Category: breaking news

NEAT houses take out the competition in Canberra

Four bold and progressive ideas for alternative housing options in Canberra have been unanimously selected as the winners of the New Experimental Architectural Typologies (NEAT) competition.

The collaborative competition – a joint venture between the Australian Institute of Architects, Land Development Agency, Environment and Planning Directorate, and Defence Housing Australia – invited entrants to come up with viable concepts for innovative and compact dwellings suitable for the nation’s capital in the 21st Century while also challenging current planning rules.

Simon Corbell, Minister for the Environment and Minister for Capital Metro, presented the first prize to Melinda Dodson for her submission, Hi House – a scheme offering vertically organised flexible housing that can be adapted over time with elevated external spaces that can service both private and communal possibilities.

‘This is an intelligent and sophisticated look at higher density in Canberra; an approach which questions prevailing attitudes while providing a sensitive and thoughtful alternative,’ the jury noted.

Rob Henry was awarded second prize for his proposal which challenged various Territory planning standards by submerging private open space into sunken courtyards and living areas below ground to maximise green spaces over dwellings – supporting the notion of the ‘bush capital’.

Third prize was awarded to Alison Nobbs for FAMILY house and fourth prize was taken home by Kieran McInerney for N.E.A.T STREET.

The prize pool included individual international travel grants worth up to $10,000 and the opportunity for entrants’ submissions to be considered for implementation through the ACT Community Services Directorate and Defence Housing Australia.

Ideas generated through the competition may now provide a tangible basis for the ACT Planning Authority to consider in the drafting of future planning regulations.

The jury, consisting of Alan Morschel, David Sutherland, Alix Kaucz, Kristi Jorgensen and Hoa Luu, shortlisted 11 projects from a total of 61 submissions, with finalists being exhibited as part of Design Canberra from 20 – 23 November.

It’s architecture for the people at the 2014 National Architecture Awards

Community-oriented projects have dominated the Australian Institute of Architects’ 2014 National Architecture Awards, announced Thursday 6 November at a ceremony hosted by Myf Warhurst at the Darwin Convention Centre.

Projects honoured include a housing project with an emphasis on communal spaces, a mental health facility with a welcoming domestic feel, a primary school that provides a sanctuary for the culturally diverse local population and a pro bono surf club that celebrates the coastal features and protects an adjacent fairy penguin habitat.

In 2014, a total of 43 awards and commendations were given to 36 projects across the 12 national categories. The jury selected the winners, with each state and territory represented, from the 153 eligible projects that progressed from the Architecture Awards held by each chapter earlier in the year.

The jury, led by Immediate Past President Paul Berkemeier, was particularly impressed with the volume and calibre of public buildings in this year’s crop.

‘It is encouraging that so many projects embodied best practice with informed clients, effective procurement methods, appropriate funding models and intelligent architecture. This provides us with great optimism for the future of our public spaces – an area that has so often delivered dispiriting outcomes,’ Jury Chair Paul Berkemeier said.

UQ Advanced Engineering Building by Richard Kirk Architect HASSELL Joint Venture, took out the Public Architecture category winning the coveted Sir Zelman Cowen Award in addition to the Emil Sodersten Award for Interior Architecture and an Award for Sustainable Architecture – making it the most awarded project of the night.

‘The architects have taken an extremely complex program – including teaching spaces, a 500-seat auditorium, laboratories, research facilities and office spaces – and resolved a building that is not only exciting to inhabit, but also a delightful space to occupy,’ the jury said.

For the first time the Residential – Houses category was divided into two: new builds, and alterations and additions. House at Hanging Rock by Kerstin Thompson – ‘a house nestled into a steep slope and seamlessly integrating stringent bushfire requirements’ – secured the Robin Boyd Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (New). The inaugural Australian Institute of Architects Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions) was presented to WA practice Philip Stejskal Architecture for Bellevue Terrace Alterations + Additions.

