Australian Design Review (ADR) today unveils its second annual 30UNDER30 shortlist recognising 61 emerging Australian architects and innovators of the built world, within 20 different practices, who are creating meaningful change through their architecture. 

ADR’s 30UNDER30 Architects and Innovators of the Built World program highlights emerging talent across many different facets of the built environment, including registered architects, graduate architects, building designers, architectural technicians, technologists, documenters and draftspersons, 3D visualisers, animators and storytellers, data analysts, urban planners, specifiers and innovators working with artificial intelligence and augmented reality.

“ADR’s 30UNDER30 Architects and Innovators of the Built World program is a testament to the incredible talent and innovation emerging in the architecture and design community,” says Emily Rayner, editorial director of ADR’s 30UNDER30.

“We are excited to unveil the shortlist and shine a spotlight on the outstanding achievements of these young professionals who are shaping the future of our built environment.”

There were over 150 entries from all over Australia – from Western Australia to Tasmania. The program has been supported by architecture firms with over 2000 employees alongside small business practices with up to five employees.

Australian Design Review’s publisher Paul Lidgerwood says of the program, “We know that many architecture firms are doing it tough in the economic climate today. 30UNDER30 is a way for the industry to give back and support emerging talent through providing mentorship with industry heavyweights, executive training and leadership development. Some practices, especially smaller ones, just don’t have access to this sort of development training. So we see it acting as a learning and development program that is accessible to all.”  

“We’re proud to say that 98 percent of our cohort from last year have either got a promotion within their firm or built the confidence to set up their studio as sole traders. I’m incredibly proud of the career development the program offers and the generosity and support of the judges, mentors, practice partners and sponsors in making it happen.” 

To develop the list, Australian Design Review convened an independent panel to narrow down the shortlist, including Brian Clohessy, head of people and character at BVN and Seton Walsh-Rose, chief people officer at Build PX. 

Judging and mentoring the final 30 will be Breathe Architecture design director, Jeremy McLeod, BVN co-CEO, Ninotschka Titchkosky, Archaea director, Sally Wilson, EM BE CE director and founder, Chi Melham, associate architect at Cumulus Studio, Andrew Geeves and Ara Salomone, director of State of Kin.

Breathe’s Jeremy McLeod says of the program, “I want to teach young designers everything I know. I want to empower them to use their skills for good.” 

“The next generation of architectural talent will bring their passion for social justice, the planet, new technologies and great design together to see old problems with a new lens,” says Titchkosky.

Australian Design Review’s 30UNDER30 Architects and Innovators of the Built World stream is brought to you by major sponsor Neolith, alongside gold partners Interface, Miele and Tongue & Groove. The program is supported by practice partners BVN, HDR, SJB, Richards Stanisich, Williams Burton Leopardi and Billard Leece Partnership.