Peter Tonkin
Role:
PHD Architecture and Design, RMIT.
B.Arch (Hons 1) USYD.
B.Sc (Arch) (Hons 1) USYD.
Nominated Architect NSW Architect Registration Number 4147.
Life Fellow, Australian Institute of Architects.
Adjunct Professor of Architecture, University of Canberra, 2010/16.
Adjunct Professor of Architecture, University of Queensland, 2003/13.
Acting Chairman, Historic Houses Trust of NSW, 2010.
Trustee, Historic Houses Trust of NSW 2006- 2015.
Historic Houses Trust Exhibitions Committee 2000-2015. Member ICOMOS Australia.
Rouse Hill Town Centre Design Review Panel. Accredited Greenstar Professional.
Dr Peter Tonkin is a founding director of Tonkin Zulaikha Greer and one of Australia’s most awarded architects. His work spans small to large scale, regional to civic, multi-faceted public projects, urban planning and adaptive reuse to educational facilities and collaborative art installations. Peter embeds environmental and social sustainability into all that he does, and has volunteered work to successful affordable housing schemes, carried out complex urban projects such as the multi-award-winning Walsh Bay Arts Precinct and designed iconic structures such as the Lighting Towers for Sydney’s 2000 Olympic Games. Recent projects such as the revitalisation of Art Gallery of NSW and the refurbishment of UNSW Roundhouse demonstrate his critical insight to the revival of the buildings that define our city’s contemporary life and aesthetic, and so preserving our built heritage.
Peter’s commitment to public art allows him to blend architecture and art, seen in collaborative works such as the Australian War Memorial sculpture in London, created with artist Janet Laurence; and the transformation of the heritage-listed former power station into the Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, which incorporates major pieces by Robyn Backen and Judy Watson.
Through urban design and planning, Peter works to combat the lack of public space in our cities – reimagining unused infrastructure and addressing density by incorporating visionary places and vital community resources that empower people. Exemplary projects include Bondi Pavilion Restoration and Conservation Project, Riverbank Bridge Adelaide, and the National Arboretum Canberra, which won ten major awards, including the Sir John Overall Award for Urban Design. After running his own practice since 1981, he joined Brian Zulaikha in 1987 to form Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects. He is an Accredited Greenstar Professional, a former Trustee of the Historic Houses Trust of NSW and gives regular CPD talks at the Australian Institute of Architects and at universities Australia wide.
Awards
Public Engagements
Canberra ACT
2023
Sydney NSW
2023
Paddington NSW
2018
Sydney NSW
2018
Redfern NSW
2016
Canberra ACT
2015
Darlinghurst NSW
2014
Marlborough NZ
2013
Redfern NSW
2012
Canberra ACT
2011
Darlinghurst NSW
2010
Marlborough NZ
2009
Redfern NSW
2008
Canberra ACT
2007
Darlinghurst NSW
2006
Marlborough NZ
2005
Redfern NSW
2004
Canberra ACT
2003
Darlinghurst NSW
2002
Marlborough NZ
2001
Major Projects
Circular Quay Renewal
Circular Quay, Sydney
2023
St Luke’s Grammar School Senior Campus
Dee Why, NSW
2023
Sydney Park Brick Kilns
Alexandria, NSW
2023
Bondi Pavilion
Bondi NSW
2022
Walsh Bay Arts Precinct
Sydney, NSW
2023
Sydney Olympic Stadia Precinct
Sydney Olympic Park
2023
Art Gallery of NSW Library and Members Lounge
Sydney, NSW
2023
Parliament of NSW Rum Hospital Restoration
Sydney, NSW
2024
Minarah College
Green Valley, NSW
2022
Botany Road Corridor Masterplan
Botany Road, NSW
2020
The Athenaeum
North Sydney, NSW
2017
UNSW Roundhouse
Kensington, NSW
2017
Bondi Picnic Shelters
Bondi, NSW
2016
Bayanami Public School
Parramatta, NSW
2015
Australian War Memorial, Wellington
Wellington, New Zealand
2015
Glebe Town Hall
Glebe, NSW
2013
Eternity Playhouse
Darlinghurst, NSW
2013
Adelaide Riverbank Pedestrian Bridge
Adelaide, SA
2012
Victoria Square Tarndanyangga
Adelaide, SA
2009
The National Arboretum, Canberra
Canberra, ACT
2013
Port Arthur Separate Prison
Port Arthur, TAS
2005
Tenterfield School of Arts
Tenterfield, NSW
2004
Reserve Bank of Australia
Sydney, NSW
2004
Australian War Memorial London
London, England
2003
Craigieburn Bypass
Hume Freeway, VIC
2002
Lilyfield House
Lilyfield, NSW
2001
Killcare House
Killcare, NSW
2000
Olympic Plaza Lighting Towers
Homebush Bay, NSW
1999
Sydney Customs House
Circular Quay, NSW
1999
Bayview House
Bayview, NSW
1996
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Canberra, ACT
1993
Liverpool Powerhouse
Casula, NSW
2008
Vietnam War Memorial
Canberra, ACT
1990
Overseas Passenger Terminal
Circular Quay, NSW
1987