Breathe Architecture received two Named Awards for its Melbourne project The Commons: the Frederick Romberg Award for Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing and the David Oppenheim Award for Sustainable Architecture.

Another big winner on the night was the Prince Alfred Park + Pool Upgrade by Neeson Murcutt Architects in association with City of Sydney, which was presented with the Walter Burley Griffin Award for Urban Design and an Award for Public Architecture. ‘This is a beautifully resolved urban project that skilfully integrates architecture, landscape and urban design, bringing vibrancy and new life to the city,’ the jury noted.

A beautifully designed boatshed and surf lifesaving club for the local community of Bicheno on the east coast of Tasmania by Birrelli art + design + architecture emerged as the clear winner of the Nicholas Murcutt Award for Small Project Architecture.

Reflecting on his jury experience, Paul Berkemeier commented ‘the number of new faces and emerging practitioners that we met, as well as the large number of women architects was a source of optimism. It was also wonderful to see so many clients who were thrilled by what their projects have delivered.’

Winners image gallery.

Client and jury videos of Named Award winners.

Commercial Architecture

The Harry Seidler Award for Commercial Architecture

• White Bay Cruise Terminal – Johnson Pilton Walker (NSW)

National Awards for Commercial Architecture

• 8 Chifley Square – Lippmann Partnership/Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners (NSW) • Bread in Common – spaceagency (WA)

National Commendation for Commercial Architecture

• Prahran Hotel – Techne Architects (Vic)

Enduring Architecture

The National Enduring Architecture Award • CB Alexander College, Tocal – Ian McKay and Philip Cox, Architects in Association (NSW)

Heritage

The Lachlan Macquarie Award for Heritage

• Eternity Playhouse – Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects (NSW)

National Commendation for Heritage

• Former Police Station, 127-129 George Street, The Rocks – Welsh + Major Architects with Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority (NSW)

Interior Architecture

The Emil Sodersten Award for Interior Architecture

• UQ Advanced Engineering Building – Richard Kirk Architect HASSELL Joint Venture (Qld)

National Awards for Interior Architecture

• Bread in Common – spaceagency (WA)

• Garangula Gallery – Fender Katsalidis Mirams Architects (NSW)

• Hotel Hotel – March Studio (ACT) • Sustainable Industries Education Centre – MPH Architects + Architectus in association (SA)

International Architecture

The Jørn Utzon Award for International Architecture

• Stonehenge Exhibition + Visitor Centre – Denton Corker Marshall (United Kingdom)

Award for International Architecture

• Shelter@Rainforest – Marra + Yeh Architects (East Malaysia)

Public Architecture

The Sir Zelman Cowen Award for Public Architecture

• UQ Advanced Engineering Building – Richard Kirk Architect HASSELL Joint Venture (Qld)

National Awards for Public Architecture

• Australian PlantBank – BVN Donovan Hill (NSW)

• Dallas Brooks Community Primary School – McBride Charles Ryan (Vic)

• Dandenong Mental Health Facility – Bates Smart Whitefield McQueen Irwin Alsop Joint Venture (Vic)

• Prince Alfred Park + Pool Upgrade – Neeson Murcutt Architects in association with City of Sydney (NSW)

• UTAS Institute for Marine & Antarctic Studies – John Wardle Architects + Terroir, in Association (Tas)

National Commendations for Public Architecture

• North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club – Durbach Block Jaggers in association with Peter Colquhoun (NSW)

• South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute – Woods Bagot (SA)

Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions)

The Australian Institute of Architects Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions)

• Bellevue Terrace Alterations + Additions – Philip Stejskal Architecture (WA)

National Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions)

• West End Tower – Owen and Vokes and Peters (Qld)

National Commendation for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions)

• Strohmayr House – Troppo Architects (NT)

Residential Architecture – Houses (New)

The Robin Boyd Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (New)

