Nine outstanding students have received prizes and scholarships in the 2024 School of Architecture, Design and Planning Academic and Merit Awards.
Master of Architecture graduate Alisha Mandla, who received the QIA Memorial Medallion, the Peter Hale Cox Architecture Prize, and the Karl and Gertrude Langer Memorial Prize, said it was humbling and deeply rewarding to be recognised.
“I feel ecstatic! Unlike math, where answers are definitive, being recognised within the subjective realm of creativity is an extraordinary honour,” she said.
“This recognition validates much more than the result – it affirms the creative process and the personal journey that led me here.”
Alisha has been drawn to the realm of architecture since childhood, captivated by residential architecture magazines, open homes and floor plans. The ingenuity of spatial design sparked her curiosity about the psychological and philosophical dimensions of human experience, and she has continued to explore the cognitive, logical and abstract solutions that architecture offers. She now has a clear vision: to design spaces that evoke emotion and provoke thought.
“I strive for architectural resonance, integrating psychological principles to shape environments that nurture wellbeing, honour cultural identity and challenge perceptions,” she said.
“Beyond aesthetics and function, I aim to bridge the gap between architectural elitism and universal accessibility, fostering a design language that is both intellectually rigorous and widely interpretable.
“I believe that transparency in architectural intent not only strengthens community identity but also promotes longevity, sustainability and deeper engagement with the built environment.”
She is most proud of the transformation she underwent while studying at UQ – not just in terms of academic growth, but as a thinker and creator. She said that while design is often unpredictable, filled with moments of uncertainty where progress feels elusive, it was in this ambiguity that she learned to embrace the process itself, understanding that true growth happens in exploration and associations, not just the destination.
“UQ nurtured my intellectual curiosity and pushed me to think beyond the conventional norms,” she said.
Another student who received multiple accolades is Piper King, who studied a Bachelor of Architectural Design and Master of Architecture at UQ and is now an architectural graduate at COX Architecture. Piper was awarded the Board of Architects of Queensland Prize and the Coursework Master’s Thesis Prize.
“I feel as though I really found my niche and passions within architecture while studying at university, and I’m proud that it now extends into my work in practice,” she said.
Piper’s thesis is titled “Process Over Product: The Architecture of Consultation-led Housing – Lessons from the National Aboriginal Health Strategy Environmental Health Program in Lockhart River and Galiwin’ku.”
It explores the experiences and lessons of architects involved in the National Aboriginal Health Strategy Environmental Health Program – a social housing design and delivery program during the late 1990s and early 2000s. The program embraced culturally responsive housing design and deeper levels of consultation with households and communities, unlike many similar programs. The program structure and consultative methods allowed for a unique understanding of the challenges and facilitating factors for delivering social housing that is tailored to the specific needs of individual First Nations households.
“My thesis would not have been possible without the guidance of my supervisor, Tim O’Rourke, nor the input of all the architects and engineers who I interviewed, all of whom were extremely generous with their time, energy and wisdom,” said Piper.
“In many ways, this thesis is the culmination of my passions around reconciliation in architecture and the possibilities and challenges in application of consultative design in practice that I was lucky to explore through the extent of my two degrees.
“It’s always a joy to receive recognition for work you care deeply about.”
Professor Ali Cheshmehzangi, Head of the School of ADP, congratulated all the 2024 student prize and scholarship recipients.
“Your hard work and dedication are reflected in your outstanding grades and the innovative projects you've produced,” he said.
“I look forward to seeing how you apply your design capabilities and strategic thinking in practice and further research to build an inclusive, healthier, more sustainable and climate-resilient future."
The prizes and scholarships, which are made possible thanks to the generosity of donors, recognise the students for their hard work and innovative ideas. They also provide further opportunities for the students to immerse themselves in valuable new experiences through travel and study opportunities.
The 2024 recipients are:
R. Martin Wilson Memorial Prize in Architecture: Ally Molachino
Awarded to a Bachelor of Architectural Design or Master of Architecture student who is enrolled in an architectural design studio course, and most successfully demonstrates excellence in architectural studies/design and leadership.
Karl and Gertrude Langer Memorial Prize: Alisha Mandla
Awarded to a student enrolled in the Bachelor of Architectural Design or Master of Architecture for the best architectural drawing.
Think Brick Australia Prizes: James Roberts and Natalie Robertson
Awarded to two Master of Architecture and/or Master of Urban Development and Design students for the best use of bricks, blocks or roof tiles in a Master’s design studio.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Architecture Industry Scholarship: Stacey Edwards
Established in 2022 by a donation from Buchan under the UQef Scholarship Match Initiative, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Architecture Industry Scholarship is awarded to an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander student enrolled in either the Bachelor of Architectural Design or Bachelor of Design program.
Ceridwen Indigenous Scholarship: Ricardo Labra Mocarquer
Awarded to a student who most successfully describes how their study or research will serve to benefit Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander children in Australia.
Guilford Bell Scholarships: An Thi Thanh Nhan and Lisa Kuiri
A travel scholarship awarded by application to a Higher Degree by Research candidate in the field of architecture, based on an overseas travel proposal to observe architectural methods, their significance and relevance to the applicant's candidature, and potential to enhance the quality of the applicant's Higher Degree by Research thesis.
Board of Architects Queensland Prize: Piper King
Awarded to the student with the highest overall GPA based on a combination of studies completed in the Bachelor of Architectural Design and the Master of Architecture.
Coursework Master’s Thesis Prize: Piper King
Awarded to the Master of Architecture (coursework) student who achieves the highest mark for an architectural thesis submitted in the year of the award.
Peter Hale Cox Architecture Prize: Alisha Mandla
Awarded to the student graduating from the Master of Architecture who obtains the highest GPA in the subject areas of design, technology and practice studies across the two years of the Master of Architecture program.
QIA Memorial Medallion: Alisha Mandla
Awarded to the student with the highest GPA in the final two years of the Bachelor of Architectural Design or Master of Architecture. The Medallion is maintained by a donation from the Queensland Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects.
Congratulations to all students and thank you to our generous donors who make these prizes and scholarships possible.
