The Brian Patrick Keirnan Prize is open to NSW students of architecture in eligible schools and is based on the theme of ‘Reimagining, Reinventing and Reinterpreting Public Space’. The prize is expressly for overseas travel and research and/or overseas study to enrich professional development. It is not available for travel within Australia.

To be eligible, an entrant must have been enrolled in 2024 and/or be enrolled for 2025 in one of the following schools of Architecture in NSW:

• Faculty of the Built Environment, University of NSW School of Architecture and Built Environment,
• Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment University of Newcastle
• Faculty of Architecture University of Sydney
• School of Architecture, University of Technology, Sydney
• Faculty of Architecture, Western Sydney University

You must be NSW student SONA member of architecture:

• To become a SONA Member click here
• For more information on SONA Membership click here

Both individual and group submissions are accepted.

A proposal can be entered up to two times for consideration, should it not be successful the first year. If an entry is unsuccessful after two submissions, it is not eligible for further consideration.

The prize recipient will be required to share a “travel diary” via social media, and develop a written report articulating how their original project has changed, evolved and/or developed as a result of the travel, study and research they have undertaken. This will be a combination of text and graphics, with an extract to be published in the NSW Architecture Bulletin. The prize recipient will also be invited to present their work in a public presentation organised with the Institute’s NSW Chapter.

Key dates

• Submissions open: Friday, 13 December 2024
• Submissions close: Thursday, 27 February 2025
• Presentations to Jury: Friday, 28 March 2025
• Winner to be announced at the Student Architecture Awards: TBD

Submission requirements

The digital submission consists of two parts – design proposal and written statements.

The design proposal must:

• Be an unbuilt project in the public domain sited (situated) in NSW.
• Demonstrate the theme of ‘Reimagining, Reinventing and Reinterpreting Public Space’.
• Presented as a Powerpoint Presentation which include additional graphics, video or drawings you wish to include to communicate your work).

Three written statements are required to complete your submission, they are:

• Statement of motivation addressing your passion for the built environment (maximum 250 words).
• A rationale describing the project and how it responds to the theme (500 to 1000 words).
• A detailed itinerary and proposal outlining how travel, and/or research on the Prize theme in relation to your submission will enrich further study and professional development of (maximum 500 words).

Submit your work here.