• House at Hanging Rock – Kerstin Thompson Architects (Vic)

National Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (New)

• Oxlade Drive House – James Russell Architect (Qld)

National Commendations for Residential Architecture – Houses (New)

• Hover House – Bower Architecture (Vic) • Southern Outlet House – Philip M Dingemanse (Tas)

Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing

The Frederick Romberg Award for Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing

• The Commons – Breathe Architecture (Vic)

National Award for Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing

• UNSW Kensington Colleges – Bates Smart (NSW)

National Commendation for Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing

• Gantry – Bates Smart (NSW)

Small Project Architecture

The Nicholas Murcutt Award for Small Project Architecture

• Bicheno Surf Life Saving Club + Boathouse – Birrelli art + design + architecture (Tas)

National Awards for Small Project Architecture

• Balmain Apartment – Durbach Block Jaggers (NSW) • Kew Studio – Sean Godsell Architects (Vic)

National Commendation for Small Project Architecture

• Studio 217 – Amalie Wright & Richard Buchanan (Qld)

Sustainable Architecture

The David Oppenheim Award for Sustainable Architecture

• The Commons – Breathe Architecture (Vic)

National Awards for Sustainable Architecture

• Australian PlantBank – BVN Donovan Hill (NSW)

• The Wayside Chapel – environa studio (NSW)

• UQ Advanced Engineering Building – Richard Kirk Architect HASSELL Joint Venture (Qld)

Urban Design

The Walter Burley Griffin Award for Urban Design

• Prince Alfred Park + Pool Upgrade – Neeson Murcutt Architects in association with City of Sydney (NSW)

National Award for Urban Design

• GASP! Stage 02 – Room 11 (Tas)

COLORBOND® Award for Steel Architecture

The National COLORBOND® Award for Steel Architecture

• White Bay Cruise Terminal – Johnson Pilton Walker (NSW)

 

2014 Jury Paul Berkemeier – Immediate Past President, Australian Institute of Architects and Principal, Paul Berkemeier Architects (Jury Chair) Clare Cousins – Director, Clare Cousins Architects Justin Hill – Director, Kerry Hill Architects Virginia Kerridge – Principal, Virginia Kerridge Architect Lindy Johnson – Director, Lindy Johnson (Lay Juror)

Queensland home gets popular vote

A consummate Brisbane home is the winner of the People’s Choice Award, part of the Australian Institute of Architects’ 2014 National Architecture Awards.

Oxlade Drive House by James Russell Architect was selected by voters from the 13 houses shortlisted in the National Awards’ Residential Architecture categories.

The simple, practical design appealed to voters for its indoor/outdoor layout and its clever response to local insect life – a full shade cloth screen encasing the courtyard spaces, allowing views out and only light in.

Oxlade Drive House_James Russell Architect_Images-Toby Scott
Oxlade Drive House by James Russell Architect. Images: Toby Scott.

In awarding Oxlade Drive House at the Queensland Architecture Awards earlier in the year, the state jury noted it was ‘an intelligent, appropriate reinterpretation of the possibilities of inner city living. A robust and unexpected series of devices and palette of materials engage the senses and heighten the connection between the inside and out. A provocative, poetic but practical outcome, testament to James’s discourse of living in the sub-tropics’.

More than 4000 votes were received for the inaugural People’s Choice Award, which provided the public with an opportunity to engage with the National Awards and the work of Australian architects.

Voters also had the opportunity to give the reasons for their selection (in 25 words or less) for a chance to win some great prizes including a Dulux Colour Consultancy and Paint Package.

Winners of the prizes will be announced in the coming weeks, with entries spanning the 13 projects and many emphasising their appreciation of the value of good design in the home.

The winners of the National Awards will be announced at a ceremony in Darwin on Thursday 6 November.

