Category: Media Release

International Chapter Architecture Awards – 2016 winners announced

Australian architects working on projects abroad have been celebrated at the Australian Institute of Architects’ International Chapter Architecture Awards.

National President Ken Maher announced the seven awards and one commendation at an event in London on Thursday 9 June, chosen from a field of 16 entries across five categories.

In announcing the winners, Maher noted the size, scale and location of the projects and congratulated Australian architects on their considerable contributions to projects beyond Australian shores.

‘Asia has been a significant growth area for Australian practices in recent years and it is exciting to see the variety of works emerging, including some of immense scale. This is a testament to the talent and creativity of Australian architects in an increasingly international and competitive design arena.’

Of particular note is the National Gallery Singapore by studioMilou Singapore with CPG Consultants, which is South East Asia’s largest modern art institution. The jury praised the ‘masterful interventions [which] allow the elegant and powerful original colonial spaces a new and sophisticated life whilst still preserving their historical character’.

Public_National Gallery Singapore_Studiomilou & CPG_Fernando Javier — *International Chapter Award for Public Architecture – National Gallery Singapore by studioMilou & CPG Consultants. Photo by Fernando Javier.*

Another winner was the Australian Pavilion in Venice by Denton Corker Marshall which debuted at last year’s Art Biennale and is host to Australia’s Exhibition, The Pool, at the 15th International Architecture Biennale on now until 27 November.

Projects that received an International Chapter Award will now vie for the Jørn Utzon Award for International Architecture at the National Architecture Awards announced in November.

Public_Australian Pavilion Venice_Denton Corker Marshall_Photo John Gollings — *International Chapter Award for Public Architecture – Australian Pavilion Venice by Denton Corker Marshall. Photo John Gollings.*

Full list of winners:

Public Architecture
International Chapter Award – National Gallery Singapore by studioMilou Singapore with CPG Consultants
International Chapter Award – Australian Pavilion, Venice by Denton Corker Marshall
International Chapter Commendation – World Maritime University, Tornhuset by Terroir Pty Ltd & Kim Utzon Architecture

Commercial Architecture
International Chapter Award – China Mobile Office Suzhou by JPW
International Chapter Award – Lalu Hotel Qingdao by Kerry Hill Architects

Interior Architecture
International Chapter Award – Lalu Hotel Qingdao by Kerry Hill Architects

Residential Architecture – Houses
International Chapter Award – Vanuatu by Troppo Architects

Small Project Architecture
International Chapter Award – Australian Memorial Wellington by Tonkin Zulaihka Greer with Paul Rolfe Architects

Jury

Bob Nation (Chair)
Michael Heenan
Kerstin Thompson
Dr Ken Yeang

Public_World Maritime Uni_Terroir & kim Utzon Architecture_Photo Torben Eskerod — *International Chapter Commendation for Public Architecture – World Maritime Uni by Terroir & Kim Utzon Architecture. Photo Torben Eskerod.*

Commercial_China Mobile Office_JPW_Photo Shanghai Zhangyu Studio — *International Chapter Award for Commercial Architecture – China Mobile Office by JPW. Photo by Shanghai Zhangyu Studio.*

Commercial_Lalu Hotel_Kerry Hill Architects_Photo The Shining Group — *International Chapter Award for Commercial Architecture – Lalu Hotel by Kerry Hill Architects. Photo by The Shining Group.*

Interior_Lalu Hotel_Kerry Hill Architects_Photo Alicia Worthington — *International Chapter Award for Interior Architecture – Lalu Hotel by Kerry Hill Architects. Photo by Alicia Worthington.*

Residential_Vanuatu_Troppo_Photo Troppo — *International Chapter Award for Residential Architecture – Houses – Vanuatu by Troppo Architects. Photo by Troppo.*

Small Project_Australian Memorial_TZG with Paul Rolfe Architects_Photo Mike Rolfe — *International Chapter Award for Small Project Architecture – Australian Memorial by Tonkin Zulaihka Greer with Paul Rolfe Architects. Photo Mike Rolfe.*

Pavilion of Australia opens in Venice

at the 15th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia

Creative Directors Amelia Holliday, Michelle Tabet and Isabelle Toland with Olympian Ian Thorpe at the entrance to Australia’s exhibition, The Pool. Photo: Alexander Mayes

The Pavilion of Australia’s exhibition The Pool officially opened today (Thursday, 26th May – 7pm AEST) with a ceremony and Ian Thorpe, Olympic gold medal winning swimmer, in attendance

One of Australia’s greatest cultural symbols – the pool – forms the foundation of the Australian Exhibition at the Biennale Architettura 2016, which will run from May 28 to November 27 2016.

