Isabelle Toland graduated from the University of Sydney with Honours in 2004. In 2013 she founded Aileen Sage Architects in Sydney with Amelia Holliday. The practice has received numerous awards including the Australian Institute of Architects 2016 Adrian Ashton Prize for Architectural Culture and Literature, 2018 NSW Emerging Architects Prize, and various small project, public, heritage and sustainability awards including the 2024 NSW National Trust Heritage Award for Architecture.
Isabelle’s project experience ranges vastly in scale and location, from remote communities to densely urban contexts, and from new builds to adaptive reuse. In all scenarios, Isabelle consistently champions projects that prioritise custodianship, cultural narratives and inclusive design. Often working collaboratively with artists, academics, and directly with communities, Isabelle actively strives to amplify underrepresented voices, ensuring that design serves as a bridge for connection, storytelling, and long-term stewardship of place.
