It is evident that Australia’s architectural landscape reflects not only the country’s environmental diversity and climate challenges, but also a growing commitment to socially and environmentally conscious design. The field is shaped by both legendary figures whose legacies continue to inspire and contemporary practitioners leading innovation, sustainability, and cultural relevance.

It has been 10 years since we did our original article which you can view in the archive.

In 2025, these 10 architects stand out for their unique philosophies and personal journeys. Their work often extends beyond buildings—shaping spaces that integrate natural elements, from materials to subtle details like Sigma Planter Boxes , which help connect architecture to the environment.

1. Glenn Murcutt

Australia’s most internationally renowned architect, Glenn Murcutt remains a guiding light for sustainable, climate-responsive design.

Born in London in 1936 and raised in Papua New Guinea and Sydney, Glenn Murcutt studied architecture at the University of New South Wales. His childhood experiences among vernacular tropical structures deeply influenced his sensitivity to climate and landscape. Known for environmentally responsive, minimalist buildings that seem to disappear into the bush, Murcutt has long been regarded as Australia’s most iconic architect.

His most celebrated works include the Marie Short House and the Arthur and Yvonne Boyd Education Centre, which embody his “touch the earth lightly” philosophy. As a sole practitioner, Murcutt’s global impact proves that architectural greatness can be achieved through restraint, clarity, and purpose.

2. Richard Leplastrier

A master of timber and restraint, Richard Leplastrier is revered for his craftsmanship and deep connection to place.

A student of Sydney Opera House architect Jørn Utzon, Richard Leplastrier studied at the University of Sydney before spending time working in Denmark. Upon returning to Australia, he chose a life of quiet creativity, designing intimately scaled, timber-based homes deeply rooted in place. Leplastrier is both a craftsman and a teacher, revered by students and colleagues alike.

Projects like the Palm Garden House and Rainforest House exemplify his environmentally immersive approach. Though he shuns public attention, Leplastrier’s legacy is profound — his philosophy and humility continue to shape a generation of ecologically attuned Australian designers.

 

3. Kerry Hill (Posthumous)

A pioneer of tropical modernism, Kerry Hill left behind a legacy of elegance and cultural depth across Asia and Australia.

Born in Perth in 1943, Kerry Hill studied architecture at the University of Western Australia before beginning a career that would bridge cultures and redefine resort and civic architecture. After working with Palmer and Turner in Hong Kong, he eventually founded Kerry Hill Architects in Singapore in 1979, giving him a unique perspective that combined Australian roots with deep immersion in Asian contexts.

His work is instantly recognisable for its calm, minimalist elegance and sensitivity to climate and place. Hill perfected the art of tropical modernism—where light, ventilation, material honesty, and cultural resonance come together in a timeless expression of architecture.

Notable works include the State Theatre Centre of Western Australia and his award-winning Aman Resorts across Asia. These projects embodied his philosophy of quiet refinement, contextual sensitivity, and architectural restraint. Though he passed away in 2018, Hill’s legacy lives on through his enduring portfolio and the global design language he helped define.

4. Elizabeth Farrelly

An architectural thinker, writer, and urban advocate, Elizabeth Farrelly has shaped public dialogue on the built environment.

Trained as an architect, Elizabeth Farrelly has become one of Australia’s most prominent public intellectuals on urbanism, sustainability, and the politics of place. With a PhD in architecture and a career spanning journalism, academia, and politics, she blends design insight with fearless critique.

Known more for her essays and opinion columns than built projects, Farrelly has shaped public discourse through her writing and lectures. Her ability to bridge architectural thinking and public policy continues to elevate national conversations on ethics, liveability, and city-making.

 

5. Peter Stutchbury

Poetic and grounded, Peter Stutchbury creates buildings that breathe with the landscape.

Based in Sydney and Newcastle, Peter Stutchbury is known for his emotionally resonant buildings that respond deeply to climate, topography, and material. Educated at the University of Newcastle, his early work in Africa and Papua New Guinea inspired a resourceful, elemental approach to architecture. Over the decades, he has developed a practice that is both technically rigorous and deeply spiritual, exploring how architecture can connect people to the land in profound ways.

His Invisible House and Deepwater Woolshed demonstrate a poetic synthesis of form and function. Stutchbury’s work is not just designed — it’s crafted to breathe with the land, offering moments of reflection and peace within the natural world.

