Category: Media Release

Vale Kerry Hill AO

On behalf of the Australian Institute of Architects, Acting National President Richard Kirk has offered sincere condolences to family, friends and colleagues of Life Fellow Kerry Hill AO following his passing on Sunday 26 August 2018.

‘The profession will be deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Kerry Hill. Kerry was one of Australia’s most renowned architects and he will be sorely missed by many.

‘Kerry started his practice in 1979 in Singapore and in the following decades we saw the creation of a body of work that has come to define tropical modernism in the region. The significance of the work is that it responds sensitively to place through melding the local craft traditions, and cultural and climatic sensibilities of the east, with the technical precision of the modernist traditions.

‘Kerry has given us an enduring architectural legacy throughout Asia and Australia and as far afield as Europe and China.

‘Kerry received the highest of honours, both professional and civil, throughout his long and active career. In awarding the Australian Institute of Architects’ Gold Medal in 2006 the jury noted Hill “has distinguished himself as an architect of exceptional sensibility and expertise – encouraging a progressive and enquiring regionally sensitive approach to the design and construction of buildings across the Asia-Pacific region”,’ Kirk said.

In 2012, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for ‘distinguished service to architecture, particularly as an ambassador for Australian design in South East Asia, and as an educator and mentor’.

In 2001, Hill received the prestigious international Aga Khan Award for Architecture for his landmark Datai Resort in Langkawi. This is the only time an Australian has received the award since its establishment in 1977 and demonstrates the ability of Hill’s studio to work meaningfully across a great diversity of places and cultures.

‘On a personal note, Kerry was a warm and incredibly generous person. And, as I and many other friends who often travelled through Singapore knew it was never the same unless you included a short visit to their studio in the heart of Singapore’s Chinatown. The studio is located in one of the unassuming shophouses with the only marker to the practice a modestly sized “Kerry Hill Architects” bronze plate. I soon learnt this understatement is more to do with a quiet confidence about the work speaking for itself,’ Kirk added.

Building ministers must move faster on improving compliance

Public safety and the Australian building industry’s global reputation for quality will be jeopardised if better measures for compliance with the National Construction Code are not adopted promptly by all states and territories.

On Friday 10 August, federal, state and territory ministers met for the Building Ministers’ Forum (BMF) to discuss their collective response to the recommendations made in the Shergold-Weir Building Confidence report.

The Australian Institute of Architect’s Acting National President, Richard Kirk welcomed the BMF’s commitment to engage closely with industry on the critical issues of public safety and confidence in Australia’s construction industry, however, Mr Kirk said that the BMF’s response to the report was disappointing.

‘Ministers have had more than six months to consider the Building Confidence report, which was produced after careful study and provides excellent, considered advice on the future direction building regulation in this country should take,’ Mr Kirk said.

‘There is real urgency surrounding the need for action by governments to address the failings identified in the Shergold-Weir report, driven by very real concerns around public safety as well as economic imperatives.

‘That Ministers haven’t supported and adopted all the report’s recommendations is hard to understand given the significance of the issues it has identified.

‘We back every single one, and it is disappointing to see that the most the BMF could agree on was the production of an implementation plan that focuses on only 6 out of the 24 recommendations.

‘Industry needs certainty to keep operating and doesn’t want risk issues being poorly managed.

‘Best practice regulation and compliance with the National Construction Code is critical or the whole industry’s reputation, and the hundreds of thousands of jobs it supports, will be jeopardised.

‘Globally, “brand Australia” is seen as having an impeccable reputation for producing safe, quality buildings. Why would we risk that?

‘As it stands, there are unregulated people making decisions they are unqualified to make. This is a huge public safety issue and also leaves business, body corporates and government open to liability.’

Mr Kirk said it would come as a surprise to many Australians just how limited the independent inspection regimes have become on building sites.

‘Public confidence in government and industry to deliver a safe built environment is being eroded by a least cost approach.’

Mr Kirk said the need to make changes to compliance and enforcement measures in state and territory legislation and regulatory frameworks was now at a critical juncture and required prompt action.

‘At the end of the day, the people this uncertainty impacts the most is consumers,’ he said.

