26 students join the Summer School alumni

On Saturday 9 February, 26 students and graduates of architecture met to start the 20th annual Architecture Student Summer School in Pittwater, around 40km north of the Sydney CBD. As Rick Leplastrier tells it, the Summer School grew out of the iconic Murcutt Masterclass - an immersive residential program focused on architects. After a few years, Rick and Peter asked themselves; “are we forgetting our own students?”

In the 20 years since asking that question, more than 500 alumni have benefited from a similar immersive residential program led by two of Australia’s gold winning architects, along with noted landscape architect Craig Burton and more recently, design tutor Karen Lambert and architect Fernanda Cabral.

It’s also good to know there can be firsts - even after two decades. A thumping great Sydney thunderstorm hit while Craig Burton was leading the traditional bush walk on the first day; leaving everyone with a greater sense of immersion than originally planned.

During the course of the week, students are introduced to methods of observation and drawing to better understand site and place. Next, in groups, and supported by evening lectures, students tackle a design brief located somewhere on the site. 

This year, it was a meeting place for informal discussions, project work, private meetings including community groups. The room must have a basin, and any response should respect the heritage listing of the site. Within this brief exists a possibility of relocating existing bathing facilities to a wonderful location.

On Friday 14 February, groups presented to a panel of Rick, Peter, Fernanda and Karen.

The final day is back to architecture made real, with the chance for   tours of recent works by Peter Stutchbury Architecture, before a final lunch.

This proud tradition of bringing students and recent graduates together continues, and another circle of peers, friends and alumni is added to an international cohort that now numbers more than 70 countries.

Applications for 2026 will open in October 2025.