The Australian Exhibition, presented by the Australian Institute of Architects and curated by Aileen Sage Architects (Isabelle Toland and Amelia Holliday) with Michelle Tabet, uses the pool as a lens through which to explore Australian cultural identity.

Their manifesto encourages the audience to step outside the architect-to-architect discourse to show how a familiar, common object, the pool, is in fact pregnant with cultural significance; it is both artefact and catalyst of change.

The Pool is about public space as a vital component to society and shows the many ways in which its public character is interpreted and occupied.

The Creative Directors of The Pool said:

‘Pools in Australia are currently facing significant challenges as social institutions. The threatened closure and demolition of Australian public pools is a perennial theme of community protest and activism and is an issue to which architects and urban commentators are inevitably drawn.

‘By identifying the pool’s cultural importance to Australia, we are pushing for a more critical engagement with the civic and social values that underpin our work as architects. The power and breadth of these places should not be underestimated nor simply jettisoned as uneconomical. Architecture can and does have an impact that transcends conventional economic models.’

Through the description of events, experiences, histories or memories, the narratives presented collectively describe a powerful relationship between place and society, intrinsic to this year’s Biennale Architettura theme Reporting from the Front.

The Creative Directors have selected eight prominent cultural leaders to share their personal stories, to explore the relationship between the pool, its architecture and Australian cultural identity. The contributors include Olympic gold medal winning swimmers Ian Thorpe and Shane Gould; environmentalist and 2007 Australian of the Year Tim Flannery; fashion designers Romance Was Born; writer of best-selling book The Slap Christos Tsiolkas; winner of the 2012 Miles Franklin Prize Anna Funder; Indigenous art curator Hetti Perkins and Australian rock-musician Paul Kelly.

Visitors enjoying Australia’s exhibition, The Pool. Photo: Alexander Mayes

10.Australian Pavilion - The Pool by Aileen Sage Architects (Amelia Holliday and Isabelle Toland) with Michelle Tabet. Photo Brett Boardman — Australian Pavilion – The Pool by Aileen Sage Architects (Amelia Holliday and Isabelle Toland) with Michelle Tabet. Photo: Brett Boardman

Governance changes passed at Institute of Architects’ AGM

Newly appointed National President, Ken Maher is pleased to announce the amendments to the governance structure of the Australian Institute of Architects have been passed at the Annual General Meeting in Melbourne.

The changes will see a Board of Directors established to manage the fiduciary and legal obligations of the Institute, freeing up the member-elected National Council to focus on policy, strategy and the issues most important to members and the profession.

‘It is an exciting time for the Institute and these changes will only strengthen the ability of the Institute to advocate on behalf of our members and provide the services contemporary practices need,’ Maher said.

‘I would like to congratulate and thank my predecessors David Karotkin, Jon Clements and the National Executive on their hard work and dedication in bringing about these effective changes.’

An independent review of the Institute’s governance structure by Henry Bosch AO in 2015 identified a number of difficulties in effective governance experienced by the 16 strong National Council managing the full duties of directorship.

The new model comes into effect from 22 August and will consist of a smaller Board of Directors made up of five National Councillors including the President, President-Elect and Immediate Past President and two elected members of National Council. The Board will also be supported by up to three independent directors with specialised skillsets.

National Council will remain a fully member-elected group of 16 representing each of the states and territories along with nationally-elected members.

The changes will be written into the Memorandum & Articles of the Institute (Constitution) and includes a mandate for the Board to have a minimum of three female and three male directors.

Architects applaud Smart Cities Plan

The Australian Institute of Architects welcomes the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet’s Smart Cities Plan released at the Cities Summit in Melbourne on Friday 29 April.

Professor Ken Maher, President Elect of the Institute congratulates the Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP and Assistant Minister for Cities and Digital Transformation, the Hon Angus Taylor MP on an ambitious and timely plan for Australian cities.