‘The insurance industry has already moved ahead of government and the building and construction industry is seeing the impacts of this continued uncertainty through rising insurance premiums and risk around coverage.

‘Look out the window at the number of cranes dotting the skyline in many major cities and the amount of construction underway – this is a public safety issue and the time to implement change is now.

‘Our buildings have lifespans of up to a century or more. We simply cannot afford to have continued inaction and delay embed problems that risk people’s safety and incur long-term costs.’

Design-led growth needed in Melbourne to recapture most liveable city crown

Masterplanning, safe and sustainable design, and tighter building regulation are needed if Melbourne is to remain one of the world’s most liveable cities, according to the Victorian Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects.

After seven years in the top spot, Melbourne this year dropped to number two in The Economist’s sought-after world’s most liveable city rankings, outdone by Vienna. The two cities were separated by 0.7 of a per cent in the rankings, with Vienna scoring 99.1 out of 100 and Melbourne 98.4.

President of the Institute’s Victorian Chapter Amy Muir said increasing urban sprawl and poorly designed apartment buildings flooding the city would have undoubtedly impacted its liveability ranking.

With the Victorian state election set for 24 November, 2018, Ms Muir said it was vital for all sides of politics to pay attention to Melbourne’s sustainable growth, as the city prepares for its population to overtake Sydney by the middle of the century.

‘As Melbourne’s population continues to skyrocket there needs to be greater focus on future-proofing the city through planning and ensuring a high-quality and sustainable built environment. The delivery of enduring, quality design is integral to maintaining the city’s liveability,’ Ms Muir said.

‘The value of masterplanning cannot be underestimated when acknowledging the liveability and performance of our cities. Building sustainable communities is integral for the effective evolution of place. This is achieved through careful masterplanning, consultation, collaboration with landscape architects and planners and adopting rigorous design review processes.

‘Our government, no matter what political persuasion, must ensure the Office of the Victorian Government Architect has ongoing funding to ensure it maintains a position of authority, and adequate resourcing to provide strategic design advocacy and advice.

‘There needs to be a focus on design-led long-term outcomes and there needs to be a concerted effort by government to support the architectural profession. As it stands, the design of multi-storey buildings remains unregulated as there is no requirement for a registered architect to be engaged in the process.

‘Victoria’s building standards need to fall into line with emerging best practice in other jurisdictions to improve safety and amenity and this means requiring the involvement of a registered architect for all apartment buildings three storeys and above, clamping down on inadequate building supervision, and putting an end to the practice of product substitution or short-term profits.’

Ruth White, Executive Director of the Victorian Chapter, said there needed to be a well-planned focus on Melbourne’s growth, which was currently lacking, and a mandate for design-led development.

‘There is a perception that “design” correlates with “expensive”, and this is not the case. The essence of architecture is designing high-quality, sustainable buildings no matter what the cost,’ Ms White said.

‘The drop in our liveability ranking should be a call to action and we can’t take for granted that things will continue as they have – we need to work hard to make sure Melbourne remains a vibrant and liveable city.

‘As our population continues to boom we need to adopt proactive, creative and sustainable solutions to deal with it. Melbourne is a beautiful city and we need to ensure it stays that way.’

2018 Gold Medal Tour: Adaptive architecture – exploring the ethics of design

The Australian Institute of Architects’ 2018 Gold Medallist, Alec Tzannes, commences his national architecture speaking tour in Darwin on 16 August, with a conversation around the nature of architecture and its often-underestimated benefits for Australian cities and towns.

Tzannes will explore themes that influence contemporary design thinking and language, the way we work, and the role of architecture in community. He will invite discussion about how, as architects, we can be at the forefront of shaping a new aesthetic – one that takes on the challenge of being better recognised by the broader community as ethical and trusted stewards of the design of the built environment.

The renowned Sydney architect, academic and founder of Tzannes architecture, is acknowledged for designing some of Australia’s most iconic contemporary buildings.

Earlier this year, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to architecture and education, Tzannes was awarded the Australian Institute of Architects’ highest honour, the 2018 Gold Medal.