Sydney Architecture Festival brings unbuilt architecture projects to life through virtual reality exhibition

‘Augmented Australia’ exhibition premieres in Australia following inaugural presentation at Venice Biennale

Australia’s exhibition from the 2014 Venice Architecture Biennale will be premiered in Australia as part of the 2014 Sydney Architecture Festival, which runs from 1 until 10 November 2014. Augmented Australia 1914 – 2014 is a virtual exhibition launching on 31 October – on the eve of the Festival – presented free of charge until 15 December 2014 at Customs House in Sydney and also experienced by downloading a free smartphone app.

Augmented Australia 1914-2014 by felix._Giles_Anderson+Goad, pushes the boundaries between architecture and technology, taking visitors on a virtual journey of 22 of Australia’s most intriguing unrealised architecture projects.

Augmented Australia showcases 11 historical and 11 contemporary projects from around the country designed over the past one hundred years that, for various reasons, were never built. Australia’s new pavilion in Venice by Denton Corker Marshall, currently under construction, also features in the unique exhibition.

Virtual 3D models, images, voiceovers and animations, activated by the specially designed Augmented Australia App, will bring the projects to life giving visitors a unique insight into the projects that could have been.

Visitors will be able to visit the free exhibition at Customs House and at selected sites around Sydney and Parramatta throughout the course of the exhibition. Customs House will feature trigger images of each project while real-world scale 3D models will be geographically positioned around the city and at Parramatta.

Varying in scale and typology, the projects include an alternative vision for Sydney Opera House and a Roman Catholic pilgrimage site in Western Australia.

Through the Augmented Australia App, which is free to download on common handheld devices, visitors will be able to experience these buildings as they were intended to be, including the spectacular 60 metre high ceilings and stained glass windows of Nervi’s unbuilt cathedral or sail through the in the centre of Harry Seidler’s 1952 design of the Melbourne Olympic Stadium in Sydney Harbour.

Philip Goad, a member of the curatorial team, and John Andrews, exhibition participant and architecture stalwart, will open the exhibition at a free evening event at Customs House on Thursday 30 October (RSVP essential to venice.biennale@architecture.com.au).

The exhibition has been curated for Sydney by locals Maja Brkic and Gianfranco Furlan and is exclusively sponsored by Austral Bricks.

Download the AugAusAustralia smartphone app from  iTunes  or Google Play.

For more information on Augmented Australia: architecture.com.au/venicebiennale
For more information on the Sydney Architecture Festival: sydneyarchitecturefestival.org

Melbourne Architecture Annual – a festival of architecture and the city

The Australian Institute of Architects, in partnership with Federation Square, presents a week-long celebration of Melbourne and its built environment from 27 October.

Melbourne Architecture Annual (MAA) features a host of free and ticketed events located around Federation Square and inner Melbourne designed for children, adults, architecture aficionados and locals alike.

Now in its fifth year, MAA is dedicated to engaging the public to create open discussions about architecture, city building and sustainable communities. Events in this year’s festival are also part of Melbourne Knowledge Week, presented by City of Melbourne.

Highlights from the 2014 program include:

Gold Medal Talk – The Gold Medal is the Institute’s highest honour. 2014 recipients Phil Harris and Adrian Welke, co-founders of Troppo, will give insight into their successful career and share their thoughts on the current state of architecture in Australia.

Victorian Architecture Awards: Exhibition of Winners – A free exhibition showcasing the best of the best of Victoria’s architecture as judged in the 2014 Victorian Architecture Awards. Visitors can also vote for their favourite public project in the inaugural People’s Choice Trophy.

Open Studio Walking Tour – A behind the scenes tour of some of Melbourne’s most prominent studios. Witness innovation as it happens!

Raising the Green Bar: How can Melbourne learn from nature? – Join a cross-disciplinary panel of experts as they discuss what Melbourne can learn from nature in creating a sustainable and generous city. One of a trilogy of biomimicry themed events during MAA.

World Architecture Day – A Friday evening event celebrating all things architecture and the announcement of the People’s Choice Trophy.

