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In their , the AIA jury noted Prof. Thalis’ excellence in design combined with his policy and advocacy for the built environment.

“His active promotion of the culture of architecture and city-making stands as a beacon and shows a rarely matched dedication to the public realm,” the jury noted. “Using architectural knowledge as an instrument of change and a force for good in our cities and suburbs, Thalis is a role model for the architect as a public intellectual.”

Advancing architecture as a service

Prof. Thalis has taught at the School of Built Environment at UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture since 2007, where he leads third year students in the ‘Urban Studio’ as part of the Bachelor of Architectural Studies. This year, his students will be challenged with designing a new urban library and public space project in Rosehill.

“With our students, we aim to develop disciplinary knowledge that isn’t simply within or limited to your experience but looks at the city across time, at multiple cities, not just in Australia, but internationally,” Prof Thalis said. “I’ve always combined teaching with practice, which is critical to enriching both spheres.

“For me, architecture must be a genuine service to society.”

Professor Philip Oldfield, Head of the School of Built Environment, congratulated Prof. Thalis on receiving the AIA Gold Medal and highlighted his dedication to his students. 

“Not only is Philip an accomplished architect and urbanist, with an innate knowledge of Sydney’s public realm, but he is also an inspiring and generous teacher to the next generation of architects,” said Prof. Oldfield. “Our students are incredibly lucky to learn from him each year.

“There is no greater advocate for the societal benefit of generous public architecture.”

Prof. Thalis’ work ranges from large-scale urban public spaces and civic buildings, heritage adaptation, to all scales of housing, especially affordable housing and apartment buildings. Some of the distinguished public projects the jury recognised for his restorative and connection-centric approach included the Linking City to the Lake and Campbell 5 in Canberra, and the Escarpment Boardwalk and Lennox Bridge, both on the Parramatta foreshore.

“My aspiration has always been to create a more informed culture of city-making and elevate the value of good architecture in a genuine, widespread, and environmentally conscious way,” Prof. Thalis said. “Architects have lacked a sufficient voice in society and city-making, as professionals we have vacated the field, allowing voluble self-interests to dominate. 

“We need to be much more engaged in the public debate and not just talking amongst ourselves.” 

Prof. Thalis maintains that architecture’s most significant duty is to serve the public interest. He says it’s essential to communicate with the public about the good and the bad of what is happening in our cities and courageously advocate for intergenerational and social equity.

“Australia is one of the wealthiest countries in the world, and Sydney is one of the wealthiest cities,” Prof. Thalis says. “In the environmental and equity crises we face in our cities, we can be doing much better, and we need to push our governments and public bodies to act with greater intelligence and urgency.

“Having also served as a Councillor on the City of Sydney, I’m quite happy to continue an outspoken role.

“The Gold Medal will only spur me to try harder.”