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Kerry Hill
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Kerry Hill
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William Kerry Hill AO[1] (19 June 1943 – 26 August 2018) was a Singapore-based, Australian architect who specialised in hotel design in tropical Asia. His works were known for their features of steeply pitched pavilion roofs, shaded walkways, and an abundance of water features, affectionately dubbed the "Kerry Hill touch".[2]

Key Information

He has been widely named as an influential figure in refining tropical modernist architecture[3] and defining the Bali architectural style for his works on numerous hotels on the island.[4] Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa, whom he had a personal friendship with, influenced his early works "by understanding and embracing the architectural traditions of the East".[5]

Early life and career

[edit]

Hill was born in Perth, Western Australia on 19 June 1943, the same year his father died in the Battle of Britain. Hill grew up in northwestern Australia, and spent his teens travelling around the country, ultimately influencing his decision to become an architect.[1] He studied architecture at Perth Technical College before later transferring to the University of Western Australia; he graduated from the latter in 1968, being amongst the first architecture students to graduate from the school. As a student, he worked for Perth's Kierath and Waldron Architects, known for their clinker brick houses.[6] Between 1969 and 1971, Hill worked for the Perth-based Howlett & Bailey architecture practice, on projects including the building of the Perth Concert Hall.[7]

Career

[edit]
The Lalu, Taiwan (2002)

Hill subsequently left Australia in 1971 to work at Hong Kong-based practice Palmer & Turner, marking the start of Hill's decades-long career in Asia. His position at Palmer & Turner would later send him to Bali, Indonesia to work on the construction of Peter Muller's Bali Hyatt in Sanur.[8][9] He would spend the next seven years with Palmer & Turner in Indonesia moving between Jakarta and Bali; from 1974 to 1978 he managed Palmer & Turner's Jakarta branch office.[7]

In 1979, Hill moved to Singapore to established his own architectural practice, Kerry Hill Architects, where he would eventually acquire permanent residency and remain for the remainder of his life.[2] His practice was commenced with many commissions from Indonesian hotelier Adrian Zecha,[10][11] designing the Amanusa and Serai hotels in Bali; along with the designs of Zecha's Chedi, Beaufort Sentosa, and Datai hotels in Bandung, Singapore, and Langkawi, respectively, among others.[6] In particular the Datai hotel in Langkawi cemented Hill's reputation in his reverence for a place's setting and culture. His design for the resort, which was completed in 1994, has been said to counter contemporary approaches, having built rooms within the land's rainforest whilst ensuring minimal construction impact on the setting's environment.[12]

In 2013, Hill released a 440-page book entitled Crafting Modernism, detailing his approach and numerous projects over the years.[8] Hill later lectured architecture at various universities, including the National University of Singapore, the University of Hawaii, the University of Western Australia and the University of Queensland, among other places.[2] His work has been exhibited in Perth.

Style

[edit]

Hill has been praised for his region-sensitive approach that accounts for a locale's site and climate, providing a modern interpretation over a traditional setting.[9] His style has been widely described to exude the traditions and cultures in which his projects are set, incorporating and adapting local materials and construction practices into his designs.[13][14] His works have been said to have sought traditional designs as a reference in his modernist buildings through association and suggestion.[15] Richard Hassell of Singapore's WOHA spoke of Hill saying, "His design amplifies what it means to be in a particular place, what sets that place apart”.[12] In a 2014 interview with Dezeen, Hill attributes his approach on the features of his designs to contextual sensitivities, ensuring that each project is uniquely drawn according to the needs of their settings. He further added his distaste for the cookie-cutter approach, or "plonk-architecture" as he called it, making references to Frank Gehry and his trademark style.[16]

Awards and recognition

[edit]

