This year's jury is comprised of Australian architect Kevin O'Brien, Ngā Aho representative Elisapeta Heta, and Institute President Judith Taylor.
Kevin O'Brien
Kevin O’Brien is of Kaurereg and Meriam heritage and is a passionate leader of Designing with Country strategy. He is a principal at BVN Architecture, which is established in Sydney, Brisbane, London and New York, and he works on large-scale projects throughout Australia. Kevin is committed to projects informed by culture and that extend into collaborations assisting artists in the visual and performing arts. He is currently leading the new National Aboriginal Art Gallery in Alice Springs and is also an Adjunct Professor at the School of Architecture, University of Sydney.
Elisapeta Heta
Elisapeta Heta is a principal and Kaihautū Whaihanga at Jasmax, where she is guiding the company on its journey to becoming a bicultural design practice. She has many achievements to her name and this year represented Ngā Aho and Te Kāhui Whaihanga at the (UIA) World Congress of Architects earlier. As co-director of the UIA's Indigenous Peoples Work, she hosted the organisation’s inaugural event for Indigenous views on sustainable design.
Update: Unfortunately Elisapeta is unable to join the judging due to illness. We wish her a speedy recovery.
Judith Taylor
Judith is an Associate of Context Architects and brings almost 40 years of professional experience to her role as Te Kāhui Whaihanga NZIA President. Judith has been Chair of the Wellington Branch of Te Kāhui Whaihanga, served as a member of the former Architects Education and Registration Board (now the NZ Registered Architects Board), has worked as an NZRAB assessor, and has been the New Zealand coordinator of the Australia and NZ Architecture Program Accreditation Procedure (APAP).
The 2023 Student Design Awards will be held on Thursday 30 November.
Thanks to Resene for its generous support of this programme!