Two postgraduate students from Melbourne were awarded by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) — for work relating to Indigenous housing and the role of architects in increasing the quality of life in developing nations.

Hannah Robertson and Dr Milinda Pathiraja from the Melbourne School of Design, received their awards in a London ceremony on December 7.

Hannah Robertson received the 2011 RIBA President’s Student Dissertation Medal for her Master’s Dissertation, Bush Owner Builder. Her winning project was judged alongside 47 dissertations coming from 9 countries.

For her thesis, Robertson consulted with Indigenous Australians in Queensland to create designs for housing, and then worked with the community to construct the buildings.

Floorplan of Robertson's project, the Bush Owner Builder

Robertson said: “the project aims to tackle some of the issues in Indigenous housing by providing ownership: ownership of the design, building process and the eventual built outcome.”

Professor Philip Goad, the supervisor of Ms Robertson’s Masters thesis said, "the RIBA President's Dissertation Medal, one of the world's most prestigious student awards, is fitting international recognition for Hannah's outstanding and important collaboration with the indigenous community in Hope Vale, far north Queensland.”

“Her work demonstrates the excellent calibre of students within the Melbourne School of Design and this award demonstrates how detailed design research undertaken locally can have global significance," said Professor Goad.

Bush Owner Builder project under construction

The Melbourne School of Design has a history of engagement with Indigenous communities and working in consultation with remote communities to design and deliver projects.

Dr Pathiraja’s award winning PhD was inspired by similar community oriented sentiments, and investigates the contribution architects can make to labour policy and supporting developing economies through construction projects.

The award given to this dissertation by RIBA recognizes this issue as a significant area to change current practices to facilitate positive economic growth.

Click here for more information on his his thesis 'The function of robust technology in the construction of a 'third world' practice: architecture, design and labour training'.