In 1995 he was awarded the Kenneth F. Brown Asia Pacific Culture and Architecture Design Award, in 2001 the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, in 2003 the RAIA Robin Boyd Award for the Ogilvie House, and in 2006 the Royal Australian Institute of Architects Gold Medal. In 2010, he received the President's Design Award, awarded by then-President of Singapore, S. R. Nathan. He was appointed as a recipient of the Order of Australia in 2012 for his services in architecture and for being an ambassador of Australian design in South-east Asia.[4][8] In the same year, he won the award for Best Housing Design at the World Architecture Festival, for his design of the Martin No. 38 residential project in Singapore.[16] His work has been published in A+U (Japan); Architectural Digest (Germany); Architectural Review, Wallpaper, World Architecture (UK), Architecture Australia, Monument (Australia); Indian Architect & Builder, Singapore Architect, and Space (Singapore).

Death and legacy

[edit]

Hill died aged 75 in his Singapore home on August 26, 2018, after a battle with cancer.[17] His death prompted many tributes, including among them from Richard Kirk, then president of the Australian Institute of Architects;[18] he credited Hill's work to have defined the region's tropical modernist style and named Hill one of Australia's most renowned architects.[16] His approach and style has influenced the styles of WOHA's Wong Mun Summ and Richard Hassell,[15] Ernesto Bedmar of Bedmar and Shi, Richard Ho, Cheong Yew Kuan;[5] the latter most of whom had been a student of Hill's.[19]

Notable projects

[edit]
State Theatre Centre of Western Australia
City of Perth Library
  • Darwin Centre, Darwin, Australia (1986)
  • Sukhothai Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand (1991)
  • Amanusa Hotel, Bali, Indonesia (1992)
  • The Chedi Hotel, Bandung, Indonesia (1994)
  • The Serai Hotel, Bali, Indonesia (1994)
  • The Datai Hotel, Langkawi, Malaysia (1994)
  • Singapore Cricket Association Pavilion, Singapore (1999)
  • The Lalu Hotel, Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan (2002)
  • Ogilvie House, Sunshine Beach, Queensland, Australia (2002)
  • ITC Sonar, Kolkata, India (2003)
  • The Chedi Hotel, Chiang Mai, Thailand (2003)
  • Amankora, Bhutan (2007)
  • State Theatre Centre of Western Australia, Perth, Australia (2010)
  • City of Perth Library, Perth, Australia (2014)
  • Aman Tokyo (2015)
  • COMO The Treasury Hotel, Perth, Australia (2015)
  • RAH FALHU, Maldives (2018)
  • Aman Kyoto (2019)
  • One and Only Desaru, Malaysia (2020)
  • The Conlay, Malaysia (2025)

References

[edit]

General references

[edit]

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Kerry Hill

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
William Kerry Hill AO (19 June 1943 – 26 August 2018) was an Australian architect based in , widely acclaimed for his sophisticated designs of luxury resorts and hotels across , where he masterfully blended modernist principles with local cultural contexts, natural materials, and environmental sensitivity to create serene, site-specific structures. Born in Perth, , Hill graduated from the Perth Institute of Technology and the in 1968 with a degree in . He commenced his professional career at Howlett & Bailey in Perth from 1969 to 1971, then advanced to Palmer & Turner in (1972–1974) and subsequently in (1974–1978), gaining extensive experience in Asian contexts during this period. In 1979, he established Kerry Hill Architects in , which became the firm's headquarters and a hub for his prolific output; a second studio opened in , , in 1995 to support international projects. Hill's portfolio is distinguished by over four decades of work, including nine collaborations with the group, such as the minimalist Aman Tokyo (2014) in , the culturally attuned Amankora lodges in (2004–2007), and the heritage-infused Amanyangyun near (2018). Other landmark projects encompass the Como The Treasury hotel in Perth (2015), which revitalized historic buildings, and the City of Perth Library (2016), a public space emphasizing natural light and community integration. His approach prioritized the interplay of light and shadow, minimalist forms, and the incorporation of indigenous materials like stone and timber, ensuring designs that respected regional traditions while advancing contemporary tropical architecture. Throughout his career, Hill garnered international recognition, including the for The Datai resort in , (2001), the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (2006), and the Singapore President's Design Award (2010). He was also awarded the RAIA Robin Boyd Award in 2003 for the Ogilvie House and posthumously received the Singapore Institute of Architects in 2023 for his enduring influence. In 2012, his Martin No. 38 in won a World Festival award in the housing category. Hill was appointed an Officer of the (AO) for his distinguished service to architecture and design. He died on 26 August 2018 in at the age of 75, leaving a legacy of thoughtful, place-responsive buildings that continue to shape luxury hospitality and beyond.

