Richard Leplastrier

Richard Denis Leplastrier (born 1939, Melbourne, Australia) is an Australian architect and AIA Gold Medal recipient. He was a Professor of Practice (Architecture) at the University of Newcastle, Australia.

After graduation from Sydney University School of Architecture, Design and Planning in 1963, he worked in the Sydney office of Jørn Utzon from 1964 to 1966 assisting with documentation of the Sydney Opera House. He later studied at Kyoto University under Tomoya Masuda and worked in the office of Kenzo Tange in Tokyo. Leplastrier established his own practice in 1970 and works from his studio in Sydney's Lovett Bay. He teaches master classes for beginning and established architects with his colleagues Glenn Murcutt and Peter Stutchbury.

He has contributed several unique and thoughtful ideas during preservation and development discussions around Sydney’s Pittwater area. During the 1980s he raised the idea of resurrecting the creekline natural corridor which leads from Avalon Beach through Elba Lane up through Toongari and Nandina reserves and down past Avalon sailing club, linking the sea to the bay. He has strong opinions regarding the re-development and re-commercialization of the Pasadena wharf the point of embarkation for commuters to Western Pittwater, submitting the 'lePlastrier plan' to the debate.

Selected works

 * 1974–1976: Palm Garden House, Bilgola Beach, Sydney
 * 1981–1984 and 1989–1990: Bellingen House and Studio, Bellingen, New South Wales
 * 1988–1991: Rainforest House, Mapleton, Queensland
 * 1988–1992: Tom Uren House, Balmain, Sydney
 * 1994: Lovett Bay House, Sydney
 * 1996: Cloudy Bay Retreat, Bruny Island, Tasmania
 * 1997: Watsons Bay House, Sydney
 * 1997–1998 and 2000: Blue Mountains House and Studio, Leura, New South Wales
 * 2002: Design Centre Tasmania, Launceston, Tasmania, (with David Travalia)

Architecture Awards
In 1996 he received the New South Wales Royal Australian Institute of Architects 'Special Jury Award'. He was awarded the Royal Australian Institute of Architects Gold Medal in 1999. In 2004 he was awarded the Spirit Of Nature Wood Architecture Award, presented in Finland. In 2009, he was awarded the Dreyer Foundation Prize of Honour 2009 for his commitment to sustainability.

Honours
On 13 June 2011 he was made an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to architecture, particularly through the application of environmentally sensitive design, and as an educator and mentor.

Legacy
At the 2020 NSW Chapter AIA Architecture Awards the Palm Garden House at Bilgola Beach was presented the New South Wales Enduring Architecture Award. Later in 2020 at the national awards the Palm Garden House was awarded the National Award for Enduring Architecture by the Australian Institute of Architects.