Andrew Burges studied architecture at the University of Sydney, where he graduated with first class honours and the University Medal in 1992. As the recipient of the Frank Knox Fellowship to Harvard University, the Byera Hadley Travelling Scholarship, and the University of Sydney Hezlet Bequest, Andrew completed a Master of Architecture at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design, graduating with Distinction in 1996, including design studio Andrew has 25 years’ experience in architectural practice, including 15 years as principal of Andrew Burges Architects. Prior to forming his practice in 2001 Andrew worked in firms in Sydney, New York and Boston, developing expertise in large scale urban master planning and urban housing proposals, civic and sporting structures associated with the 2000 Sydney Olympics, and school campus planning. In his role as a design architect at Bruce James and Partners, Andrew was responsible for the winning entry of the Sydney Olympic Village Competition.

Andrew’s work in practice as principal of ABA has been published extensively and exhibited both locally and internationally, including the 2008 Venice Biennale, and the 2005 ‘Out From Under: Contemporary Australian Architecture Now’, exhibition in San Francisco, Seattle, Hong Kong and China. More recently ABA were the inaugural winner of the Think Brick Open Face competition 2011, shortlisted in the Australia House Competition in Japan, 2011, the winner of City of Sydney’s International Design Competition for the Gunyama Park Aquatic and Recreation Centre, and the winner of the Parramatta Aquatic Centre Design Excellence Competition (in association with Grimshaw).

In parallel to his work in practice Andrew has extensive experience in architectural education in both Australia and the United States. Andrew was an adjunct professor at Rhode Island School of Design between 1997-2000, has 15 years experience teaching graduation studios at University of Sydney and University of New South Wales, and has been a regular design critic at Harvard University, Columbia University, and Rhode Island School of Design in the US, as well as University of Sydney, University of New South Wales, and University of Technology, Sydney.

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.