Five of Australia’s most promising young architects have been selected to participate in the prestigious 2020 Australian Institute of Architects Dulux Study Tour to Tokyo, Berlin and Madrid.
Ksenia Totoeva from NSW, Queenslanders Sam McQueeney and Tahnee Sullivan, Victorian Keith Westbrook, and Bek Verrier from Tasmania will attend the 10-day delegation.
The Institute’s Dulux Study Tour visits three cities to meet with significant architectural firms and engage with emerging global practice.
Australian Institute of Architects National President Professor Helen Lochhead said the jury was impressed by the skills, engagement and commitment to the profession demonstrated by the winners.
“This was a very competitive field and we congratulate them on their efforts,” she said.
“The tour enables our best and brightest to further their horizons and experience some of the highlights across the world.
The winners of the annual prize are selected for their achievements and demonstrated belief in architecture.
The winners:
Ksenia Totoeva RAIA is an associate director with Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects. She graduated from the University of Newcastle, where she engaged with the urban redevelopment initiative Renew Newcastle. She has worked on a range of project types and scales, contributing to a number of award-winning projects, as well as to innovations in the practice paradigm.
Sam McQueeney has joined Vokes and Peters in Brisbane. He graduated from the University of Tasmania in 2014 and was highly engaged in Institute events. He has a keen interest in collaborating with local makers and designers.
Tahnee Sullivan has her own practice, Sullivan Skinner. She worked for seven years for Brisbane firm Richards & Spence, including on the acclaimed Brisbane hotel The Calile. Tahnee has also taught at the University of Queensland Architecture School.
Cumulus Studio director Keith Westbrook works across commercial, public and institutional design. He manages the Victoria office while representing the profession as a councillor with the Institute’s Victoria Chapter.
Tasmanian Bek Verrier is an award-winning architect with Bence Mulcahy in Hobart. She is a founding member of The Findlay Project, Tasmanian Women in Architecture group and works across building sectors.