‘The Institute is passionate about improving the quality of our built environment and addressing the urban challenges Australia is facing. Cities have been the orphan of public policy in the past and architects have long advocated that the Federal government focus on Australia’s future towns and cities. This plan places cities firmly on the agenda.

‘Architects are firm believers in strategic capital city planning to promote globally competitive, productive, sustainable and socially inclusive cities’ Prof Maher said.

The initiative was warmly received by the profession when it was discussed at the National Architecture Conference held in Adelaide on April 30.

A year in planning, the conference heard from international and national speakers about the critical role architects provide in creating quality for our cities, infrastructure and places.

In the ‘Transforming Populations’ session of the conference, chaired by Prof Maher, the panel discussed the bold ambition to create 30 minute cities. Strong support was voiced for the creation of a vision for Australian cities of the future where density is done well, where infrastructure planning follows strategic urban planning, where there is less reliance on cars and better transport connections, and where communities are brought together in a way that supports liveability and sustainability.

‘Collaboration between all levels of government and industry is the key to making City Deals a success,’ according to Prof Maher.

‘One area that has not been addressed is the critical importance of design in building the cities of tomorrow. While the plan includes an examination of housing supply and planning changes, it is essential that architecture and design skills are used early to test possibilities and to produce social and equitable cities. Design quality should be a mandatory requirement for all project funding.’

‘We will be looking closely at the Smart Cities Plan over the coming weeks to provide further input. I encourage the Federal government to engage with the Australian Institute of Architects and the Government Architects Network of Australia in refining and implementing the Plan.’

ARM Architecture has won Australia’s architecture Gold Medal

The Australian Institute of Architects’ highest honour, the Gold Medal, has been awarded to the founding directors of ARM Architecture at the Australian Achievement in Architecture Awards.

ARM, based in Melbourne and Perth, are known for their contemporary, often daring, sometimes controversial designs.

As Australian Institute of Architects National President Jon Clements said, ‘This is a practice that has been a genuine leader, influencer, provocateur, culture builder and disseminator of ideas for nearly three decades, and at the core of the practice are three outstanding architects who have created some of the most extraordinary buildings in the short post-colonial history of this country.’

Established in 1988, ARM’s directors Stephen Ashton, Howard Raggatt and Ian McDougall have built a successful large-scale practice which has had a profound impact across the national design landscape.

ARM Architecture has been the recipient of 63 Institute awards including the coveted Sir Zelman Cowen Award for Public Architecture at both the 2013 and 2015 National Architecture Awards. They have won the Victorian Architecture Medal a record five times.

Among their most notable works are Perth Arena in Western Australia, Storey Hall at RMIT University, the refurbishment of Hamer Hall, Melbourne Recital Hall and the practice’s decade-long reconfiguration of Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance.

In addition to their built works all three have played significant roles as national ‘culture builders’ participating in exhibitions, lectures and national conferences along with educational roles with a deep commitment to supporting and nurturing the next generation of design thinkers. Both Ashton and McDougall have been Presidents of the Victorian Chapter of the Institute.

On receiving the honour Ian McDougall said ‘We’ve always been interested in architecture that tells stories about our lives, about our cities. It is humbling to have our ideas acknowledged in this way.’

Institute National President Jon Clements presented Ashton, Raggatt and McDougall the award at a special ceremony held at the Adelaide Oval on Friday 29 April following the first day of the National Architecture Conference.

The Gold Medal Jury was composed of Clements, Immediate Past President David Karotkin, Alice Hampson, Annabel Lahz and Professor Carey Lyon.

It is only the second time the accolade has been presented to a trio in its 56-year history.

Previous recipients of the Gold Medal include Glenn Murcutt, Jørn Utzon, Brit Andresen, Harry Seidler and Robin Boyd.

Architecture’s influencers honoured at Australian Achievement in Architecture Awards

Leaders of the profession have been honoured at the 2016 Australian Achievement in Architecture Awards announced at a special ceremony at the Adelaide Oval on Friday 29 April.

The recipients, from students to stalwarts, were rewarded for their ongoing dedication to architecture across a range of activities including education, sustainability and international endeavours.

