Droga Architect in Residence Program

This Program is a new initiative of the Australian Institute of Architects Foundation, and reflects the vision of architecture as fundamental to Australian culture. It conveys the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to supporting and communicating the value of architecture as design and encourages the exploration of new approaches.

The Institute invites applications from prominent architects who can share in and contribute to this vision.

The Residency will be awarded to architects based outside Australia who exemplify the highest standard of excellence in architectural design, research and practice. The program offers an exciting opportunity for professionals to engage with the Australian public and architectural community through a program that includes a defined and self-directed architectural research by design project, as well as seminars, exhibitions and events.

The overarching goal of the residency program is to promote, support and communicate the value of architecture as design which benefits the Australian community, culture, economy and environment, now and into the future.

The Residency offers an opportunity for successful candidates to engage with the local architectural community via seminars and related events, which are relevant to their oeuvre, as hosted by the Foundation for the purposes of developing or extending a project in line with our goals for the residency.  It is expected that sucessful applicants will display a body of architectural work that emphasises a strong public and social benefit and which will be clearly communicated through their residency project submission.

Successful applicants to the Droga Residency will be accommodated in a two bedroom, fully furnished apartment, which has been gifted for use as a residency by cultural philanthropist Daniel Droga as a cornerstone gift to the Institute’s Foundation. The residents will be hosted in Sydney for a period of 10-12 weeks.  The timing and duration of the residencyhas some flexibility and can be negotiated with the Institute.

The Residency is managed by the Australian Institute of Architects Foundation and supported by fundraising initiatives including donations by individual patrons.  Successful applicants will be offered free accommodation, a stipend, and return flights and be responsible for their own visa and travel insurance.

Registration for 2015 applications are now open and will close at 5.00pm on 23 January, 2015.