ADAM PUSTOLA Adam Pustola graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2004 with first class honours and is a registered architect in Victoria. He impressed the jury through the breadth of his contribution to architecture. In practice, this has involved strong self-direction in his career, a significant contribution to architectural practice and to design education, as well as his contribution to the architectural community and engagement with the public through Melbourne Open House. Adam began teaching after graduation and is now leading studios in the Master of Architecture program at the University of Melbourne, which focus on the changing nature of public architecture and hybrid typologies, and on a research-based and reflective aspect to practice. At the same time, he has contributed to architectural practice through his work within McBride Charles Ryan, on award-winning projects that challenge formal, technical and spatial norms. Currently at Lyons, he has contributed to innovative public-sector projects, in particular the Australian National University Colleges of Sciences Precinct. The jury agreed that with his commitment to critical inquiry in design, his eagerness for ongoing learning and his involvement in the broader work of the profession, the 2013 Dulux Study Tour would be of great benefit to Adam and his ability to add great value within the field of architecture.
AMY MUIR Amy graduated with first class honours from RMIT University and, after extensive practice experience, is now a co-owner and director of the South Melbourne based practice, Muir Mendes. Amy’s credentials in all four of the Dulux Study Tour selection criteria – practice, design, education and community – are exemplary. Muir Mendes practices internationally and its exceptional work has been widely published and awarded. The passion for design that Amy has demonstrated through her current practice and previous senior roles with Carr Design and HPA Architects conveys her strong interest in an urban approach to architecture and the city, while being precise and sophisticated in material and structure. Amy’s contribution is far from limited to her practice and clients. She has engaged very productively in teaching roles at Monash and RMIT Universities, bringing to her students a mature and carefully articulated position on architecture, aligned with a strong studio agenda. Amy has also made time to contribute a great deal to the architectural community, through participation in a number of Awards juries, and through numerous published articles, guest lectures and exhibitions. The jury considered Amy an outstanding ambassador for Australia’s emerging architects and a most worthy participant in the 2013 Dulux Study Tour.
LUKE PENDERGAST Luke Pendergast’s commitment to and passion for architecture are evident in the energy and focus he has applied to his architectural career, since graduating in 2007. His projects in the Queensland Government’s experimental Architecture Practice Academy, and then at Riddel Architecture, have developed rapidly from small to complex, always delivered with thoughtful and meticulous execution. His volunteer work illustrates a young architect willing to help others and to have a go – firstly in a New Guinea village, secondly co-organising Brisbane Pecha Kucha, and then at the highly successful 2012 National Architecture Conference, where he organized the ‘Experience’ fringe events as the EmAGN Queensland Representative. Having now committed to a Masters in Project Management, Luke again demonstrates his keenness to grasp the whole nettle of architectural and building practice. His breadth of experience to date indicates that Luke will gain immensely from the 2013 Dulux Study Tour, will be an enthusiastic member of the group, and will be well placed to share his learning from this experience through his ongoing work in architecture.
MELISSA BRIGHT Melissa Bright graduated from RMIT with first class honours and is a Registered Architect in Victoria. After nine years employment as a student and graduate in several well regarded practices, Melissa established her own practice, MAKE Architecture, in 2006. Through MAKE Architecture’s idiosyncratic and innovative completed work, and in combination with her varied teaching commitments at RMIT over the past decade, Melissa has demonstrated an astonishing and ongoing commitment to the realisation of creative architecture and a dedication to the next generation of students. In her practice, her work has received several awards and she has contributed to the architectural community through delivery of talks and lectures. In her academic work and in practice, she has augmented scholarship in the design and professional spheres through the mentorship of students at RMIT and within her own practice, and through her high standard of resultant exhibitions and publications. This high calibre of design work, dedication to teaching and promotion of the profession as a small practice director, all delivered whilst juggling family commitments, make Melissa an outstanding role model within our profession, and a highly worthy recipient of a place on the 2013 Dulux Study Tour.
SEAN HUMPHRIES Sean Humphries received a Bachelor of Architecture with first class honours from the University of South Australia in 2006 and has maintained ties with the University ever since as an architectural design tutor, final year moderator and more recently as a member of the university’s Architecture & Design Advisory Board. Having had six years practice experience, Sean has recently become a director of Alternative Design Studio as well as a director of the design collaborative S+B. In 2011 Sean was awarded the Institute’s Emerging Architect Prize and in 2012 earned the jury’s favour at the SA Chapter Architecture Awards, taking home three accolades on the evening. In addition, he has made a significant contribution to the Australian Institute of Architects as a Chapter Councillor, and member of several committees, and has involved himself in architectural education over many years. Sean is now at the helm of an up and coming design studio specialising in high-quality and affordable residential architecture through to bespoke commercial projects. He impressed the jury in his personal commitment to architectural practice, and also in the way he has enthusiastically devoted his time to the broader architectural world through his role as a tutor and involvement with the Institute. The Jury agreed that Sean was an excellent candidate and would benefit greatly from the experience gained on the 2013 Dulux study tour.
JURY
Shelley Penn FRAIA Australian Institute of Architects National President
David Parken LFRAIA Australian Institute of Architects CEO
Ross Clark FRAIA Australian Institute of Architects COO
Michael Rayner LFRAIA Cox Rayner Architecture
Jacqueline Connor RAIA EmAGN