ARM Architecture founders – Stephen Ashton, Howard Raggatt and Ian McDougall – received the Australian Institute of Architects’ highest honour, the Gold Medal.

Architect Peter Maddison, best known as host of Grand Designs Australia, was awarded the National President’s Prize by Jon Clements ‘in recognition of his significant service to architecture outside practice’.

The Neville Quarry Architectural Education Prize was presented to Professor Michael Ostwald, the Dean of Architecture and Built Environment at the University of Newcastle. In awarding the honour the jury highlighted ‘his outstanding contributions in all areas of architectural education, the national and international impacts of which resonate beyond the university system’.

In recognition of exceptional contributions to sustainability above and beyond environmental factors to powerful social and economic models, Jeremy McLeod of Breathe Architecture in Melbourne received the Leadership in Sustainability Prize. Breathe Architecture continues to make headlines with their multi-housing projects The Commons and Nightingale.

New York-based renderer, Brian Burr was honoured with the William J Mitchell International Chapter Prize. Burr has worked in New York for 40 years and has ‘established himself as a highly respected and sought-after architectural renderer for a significant and diverse group of international practitioners – all unified by their respect for his artistic ability and his personal camaraderie’.

Amy Muir, of Melbourne practice Muir Architecture, was the recipient of the National Emerging Architect Prize in recognition of her significant contributions to the profession through design excellence, education and industry leadership.

A strong advocate for Australian students of architecture, Peter Nguyen from the University of Sydney was the recipient of the 2016 Student Prize for the Advancement of Architecture.
Five emerging architects from around the country were selected for the Dulux Study Tour. Chris Gilbert, Hannah Slater, Qianyi Lim, Matthew van Kooy and Katy Moir will visit practices in Copenhagen, London and Madrid during the two week tour in May.

Full list of winners:

Gold Medal
Stephen Ashton, Howard Raggatt and Ian McDougall – ARM Architecture (Vic)

National President’s Prize
Peter Maddison – Grand Designs Australia, Maddison Architects (Vic)

Neville Quarry Architectural Education Prize
Professor Michael Ostwald – University of Newcastle (NSW)

Leadership in Sustainability Prize
Jeremy McLeod – Breathe Architecture (Vic)

William J Mitchell International Chapter Prize
Brian Burr – Architectural Renderer (New York)

National Emerging Architect Prize
Amy Muir – Muir Architecture (Vic)

Student Prize for the Advancement of Architecture
Peter Nguyen (NSW)

Dulux Study Tour
Chris Gilbert – Archier (Tas)
Katy Moir – Troppo Architects (NT)
Hannah Slater – Architectus Brisbane (Qld)
Qianyi Lim – Sibling (Vic)
Mathew van Kooy – John Wardle Architects (Vic)

A new era as Australian Institute of Architects welcomes new CEO

The Australian Institute of Architects is pleased to announce Jennifer Cunich as the new Chief Executive Officer of the member organisation.

Ms Cunich joins the Institute from the Property Council of Australia, where she has worked for 20 years, first as the ACT Executive Director and since 2002 as the Executive Director of the Victorian Division.

In these roles Cunich has led ambitious advocacy agendas with considerable success including the establishment of the Metropolitan Planning Authority, and more recently Infrastructure Victoria – agencies which are critical in ensuring a coordinated and strategic approach to managing population and maintaining liveability for decades to come.

Cunich sits on a number of boards and committees including the Property Council Executive Committee, Women’s Property Initiatives Board, the Building Advisory Council and the Building Industry Consultative Council advising the Government on industry related matters.

Cunich is also a champion of promoting women in the industry. In 2015 the Victorian Division of the Property Council of Australia established the Women and Diversity Committee, charged with identifying leaders in the sector and promoting their contribution to the industry.

‘I am thrilled to be appointed to this important role. My time spent in the Australian property sector has shown me the enormous value of design in terms of buildings, precincts, communities and cities. CEO of the Australian Institute of Architects provides me an opportunity to place the inspirational designs of our architects at the centre of a national conversation about innovation, creativity and problem-solving,’ Cunich said.