Early life and education

Upbringing in Australia

William Kerry Hill was born on 19 June 1943 in Perth, . His father died that same year while serving in during the , leaving his mother—who maintained connections to a family —to raise him alone in a modest household oriented toward outdoor life. Hill's childhood in Perth unfolded amid the expansive n landscapes and the post- building boom, which introduced modernist architectural forms to the city. He attended Wesley College from 1956 to 1960, boarding during his final three years, and took art classes at the Old Perth Boys High School, fostering an early creative inclination. Daily life included enjoying films, playing , and visiting local coffee shops such as Zimple’s Arcade and Shiralee, alongside his passion for , which emphasized the region's active, nature-connected upbringing. Exposure to emerging structures like Perth's during this period, combined with influences from place and travel, ignited his interest in .

Architectural training

Kerry Hill began his architectural education in the 1960s at Perth Technical College, where he focused on foundational skills in drafting and basic principles, laying the groundwork for his technical proficiency. This initial training emphasized practical techniques essential for and conceptualization, preparing students for more advanced academic study. In 1966, Hill transferred to the newly established Faculty of Architecture at the as part of its inaugural intake, completing a three-year program in a close-knit cohort of 16 students. He graduated in 1968 with a degree, during which he explored projects that integrated regional climate considerations, such as a 1967 proposal for a Broome shopping centre that mediated tropical conditions through traditional forms. His university studies were shaped by influential professors including Gordon Stephenson, who steered the faculty's development, and staff like Peter Middleton and John White, who promoted modernist principles adapted to Western Australia's environmental context. During his architectural studies, Hill gained practical experience at Perth firms, starting with Kierath and Waldron Architects, where he contributed to local projects such as additions to the Redemptorist Monastery using off-form concrete and . Following graduation, he joined Howlett & Bailey Architects from 1969 to 1971, working on significant civic works like the Perth Concert Hall and encountering the firm's emphasis on clear planning and modernist clarity under mentor Jeffrey Howlett. These roles provided hands-on exposure to residential and public building adaptations in Perth's suburban landscape, honing his ability to balance with regional sensitivities.

Professional career

Move to Asia and firm founding

In 1971, following his architectural training in Australia, Kerry Hill relocated to Hong Kong to join the prominent firm Palmer and Turner, marking the beginning of his immersion in Asian architecture. This move was prompted by professional opportunities abroad, as Hill sought to expand beyond the suburban focus of Perth-based practices. Shortly after arriving, he was assigned as resident site architect in for the construction of the Bali Hyatt hotel, providing early exposure to tropical design principles and the region's cultural landscapes from 1971 to 1974. From 1974 to 1978, Hill managed Palmer and Turner's office in , where he gained further experience in Southeast Asian contexts amid rapid and diverse project demands. In 1979, he relocated to , drawn by the burgeoning hotel development sector in the region, which offered fertile ground for innovative . There, he founded Kerry Hill Architects as a solo practice, initially operating on a small scale with an emphasis on and select commissions. Early in his independent career, Hill faced challenges adapting his Australian training—rooted in temperate climates and structured planning—to the humid, monsoon-influenced environments of , as well as to varying client expectations shaped by local customs. These hurdles required him to respond to the "cultural differences and mysteries of ," fostering a more intuitive approach distinct from his Western education. Despite these obstacles, the firm's modest beginnings laid the foundation for its growth into a regionally influential studio.

