RAIA launches Graduates of Architecture and Emerging Architects Prizes

Announcing both new awards, RAIA NSW Chapter President Dr Deborah Dearing said all NSW members of the RAIA will be eligible to enter the Architecture Graduates and Emerging Architects’ Prizes.

Both prizes are designed to reward and showcase the work of graduates of architecture and emerging practitioners. Entries will close in July, judging will take place in September and prizes awarded during Architecture Week in October.

“These prizes will recognise new trends in the profession for architecture graduates and newly registered architects, who are often critical members of teams in small and large practices and frequently take on project architect roles, or design leadership roles,” Dr Dearing said.

“Graduates of architecture, and newly registered architects who are practicing on their own or in partnership, often work on projects with budgets of less than $750,000,” she said. With these projects, the achievement of design excellence can involve more innovation, hard work and creativity than on jobs with more relaxed budgets.”

“Many RAIA members are practicing architecture through new and emerging roles, such as architectural visualisation, illustration, animation, research, architectural software development, planning, urban design, project management, and design management.”

The Emerging Architects Jury will take into account design excellence, environmental sustainability, response to context, client feedback and value for the client.

Entries for the Emerging Architects Prizes will open on 10 July 2006. A public presentation of the Architecture Graduates and Emerging Architects entries will take place on Saturday 26 August 2006. Prizes will be presented on Wednesday 25 October 2006 as part of the RAIA celebration of 2006 Architecture Week.