Communities need schools, health care and transport – but what about housing?

The Australian Institute of Architects is pleased to see yesterday’s budget announcement includes spending on built infrastructure for health and education, as well as an undertaking to engage community on small projects, but asks ‘what about the housing for the people of NSW to live in?’

NSW Treasurer, The Hon. Mr Perrottet yesterday announced $6 billion over four years to build and upgrade 170 schools and $8 billion over four years to build and upgrade 40 hospitals. This funding is welcome, however, it needs to be rolled out in a considered way to ensure the best outcomes and value for money for the people of NSW.

‘Architects will lead the design of spaces for education and health that best support teachers, students, patients, health professionals and the public,’ said the Australian Institute of Architects’ NSW Chapter President, Mr Andrew Nimmo. ‘However, they need to work to a well-developed brief, with a shared commitment to design excellence and be supported by a fair procurement process that recognises both the real cost and value of design. That has not always been the case.’

In announcing the My Community Dividend, Mr Perrottet explained that: ‘Governments don’t always have the best solutions, particularly on smaller projects that make a difference to people’s lives.’ The Institute recognises the key role community plays in providing input for planning and projects, and our experience shows that ‘better places’ are achieved when architects are brought into a design-led process as collaborative partners.

‘Architects’ involvement helps ensure ideas and requirements arising from the community are developed into highly considered built forms that realise greatest community benefit and connect well with their broader context,’ explained Mr Nimmo. ‘We look forward to learning further about this initiative and receiving more detail with which to form a clearer view about how the initiative can be made to work most effectively for the people of NSW.’

The Institute is also pleased to note that the announcement of this program indicates a counterpoint to previous budgets, in which a greater emphasis has been placed on major infrastructure. ‘Strong communities are brought together and supported by quality design, which relies as much on the broader infrastructure as it does the local places in which people live, and the facilities they share.’

From schools and hospitals to housing and community amenities, development of our built environments needs to be responsive to climate change. It must also support sustainable practices, from procurement and construction right through to the way these environments enable people to operate and move within them. It is therefore disappointing to see the low priority given to environmental issues in this budget, particularly against the backdrop of a significant underspending of money allocated in the previous budget to the Climate Change Fund.

Despite housing affordability being described as ‘the biggest issue’ for people across NSW, the budget is strangely quiet on measures to address this directly. Given the NSW population is set to jump more than 40 per cent to more than 11 million by 2056 it is clear that a highly considered and committed strategy needs to be developed to ensure high quality, diverse housing options in all areas to accommodate the variously configured households that do – and will – make up our population.

Mr Nimmo stated: ‘We trust that in the coming twelve months in the lead up to the election we will be able to have a frank conversation about the need for greater housing diversity – crises rarely dissipate in the space of 12 months.’

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For media enquiries and interviews contact:
Kate Concannon
NSW Advocacy & Communications Lead
Australian Institute of Architects
M. +61 (0) 406 306 447
kate.concannon@architecture.com.au

This year’s juries for the 2018 NSW Architecture Awards have revealed their shortlist of 92 entries. The shortlist was developed following an intensive schedule of presentations followed by site visits to consider 206 entries received across 10 categories, with a notable increase in entries in the Residential and Interior Architecture categories.

The winners in each category will be announced at the 2018 NSW Architecture Awards ceremony on Friday 6 July at The Venue in Sydney’s Alexandria.

Peter Mould, Chair of Juries, said: “I have had the privilege of overseeing the awards program since 2016 and every year I appreciate the variety and richness of opinions generated by debate about architectural excellence.

“This year’s panel chairs were also challenged to determine an overall winning project, which will receive the newly introduced NSW Architecture Medallion”, he added. “There are a number of outstanding projects among this year’s entries, and deliberations are still underway.”

The winner of the inaugural NSW Architecture Medallion will be announced at the awards ceremony, along with the winners of other prestigious awards including the NSW Premier’s Prize, the City of Sydney Lord Mayor’s Prize and the Enduring Architecture Award.

The 2018 Panel chairs were Annabel Lahz, Imogene Tudor, Graham Jahn AM, Marissa Looby and Heidi Pronk.
“The Institute was also delighted to have Tricia Helyar, NSW Country Division Chair, and Jason Elsley, Newcastle Committee join the judging of the Blacket Prize, which recognises design excellence in a regional context,” Peter Mould said.

All entries were also considered for the Sustainable Architecture Award, judged by the Panel chairs and Andrew Bagnall of A.G. Coombs Advisory. Sustainability is considered integral to good design and entries were considered not only from a technical perspective but also in terms of their social sustainability. The jury was impressed by the richness and inventiveness displayed in this year’s projects, both large and small.

Entries that earn NSW Chapter Awards will progress to be considered for the National Awards later this year.

View images of the shortlisted entries here or download the shortlist.

Victorian architect Clare Cousins was today inaugurated as the 79th National President of the Australian Institute of Architects at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Melbourne.

As the Institute increases its advocacy activity in line with our new strategic plan, Cousins will continue to champion key Institute policies including affordable housing and sustainability.