Key collaborations and commissions

Kerry Hill's architectural practice initiated a pivotal long-term collaboration with in 1992, commencing with the Amanusa resort in and evolving into designs for nine properties across Asia, including sites in , , and . This partnership, rooted in shared commitments to contextual luxury and , became a cornerstone of the firm's reputation in high-end hospitality. The firm also developed key partnerships with developers such as E&O Properties, collaborating on upscale residential and mixed-use projects in , exemplified by the Conlay development in launched in the late . These alliances extended to governmental entities in and , where Kerry Hill Architects secured commissions for public infrastructure and cultural facilities, including the State Theatre Centre of , a major state government initiative completed in 2012. In the , the practice undertook commissions for high-profile clients in . Building on its founding in in 1979 as a platform for regional expansion, the practice grew significantly, opening a second studio in , , in 2006 to better serve Australian commissions and increasing its team to more than 50 staff by the to manage an expanding international workload.

Architectural style

Design principles

Kerry Hill's architectural philosophy centered on tropical modernism, a style that seamlessly integrates the clean lines and functionalism of international with the traditions and environmental responses of tropical regions. This approach sought to create buildings that were both universally modern and deeply rooted in local contexts, emphasizing and climatic adaptation over imported aesthetics. At the core of Hill's design tenets were simplicity, functionality, and harmony with the surrounding environment, principles that rejected superfluous ornamentation in favor of disciplined and experiential clarity. He advocated for that prioritized , ventilation, and spatial sequences to foster a sensory engagement, drawing from modernist ideals while ensuring forms responded to the demands of humid, high-light tropical settings. These elements formed a rigorous framework where every decision served practical needs and environmental integration, promoting a minimalist ethos that enhanced rather than overwhelmed the site's inherent qualities. Hill was vocal in his critique of "plonk-architecture," a term he used to describe the indiscriminate transplantation of generic designs without regard for site or culture, such as deploying a signature style uniformly across diverse locations. Instead, he championed site-specific responses that respected local conditions, insisting that each project required a unique architectural language tailored to its place. This philosophy underscored his belief in architecture as a contextual dialogue, avoiding the pitfalls of homogenization in favor of authentic, place-bound innovation. Hill's principles were profoundly shaped by influences from , whose bold ideas and fidelity to concept informed his structural clarity. These foundations, refined through his early training, allowed Hill to evolve modernist tenets into a tropical that balanced global sophistication with regional responsiveness.

Contextual and material approaches

Kerry Hill's contextual approaches emphasized site-responsive techniques that harmonized buildings with their tropical environments, particularly through pavilion-style roofs, open plans, and strategic water features to optimize natural ventilation and climate control. Pavilion roofs, often steeply pitched and overhanging, provided shade and directed airflow, while open plans facilitated cross-ventilation across expansive interiors, reducing reliance on mechanical systems in humid conditions. Courtyards and reflecting pools were integrated to create evaporative cooling effects, channeling breezes and moderating temperatures, as seen in his emphasis on perforated volumes and colonnades adjacent to water spaces. In terms of materials, Hill prioritized locally sourced options such as , stone, , , and to minimize transportation emissions and environmental impact, while honoring regional craftsmanship traditions. These choices not only lowered the but also ensured durability against tropical weathering, with and offering natural resistance to and . Stone elements, often quarried on-site, grounded structures in their geological context, promoting a sense of permanence and reduced ecological disturbance. Hill's integration of ensured that buildings appeared to emerge organically from their sites, preserving existing , , and ecosystems rather than imposing upon them. Structures were elevated on or aligned with natural ridges and water bodies to maintain sightlines and , fostering a seamless between and nature. This approach extended to of landscapes, where site features like forests or lakes dictated form and orientation. Over his career, Hill's evolved from the minimalist precision of the , rooted in modernist and regionalism, to more pronounced sustainable adaptations in the , incorporating advanced strategies like enhanced natural airflow and material . Early works focused on clean lines and material authenticity, while later designs amplified eco-conscious elements, such as optimized shading and ventilation to achieve energy efficiency without compromising aesthetic restraint. This progression reflected a deepening commitment to in tropical contexts.

