2025 Architects Medallion Winner
Tyler Smith of the University of Technology Sydney awarded the 2025 Architects Medallion.
The Architects Medallion is awarded annually by the NSW Architects Registration Board to a NSW graduate of an accredited Master of Architecture course who has achieved distinction both in a particular subject area at the final level and generally throughout the 2 years of the course. The Medallion is presented, along with a $5,000 prize.
The following outstanding candidates were nominated by their universities from the 2024 cohort of M.Arch graduates:
- Syahmina Zulkepli – University of Newcastle
- Jenny Ke-Yi Lin – University of New South Wales
- Sophia Di Giandomenico – University of Sydney
- Tyler Smith – University of Technology Sydney
- Thomas Fiorenza - Western Sydney University
The 2025 Architects Medallion is awarded to Tyler Smith of the University of Technology Sydney.
The jury citation reads:
Tyler Smith is a most worthy recipient of the 2025 Architects Medallion. Tyler’s dedication to architecture as a means of strengthening ecological and social relationships marks him as an emerging leader in the field. His work embodies the potential of architecture to create meaningful, long-lasting impact in both regional and urban contexts.
The jury was particularly impressed by Tyler’s humility, initiative, and ability to balance pragmatism with deeply considered ecological and social values. His work, including counter-mapping strategies and community-led sustainability efforts, demonstrates a rare clarity of vision at this early stage of his architectural journey.
Tyler’s architectural approach is deeply rooted in listening, mapping, and documenting—practices shaped by his farming background on the NSW Central Coast. His work embodies a commitment to co-design, community engagement, and ecological stewardship and translating these values into practice.
His project, Learning from Wareamah, developed in collaboration with Alison Page and others, explores Country-centred methods of care. Through this work, Tyler is formulating a practice that extends beyond academia, embracing interconnected systems of care, reciprocity, and belonging. Tyler’s Harvest Trail network initiative, specifically Goodmayes Orchard – Translating Relational Methodologies into Practice, applies these principles to ecological care, land rehabilitation, and community collaboration.
Tyler’s design philosophy follows a "Form follows Country" approach, integrating ecological systems, fire management, and incorporating native pollinators into design. His commitment to sustainability is demonstrated through engagement with developers, builders, and regional communities to bridge the gap between design and implementation.
His ability to navigate both architectural and landscape disciplines positions him as a leader in fostering evolving and innovative models of practice. He is committed to collaborative, multidisciplinary work, valuing the relational aspects of architecture as much as its physical outcomes.
Beyond his academic and professional achievements, Tyler’s dedication to mentorship and education further demonstrates his leadership potential. As a Peer Mentor for the UTS Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research, he has contributed to fostering an inclusive learning environment. His selection as a UTS tutor for the first-year Design Studio also reinforces his role as a future educator and contributor to the wider culture of design.
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