In 1998, I received my first award in the Open Category (Practitioners) at the Cavalier Bremworth Awards, now known as the AAA Awards. Judged by Melbourne architect Tom Kovac, alongside Patrick Clifford and Amanda Hyde de Kretser, the award recognised A Packing Crate for a Lighthouse, a project that explored proportion, perception and the duality of architecture from day to night.

The project investigated how a simple form could take on a different presence as light changed, shifting the reading of the building between its daytime solidity and its nocturnal character. It was an early exploration of the relationship between form, light and architectural expression, and a significant milestone in my development as an architect.

Looking back, this first recognition in the practitioners' category remains an important moment in my architectural journey, affirming the value of exploring ideas beyond the immediate demands of a conventional building brief.