Now, he will embark on a trip around the country for the 2018 Gold Medal Tour supported by Principal Corporate Partner BlueScope, speaking about what inspires him and drives his passion for design. Tzannes’ talks will reflect on his firm’s body of work exploring themes that emerge and their relevance to the future of architecture. He invites architects around the country to put forward their views in discussions that will follow each of his presentations. His final tour date is the AS Hook Address in Sydney on 24 October in which he will consolidate his views on architecture adding to the archive of ideas recorded from previous recipients of this honour.

‘Architecture is an expressive medium. It also is central to delivering a more sustainable, liveable urban environment to secure Australia’s future from social and economic perspectives. Good design is far more valuable than is commonly understood as the value proposition is inter-generational and hard to imagine with certainty in the creation process,’ Tzannes said.

‘A deeper discussion of what we design and why, and how we design, and for whom, is something I see as important as we face new challenges within the profession and in the world we can influence. I’m keen to use the Gold Medal Tour as an opportunity to seek a wide range of views on this theme to explore the role and contribution of the profession in the broader community.’

Some of Tzannes’ most recognisable Sydney projects include the Federation Pavilion at Centennial Park, Cathy Freeman Park at Homebush, the Brewery Yard at Central Park and urban furniture for the City of Sydney.

Recent work includes International House Sydney in Barangaroo and Dangrove, a state-of-the-art museum storage, research, education and private exhibition facility in Alexandria for Judith Neilson.

Tzannes is Chair of the Australian Institute of Architects Foundation, a member of the UNSW Foundation Board of Directors and served as the dean of the Faculty of the Built Environment at the University of New South Wales from 2008 to 2016.

In 2014, he was named a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his significant service to architecture, as a practitioner and educator and through professional organisations.

Awarded since 1960, the Gold Medal recognises distinguished service by architects who have designed or executed buildings of high merit, produced work of great distinction resulting in the advancement of architecture or endowed the profession of architecture in a distinguished manner. The citation for Tzannes stated that he has excelled in each of these areas of assessment. Previous recipients include Jørn Utzon, Romaldo Giurgola, Brit Andresen, Harry Seidler and Robin Boyd.

2018 Gold Medal Tour dates

Darwin – Thursday 16 August
Canberra – Thursday 30 August
Hobart – Wednesday 5 September
Melbourne – Wednesday 12 September
Adelaide – Thursday 13 September
Brisbane – Thursday 4 October
Perth – Thursday 18 October
Sydney – Wednesday 24 October

To register visit the Institute’s National Events web page.

Time to take national action on building standards

More than a year since the Grenfell Tower fire in London that claimed 72 lives, the peak body for the architectural profession is calling on Australia’s building ministers to finally implement consistent, nationwide changes to improve safety and better protect people from the threat posed by poor compliance with building regulations.

The Australian Institute of Architects is urging the Building Ministers’ Forum (BMF) to adopt a range of recommendations aimed at improving compliance with the National Construction Code (NCC) when it meets tomorrow.

At their last meeting in April this year, building ministers from the federal, states and territory governments were presented with the findings and recommendations of the Building Confidence report. Commissioned by the BMF, and conducted by Professor Peter Shergold AC and Ms Bronwyn Weir, the independent report identified a range of issues with the implementation of the NCC including quality control and assurance, design, accountability, education and training, and auditing and enforcement practices.

Authors Peter Shergold and Bronwyn Weir made 24 recommendations aimed at improving NCC compliance and enforcement systems and establishing a national best practice model to strengthen its implementation.

Acting National President Richard Kirk said the Institute supports the report’s recommendations and believes they should be adopted by all states and territories to protect the interests of those who own, work, live, or conduct their business in Australian buildings.

‘The Grenfell tragedy demonstrated in the starkest and most distressing way the dire, indeed fatal, consequences of not properly regulating and enforcing compliance with the highest standards of building construction,’ Mr Kirk said.

‘We must learn and apply the lessons from Grenfell here for the safety of all Australians.

‘Like any other industry, building design and construction is constantly evolving and innovating, both in terms of practices but also the materials used. Our regulatory environment and the building practitioners who operate within it must keep pace with these changes.

‘With the emergence of non-traditional procurement methods, industry has lost the necessary clarity of responsibility of decision making around materials and building systems.