‘I am passionate about the transformational role architects play in the life of our cities and communities as champions of innovation, quality and design that enhances sustainability and liveability.

‘Architects are ideally placed to help deliver solutions to challenges around housing affordability, without compromising on amenity. We want to work with government to implement here in Australia housing models from around the world that could play a vital role in providing more appropriate housing for Australians.

‘With a strong focus on the power of good design, architects can have a positive influence on the production of both new and retrofitted housing stock that is energy efficient, reducing the unnecessary burden of high running costs on Australian households,’ Cousins said.

Cousins takes the reins from Richard Kirk who becomes Immediate Past President.

‘I would like to thank Richard for the incredible counsel and leadership he provided during his tenure. The Institute has undergone great change over the past few years which culminated in the launch of our Strategy 2018-2020 at the end of last year.

‘Our new strategy provides a strong framework as we dive into the next 12 months with an ambitious program focused on advocacy and revitalising our offering of toolsets to assist members in their day-to-day practice,’ Cousins said.

Cousins established her Melbourne practice, Clare Cousins Architects, in 2005. She was elected to the Institute’s National Council in 2016 as a Nationally-elected Councillor and is the current Chair of the National Practice Committee.

Previously, she was a Victorian Chapter Councillor and has been an active member of the Victorian Small and Medium Practice Forums, Chair of the Member Services Committee (Victoria), Chair of the Architecture Australia Editorial Committee, Constructive Mentoring Program mentor (Victoria) and a juror at both state and national levels of the Australian Institute of Architects’ National Architecture Awards program.

For the first time, the Australian Institute of Architects has both a female National President and Chief Executive Officer – Jennifer Cunich. The Institute has stepped up to the gender equity challenge with five female Directors on the eight-person Board, and National Council with seven females out of sixteen member representatives.

Cousins will be succeeded by Nationally-elected Councillor and Dean of the Faculty of Built Environment at the University of NSW in Sydney, Helen Lochhead, who took on the role of President Elect at the AGM.

From a field of 174 entries, the jury for the Australian Institute of Architects’ Queensland Architecture Awards have shortlisted 76 entries from across the state.

The Awards have been running for over 30 years and provide architects, their clients and the built environment community an opportunity to celebrate exemplary design across all scales.

Forming part of the National Architecture Awards, the Queensland program is one of the few in the country to include a regional tier of judging.

This tier of judging has allowed our State Jury, led by Chair of Juries, John Thong FRAIA, to join some of our local members in each region to judge the entire field of entries. Projects this year have spanned as far north as Karumba, south as Currumbin, as far east as Stradbroke Island and Winton to the West. The commitment and dedication shown by all our jurors involved is certainly no small feat.

The 2018 Queensland Architecture Awards State Shortlist was announced on Thursday during the launch of a public exhibition of all entries at at 1 William St in Brisbane.

Viewing the exhibition and the State Shortlist you will find a strong representation of work both within Brisbane and throughout our varied regions. This gives a wonderful insight into the diverse quality of work currently conducted by architects throughout Queensland.

All aspects of architecture have been covered from smaller installations of 1.6m2 up to the larger scale commercial building at a total of 127,000m2 and everything in between.

Projects shortlisted now move to State judging with the results to be announced at a dedicated event at the QT Hotel on the Gold Coast, Friday 8 June.

The Exhibition will remain on public display at 1 William St (during office hours) until Friday 25 May. No bookings required. More information is available at http://www.architecture.com.au/events/state-territory/queensland-chapter/queensland-awards/events#Exhibition%20of%20Entries

Projects shortlisted for the State Awards are:

The University of Newcastle’s NeW Space building in the epicentre of Newcastle has emerged with a swathe of honours from the Australian Institute of Architects’ 2018 Newcastle Architecture Awards.

The result of a successful collaboration between Melbourne practice Lyons and locally-based EJE Architecture, the building was recognised not only with the most prestigious award presented, the Newcastle Jury Prize, but also Awards in the Educational Architecture, Interior Architecture and Urban Design categories.

The jury was highly impressed by this ‘vertical university campus’ observing that it is ‘an exemplar of design for ‘new generation’ learning, urban renewal, and of civic place making, drawing together a complex brief of interlocking educational and public spaces’. They also noted that ‘the University’s strategy of buying prime urban sites in the civic heart of Newcastle has been suitably matched and rewarded by the architects’ detailed site analysis, historical and cultural research and embrace of innovation in education at a global level’.

The city of Maitland also featured in the awards with Jury Chair, Sam Crawford, observing that ‘it was especially exciting to witness councils like Maitland City Council actively and imaginatively pursuing meaningful improvements to their town’. A new grandstand at Maitland No.1 Sportsground, a collaborative effort between the Maitland City Council, NSW Government Architect’s Office and CKDS, was recognised with the Award for Public Architecture. Another civic project, the refurbishment of the Auditorium of the Maitland Town Hall was recognised with a Commendation in the Heritage category.

