Andrea Nield, LFRAIA
Andrea Nield founded Emergency Architecture Australia (EAA) in 2005 after meeting Patrick Colombel, the Founder and President of L’architecture D’urgence in Villers Bretonneux. Patrick believes emergency architecture is a very professional discipline, where each phase of response in an emergency must be rigorously developed with local people.
In Sumatra, after the tsunami, EAA designed and built 200 houses for the Australian Red Cross at Sigli, and after a tsunami in the Solomon Islands, designed and assisted with the building of a prototype high school which is now being replicated. In 2008 Andrea was awarded the Marion Mahony award and in 2010 was made a Fellow of the Institute.
Andrea was approached by the Narbethong community to assist in the rebuilding of the Narbethong community hall, destroyed in the Black Friday fires of 2009. She engineered the appointment of bvn in a probono arrangement. The community hall subsequently won an Institute national award for public architecture.
From 2013 to 2019 Andrea was Professor of Architecture (practice) at the University of Newcastle. In 2013, Andrea was appointed the NT Government Architect, where she worked with aboriginal art centres and on the National Indigenous Gallery in Alice Springs. She has also worked to expand architectural relations between Indonesia and Australia.
Andrew Nimmo, LFRAIA
Andrew Nimmo is a long-standing contributor to the Institute as a NSW Chapter Councillor for eight years (2012-2020), and as NSW Chapter President in 2017-2018. Andrew currently represents the Institute as a Board member of the NSW architect’s registration Board.
Andrew is one of the inaugurating principals of Lahz Nimmo architects, an award-winning practice recognised for their contribution to architecture, urban design and sustainability. Their work ranges from public (community centres, libraries, universities, schools, public housing and public domain projects), to private residential and commercial projects. Among the design excellence awards received by Lahz Nimmo, is the Walter Burley Griffin award for urban design in 2009 and 2016, the highest urban design award offered by the Institute.
Andrew is a talented art critic and architectural journalist, with a long list of published articles. He is an adjunct Professor at the University of Sydney, a position he has held since 2011.
Andrew regularly sits on design excellence juries, is part of award juries for the RAIA and provides peer review for Sydney University and the Sydney Olympic Park authority.
dR. kIRSTEN ORR, LFRAIA
Dr Kirsten Orr is a long standing contributor to the Institute, having served as Chapter Councillor on two occasions, a member of multiple committees, the Chair of NSW member services, and Chair (2015-16).
Kirsten started her career in architectural practice working first for Crawford Partners (1995-1998), and then as a sole practitioner (1998-2009). It was at this time that Kirsten achieved registration through the NSW Architects Registration Board, and maintained her registration throughout her career.
Kirsten has demonstrated significant leadership of the profession from her academic positions as Dean of the School of Technology, Environment and Design at the University of Tasmania (2016-18), Associate Professor and Head of School and Course Director, Master of Architecture and Bachelor of Design in Architecture, at the University of Technology Sydney (1999-2015).
Kirsten has been the Chair of six (6) accreditation review panels, to accredit Australian and New Zealand architecture programs under the APAP from 2007-2018. Kirsten is now the Registrar of the NSW Architects Registration Board, a role to which she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience.
Peter Poulet, LFRAIA
As the 23rd Government Architect of NSW, Peter Poulet led the transition of the Government Architect’s office from production to strategic policy. This was not an easy transition and at the time, was treated with a degree of dismay by the architectural profession.
The Government architect’s office had an esteemed position and legacy of 200 years of quality and influential built work. However, the transition to strategic policy has arguably saved the office from extinction and irrelevance, and Peter understood better than most the need for change. The office is now at the forefront of policy research and production, with a suite of documents and guidelines that are used by all tiers of Government and the industry to promote good design of the built environment.
Peter had been building toward this role for much of his professional architectural career. Before becoming Government architect of NSW, Peter was the first state architect of Tasmania and before that worked as Design Director and Assistant Government architect in NSW.
Since leaving the Government architects office, Peter has continued to contribute to design review and education. For the last two years he has acted as Chair of the Institute’s NSW Chapter awards juries.
Matthew Pullinger, LFRAIA
Matthew Pullinger is a past President of the Institute’s NSW Chapter and Chair of the editorial committee. Matthew has worked on strategic projects at all scales and in public policy supporting good design in the built environment. As a leader of the profession, Matthew is an advocate for good design in our cities.
While a principal at Hassell, Matthew led a range of projects including the 2040 Master plan for Moore Park in Sydney, a major mixed-use commercial development at Sydney’s Circular Quay, a 40,000 sqm commercial tower at 60 Martin Place, and the Summer Hill flour mill mixed used residential renewal project, also in Sydney.
Earlier in his career, Matthew worked for the NSW department of planning’s urban design advisory service (UDAS) on important urban design projects such as the state Government’s initiatives to lift the design quality of residential apartment development across NSW.
Matthew is an inaugural member of the NSW state design review panel and has recently been appointed as an acting commissioner of the NSW land and environment court.
Frank Stanisic, LFRAIA
Frank Stanisic has devoted over 40 years of his career to architecture with notable contribution to the advancement of the profession in design, literature and education.
