The COLORBOND® Steel Student Biennale – Australia’s longest running prize for students of architecture – is open for entries.

Established by the Australian Institute of Architects in 1985, the prize offers recent graduates and students the opportunity to attend the 2014 National Architecture Conference in Perth, along with a cash price of $8000.

Since its inception, the Biennale has acknowledged outstanding works of design by architecture students across Australia.

It represents the profession’s recognition of quality in design by students and communicates this to both students and the profession.

Entries will be judged by esteemed members of the profession on the design’s resolution, exploration and communication of ideas, space, structure and materials, as well as the response to contemporary architectural issues such as the challenge of climate change.

The 2014 price winner will be announced at the Australian Achievements in Architecture Awards to be held in March 2014. Shortlisted entrants will receive flights, tickets and accommodation to attend the 2014 National Architecture Conference in Perth between 8 to 10 May, with the first place winner receiving the cash prize.

Previous prominent winners of the COLORBOND® Steel Student Biennale include Richard Francis Jones, Graham Burrows, Tony Chenchow and Eugene Cheah, who share their experiences of entering the biennale.

The winner of the 2012 biennale, Adrian Kenton from the University of South Australia, designed the Barangaroo Crematorium, of which the jury was impressed by the maturity, sensitivity and gravity of this response to celebrating the drama of human finitude.

Tor Dahl of the University of Western Australia, Hannah Robertson of the University of Melbourne and Christoper Trotta of the University of South Australia received Joint Commendations for their entries on Pasargadae, Bush owner Builder and Barangaroo Performing Arts Stadium respectfully.

The bi-annual competition closes 5pm on Friday 27 September. It is open to undergraduate or Masters students enrolled in an AIA recognised Australian architecture course in 2013 and to students who completed their course in 2012. Entries previously submitted for the BlueScope Steel Glenn Murcutt Student Prize are ineligible.

BlueScope have sponsored the biennale since its inception, and the AIA recognises this ongoing support in the recognition of students of architecture.

For more information on the price and how to enter, visit the student biennale website.