On the appointment, Institute National President Jon Clements said:

‘The Institute is excited to welcome Jennifer to the role of CEO at this important time for the organisation during a period of reflection and renewal. Jennifer has extensive industry knowledge and an interest in design as an agent for change in delivering a better built world. She is an exceptional and proven leader with the strength and vision to take the Institute and our profession into a new era.’

Cunich will commence on 16 May 2016 and be based in Melbourne.

The Pool – ready to make waves at the Biennale Architettura 2016

The Creative Directors of Australia’s exhibition at the Biennale Architettura 2016 have offered Australians a first look at The Pool ahead of the international event in Venice, Italy, which runs from 28 May to 27 November.

The Pool: Architecture, Culture and Identity in Australia is the companion publication for Australia’s highly anticipated contribution to the Biennale Architettura 2016, curated by Aileen Sage Architects (Isabelle Toland and Amelia Holliday) with Michelle Tabet.

The Pool: Architecture, Culture and Identity in Australia by Aileen Sage Architects with Michelle Tabet

The book explores the Australian affinity with the pool, and was unveiled at Icebergs Dining Room and Bar in Sydney on Wednesday 30 March by the Creative Directors, who were joined by Olympian Ian Thorpe, author Anna Funder and Indigenous art curator Hetti Perkins, who all feature in the book.

Designed to offer a richer experience of the exhibition, the book explores the relationship between architecture and Australian cultural identity through personal anecdotes about one of our country’s most significant public spaces.

Eight prominent Australians have shared their pool stories: Thorpe, Funder and Perkins were joined by Olympian Shane Gould, environmentalist Tim Flannery, fashion designers Romance was Born, author Christos Tsiolkas and musician Paul Kelly.

‘This publication is a compendium of our research and the stories our process revealed. We designed it to be accessible, visually appealing but also intimate in tone. While it should work as a standalone publication, we also wanted it to give visitors to the exhibition a deeper and more meaningful engagement with the themes we’re exploring,’ the Creative Directors said.

‘The pool is revealed through the featured accounts as a vital force in Australian life, not only as the setting for childhood memories, but also as the stage for impressive sporting feats that fuel the nation’s pride. A backdrop to many significant events in our communities, the pool is also a deeply contested space in the history of Australia, that has highlighted racial discrimination and social disadvantage,’ they added.

Speaking at the launch, Ian Thorpe, who contributed to the book and is also a supporter of the project, noted ‘Australians have a very particular relationship with water, which is shown in many different ways through the pool as an important social space in our country. The Creative Team has done an amazing job at capturing that essence in this book’.

The Pool: Architecture, Culture and Identity in Australia retails at $39.95 and is available through Books at Manic, www.manic.com.au

Inventive home wins big at Newcastle Architecture Awards

The 2016 winners of the Australian Institute of Architects’ Newcastle Architecture Awards have been revealed at a special ceremony at the Merewether Surfhouse on Thursday 17 March.

Sixteen projects from across the region received honours on the night with The Axis House by Jonathan Dawes in conjunction with EJE Architecture the overall winner, taking home the Award for Excellence.

The jury praised the ‘creative and inventive’ project which also won in the Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions) category and received the COLORBOND® Award for Steel Architecture – Commendation making it the most awarded project of the night.

‘Alterations can be a challenge when dealing with new and old, and so too collaborations between large and small architectural practices. The Axis House has executed these challenges perfectly; the result is a rewarding piece of architecture,’ the jury said.

A ‘meticulously crafted jewellery box’, Watt Space Gallery by Andrew Donaldson Architecture and Design, won both the Public Architecture and Small Project Architecture categories.

In awarding the gallery, the jury noted the project ‘is a successful example of clever planning and detailing within a constrained budget resulting in an intelligent, beautiful and light filled space that is not only a joy to be in but also harmoniously blends new and old’.

Other winning projects include The Gateway Commercial Development by CKDS Architecture for Commercial Architecture; Damascus Centre, St Paul’s High School by QOH Architecture for Educational Architecture; SDA Workplace by SDA Space Design Architecture for Interior Architecture; Urban Eclectic House by SDA Space Design Architecture for Residential Architecture – Houses (New); and Institute of Energy and Resources by EJE Architecture for Sustainable Architecture.

