Grand design

Renowned architect and UNSW Visiting Professor, Glenn Murcutt, has been awarded the American Institute of Architects' (AIA) highest honour, the 2009 Gold Medal.

The medal recognises the depth of Professor Murcutt's work and the breadth of his influence around the world.

An alumnus of UNSW, Glenn Murcutt has returned to the University as a Visiting Professor and works with third-year architecture students through the Faculty of the Built Environment's (FBE) design studios.

"This is a very prestigious and important award that acknowledges Professor Murcutt's significant body of work at an international level," said Professor Alec Tzannes, Dean of the FBE.

"Our Faculty is very fortunate to have someone of this calibre teaching our students and we look forward to his continuing work with us into 2009."

Although Murcutt works exclusively in Australia, he continues to have a profound impact on international architecture "which is amplified by impassioned and extensive lectures and a commitment to teaching throughout the world," said Tom Howorth, chair of the AIA's Gold Medal Committee.

The Gold Medal, voted on annually, is the highest honour the AIA confers on an architect. It recognises an individual whose significant body of work has had a lasting influence on the theory and practice of architecture.

The head of UNSW's Landscape Architecture program, Graham Fletcher, has also been recognised this week. The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (NSW) has presented him with an award for 'Excellence in Landscape Architecture in Research and Communication'.

Fletcher received the award for his Landscape Professional Practice Reference Book, which he prepared for use in the Professional Practice course he co-ordinates and teaches.

Media Contact: Victoria Brown | 02 9385 3263 | v.brown@unsw.edu.au