Ask an Architect – Visitors can sign up for a free consultation with an experienced architect to discuss ideas, questions, sketches or budget to help them on the path to creating their dream home.

Our Houses: conversations between architects and their clients – Two award-winning Melbourne architects and their clients tell the stories of how they worked together to create dream homes.

For the full event guide and details visit wp.architecture.com.au/melbournearchitecture

Former National President named in top 100 Women of Influence

The Australian Institute of Architects congratulates Past President, Shelley Penn LFRAIA (2012/3), on being announced a winner in The Australian Financial Review and Westpac 100 Women of Influence Awards for 2014.

Shelley Penn has been recognised in the Public Policy category for her work in advocating for the architecture profession and design quality in the public realm.

‘Shelley has been an outstanding representative for the architecture profession, not only through her involvement with the Institute as a National Councillor and National President, but also through significant commitments around the country during her 20 years of practice.

‘She has been a member of the Architects Registration Board of Victoria, Victoria’s first Associate Government Architect, Chair of the National Capital Authority, Deputy Chair of the Heritage Council of Victoria and Principal of her own small practice for 21 years, to name just a few of her accomplishments,’ National President, David Karotkin said.

Now in its third year, the 100 Women of Influence Awards celebrate women from a variety of sectors across Australia. There are ten categories: Board/Management, Public Policy, Young Leader, Social Enterprise and Not-for-profit, Philanthropy, Global Influence, Innovation, Local/Regional Community, Diversity and Business Enterprise. Entrants into the awards were assessed by a panel of esteemed judges and have been recognised based on their outstanding ability to demonstrate vision, leadership, innovation and action in and beyond their fields.

All 100 winners will be celebrated at a gala event on Wednesday 22 October in Sydney where the ten category winners and overall winner for the year will be announced.

For more information on The Australian Financial Review and Westpac 100 Women of Influence Awards, please visit www.100womenofinfluence.com.au

Vote for Australia’s best house and win with the People’s Choice Award

The Australian Institute of Architects has launched its inaugural People’s Choice Award in conjunction with the 2014 National Architecture Awards.

Featuring the 13 incredible houses shortlisted by the National Jury across Residential Architecture – Houses New and Alterations and Additions, the People’s Choice Award invites the public to engage with the National Awards and the work of Australian architects.

Voting closes midnight, Wednesday 29 October and the winner will be announced on Friday 31 October.

Voters have the opportunity to register and tell us in 25 words or less which house they voted for and why they love it to go in the draw to win some great prizes including a Colour Consultancy and Paint Package from official supporter of the People’s Choice Award, Dulux, to help them achieve their dream home.

The winners of the National Architecture Awards as chosen by the National Jury will be revealed at a special ceremony in Darwin on Thursday 6 November.

Projects in the running for the People’s Choice Award:

Bellevue Terrace Alterations + Additions – Philip Stejskal Architecture (WA)
Griffith House – Popov Bass Architects (NSW)
Highgate Hill House – Twofold Studio & Cox Rayner Architects (Qld)
House at Hanging Rock – Kerstin Thompson Architects (Vic)
Hover House – Bower Architecture (Vic)
K House – Chenchow Little (NSW)
Lune de Sang – Stone House – CHROFI (NSW)
Oxlade Drive House – James Russell Architect (Qld)
South Yarra Warehouse – NMBW Architecture Studio (Vic)
Southern Outlet House – Philip M Dingemanse (Tas)
Strohmayr House – Troppo Architects (NT)
Tamarama Semi-D – David Langston-Jones (NSW)
West End Tower – Owen and Vokes and Peters (Qld)

Access to the People’s Choice Award is available via the homepage of architecture.com.au or wp.architecture.com.au/news-media/peoples-choice-award

Jury announces shortlist for the 2014 National Architecture Awards

The Australian Institute of Architects’ National Jury has revealed their shortlist for the 2014 National Architecture Awards with winners to be announced on 6 November in Darwin.

