Timothy Hill, director of architecture studio Partners Hill, has been recognized with the prestigious Australian Institute of Architects Gold Medal in 2025 for his outstanding architectural achievements and significant contributions to the profession through education, public discourse, and advocacy. The award acknowledges not only his exemplary design work but also his broader impact on architectural education and professional development.
As part of the national Gold Medal tour, Hill recently participated in an episode of Design Speaks Weekly, where he engaged in a comprehensive discussion with Katelin Butler, editorial director at Architecture Media. During this conversation, Hill offered his perspectives on the current state of architectural processes and introduced his concept of the "little a architect," while exploring ways to more clearly define the evolving role of architects in contemporary practice.
One of the most striking observations Hill shared during the interview concerns the paradoxical relationship between technological advancement and efficiency in architecture. Despite the remarkable progress in digital tools and software capabilities, he argues that the architectural profession hasn't necessarily become more efficient or streamlined. This contradiction highlights a fundamental challenge facing modern architectural practice.
Hill pointed out that while architects now use QWERTY keyboards to create drawings, replacing traditional drafting methods, much of the essential knowledge required for building construction still relies heavily on two-dimensional drawings and representations. He emphasized that this isn't a romantic notion about traditional methods, but rather a practical reality that continues to shape how buildings are designed and constructed.
"I'm not speaking romantically," Hill explained during the conversation. "It's just that, for all the 3D-ness of things, you need to know the measurements – and the measurements are forever going to be in two dimensions. So here we are, madly drawing in 3D, but the drawings are still for building contracts. So, um why are we drawing in 3D again?" This observation reveals a deeper question about whether current technological approaches are truly serving the fundamental needs of architectural practice.
Hill's commentary suggests that despite the industry's enthusiasm for three-dimensional modeling and advanced visualization tools, the core requirements of construction documentation and contractual communication remain rooted in traditional two-dimensional representation. This disconnect between cutting-edge technology and practical application raises important questions about how the profession should approach digital tools and workflow optimization.
The Design Speaks Weekly podcast, which features Hill's insights, is presented through a partnership with the Australian Institute of Architects and receives support from Lysaght. The program delivers fresh episodes every Tuesday, making them accessible to audiences through major podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Pocket Casts. This widespread availability ensures that Hill's thoughtful commentary on architectural practice can reach a broad audience of professionals, students, and design enthusiasts interested in the future direction of the field.
