What is an architect, really? | Timothy Hill

Timothy Hill is the director of architecture studio Partners Hill. In 2025, he was awarded the Australian Institute of Architects Gold Medal in recognition of his exemplary architectural work, as well as his broader contributions to the profession through education, discourse and advocacy.

In this episode of Design Speaks Weekly, Katelin Butler, editorial director at Architecture Media, sits down with Timothy as the national Gold Medal tour gets underway. He reflects on the current state of architectural process and explains his use of the term “little ‘a’ architect” – a term he finds useful when advocating for architecture’s purpose and value.

Further reading:

2025 National Prizes: Gold Medal
https://architectureau.com/articles/2025-national-prizes-gold-medal/

A generative practice
https://architectureau.com/articles/a-generative-practice/

‘Oh my god, it’s not that you’re cynical at all. It’s just that you’re analytic.’
https://architectureau.com/articles/oh-my-god-its-not-that-youre-cynical-at-all-its-just-that-youre-analytic/

On the urbane and analogical lessons of Timothy Hill
https://architectureau.com/articles/on-the-urbane-and-analogical-lessons-of-timothy-hill/#:~:text=Timothy%20Hill's%20architectural%20imagination%20is,a%20commission%20and%20a%20composition.

Living in the plan
https://architectureau.com/articles/living-in-the-plan/

What makes the difference?
https://architectureau.com/articles/what-makes-the-difference/

2025 Gold Medal tour with Timothy Hill
https://architectureau.com/calendar/tour/2025-gold-medal-tour-with-timothy-hill/  

Magical sequencing: Daylesford Longhouse
https://architectureau.com/articles/daylesford-longhouse/

Architectural archeology: Install House
https://architectureau.com/articles/install-house/

Revisited: State Library of Queensland
https://architectureau.com/articles/revisited-state-library-of-queensland/

Revisited: HH House by Donovan Hill, 1993
https://architectureau.com/articles/hh-house-by-donovan-hill/