Frank founded Stanisic Associates in 1990. Since that time, he has produced works across all categories such as residential, commercial, mixed-use, education and interior design. In addition to his varied portfolio, Frank was the Master Planner for the transformation of green square, the largest mixed-use urban renewal project in Sydney, based on a vision of sustainability.
His buildings have won numerous state and national awards including the RAIA NSW Wilkinson Award (2003), Premier’s Prize (2001) and special Jury Prize (2006), Aaron Bolot Award (2008), RAIA National Frederick Romberg Award (2008), as well as many sustainability awards.
Frank has taught in architectural design studio’s over the years at four universities in NSW. He was the Vice-President of the education committee for the Institute’s NSW Chapter. He has been published extensively, both nationally and internationally.
Ian Stapleton, LFRAIA
Ian Stapleton has devoted over 45 years of his career to architecture, with notable contribution to the advancement of the profession in design, literature, public service and heritage conservation. Ian has been appointed as a consultant to the NSW Heritage Office, an expert member for the Inner West, Strathfield, Lane Cove and Ryde City Council local planning panel, to name a few.
Ian has carried out and contributed to heritage projects throughout Australia, including the Woolloomooloo Finger Wharf, Walsh Bay redevelopment, the Sydney GPO and officials’ houses at Port Arthur, Tasmania. He has also advocated actively for the profession through his involvement with the Australian Institute of Architects, National Trust of Australia, NSW Heritage Council and Australia ICOMOS as President and members of various advisory committees.
Ian has also been a visiting lecturer at various Sydney schools of architecture and building since 1980. In addition to a long list of state and national architecture awards on his projects, Ian is also the recipient of 1973 Arthur Baldwinson Memorial Prize in architectural history and theory, the 1975 Board of Architects prize, the 1983 RAIA NSW, Adrian Ashton award for architectural journalism and in 2001, the National Trust of Australia, NSW voluntary service medallion.
Ian Stapleton has also published extensively in journals and magazines, as well as multiple books on Australian architectures from the 1980’s to 2010’s.
2020 NSW Fellows
About the 2020 NSW Fellowship Recipients
Callantha Brigham FRAIA
Callantha is an architect with over 20 years experience in government. She has dedicated her career to public buildings, public domain and generally advocating for improved public outcomes. She has also served 3 terms on AIA NSW Chapter Council, and established and co-chaired the Gender Equity Taskforce and Reconciliation Working Group. Callantha has also been an editorial member and writer for Architecture Bulletin, participated on numerous award and prize juries, and contributed to UNSW, University of Sydney and WSU.
Tony Caro FRAIA
Architecture and Urban Design Consultant, Tony Caro Architecture.
Tony is a Sydney architect with over four decades experience in private sector practice focused on city-making through the disciplines of architecture and urban design. Following 19 years working with Harry Seidler, the TCA practice was formed in 1993 and has won numerous design awards for its work.
Since 2015 Tony has worked primarily in a design advisory and review capacity for public and private sector clients, and is a regular participant and chair of Design Excellence competitions representing both local councils and private sector clients.
Laura Cockburn FRAIA
Laura is a Director of Conrad Gargett and NSW Chapter Vice President of the Australian Institute of Architects. She has an interest in the collaborative approach to design that underpins her work. With over 25 years in practice working in medium and large firms, Laura specialises in large complex projects for both government and private clients. She values the breadth of collaboration with peers across the industry in her role as ARB examiner, AACA panel assessor, mentor and AIA and LEA Award Juror.
Samuel Crawford FRAIA
Sam established Sam Crawford Architects (SCA) in 1999. Sam is a regular contributor to architectural and community forums and events around Australia and is a registered architect in NSW, Victoria & the A.C.T.
His work has been widely published, nationally and internationally and has been the recipient of numerous local, state and national architecture awards.
SCA is currently undertaking projects across the Sydney Metropolitan area, as well as in Canberra, Newcastle, and Melbourne.
Monica Edwards FRAIA
Monica is an architect who agitates for structural reform of the profession, challenging traditional hierarchies to move towards a design process which sees the robust testing of ideas through collaborations which mirror society, reflecting diverse capabilities and life experiences. Monica reasons that authentic change in the profession is best enabled using a top down bottom up approach; and she brings this to her advocacy work with the NSW Chapter Gender Equity Taskforce (GET), the Architects Champions of Change and prior work with the Education Committee, NSW Mentoring Program and NSW Chapter Council. A Senior Associate at SJB, Monica is a registered architect with expertise in the delivery of multi-residential, civic and education projects and a regular tutor, guest critic and guest lecturer for undergraduate courses in NSW.
Anthony Grist FRAIA
Tony Grist is a Principal at Hassell with a portfolio that includes the landmark Sixty Martin Place tower and award-winning Qantas Domestic Terminal in Sydney. He has a background in architecture and urban design – and a career spanning Australia, Japan and the UK where he established the HASSELL studio in 2010.
He has been an active member of the NSW Chapter Large Practice Forum, the procurement subcommittee, and the committee contributing to understanding the implications of the new Design Practitioners Bill.
