Shaun Carter

Faculty Award of Excellence: Design, Architecture and Building

Shaun Carter’s love of design and architecture started at a young age when he would join his mother on walks around their Sydney suburb and listen to her describe the houses she liked. When they got home, he got to work drawing their dream family home. But he really became enthralled by design at age 10 when he first saw the fiercely contemporary Sirius Building while driving over the Sydney Harbour Bridge with his grandfather. It was then he knew he wanted to be an architect. Years later he became Chair of the SaveOurSirius campaign to preserve this iconic piece of brutalist architecture that inspired him all those years ago. 

But architecture wasn’t Shaun’s initial career path. After being persuaded by his high school guidance counsellor to forget about his passion, he pursued a Bachelor of Engineering in Structural Engineering at UTS. He went on to work in the construction industry for many years. Yet his passion for design remained. 

He later returned to UTS for a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture in 2003 and furthered his study with a Bachelor of Design in Architecture, graduating with 1st class honours in 2005. He was awarded the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) NSW Chapter's Emerging Architecture Award.

The founding and principal architect of the award-winning CarterWilliamson design practice, Shaun’s subsequent career success has been acknowledged with a Life Fellowship of the AIA. He was the NSW President of the organisation and an AIA National Councillor from 2015-17 and an NSW Architects Registration Board member from 2017-19.

Shaun’s background in structural engineering and passion for urban design, heritage and sustainability combine to create the unique insight he brings to his own practice, as well as teaching and industry body roles. He has generously shared his experience with his industry peers and emerging designers over the years through many public lectures, including two notable TEDx talks. He has also tutored Design, Structures and Construction at UTS, University of Sydney and the University of NSW. 

By striving for design excellence, Shaun believes architecture should make our lives better and provide both the client and the community with maximum benefit for years to come.