Notable projects

Luxury hotels and resorts

Kerry Hill's contributions to luxury hospitality are exemplified by his pioneering designs that harmonize modern minimalism with local contexts, particularly in tropical and urban settings. His approach emphasized sustainability, natural integration, and serene spatial experiences, influencing high-end resorts across . One of Hill's landmark projects is The Datai in , , completed in 1993. Nestled within a pristine , the features elevated walkways that minimize environmental impact while allowing guests to immerse in the surrounding canopy. Hill incorporated natural ventilation through open pavilions and strategic orientation to leverage prevailing breezes, reducing reliance on mechanical cooling and preserving the site's ecological balance. This design not only protected the Datai Bay coastline but also created a seamless blend of and , setting a standard for eco-sensitive luxury hospitality. In Bali, Indonesia, Amanusa, opened in 1992, showcases Hill's mastery of site-specific seclusion. Perched on a cliffside overlooking the Indian Ocean, the resort comprises pavilions constructed from local volcanic stone and timber, evoking Balinese temple aesthetics while ensuring privacy through terraced layouts and screened courtyards. Hill's use of indigenous materials and low-profile structures emphasized tranquility and cultural resonance, allowing the architecture to recede into the landscape rather than dominate it. This project marked an early collaboration with Aman Resorts, highlighting Hill's ability to adapt tropical modernism to volcanic terrains. Hill's urban sensibility is evident in Aman Tokyo, which opened in 2014 atop the Otemachi Tower. Amid 's dense high-rises, the design creates an oasis of calm through expansive, light-filled interiors inspired by traditional Japanese ryokan elements, including paper screens and motifs reinterpreted in minimalist forms. Spanning the top six floors, the 84 rooms and suites offer panoramic city views while maintaining serenity via layered spatial transitions and natural materials like oak and stone. This adaptation of Hill's contextual principles to a metropolitan context demonstrated his versatility in fostering introspective luxury within urban constraints. Among Hill's other notable resort designs is Alila Manggis in East , completed in 2001, which prioritizes fluid spatial flow and subtle cultural references. Overlooking the Badung Strait, the resort integrates open-air corridors and reflective pools that echo rice terrace geometries, promoting ventilation and views of . By employing local thatched roofs and , Hill achieved a dialogue between contemporary lines and Balinese heritage, enhancing guest immersion in the island's rhythms without overt ornamentation. More recently, The Conlay in , a mixed-use branded residences project completed by Kerry Hill Architects in late 2025, extends Hill's vision of serene, resort-inspired urban living into high-density contexts. Conceptualized before Hill's death in 2018 as his final Malaysian design, the 51-storey freehold development comprises 491 furnished units ranging from 635 to 1,335 square feet, emphasizing minimalist restraint with materials like stone, timber, and marble. Amenities such as a heated skyline pool, wellness gym, deck, and services draw from Hill's ethos, creating communal spaces that promote amid the city center. This project adapts his contextual material approaches—favoring natural textures and filtered light—for public-scale mixed-use, blending residential privacy with shared urban vitality near KLCC.