61 projects were selected by the jury to progress to the final stage of judging, with many projects in the running across multiple categories. See accompanying release for the full list of shortlisted projects.

153 projects were eligible for consideration by the National Jury after receiving awards at their respective chapter award ceremonies held around the country in June and July. Every state and territory is represented in the shortlist in addition to five international projects by Australian architects.

The Jury Chair, Immediate Past President, Paul Berkemeier, was impressed with the collaborative and generous nature of many of the projects entered in the awards program.

‘As a jury and as members of the profession, we were inspired by the number of projects that had informed clients working closely with the architects to achieve better outcomes. In many instances, this relationship allowed the project to go well and truly above and beyond the original brief,’ Mr Berkemeier said.

‘The process of selecting the shortlist was a challenging one, which the jury made with careful deliberation. The projects that were eligible were of outstanding quality and we believe the resulting shortlist represents the best of the best.

‘All eligible and shortlisted entrants should be very proud of the work they have achieved; their projects are invaluable in promoting the exceptional work of Australian architects both here and overseas.’

Paul Berkemeier was joined on the jury by Clare Cousins, Justin Hill, Virginia Kerridge and Lindy Johnson. The jury visited all shortlisted projects, except international works, during a two week tour.

This year, a total of 821 entries was received for the awards program across the 13 national categories.

The National Architecture Awards will be held at the Darwin Convention Centre on Thursday 6 November.

2014 National Architecture Awards – Jury Shortlist

Commercial Architecture (7)

8 Chifley Square – Lippmann Partnership/Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners (NSW)
55 Elizabeth Street – BVN Donovan Hill (Qld)
Bread in Common – spaceagency (WA)
Lune de Sang – Sheds – CHROFI (NSW)
Prahran Hotel – Techne Architects (Vic)
Toyota WA Head Office – Roxby Architects (WA)
White Bay Cruise Terminal – Johnson Pilton Walker (NSW)

Enduring Architecture (4)

Apostolic Nunciature – Enrico Taglietti (ACT)
CB Alexander College, Tocal – Ian McKay and Phillip Cox, Architects in Association (NSW)
McIntyre House – Peter McIntyre (Vic)
Troppoville – Troppo Architects (NT)

Heritage (4)

Bread in Common – spaceagency (WA)
Brisbane City Hall Restoration Project – Tanner Kibble Denton Architects and GHD Architects in Association (Qld)
Eternity Playhouse – Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects (NSW)
Former Police Station, 127-129 George Street, The Rocks – Welsh + Major Architects with Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority (NSW)

Interior Architecture (8)

Australian Taxation Office Elizabeth Street – HASSELL (Qld)
Bread in Common – spaceagency (WA)
Garangula Gallery – Fender Katsalidis Mirams Architects (NSW)
Hotel Hotel – March Studio (ACT)
South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute – Woods Bagot (SA)
Sustainable Industries Education Centre – MPH Architects + Architectus in association (SA)
UQ Advanced Engineering Building – Richard Kirk Architect HASSELL Joint Venture (Qld)
UTAS Institute for Marine & Antarctic Studies – John Wardle Architects + Terroir, in Association (Tas)

International Architecture (5)

ASB North Wharf – BVN Donovan Hill (New Zealand)
PARKROYAL on Pickering, Singapore – WOHA (Singapore)
Shelter@Rainforest – Marra + Yeh Architects (East Malaysia)
Stonehenge Exhibition + Visitor Centre – Denton Corker Marshall (United Kingdom)
The Sukhothai Residences – Kerry Hill Architects (Thailand)

Public Architecture (11)

