inDETAIL with Neil Durbach, Durbach Block Jaggers Architects
Jun
16
Event Details
WHEN
5:30 pm AEDT
Tuesday
16/06/2026
WHERE
Sydney Opera House, Utzon Room
inDETAIL with Neil Durbach, Durbach Block Jaggers Architects
About Durbach Block Jaggers Architects
Recently awarded the 2026 Institute of Architects Gold Medal, Durbach Block Jaggers is recognised for its enduring design excellence and its leadership in sustainability, education, equity and community advocacy.
Brickworks is honoured to host the practice for this inDETAIL event, with director Neil Durbach joining us to share insights into their award winning work.
In 1998, the office of Durbach Block Architects was established, becoming Durbach Block Jaggers in 2011. Led by Neil Durbach, Camilla Block and David Jaggers, all have worked together for over twenty-five years. Collaborating seamlessly across all stages of their projects, the practice is defined by a highly engaged, hands-on approach. The directors move fluidly across roles to respond to project needs, working at every scale from broad site strategies through to fine-grain detailing.
With a studio of twelve, DBJ is dedicated to making beautiful buildings together with their clients. The practice has experience in projects that have complex client groups and needs, including working with existing buildings and within sensitive or highly visible contexts, including heritage environments, approached in a respectful and poetic manner.
Environmentally sustainable design principles permeate the logic of durable design in siting, landscaping, management of services and detail design. The practice believes that longevity is more likely in a building that is well loved.
Durbach Block Jaggers Architects' work is recognised through publications and awards. Most recently, the practice was awarded the 2020 NSW Architecture Medallion, the Sir G. Stephenson Award for Commercial Architecture and the John Verge Award for Interior Architecture for Phoenix Central Park. The practice has also received the Robin Boyd Award three times for the best residential project in Australia, alongside State and National Architecture Awards across public, education, commercial, residential, heritage and urban design.
Recently awarded the 2026 Institute of Architects Gold Medal, Durbach Block Jaggers is recognised for its enduring design excellence and its leadership in sustainability, education, equity and community advocacy.
Brickworks is honoured to host the practice for this inDETAIL event, with director Neil Durbach joining us to share insights into their award winning work.
In 1998, the office of Durbach Block Architects was established, becoming Durbach Block Jaggers in 2011. Led by Neil Durbach, Camilla Block and David Jaggers, all have worked together for over twenty-five years. Collaborating seamlessly across all stages of their projects, the practice is defined by a highly engaged, hands-on approach. The directors move fluidly across roles to respond to project needs, working at every scale from broad site strategies through to fine-grain detailing.
With a studio of twelve, DBJ is dedicated to making beautiful buildings together with their clients. The practice has experience in projects that have complex client groups and needs, including working with existing buildings and within sensitive or highly visible contexts, including heritage environments, approached in a respectful and poetic manner.
Environmentally sustainable design principles permeate the logic of durable design in siting, landscaping, management of services and detail design. The practice believes that longevity is more likely in a building that is well loved.
Durbach Block Jaggers Architects' work is recognised through publications and awards. Most recently, the practice was awarded the 2020 NSW Architecture Medallion, the Sir G. Stephenson Award for Commercial Architecture and the John Verge Award for Interior Architecture for Phoenix Central Park. The practice has also received the Robin Boyd Award three times for the best residential project in Australia, alongside State and National Architecture Awards across public, education, commercial, residential, heritage and urban design.
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Neil Durbach graduated from the University of Cape Town in 1978 and established his Sydney practice after winning the national competition for the Royal Australian Institute of Architects headquarters at Tusculum in 1983. In 1998, the office of Durbach Block Architects was established.
Neil has worked as the principal design architect on all of the projects of Durbach Block. This includes Sussan Sportsgirl Headquarters in Melbourne (2009), Roslyn Street Kings Cross (2009), the Brickpit Ring, Homebush Bay (2005), House Holman (2005), House Pry (2005), Commonwealth Place, Canberra (2002), Sydney Amenities Buildings Homebush Bay (1999) and the Droga Apartment (1998).
Neil is an Adjunct Professor at the University of New South Wales and has taught, lectured, exhibited, judged awards and been published both nationally and internationally. In 2008, Neil co-curated the Australian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale. Neil, alongside Camilla Block and David Jaggers, is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects.
Neil Durbach graduated from the University of Cape Town in 1978 and established his Sydney practice after winning the national competition for the Royal Australian Institute of Architects headquarters at Tusculum in 1983. In 1998, the office of Durbach Block Architects was established.
Neil has worked as the principal design architect on all of the projects of Durbach Block. This includes Sussan Sportsgirl Headquarters in Melbourne (2009), Roslyn Street Kings Cross (2009), the Brickpit Ring, Homebush Bay (2005), House Holman (2005), House Pry (2005), Commonwealth Place, Canberra (2002), Sydney Amenities Buildings Homebush Bay (1999) and the Droga Apartment (1998).
Neil is an Adjunct Professor at the University of New South Wales and has taught, lectured, exhibited, judged awards and been published both nationally and internationally. In 2008, Neil co-curated the Australian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale. Neil, alongside Camilla Block and David Jaggers, is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects.
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Stephen Varady is an award winning, innovative and respected Australian architect, writer competition advisor and educator. He has designed projects in Australia and overseas, and run some of the most successful architecture competitions in Australia.
Stephen is an architecture writer, photographer and advocate for design excellence, with his writings published extensively in Australia and overseas. Stephen’s projects have also been published in Australia and overseas and included in exhibitions in Berlin in 2007 and the Venice Architecture Biennale in 2008. Stephen has received a number of RAIA awards, the Dulux Colour Award Grand Prix and the Belle House of the Year Award. He was also Creative Director for the 2006 RAIA National Architecture Conference.
Stephen has been an inspiring and enthusiastic lecturer and tutor in architecture, interior design and professional practice since 1985 in architecture and design schools at Sydney University, University of New South Wales, University of Technology Sydney, University of Newcastle and RMIT, and has lectured extensively around the world. Stephen has also been the curator of the Australian and International Brickworks Architecture Speaker Series since 2015.
Stephen Varady is an award winning, innovative and respected Australian architect, writer competition advisor and educator. He has designed projects in Australia and overseas, and run some of the most successful architecture competitions in Australia.
Stephen is an architecture writer, photographer and advocate for design excellence, with his writings published extensively in Australia and overseas. Stephen’s projects have also been published in Australia and overseas and included in exhibitions in Berlin in 2007 and the Venice Architecture Biennale in 2008. Stephen has received a number of RAIA awards, the Dulux Colour Award Grand Prix and the Belle House of the Year Award. He was also Creative Director for the 2006 RAIA National Architecture Conference.
Stephen has been an inspiring and enthusiastic lecturer and tutor in architecture, interior design and professional practice since 1985 in architecture and design schools at Sydney University, University of New South Wales, University of Technology Sydney, University of Newcastle and RMIT, and has lectured extensively around the world. Stephen has also been the curator of the Australian and International Brickworks Architecture Speaker Series since 2015.
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