2023 National Prizes: Neville Quarry Architectural Education Prize

Award | ArchitectureAU Editorial

3 May 2023

Michael Mossman

Image: supplied

Jury citation

Michael Mossman, a Kuku Yalanji man from Far North Queensland, is an outstanding practitioner, teacher and leader whose exemplary commitment to architectural education is of great benefit to students, practitioners and the profession.

As Associate Dean Indigenous at the University of Sydney’s School of Architecture, Design and Planning, Mossman is committed to Indigenizing the architectural curriculum within the university as well as on a broader national platform through the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia. His extensive interactions and collaborations with colleagues and community representatives are contributing substantially to the architectural education landscape in a critical and expansive manner.

Mossman’s exploration of the intersections between cultures via design discourse is fresh and invigorating, brings density to the educational conversation and offers Australian society a deeper and more authentic understanding of belonging and relationship to home. Through intensive interactions, his students learn to walk with community in a first-hand, engaged practice; this genuine, collaborative and immersive approach opens them to a dynamic and participatory way of learning on Country. Mossman’s engrossing and inclusive attitude allows for cross-fertilization between students, community and the institution.

By identifying First Nations cultural considerations as an agent for structural change within our profession, Mossman is fundamentally shifting awareness in design thinking in architecture and placemaking. His work is invaluable to the profession and to ensuring that future Australian architects are educated in a way that considers our influence on, and responsibility to, place.