 Early commissions were mainly in the fields of education, health and ecclesiastical architecture, and throughout his career Ian Ferrier designed some 25 churches and chapels, as well as the cathedrals of Cairns, Darwin and Port Moresby.Ian Ferrier also played an active role in the affairs of his profession, and in 1980 became National President of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects.He was awarded the Board of Architects of Queensland inaugural Architect of the Year award in 1995, and retired from practice in 1996.