The best new house in the Newcastle region was awarded to Brass House by Anthrosite, a house intimately situated within its context of the Glenrock State Conservation Area, while the Award for Alterations & Additions went to Welsh + Major for their subtle but meaningful improvements to the Blue House, formerly a 2000 Menkens Award-winning project.

Three Piece House by Sydney-based TRIAS picked up both the Award for Sustainable Architecture and a Commendation in the Residential Architecture – Houses (New) category, and the tiny elevated platform of the North Avoca Studio by Matt Thitchener Architect was the recipient of both the COLORBOND® Award for Steel Architecture and a Commendation in the Small Project Architecture category.

With a record number of entries, this year’s program showcased the breadth of work undertaken with the increased number of entries in the Educational, Multiple Housing, and Public Architecture categories reflecting the Hunter’s growth, changing demographics and community needs.

‘Architects are contributing to providing better environments in Newcastle across all spheres – and Newcastle seems to have an abundance of refreshingly down to earth, friendly, welcoming architects and supportive, happy, enlightened clients who are immensely proud of their projects’, said Mr Crawford. ‘All of this bodes well for the future’.

The award winners were announced at a presentation held at the Merewether Surfhouse on Friday 23 March. Awarded projects are now eligible for the NSW Architecture Awards which will be announced on Friday 6 July.

Full list of winners:

Newcastle Jury Prize
NeW Space, University of Newcastle by Lyons + EJE Architecture

Public Architecture
Award – Maitland No.1 Sportsground by Maitland City Council in association with the NSW Government Architect’s Office and CKDS
Commendation – Opal Hillside by dwp | design worldwide partnership

Educational Architecture
Award – NeW Space, University of Newcastle by Lyons + EJE Architecture
Award – St Patrick’s Primary School, Lochinvar – Stage 1 by SHAC

Residential Architecture – Houses (New)
Award – Brass House by Anthrosite
Commendation – Three Piece House by TRIAS
Commendation – Light House by Jodie Dixon Architect

Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations & Additions)
Award – The Blue House by Welsh + Major
Commendation – Hund Haus by Jodie Dixon Architect
Commendation – Eighty-Four Gordon by SDA

Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing
Commendation – Corlette Street by CKDS Architecture
Commendation – Capri by SDA

Commercial Architecture
Commendation – Newcastle Private Hospital Kingston Extension by dwp | design worldwide partnership
Commendation – Nelson Bay Golf Club by EJE Architecture

Heritage
Award – King Street Adaptive Reuse by CKDS Architecture
Commendation – Maitland Town Hall – Auditorium Refurbishment by Maitland City Council and the NSW Government Architect’s Office

Interior Architecture
Award – NeW Space, University of Newcastle by Lyons + EJE Architecture
Commendation – Lyons House by EDH Group Pty Ltd – Architects
Commendation – MJH Group Workplace by SDA

Urban Design
Award – NeW Space, University of Newcastle by Lyons + EJE Architecture

Small Project Architecture
Award – Islington Park by Curious Practice
Commendation – North Avoca Studio by Matt Thitchener Architect

Sustainable Architecture
Award – Three Piece House by TRIAS

COLORBOND® Award for Steel Architecture
North Avoca Studio by Matt Thitchener Architect

More projects than ever before are competing for honours in this year’s Victorian Architecture Awards with the Australian Institute of Architects Victorian Chapter today revealing the list of 268 entries.

Victorian Chapter President Amy Muir said the Institute was delighted at the strong response to the awards program which is without par in Australia.

‘We have received a record number of entries in this year’s Victorian Architecture Awards in what promises to be an extremely competitive field,’ Ms Muir said.

‘The projects entered cover a broad spectrum of architectural practice, from schools, universities, health and public infrastructure facilities to private residential dwellings. The diverse range of projects and approaches to design allows for a rich assessment process by the jurors.

‘The highly respected jurors and rigorous selection and judging process make these awards the most prestigious in the country for architectural excellence.

‘The awards program provides an unrivalled opportunity to celebrate achievement, quality design outcomes and commitment across the profession.

‘Importantly, the Presentation to Juries which forms an important part of the awards program offers the public a unique chance to engage directly with architects as they present their awards entries to the juries. This opportunity allows the public to gain a better understanding of the role of the architect and the contribution they are making to shape our cities, towns and communities.’

This year’s Presentation to Juries events will take place across three days to allow for this year’s record-breaking number of entries, coinciding once again with Melbourne Design Week (MDW) and will be a stand-out feature of the Design Week program. They will be held on the evening of Friday 23rd March, a full day on Saturday 24th March and on the afternoon of Sunday 25th March and entry is free to members of the public who are welcome to attend.

Entries have been received across 13 national award categories ranging from residential to public, commercial and educational architecture, with a further three state-specific prizes. The winners will be announced on 29 June 2018 and will progress to compete in the National Architecture Awards program.

The full program of presentations is available online here: http://architecture.com.au/events/state-territory/victorian-chapter/victorian-awards.