‘The NCC sets minimum requirements for the design, construction and performance of our buildings and should ensure all those involved in construction and its regulation understand and comply with the minimum requirements for health, safety and amenity in buildings.

‘The Shergold-Weir report identified widespread failures regarding compliance, performance requirements and design. It also showed public trust in the industry, especially relating to health and safety, was lacking.

‘The Institute backs every one of the report’s 24 recommendations and we urge all governments to adopt them without delay.

‘We welcome the separate measures various jurisdictions have already implemented, but this is a problem on a national scale, requiring a consistent, cohesive national response.

‘Architects are the most highly-qualified and comprehensively registered cohort of those involved in building and construction and we fully support this report. Our profession can play a vital role in the delivery of well-designed, safe and compliant buildings and our role should not be overlooked in a bid to cut corners and costs.’

The report notes inconsistencies between in NCC implementation and compliance across the states and territories and calls for an aligned approach across the board.

‘While Australia has a nationally-applicable technical standard for buildings, our federation provides for each state and territory to have its own laws governing the implementation of the NCC,’ the report states.

‘Some jurisdictions already have in place some of the things that we recommend. But all jurisdictions will have work to do to deliver the national best practice model proposed.’

Read the summary of the Shergold-Weir report and the impact of the recommendations on the architecture profession prepared by the Institute’s National Policy Manager Leanne Hardwicke here.

Winners of the Australian Institute of Architects’ 2018 International Chapter Awards announced

The Australian Institute of Architects has announced the winners of the 2018 International Chapter Architecture Awards at a special ceremony officiated by Australian High Commissioner to Singapore Bruce Gosper on Friday 20 July.

The Awards recognise projects located beyond Australia’s borders by members of the Australian Institute of Architects. From a field of 17 entries, the jury honoured six projects sited across Asia and the Pacific, including three in Singapore.

School-in-a-Box by Stephen Collier Architects was ‘the standout project’ for the jury, taking out the Award for Small Project Architecture.

‘The architects have responded to the challenges of the Papua New Guinea environment by creating an easily transportable pod or box, the contents of which create a pop-up school. Responding to the needs of people who have very little, the box includes a tent for shelter that allows for rainwater to be collected, solar panels to power laptops and a printer and plywood joinery for sitting and working.

‘The school in a box is an exemplar of how simple, thoughtful and useful design can positively influence communities and the environment, and have an influence way beyond an intended purpose,’ the jury said.

GreenhilLi’s New Wings at The Asian Civilisations Museum in Singapore received the Award for Public Architecture with the jury noting the relationship of the new works to the existing building.

‘The success of the elegant new architecture, with its soft metallic sheen, airy volumes and crisp titanium detailing, lies in its distinctive yet productive cooperation with the materiality, form and use history of its heritage partner. Notably no part of the heritage building has been erased or obscured, rather it provides a counterpoise to the new.’

BVN’s redevelopment of the Australian Embassy Bangkok won the Award for Interior Architecture with the jury lauding its ‘refined and evocative interior’ along with its connection to Australia’s landscape.

‘From the red sand of the desert to the cities along the coastal fringe, the Australian landscape forms an intrinsic part of our national identity. This connection between land and culture provides the conceptual framework for the Australian Embassy in Bangkok, creating a distinctively Australian space within an urban Thai setting.

The Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (New) was presented to House 412 by Pulina Ponnamperuma + Robust Architecture Workshop. This home in Colombo, Sri Lanka which ‘positively contributes to the life of the street’ has also revealed ‘the potential for architecture to positively contribute to the social and economic development of a community’.

‘By being “technologically robust” and pushing for the visible and considered craft of various trades, the building is allowed to act as both a teaching ground and a positive example of technique thereby helping build capacity and understanding of what is possible in the local workforce,’ the jury said.

The four awarded projects are now in the running for the Jørn Utzon Award for International Architecture at the National Architecture Awards to be announced in Melbourne on 1 November 2018.

In addition to the four awards, the jury bestowed two commendations. One for Commercial Architecture to Kampung Admiralty by WOHA and one for Small Project Architecture which went to Bayshore Park Underpass also by GreenhilLi Architecture + Design.

