Sarah Rees

Sarah Rees is a Palawa woman from the Trawlwoolway people of north-east Tasmania and a Lecturer in the Department of Architecture at Monash University. She holds an MPhil in Architecture and Urban Design from the University of Cambridge (Charlie Perkins Scholarship recipient). Her practice and research focus on Indigenising the built environment, particularly improving collaborative engagement processes between built environment practitioners and Indigenous communities. She is an Associate at Jackson Clements Burrows Architects (JCBA) and serves as Lead Indigenous Advisor there. Rees is also a Director of Parlour: Women, Equity, Architecture and Co-Chair of the Australian Institute of Architects First Nations Advisory Working Group.

Her research emphasizes culturally responsive design, Indigenous housing, and protocols for working with Traditional Owners. Key roles include membership in the Victorian Design Review Panel and curation of the BLAKitecture series for MPavilion. Rees has practiced in Melbourne and London, notably with Will Alsop’s aLL Design, before returning to JCBA. Her current role at Monash combines practice-based research with teaching, supported by a partnership with JCBA.

Education:

• MPhil in Architecture and Urban Design, University of Cambridge (Charlie Perkins Scholarship)

Awards:

• 2023 President’s Prize
• 2022 Victorian Architecture Awards Commendation
• 2022 Australian Interior Design Awards Shortlist

Advisory Roles:

• Victorian Design Review Panel, Office of the Victorian Government Architect
• Co-Chair, Australian Institute of Architects First Nations Advisory Working Group
• Director, Parlour: Women, Equity, Architecture

Her work spans architectural design, advocacy, and community engagement, with a focus on embedding Indigenous knowledge systems into architectural practice and policy.