2021 National Prizes: National President’s Prize

Jury citation

The National President’s Prize is an opportunity to recognize an individual who advances architecture from outside the profession. The 2021 prize acknowledges Andrew Mackenzie’s masterly and comprehensive career, spanning nearly three decades, as an exemplary architectural writer, curator, editor, publisher, advisor and procurement specialist.

Mackenzie’s contribution in words and print started in 2002 when, as editor of Architectural Review Australia, he expanded awareness of Australian architecture and brought forth new names in our profession. Prior to working in Australia, Mackenzie held exhibition and curatorial positions in London from 1992, including at the Institute of Contemporary Art (1992–1995) and as director of exhibitions at the Architectural Association (1993–2000).

Since 2010, Mackenzie has tirelessly advanced architecture and the profession through multifarious roles, including board member of Architects Without Frontiers, contributing editor for Architecture Australia, and feature writer for the Good Weekend, Australian Financial Review and The Saturday Paper. Mackenzie is keenly cognisant of Australia’s architectural reach and significance as an Oceanic player. From 2014 to 2016, he generously and eloquently focused his attention on Australian architecture as correspondent for The Architectural Review (UK).

Mackenzie’s astute insights into the complex subject of architectural procurement resulted in the 2015 Australian Institute of Architects national conference entitled “Risk.” The conference addressed how architecture is procured and the problems of architectural commissions. It was memorable for referring professional issues back to the profession and identifying a series of challenges being faced by architects.

He founded Uro in 2009 and was joined a year later by his colleague and co-director Maitiú Ward. Together, they have made Uro the foremost Australian independent book publisher focused on architects and architecture, with more than 40 titles published in the last 12 years. Many of Uro’s publications address significant topics of currency. Falls the Shadow (2012, edited by Paul McGillick) covers the late history of the National Gallery of Australia and its recent additions. Supported by the gallery’s original architect, 1981 RAIA Gold Medallist Colin Madigan, the publication remains an important record and account of the complex challenges involved in altering and extending such an iconic modernist building.

Mackenzie’s architectural consultancy, CityLab, established in 2011, advises on procurement and competitions, and seeks to promote local architects rather than prioritizing overseas entrants (a process now all too familiar). It recently ran competitions for Newcastle University’s Alumni House and the National Gallery of Victoria, with both restricted to local practitioners.

Since 2016, Mackenzie has maintained positions as a panel member of the Victorian Design Review Panel, a program advisor and moderator for the multidisciplinary Living Cities Forum and co-editor of the online news and features website Foreground .

Mackenzie has stood at the vanguard of current issues in architecture and supported the profession’s issues generously, even at the risk of prejudicing his own commercial interests. His magnanimous efforts have quietly elevated the profession’s standing and the prestige of local architects and architecture.

Jury

Alice Hampson FRAIA Hon. AIA – National President, Australian Institute of Architects | Alice Hampson Architect