Polly Harbison FRAIA
Polly Harbison is the principal of Polly Harbison Design.
Polly studied architecture at the University of Sydney. She Established her practice Polly Harbison Design in 2003, a Sydney based practice committed to creating sophisticated and elegantly resolved architecture. Prior to starting her practice, Polly worked for award-winning architects on a range of residential, multi-residential, and large-scale public projects.
Polly also has extensive experience in architectural education, tutoring at the University of Sydney and the University of New South Wales.
Amelia Holliday FRAIA
Amelia Holliday is an award-winning architect and director of Aileen Sage Architects. Graduating with the University Medal in Architecture from UNSW in 2004 and awarded the NSW Board of Architects Medallion the following year, Amelia has been a member of the Australia Institute of Architects since she was a first-year architecture student. She has been involved in the institute in various capacities over the last 21 years including as co-creative director for the Australian Exhibition at the 2016 Venice Biennale of Architecture.
Olivia Hyde FRAIA
Olivia Hyde is Director of Design Excellence at the Government Architect NSW (GANSW) and a Professor of Practice at the University of Sydney. She is a registered architect with diverse local and international experience. At GANSW, Olivia leads the development of policies and programs to promote greater design quality, including the State Design Review Panel. Prior to joining GANSW, Olivia was a Senior Practice Director at BVN Architects in Sydney where she led the design for the recent Sir Zelman Cowen award winning Marrickville Library.
Paulo Macchia FRAIA
Paulo Macchia studied at the University of Newcastle and developed a passion for public buildings and public space. This led him to join the Government Architects Office where he contributed to the State Library of NSW Macquarie Street Wing Refurbishment, Parliament House of NSW Level 9 Addition, Walsh Bay Arts Precinct and the Anzac Memorial Centenary Project.
After some time in the private sector Paulo re-joined Government Architect NSW. He is currently the Director Design Governance and is responsible for a number of initiatives including the Design and Place SEPP. He is a regular contributor to the AIA, an advocate for the design industry and the best practice procurement of architects.
Carolyn Mitchell FRAIA
As a Chapter Councillor and Practice Committee Chair, Carolyn is active in the architectural community bringing years of experience of studio leadership to mentor and support within the profession. She also sits on the National Practice Committee and the Steering Committee for Australian Architects Declare NSW. Selected as 2020 Jury Chair of the Residential – Multiple Housing and Urban Design AIA Awards, as well as Chair of the Best in Practice Prize jury, Carolyn is an advocate of inclusive leadership, whilst promoting quality and appropriate, sustainable design.
Jennifer Preston FRAIA
Jennifer is a registered architect and the founding director of the architecture practise JPA&D. She is a member of the RAIA, a Chapter Councillor, Chair of the NSW chapter Heritage Committee and a member of the Institute’s National Heritage Committee. Jennifer completed a PhD at UQ in 2014 and has taught at UTS and QUT. She has published articles in print and digital media and has presented papers at numerous conferences on topics related to architectural history and heritage.
Peter Smith FRAIA
Architect, urban designer and urban strategist and founding principal of Smith & Tzannes, Aside from his architectural works, Peter has been played a significant role in shaping housing policy and planning frameworks in NSW over the past 24 years working in private practice, state and local government.
He is a passionate advocate for sustainability and design quality as tutor, mentor, member of numerous design review panels and planning panels and expert in the land and environment court. He is a former NSW Chapter Councillor and an active member of the NSW Chapter Built Environment Committee.
Noel Thomson FRAIA
Noel Thomson having moved to Wagga Wagga in 1994 joined the RAIA in 1995 and has been heavily involved with the NSW Country Division since the mid 2000’s. Noel has been committee member since 2007, hosted & emceed several Seminars and co-creative director of the CD Conference in 2018. Noel also has a keen interest in heritage, is heritage advisor for several Riverina Councils, been involved with the NSW Chapter Heritage Committee from 2005-2015 and a member since 2018.
Isabelle Toland FRAIA
Isabelle Aileen Toland is a co-director and co-founder of Aileen Sage Architects – a collaborative design studio she established with Amelia Sage Holliday in 2013. Isabelle graduated in 2003 from the University of Sydney with first class honours and the University Medal and was one of the three Creative Directors for the Australian Exhibition at the 2016 Venice Architecture Biennale. She has been a member of the 2018-2020 State Design Review Panel for the NSW Government Architect and has participated on numerous AIA awards juries.
Timothy Williams FRAIA
Tim runs an architectural practice, teaches, collaborates with others, advises Councils on Urban Design matters and initiates cultural and community projects that are important to him.
Tim’s focus throughout his career has been on public projects. He has been awarded for projects at all scales from street furniture and public space to large scale Urban Design. His most recent built architectural project is the International Award winning ‘Sir John Monash Centre’ in France, a collaboration with Cox Architecture and Hector Abrahams.
Tim gave the Architecture day Oration in 2019 entitled “Calling Australia Home”. Tim is currently the Manager of Urban Design and Heritage at Waverley Council.