Public and cultural buildings

Kerry Hill's work in public and cultural extended his expertise in contextual to civic spaces, emphasizing communal functionality, urban integration, and environmental responsiveness. These projects demonstrate his ability to create versatile venues that foster public engagement while respecting local contexts, often incorporating natural elements and adaptable designs to enhance and . The State Theatre Centre of Western Australia in Perth, completed in 2011, exemplifies Hill's approach to compact urban sites within cultural precincts. Designed by Kerry Hill Architects after winning a 2005 international competition, the complex stacks a 575-seat arch theatre ( Theatre) vertically above a flexible studio (Studio Underground), optimizing the limited footprint and freeing the ground level for public use. This arrangement includes a landscaped open-air courtyard that serves as an additional performance space and public plaza, promoting permeability and framing views to adjacent cultural buildings like the brutalist Perth Concert Hall. The design features rectilinear volumes with overlapping geometry, a grand timber-clad staircase evoking historical theatrical grandeur, and elements such as bronze anodized fins and gold aluminum tubes for visual depth. Sustainability is achieved through flexible, multi-use spaces that support long-term adaptability, aligning with the building's role as a hub for the Black Swan State Theatre Company and Perth Theatre Company. The Library, opened in 2016, represents Hill's first major civic commission in his home city after decades abroad, blending institutional efficiency with inviting public realms. Commissioned in 2011 with a budget of approximately AUD 33 million, the five-level structure integrates exhibition spaces, multifunctional rooms, and specialized collections, connected by a prominent master staircase that encourages vertical circulation and social interaction. Community-oriented features include storytelling zones, digital resource areas, quiet reflective spaces, and a prominent that introduces biophilic elements to the urban core. Natural light permeates the interiors through strategic glazing and voids, enhancing readability and energy efficiency, while systems contribute to sustainable operations by reducing energy demands. The library's compact form activates Square, Perth's historic heart, fostering civic pride and daily gatherings.

Awards and honors

Pre-death accolades

One of Kerry Hill's most prestigious early recognitions was the in 2001, awarded for his design of The Datai hotel in , , which exemplified his sensitive integration of architecture with tropical landscapes. This accolade highlighted a career peak in resort design, where Hill's approach emphasized environmental harmony and cultural context, influencing subsequent projects in . In 2003, he was joint winner of the RAIA Robin Boyd Award for Residential Buildings for the Ogilvie House in Sunshine Beach, Queensland. In 2006, Hill received the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA) Gold Medal, Australia's highest honor for lifetime achievement in architecture, recognizing his exemplary contributions to high-quality built environments across Asia. The award underscored his evolution from Australian roots to a leading figure in tropical modernism, with the jury praising his consistent delivery of innovative, site-responsive designs. In 2010, Hill received the Singapore President's Design Award for his exceptional contributions to architecture, particularly in blending modernist principles with regional contexts. Hill was appointed an Officer of the (AO) in 2012 for distinguished service to architecture, particularly as an ambassador for Australian design in the region. This national honor marked a culmination of his international impact, affirming his role in elevating Australian architectural practice on a global stage through collaborations on luxury resorts and cultural buildings. Throughout the 1990s and 2010s, Hill's firm garnered numerous awards from the Singapore Institute of Architects (SIA), reflecting the excellence of his project-specific innovations. Notable examples include the SIA Architectural Design Award for Building of the Year in 2012 for Martin No. 38, a residential development in that reimagined industrial aesthetics in a tropical urban context and which also won the World Architecture Festival award in the housing category that year, and in 2017 for Amanemu, a Japanese where his use of light and materiality earned top honors for commercial architecture. These SIA recognitions, among others for , tied directly to Hill's career peaks in blending with regional sensitivities during his active years in .

Posthumous recognition

Kerry Hill died on 26 August 2018 in Singapore from cancer at the age of 75. In 2023, Hill was posthumously awarded the Singapore Institute of Architects (SIA) Gold Medal, shared jointly with Raymond Woo, recognizing his outstanding contributions to architecture in Singapore through contextually sensitive designs that integrated modern principles with local contexts. Hill's influence has endured through scholarly publications and commemorative events. The 2013 monograph Kerry Hill: Crafting Modernism, edited by Oscar Riera Ojeda with essays by Geoffrey London, Paul Finch, and Erwin Viray, remains a seminal reference on his approach to tropical modernism, documenting over 30 years of his firm's projects and emphasizing his philosophy of site-specific simplicity. Various tributes appeared in architectural media, highlighting his legacy in hospitality and cultural design. Memorial activities included exhibitions celebrating his work, such as the 2019 display at Amanyangyun in , one of his designed resorts, which showcased artifacts and drawings to honor his innovative relocation of ancient Chinese structures.

