Godsell’s designs, both built and unbuilt, demonstrate a commitment to experimentation, and his ability to “shift from timeless form to playful contraption” gives his buildings a performative aspect that is admired across the globe, says Philip Goad.
Sean Godsell occupies a special place in Australian architecture. He is known as a loner, as a holder of a torch for an architecture of rigorous principles, and as a champion of the idea of the architect as a special form of artist – one with the ability to connect the practical making of buildings with the poetic making of poignant dialogues with both the city and the wider Australian landscape. Across a career spanning more than 25 years, Godsell has been relentless, some might even say unforgiving, in his dedication to this goal. Yet it is this unwavering commitment – demonstrated by a series of buildings executed with lean precision and striking visual acuity – that has earned international respect and drawn global attention to his work. The award of the 2022 Australian Institute of Architects Gold Medal to Godsell is thus recognition of a small and fine body of work and of