Abedian School of Architecture – CRAB Studio (Qld)
Australian PlantBank – BVN Donovan Hill (NSW)
Dallas Brooks Community Primary School – McBride Charles Ryan (Vic)
Dandenong Mental Health Facility – Bates Smart Whitefield McQueen Irwin Alsop Joint Venture (Vic)
North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club – Durbach Block Jaggers in association with Peter Colquhoun (NSW)
OLMC Parramatta Janet Woods Building – Tzannes Associates (NSW)
Prince Alfred Park + Pool Upgrade – Neeson Murcutt Architects in association with City of Sydney (NSW)
South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute – Woods Bagot (SA)
UQ Advanced Engineering Building – Richard Kirk Architect HASSELL Joint Venture (Qld)
UQ Dayboro Vet – Owen and Vokes and Peters (Qld)
UTAS Institute for Marine & Antarctic Studies – John Wardle Architects + Terroir, in Association (Tas)

Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions) (7)

Bellevue Terrace Alterations + Additions – Philip Stejskal Architecture (WA)
Highgate Hill House – Twofold Studio & Cox Rayner Architects (Qld)
Lune de Sang – Stone House – CHROFI (NSW)
South Yarra Warehouse – NMBW Architecture Studio (Vic)
Strohmayr House – Troppo Architects (NT)
Tamarama Semi-D – David Langston-Jones (NSW)
West End Tower – Owen and Vokes and Peters (Qld)

Residential Architecture – Houses (New) (6)

Griffith House – Popov Bass Architects (NSW)
House at Hanging Rock – Kerstin Thompson Architects (Vic)
Hover House – Bower Architecture (Vic)
K House – Chenchow Little (NSW)
Oxlade Drive House – James Russell Architect (Qld)
Southern Outlet House – Philip M Dingemanse (Tas)

Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing (4)

Gantry – Bates Smart (NSW)
The Commons – Breathe Architecture (Vic)
University Hall – HASSELL (WA)
UNSW Kensington Colleges – Bates Smart (NSW)

Small Project Architecture (6)

Balmain Apartment – Durbach Block Jaggers (NSW)
Baroona Road Mixed Use Redevelopment – Shane Thompson Architects (Qld)
Bicheno Surf Life Saving Club + Boathouse – Birelli art + design + architecture (Tas)
Geelong Ring Road Rest Areas – BKK Architects (Vic)
Kew Studio – Sean Godsell Architects (Vic)
Studio 217 – Amalie Wright & Richard Buchanan (Qld)

Sustainable Architecture (7)

Australian PlantBank – BVN Donovan Hill (NSW)
South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute – Woods Bagot (SA)
The Commons – Breathe Architecture (Vic)
The Wayside Chapel – environa studio (NSW)
UQ Advanced Engineering Building – Richard Kirk Architect HASSELL Joint Venture (Qld)
UTAS Institute for Marine & Antarctic Studies – John Wardle Architects + Terroir, in Association (Tas)
White Bay Cruise Terminal – Johnson Pilton Walker (NSW)

Urban Design (5)

Box Hill Gardens Multipurpose Area – NMBW Architecture Studio + ASPECT Studios (Vic)
GASP! Stage 02 – Room 11 (Tas)
National Arboretum Canberra – Tonkin Zulaikha Greer and Taylor Cullity Lethlean (ACT)
Prince Alfred Park + Pool Upgrade – Neeson Murcutt Architects in association with City of Sydney (NSW)
UTAS Institute for Marine & Antarctic Studies – John Wardle Architects + Terroir, in Association (Tas)

COLORBOND® Award for Steel Architecture (5)

Kew Studio – Sean Godsell Architects (Vic)
South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute – Woods Bagot (SA)
Troppoville – Troppo Architects (NT)
UTAS Institute for Marine & Antarctic Studies – John Wardle Architects + Terroir, in Association (Tas)
Whitebay Cruise Terminal – Johnson Pilton Walker (NSW)

View the National Architecture Awards Image Gallery here.