Stutchbury’s architecture reminds us that true design emerges from listening to the land, creating spaces that feel inevitable and timeless.

6. Angelo Candalepas

Angelo Candalepas brings emotion, spirituality, and sculptural power to civic architecture.

Sydney-born and of Greek heritage, Angelo Candalepas studied at the University of Technology Sydney and founded Candalepas Associates in 1999. His work blends sculptural clarity with emotional depth, often creating sacred or contemplative civic spaces. Over the years, his practice has become known for bold, expressive works that marry monumental form with human intimacy.

Notable projects include the award-winning Punchbowl Mosque and his current role as design lead for the National Gallery of Victoria Contemporary. Candalepas’s work exudes a spiritual richness rarely seen in contemporary public architecture — balancing monumentality with intimacy.

Candalepas’s work reaffirms architecture as both a cultural vessel and a spiritual experience, reminding us that buildings can move the soul as much as they serve function.

7. Kerstin Thompson

One of Australia’s leading architectural voices, Kerstin Thompson is known for thoughtful, civic-minded design.

Melbourne-based Kerstin Thompson is both an acclaimed architect and a respected academic. She founded Kerstin Thompson Architects in 1994 and has since been committed to civic and community-focused architecture that is both practical and poetic. Her philosophy emphasizes that architecture is not only about buildings but also about fostering inclusivity, community, and care.

Her projects like the Bendigo Law Courts and the Broadmeadows Town Hall reflect a strong sense of care for users, context, and culture. Through design and education, Thompson continues to champion inclusive spaces and thoughtful engagement with public life.

Thompson’s work demonstrates that architecture can be both beautiful and socially responsible, shaping spaces that strengthen communities while enriching everyday life.

8. Sean Godsell

Known for his radical minimalism, Sean Godsell designs shelter with uncompromising clarity.

The son of architect David Godsell, Sean Godsell grew up surrounded by modernist ideals. After studying in Melbourne and working in London, he returned to Australia to found his own practice. Godsell is known for radical, minimalist designs that explore the essence of shelter and space.

His influence extends well beyond Australia. Godsell has exhibited at the Venice Biennale and had his work acquired by the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York. He has also received numerous accolades for design innovation, reinforcing his position as one of Australia’s most internationally recognised architects.

His Future Shack and St. Andrews Beach House are stark yet beautiful examples of structural discipline and humanitarian intent. Godsell’s work is uncompromising, often provocative, and always intellectually rigorous.

9. Emma Williamson & Kieran Wong

Advocates for equity in the built environment, this Perth-based duo leads with purpose and impact.

Partners in both architecture and advocacy, Emma Williamson and Kieran Wong are based in Perth and are known for their socially engaged practice. Both are graduates of Curtin University and previously led CODA Studio before founding The Fulcrum Agency.

Their work is distinguished by a commitment to co-design, ensuring that the voices of communities—particularly Indigenous groups—are embedded in every stage of the design process.

From housing projects in remote regions to the delivery of health and community infrastructure, their practice demonstrates how architecture can be a tool for empowerment and long-term change. They are proving that the role of architects extends far beyond buildings, helping to shape systems, advocate for equity, and create environments where all Australians can thrive.

10. Andrew Burges

A forward-thinker in urban housing, Andrew Burges explores density, livability, and design innovation.

Sydney-based Andrew Burges holds degrees from the University of Sydney and Harvard’s Graduate School of Design. His practice, Andrew Burges Architects (ABA), has become known for projects that challenge conventional approaches to urban living while remaining grounded in practicality and human experience. Burges’ work demonstrates that urban challenges like density and affordability can be met with creativity, intelligence, and empathy — offering a vision for Australian cities that is as functional as it is inspiring.

His Waterloo Youth Family Community Centre and Laneway Housing Prototypes offer innovative responses to density, affordability, and social cohesion. Beyond housing, Burges’ portfolio includes civic and educational projects that reflect his commitment to making architecture both socially responsible and highly livable. Burges’ forward-thinking architecture demonstrates how smart design can improve how we live together in complex urban conditions.

These architects are reshaping how we live and build — blending design with purpose, sustainability, and community. At Sigma Planters, we’re proud to support their vision with planters that bring life and structure to their spaces.

Did we miss someone? Let us know in the comments.