KTA

The jury included Itohan Osayimwese, Rahul Mehrotra, Martha Thorne, Odile Decq, and Sol Camacho.

‘Diversity in Architecture (DIVIA), believe diverse perspectives drive innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity in the built environment. Their ultimate goal is to promote diversity in all its forms, they are committed to taking meaningful steps to achieve this mission. Their first initiative focused on promoting the visibility and contributions of women in architecture.’

Three Australians are among the nominees: Brit Andresen, Maggie Edmond, and Kerstin Thompson.

Five finalists will be selected in January, and the winner will be announced at the Awards Ceremony in Berlin in May 2025.

Link to all nominees

The studio was established in 1994 by Kerstin Thompson, with a vision to design buildings that meaningfully connect people with place; and to foster a stimulating and supportive workplace culture.

Because architecture is the work of many – we would like to thank our dedicated team, our clients and collaborators, and everyone who has contributed along the way.

Every project has its unique features, and we look forward to sharing insights, highlights, and valuable lessons learned about each.

When: 10am-11am, Saturday 8 February 2025

Open House Melbourne Summer Fun(draiser)
“Brought to you with the generous support of our friends and partners, this year’s Summer Fun(draisers) offer new and special opportunities as well as returning crowd favourites. These intimate, limited capacity talks + tours will take you up close and behind-the-scenes with design experts, all the while making a valued contribution to Open House Melbourne.”

Tickets are limited. If you are interested, please book through link.

Article excerpt:
‘The government has identified examples of what it says should be emulated around the state: they include the Merri four-storey apartment project by Six Degrees Architecture in Northcote; the Averi five-storey apartments in Hawthorn by architects Jackson Clements Burrows; and the six-storey Balfe Park Lane in Brunswick East from architect Kerstin Thompson.’

Minister for Planning of Victoria, Sonya Kilkenny comments:
“The community deserves affordable buildings that look great on the outside and feel solid as a rock on the inside. Our plan is for more grand designs but without the grand cost.”

“We have an incredible opportunity before us to renew our suburbs and streets with well-designed apartments and townhouses that are great for singles, families and downsizers – and which add to the architectural fabric of our state.”

Kerstin will be talking across a range of topics including the role of the architect in practice, case studies of KTA houses, civic, educational, public, landscape projects and advocacy for the profession.

International keynote speakers: Go Hasegawa, Tatiana Bilbao, Fuensanta Nieto and Enrique Sobejano

October 25 – 27, 2024
Asilomar Conference Grounds, Pacific Grove, California

A virtual event is being held via live stream, link to event details

“Brick becomes the silent hero within the project that actually creates a very particular quality of light which advocates for the reflection, calmness and serenity with what could be a really interesting and challenging environment. However, it does this with a light that is perforated and a material that ultimately celebrates the existing building while enhancing the atmosphere of the space.”
Jury Citation, Melbourne Holocaust Museum

This year’s theme recognised projects that ‘demonstrated resilience through innovative and thoughtful use of bricks, blocks, pavers, and roof tiles’.

Link to award

1. The Round in collaboration with BKK Architects
- Tours: 9:00am Saturday 27 and 9.30am Sunday 28 July
- Special event: Saturday 10.30am panel discussion with Whitehorse City Council and the design team from BKK Architects and KTA

2. KTA Apartments Walking Tour in Fitzroy
- Date: Saturday 27 July, first tour starts: 10:30am at Kerr Street Residences

3. Melbourne Holocaust Museum
- Date: Sunday 28 July, guided tours: 11:30am and 1:30pm

“Discovery is about the unexpected. It’s something for the curious at heart, the adventurer and the life-long-learner interested in exploring Melbourne’s most unique places and spaces.
Open House Melbourne invites you to rediscover your city—to seek out new places and to reconnect with old favourites.”

For more information and to book tickets, please visit the link

From 104 entries from across Australia, 32 were shortlisted, 5 received commendations with 1 winner.

Jury citation
Part of Austin Health in Victoria, Booboop Narrkwarren Nagarra-jarrda-noun (Family Healing Centre) is a mental health recovery and support facility for children who have experienced trauma. Importantly, it also supports their families in a care model that reflects the recommendations of the 2021 Royal Commission into Victoria’s mental health system.

The jury commends the design’s sensitivity, elegance and fine resolution, which has resulted in a calming, de-institutionalised, home-like environment of independent living units and consulting spaces, encircled by a safe, private, landscaped garden.

This groundbreaking project, developed in close consultation and co-design with clinicians, occupational therapists and youth advisors, is the first of its kind in Australia. Booboop demonstrates an innovative and transformative approach to the ongoing support and care of affected children and their families. The jury agreed that the approach and its manifestation in this sophisticated design could be a widely adopted template for a profound shift to a more positive model of care.

Thanks to the jury and awards program, it’s great to ‘celebrate good design for the common good’.

Link to award winners

The award recipients will be revealed in September.
We extend our thanks to the judging panel for nominating both of our projects.