New Australian Pavilion in Venice takes shape

The two-level concrete and steel frame that forms the structure of Australia’s new pavilion in the Venice Biennale precinct is now in place. At the end of next month, black granite panels will be installed as this, the first 21st century building in the historic Giardini della Biennale, begins to take shape.

“This is an important milestone for the project, and for Australian art and architecture generally,” said Australia Council Chair Rupert Myer AM. “Given that the Venice Biennale is considered one of the world’s premiere international arts events, it has always been a great privilege to be allocated a site for our national pavilion. Australia is one of only 29 countries to have one.

“Now that the new structure is in place, the simple beauty of Denton Corker Marshall’s design is coming into play. This is a building that will truly reflect Australia’s status and significance on the world arts stage,” Mr Myer said.

The pavilion presents as a black box with flexible panels that can be opened up or remain closed, as directed by exhibition needs.

When completed, the two-level structure will comprise an entrance foyer and exhibition gallery as well as back-ofhouse and storage areas. The gallery will be a neutral space with polished concrete floors and five metre high walls.

Describing the design concept, architect John Denton says, “Our idea is simply to create an object which sits confidently and powerfully within the historic Giardini landscape.

“As architects, we are always striving to add visual interest. In this instance, we have reorientated the main entrance of the pavilion so it is now facing the Rio del Giardini canal, offering a visible, high profile façade from a number of vantage points.”

The 330 metre square building is already attracting attention in Italy.

Alessandro Alessandri from SICOP, who is leading the joint venture for the construction of the pavilion, says, “We were surprised that Australia was given permission to build such a contemporary building in Venice. However, one must say that within the context of the Giardini della Biennale, which is a particular area of Venice dedicated to the world of art, the Australian Pavilion can be seen as a work of modern art. The pavilion is also the result of the evolution of technology in construction. There is nothing comparable on the island of Venice.”

The $7.5 million project has been funded primarily through donations from private benefactors, in addition to a contribution of $1 million from the Australian Government through the Australia Council.

“It was always an ambitious idea, to build a new building in an historic European city that is surrounded by water. But the realisation of this beautiful new pavilion, which will stand large and proud in this prestigious international environment, says a lot about our cultural ambition as a nation,” Mr Myer said.

“I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank Simon Mordant AM, Australian Commissioner for the 2013 and 2015 Venice Biennales, who has himself pledged a family donation of $2 million towards the project, and has worked tirelessly to make the building project come to fruition. The Australian Pavilion project is a great example of how the private and public sector can work together to achieve great cultural outcomes.”

 

Released by the Australia Council for the Arts

UIA declares commitment to phasing out CO2 emissions in built environment

The International Union of Architects (UIA) has unanimously adopted the 2050 Imperative, committing to environmental and social sustainability, as presented to the General Assembly by Australian Institute of Architects CEO, David Parken.

The historic declaration, presented on Friday 8 August at the UIA World Congress in Durban, recognises the urgency of the UIA and its member organisations in committing to a truly sustainable and equitable future.

‘Urban areas are responsible for over 70 per cent of global energy consumption and CO2 emissions, mostly from buildings, and over the next two decades an area roughly equal to 60 per cent of the world’s total building stock is projected to be built and rebuilt in urban areas.

‘This provides an unprecedented opportunity to reduce fossil fuel CO2 emissions by setting the global building sector on a path to phase out CO2 emissions by 2050,’ the declaration stated.

‘Our responsibility is to influence ethical and socially responsible development throughout the world: to plan and design sustainable, resilient, carbon-neutral and healthy built environments that protect and enhance natural resources and wildlife habitats, provide clean air and water, generate on-site renewable energy, and advance more livable buildings and communities.’

By adopting the 2050 Imperative, member organisations have committed to advocacy and promotion pertaining to planning and design of carbon neutral cities, towns, urban developments and new buildings; engaging in research and setting targets towards meeting the 2050 goal and developing and delivering equitable access to the information and tools to deliver these objectives.

The full declaration is available to view here.