The jury awarded a total of eight Awards and thirteen commendations on the night. Projects that received an Award are now eligible for the NSW Architecture Awards which will be announced on Friday 1 July.
Full list of winning projects:

Award for Excellence

Winner – The Axis House by Jonathan Dawes in conjunction with EJE Architecture (Toronto)

Commercial Architecture

Award – The Gateway Commercial Development by CKDS Architecture (Newcastle)
Commendation – Club Maitland City by Terroir (Rutherford)

Educational Architecture

Award – Damascus Centre, St Paul’s High School by QOH Architects (Booragul)
Commendation – Institute of Energy and Resources by EJE Architecture (Shortland)

Heritage

Commendation – Masonic Hall Refurbishment by EJE Architecture (Speers Point)

Interior Architecture

Award – SDA Workplace by SDA Space Design Architecture (The Junction)
Commendation – The Gateway Fitout by CKDS Architecture (Newcastle)
Commendation – Mingara Leisure Group Corporate Offices by Graphite Architects (Tumbi Umbi)

Public Architecture

Award – Watt Space Gallery by Andrew Donaldson Architecture and Design (Newcastle)
Commendation – ANZAC Bridge Memorial Walk by EJE Architecture (Bar Beach)
Commendation – Newcastle Airport by SHAC (Williamtown)
Commendation – Newcastle Courthouse by Cox Richardson Architects (Newcastle)

Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions)

Award – The Axis House by Jonathan Dawes in collaboration with EJE Architecture (Toronto)
Commendation – Power House by SDA Space Design Architecture (Islington)

Residential Architecture – Houses (New)

Award – Urban Eclectic House by SDA Space Design Architecture (Hamilton East)
Commendation – Grasemere Way by Webber Architects (Warners Bay)

Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing

Commendation – Eclipse Residential Development by CKDS Architecture (Cook’s Hill)

Small Project Architecture

Award – Watt Space Gallery by Andrew Donaldson Architecture and Design (Newcastle)
Commendation – University of Newcastle Entry Canopies by CKDS Architecture (Callaghan)

Sustainable Architecture

Award – Institute of Energy and Resources by EJE Architecture (Shortland)

COLORBOND® Award for Steel Architecture

Award – University of Newcastle Entry Canopies by CKDS Architecture (Callaghan)
Commendation – The Axis House by Jonathan Dawes in conjunction with EJE Architecture (Toronto)

The best architecture from the Gold Coast and Northern Rivers celebrated at Regional Awards

Eleven projects from across the region have been honoured at the Australian Institute of Architects’ 2016 Gold Coast/Northern Rivers Regional Architecture Awards held Friday 26 February in the Gold Coast.

The Building of the Year was awarded to Griffith University Student Guild Uni Bar & Link Refurbishment by Push. The jury praised the project for the way it ‘links the main street and the heart of the campus in a well resolved correlation of uses and space’.

Two residential projects received special honours with Shaun Lockyer Architects’ Hinterland House winning the Gold Coast/Northern Rivers House of the Year. This project was celebrated by the jury because a ‘sense of place is achieved through the capturing of views, passive solar design, simplicity of section, spatial treatments and quality of detailing’. Regional Project of the Year was awarded to Shane Denman Architects for 2A Concrete.

In addition to the above accolades the three projects join eight others who were awarded Regional Commendations (listed below) by the jury with these projects now progressing to the Queensland State Architecture Awards to be announced on Friday 24 June in Brisbane.

Regional Commendations:

Architectural Project	Architectural Practice	Location
Casino Aboriginal Medical Service	Kevin O’Brien Architects in association with AECOM	Casino
Hinterland House	Shaun Lockyer Architects	Canungra
2A Concrete	Shane Denman Architects	Palm Beach
60s Modern	Jamison Architects	Burleigh Heads
Griffith University Student Guild Bar & Link refurbishment	Push	Southport
Monaco Renovation	Paul Uhlmann Architects	Broadbeach Waters
Stella Maris Church	Straw & Dunne with PMG Architect	Broadbeach
Dryandras Residence	Paul Uhlmann Architects	Casuarina Beach
Griffith University Red Zone, Gold Coast Campus	Cox Rayner Architects	Southport
ALTA Main Beach	Willemsen Architecture	Main Beach
Margaret Olley Art Centre	Bud Brannigan Architects	Murwillumbah