Principal Rebecca Moore awarded Life Fellowship by Australian Institute of Architects

Architectus Principal and Health sector leader Rebecca Moore has been awarded the prestigious honour of a Life Fellowship from the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA). The award recognises Moore’s significant contribution to the field of architecture beyond practice. 

The AIA paid tribute to Moore as a “highly-experienced architect with recognised leadership in the design of complex health facilities alongside expertise in a broad range of building typologies”.  

“Rebecca has consistently championed the advancement of women in architecture both within practice but also in the broader construction industry with her involvement in the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC).” 

A practicing architect for 26 years, Moore said the honour provided a nice moment for reflection in a profession she finds challenging and exciting.  

“I love the process of architecture,” she said. “It’s a fantastic thing we do every day – balancing the creative, with the political and the financial. We constantly dance between vision and reality, carefully crafting design with current politics and the weight of cost –  an ever-changing game of balance and innovation.” 

Moore has been instrumental in the design and delivery of large and complex health projects such as the Victorian Heart Hospital, Mater South Brisbane Master Plan, and Toowoomba Hospital Master Plan. 

She was made a director of Conrad Gargett in 2003, before becoming a Principal at Architectus Conrad Gargett after the practices merged in 2023.  

“The two years since the merger have been full of unbelievable success and growth for our Health team,” said Moore of securing an incredible roster of projects including the new Women’s and Babies Hospital in Perth, the new Coomera Hospital on the Gold Coast, the new Melton Hospital in Melbourne and the new Whangarei Hospital in New Zealand. 

She described hospital projects as long, complex and rewarding.  

“I’m always humbled when I finally getting to walk through the final result,” said Moore. “It’s not about what it looks like, it’s about creating places where people want to heal and to work. That’s what I love about what I do.” 

Joining the ranks of fellow Architectus Principals Ruth Wilson and Laura Cockburn, who were elevated to Life Fellows in 2024, Moore emphasised the importance of role models in a field historically dominated by men.  

“You always know that you’re paving the path for others to come through,” she said, noting her own luck in identifying a very early role model. 

“My Mother was a draftsperson – when I started technical drawing class in grade eight, she gave me her drafting set and that was it: I was following in her footsteps.” 

Our practice is the beneficiary of Rebecca’s leadership, having consulted across a range of boards, juries and fellowships for the last two decades, she has helped shape the industry she is passionately a part of.