Legacy

Influence on tropical

Kerry Hill's architectural practice profoundly inspired emerging firms in , particularly , co-founded by Wong Mun Summ and Richard Hassell after their formative years working at Kerry Hill Architects in the early 1990s. Wong and Hassell have acknowledged Hill's contextual sensitivity as a key influence, noting how it informed their own strategies for merging modernist restraint with tropical environmental demands and cultural nuances, thereby extending Hill's vision of regionally attuned design. Through guest lectures and professorships at institutions including the (NUS) and the (UWA), Hill advanced theoretical discourse on tropical by championing regionalism over homogenized . In these presentations, such as his 2016 Utzon Lecture at UWA titled "Footprints," he promoted adapting international modernist idioms to local climates and traditions, arguing for a "reciprocal influence" between Western principles and Eastern building practices to foster authentic, site-responsive architecture rather than imported styles. Hill's emphasis on sustainable, climate-adaptive design left a lasting imprint on post-2010 eco-hotel developments across , where his techniques for , indigenous material use, and biophilic integration became benchmarks for minimizing environmental impact in luxury hospitality. This influence is evident in the proliferation of resorts prioritizing natural ventilation and landscape harmony, echoing Hill's pioneering application of these elements in projects like The Datai in . Critiques and interviews featuring Hill, including his 2017 discussion with Dezeen at the AHEAD Asia awards, have fueled ongoing debates on cultural authenticity within tropical modernism. There, Hill critiqued "plonk architecture"—the indiscriminate deployment of iconic styles—and advocated for designs deeply embedded in local contexts, reinforcing his role in elevating discussions on genuine regional expression over superficial global trends.

Continuation through the firm

Kerry Hill Architects has sustained its operations following the founder's death in 2018, maintaining design studios in and , , to oversee projects across and beyond. The firm upholds Hill's emphasis on contextual sensitivity and material authenticity in contemporary commissions, integrating sustainable principles into urban developments that respect local climates and cultures. Among post-2018 projects, the Walyalup Civic Centre in , completed in 2021, serves as a multifunctional public hub within the revitalized Kings Square precinct. This 8,000-square-meter facility houses council chambers, a , and community spaces, enveloped by a perforated metallic screen that filters light and views while promoting transparency and inclusivity for the Wadjuk people and broader community. The design earned a National Award for Public from the Australian Institute of Architects in 2022, highlighting the firm's continued excellence in civic architecture. The Conlay residential tower in Kuala Lumpur's city center represents another key undertaking, with construction topping out in 2024 and completion in early 2025. Rising 51 stories, the project embodies Hill's tropical modernism through its rotating form that optimizes city views, natural ventilation, and integration with the urban fabric, offering luxury residences that prioritize serenity amid high-density surroundings. Through these and other sustainable urban initiatives, Kerry Hill Architects has expanded its international profile, securing commissions that perpetuate the practice's reputation for precise, site-responsive design.

References

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  52. https://www.jakartajive.com/2019/09/paying-tribute-to-the-late-kerry-hil/
  53. https://pda.designsingapore.org/outreach/2018/a-tribute-to-dr-kerry-hill/
  54. https://www.world-architects.com/en/architecture-news/insight/buildings-as-machines-for-air-movement
  55. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_n5n_ev-E5E
  56. https://www.trulyclassy.com/hotels-resorts-asia-nature-inspired-architecture/
  57. https://architectureau.com/organisations/kerry-hill-architects/
  58. https://architectureau.com/articles/walyalup-civic-centre/
  59. https://www.fremantle.wa.gov.au/services-and-support/city-facilities/walyalup-civic-centre/
  60. https://www.architecture.com.au/awards/2022-national-awards/winners
  61. https://www.klpropertytalk.com/2024/12/the-conlay-tops-out-with-expected-completion-by-1q2025/
  62. https://kanto.ph/spaces/kerry-hill-architects-dar-and-wagh/
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