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TAS Emerging Architect Prize Tour with Dr Kali Marnane
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TAS Emerging Architect Prize Tour with Dr Kali Marnane

Wednesday 04 March 2026
Arrive: 5.30pm for a 6.00pm start
Conclude: 8.00pm
Venue: Tas Chapter, 1/19a Hunter Street, Hobart

Join us as this year as we hear from the 2025 National Prize recipient, Dr Kali Marnane and the local 2025 Tasmanian Chapter Prize recipients, Liz Walsh and Alex Nielsen.

About Dr Kali Marnane

As a strategic advisor, educator and researcher, Dr Kali Marnane exemplifies an architectural career that is both broad in scope and deeply impactful. Her work shows how architectural leadership can transcend individual projects to shape collective outcomes.

Early in her career, Kali volunteered in the slums of Ahmedabad, India – an experience that inspired her PhD research into spaces that support vulnerable women and children. This perspective continues to inform her work, from her appointment as associate lecturer at the University of Queensland to her current position as associate director at Urbis, where she champions the role of architectural expertise in shaping policy, planning and strategy.

Kali keeps people and communities at the heart of her vision. She works closely with Indigenous communities, youth and women, embedding their voices into culturally responsive policy frameworks. Her leadership is grounded in service, marked by empathy, attentive listening and a dedication to lifting others.

As a former EmAGN Queensland co-chair, active community volunteer and convenor for Parlour Lab, Kali has forged meaningful connections between research, practice and people. She offers a powerful example of an alternate architectural path – where strategic vision and human empathy are mobilised to create lasting impact.
For this, Dr Kali Marnane is a deserving recipient of the 2025 National Emerging Architect Prize.


Prize Jury members:
Adam Haddow FRAIA
(Chair) Australian Institute of Architects National President

Jennifer McMaster FRAIA
2024 National Emerging Architect Prize Winner

Callum Senjov RAIA
2025 EmAGN National President

About Liz Walsh and Alex Nielsen

Liz Walsh and Alex Nielsen exemplify the extraordinary impact that thoughtful, principled architectural practice can have, regardless of scale. Their collaborative approach has rapidly established them as formidable presences in Tasmanian architecture through meticulous attention to detail, conceptual rigor and a profound commitment to place.

Their portfolio, though modest in square meters, has garnered remarkable recognition, including an Australian Institute of Architects’ Tasmanian Architecture Medal, two Triennial Prizes, and multiple national awards. Their work demonstrates how small footprints can yield outsized spatial and cultural contributions, particularly evident in projects like Harriet's House, #TheBarnTAS, and #TheBaeTAS

Walsh and Nielsen have made significant contributions to research and education, working closely with the University of Tasmania School of Architecture to develop Heritage Studios that interrogate adaptive reuse as a tool for sustainable cultural relevance. Their commitment to knowledge-sharing extends through sessional teaching, critique sessions, and mentorship of emerging practitioners, fostering critical discourse that enriches Tasmania's architectural community

Prior to establishing their own practice, Walsh and Nielsen honed their expertise in significant Tasmanian firms; Walsh as Principal and Design Lead at Cumulus Studio and Nielsen as Senior Associate at Circa Morris-Nunn Chua Architects. In these roles, they contributed to award-winning commercial, tourism, and public projects across Tasmania while simultaneously developing their distinctive design approach through small-scale interventions that maximise spatial and experiential impact with minimal resources.

Their recognition in prestigious national and international publications reflects how their thoughtful, values-driven approach resonates far beyond Tasmania's borders. Walsh and Nielsen demonstrate that architectural excellence and innovation need not be measured in scale but in cultural contribution, material sensitivity, and the creation of spaces that genuinely enrich human experience.

Prize Jury members:

Daniel Lane, RAIA
Tasmanian Chapter President

Keith Westbrook, RAIA
2024 Tasmanian Emerging Architect

Kate Shepherd, RAIA
EmAGN Tasmania Co-Chair

Details

Date: Wednesday 04 March 2026
Time: 5.30pm for a 6.00pm start, concluding 8.00pm
Location: Tasmanian Chapter Office, 1/19a Hunter Street, Hobart TAS

Price:
Institute Members: Complimentary
Non-Members / general admission: $20.00

Partner

BlueScope is the exclusive partner of The Emerging Architects Prize Tour.

Refunds and cancellations

Please refer to our terms and conditions for information about refunds and cancellations. By registering for this event you are agreeing to these terms.
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