Link to shortlisted projects

Image of The Round, Whitehorse Centre

“Each project is an example of the highest calibre of architectural response to social, cultural and environmental challenges. Irrespective of style, complexity and size of both scheme and budget, successful projects demonstrate visionary or innovative thinking and excellence of execution.”

The jury cited;
The masterplan offers a paradigm shift in the way we think about landscape, from the purely picturesque to an ecological one. Ultimately Bundanon is extraordinary for the manner in which it attunes the visitor to the landscape, and in so doing to nature and climate, place and time.

With thanks to RIBA and the jury for nominating Bundanon.

Link to all winners
Link to ArchitetcureAU article on Australian winners

With thanks to the juries and all involved, including our clients, extended project, and consultant teams, for their support and collective efforts.

The Round, public jury citation
“The Round has a dignified civic presence with its high level of architectural virtuosity and built craftsmanship in becoming a new cultural hub for the Whitehorse community. Engaging thoroughly with local Indigenous connections and histories, this sophisticated building with its diverse program seamlessly integrates landscape, ecology, sustainability, and infrastructure to become a premier event and performance facility.”

Link to all winners

Image of The Round

Kerstin joins a stellar lineup of architects, designers, sustainable developers and design entrepreneurs as judges for this years Dezeen Awards.

We are thrilled that Kerstin will be a judge, alongside Ben Edwards, Jonas Pettersson, Jonathan Smales, Odile Hainaut and Claire Pijoulat.

There are 41 project categories in total: 15 architecture categories, nine interior categories, 11 design categories and six sustainability categories. Longlists will be announced in September, shortlists November and winners in November.

Link to details

Kerstin was selected as a member of the jury for the competition. The jury selected four winners across the two competition categories – urban metro and regional town. The quality of the entries was impressive with innovative designs showcasing aged care homes that are welcoming, safe, accessible, dementia friendly and consider small-home models.

Congratulations to the teams, visit the link competition website
Link to ArchitectureAU article showcasing the winning designs

Urban Metro Category:
1_ Scales of Care by LM2A with Super Natural
2_ Connection, Community and Movement by Walter&Walter

Regional Town Category:
1_ Manu Place by Monash Urban Lab with NMBW Architecture Studio, BoardGrove Architects, BLOXAS and Glas Landscape Architects
2_ All Together Now by Other Architects, Openwork, Andy Fergus and Alicia Pozniak

The award “recognises architectural work that promotes the common good and preferences empathy over aesthetics.”
We would like to extend our thanks to our collaborating partner Anthony Clarke, BLOXAS, and clients Austin Health and Victorian Health Building Authority.
The awards finalists will be announced on July 4.

Excerpt from media release

“Director Dr Nick Mitzevich said, ‘The National Gallery is thrilled to have KTA on board to deliver a new dining destination here at the National Gallery.’

‘The National Gallery looks forward to creating a new dining venue to add significant dimension to the amenity and the experience of the National Gallery – great food and beverage served in an inspiring new space will provide new opportunities for connection, reflection and enjoyment,’ said Mitzevich.”

Link to media release

Shortlisted projects and categories:
Preston South Primary School – Educational Architecture + Sustainable Architecture
Dandenong High School Design &Technology Hub – Educational Architecture
Wirrng Wirrng – Public Architecture + Regional Architecture
The Round (with BKK Architects) – Public Architecture + Melbourne + Colourbond

The winners will be revealed at an awards ceremony in June.

Link to full list

“The AIDA recognise and celebrate interior design excellence via a credible, industry-based program, which is backed by the Design Institute of Australia, the professional body representing Australian designers.”

AIDA winners of the will be announced June 14.

Image of Antara 128

Link to all shortlisted projects

And selected Kerstin as one of their 50 most influential and powerful women from around the world .
List includes; Carol Ross Barney, Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara, Anne Lacaton, Lesley Lokko, Yasmeen Lari and many more

Link to full list

Multiple award winner and leading industry voice Professor Harriet Harriss, together with senior academics and writers Naomi House and Monika Parrinder and multi-award-winning architecture journalist and editor of Dezeen Tom Ravenscroft, showcase the largely overlooked stories of 100 women currently making their mark in the architectural world.

Geographically balanced to feature architects across six continents from no less than 79 countries, from Argentina to Zimbabwe and everywhere in between. The book explores “the different worlds, different forms of architecture and the place-sensitive approaches” each architect has taken to fulfil their vision through a series of insightful profiles and inspiring imagery.

With many thanks to the authors Harriet Harriss, Naomi House, Monika Parrinder, and Tom Ravenscroft

Available via RIBA books

Maggie Edmond is the recipient of the 2003 Australian Institute of Architects Gold Medal, awarded retrospectively in 2023, and Kerstin Thompson is the 2023 Australian Institute of Architects Gold Medallist.

Gather in KTA’s laneway for a prize-winning conversation about architecture, practice, equity and the direction of the profession, chaired by Justine Clark of Parlour

When: Thursday 8 February, 6–8pm

We also want to acknowledge our fellow Australians who also made the 100 list Other Architects, Kennedy Nolan and YSG Studio.

Link to article