Philip Thalis is principal of Hill Thalis Architecture and Urban Projects, a practice recognized for its independent standpoint and design expertise across a range of project types and scales. Working equally for public and private clients, the practice has won more than 100 state and national awards, commendations and competition prizes for architectural, urban, public domain and heritage projects. Major competition winning projects include the Olympic Village – National Architecture Competition in 1992, and the East Darling Harbour International Competition in 2006. In 2009 Philip was awarded the AIA NSW Presidents Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Architectural Profession (jointly with Peter John Cantrill), and in 2019 was made a Life Fellow.
Philip actively promotes the culture of architecture and city making, combining practice with teaching, research, publication, lectures and architectural criticism. He has lectured extensively at all universities in NSW and ACT, with a particular focus on Sydney's architecture and urbanism, and the architecture of the city more generally. The substantial book Public Sydney; Drawing the City (co-authored with Peter John Cantrill) was published to acclaim. Philip served as an Independent Councillor on the City of Sydney between 2016 and 2021.