At the ceremony, renowned Singaporean architect Dr Liu Thai Ker was presented with the 2018 William J Mitchell International Chapter Prize, awarded earlier in the year in recognition of significant contribution by an Australia-linked practitioner to architecture globally.

Considered the ‘architect of modern Singapore’, Dr Liu was born in Malaysia, but grew up and practises in Singapore ‘where he was influential in the conceptualisation and implementation of the urban structure and landscape the city-state’. He received his bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of New South Wales in 1962 and was later awarded an honorary Doctorate (1995) from UNSW.

‘In the last 25 years, Dr Liu has served as a planning advisor for many municipal governments in China, and master planned more than 30 cities worldwide. His approach is “scientific” with an emphasis on evidence-based provisioning of basic amenities, transport and accommodation but an aspiration to thus enable intellectual and cultural life,’ the prize jury said.

Full list of winners:

Commercial Architecture
Commendation – Kampung Admiralty by WOHA (Singapore)

Interior Architecture
Award – Australian Embassy Bangkok by BVN (Thailand)

Public Architecture
Award – New Wings at The Asian Civilisations Museum by GreenhilLi (Singapore)

Residential Architecture – Houses (New)
Award – House 412 by Pulina Ponnamperuma + Robust Architecture Workshop (Sri Lanka)

Small Project Architecture
Award – School-in-a-Box by Stephen Collier Architects (Papua New Guinea)
Commendation – Bayshore Park Underpass by GreenhilLi (Singapore)

William J Mitchell International Chapter Prize
Dr Liu Thai Ker FRAIA – Morrow (Singapore)

Next generation of architects big winners at Tas awards

Several of the state’s up and coming practices have dominated the 2018 Tasmanian Architecture Awards. This year’s winners were announced at a ceremony at Westland Nurseries in Seven Mile Beach, with 21 awards and commendations handed out from a record 43 entries, featuring everything from public amenities and office fit-outs to new and adapted housing and bold and innovative tourist attractions and accommodation.

The big winners were some of the next generation architect practices, with three Hobart-based firms – Preston Lane, Taylor and Hinds Architects and Maguire + Devine Architects – taking home 11 awards between them.

Preston Lane scooped five awards, including three pinnacle named awards – the Alan C Walker Award for Public Architecture for the Kangaroo Bay Pavilion, the Edith Emery Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions) for Mawhera Extension and the Alexander North Award for Interior Architecture for 105 Macquarie Street Apartments. The practice also won an Award for Small Project Architecture for the Kangaroo Bay Pavilion and an Award for Interior Architecture for Jakadjari Hair.

Taylor and Hinds Architects’ work with the Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania won three named awards – the Roy Sharrington Smith Award for Heritage for luwa, and the Colin Philp Award for Commercial Architecture and the Peter Willmott Award for Small Project Architecture for the wukalina walk standing camp, krakani lumi. Taylor and Hinds also won the prestigious James Blackburn Triennial Prize for the best residential architecture of the past three years, for their Lagoon House, and the practice’s co-director Mat Hinds won the 2018 Emerging Architect Prize.

Maguire and Devine also had a big night, with their Bruny Island Hideaway taking home three named awards – The Esmond Dorney Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (New), The Barry McNeill Award for Sustainable Architecture and the COLORBOND® Award for Steel Architecture.

Other award winners included Circa Morris-Nunn Architects, which won an Award for Commercial Architecture for Hobart’s new waterfront hotel, Mac 01, Gilby + Brewin Architecture, which won an Award for Small Project Architecture for the Triabunna Gatehouse, and STUART TANNER ARCHITECTS, which took home an Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (New) for Elms House.

The Award for Enduring Architecture went to the Friendly Beaches Lodge by Latona Masterman and Associates and Kwan Chak Law was awarded the SWT Blythe Student Prize for his project Sports Training and Research Centre.

The awards jury chair, Todd Henderson, described the 2018 entrants and winners as reflecting the quality Tasmanian architects bring to their craft and the exciting possibilities ahead as the state’s fledgling practices come into their own.

“The body of work presented at this year’s awards shows the depth and breadth of our young talent – it is innovative and bold, often completed on a modest budget with resourceful solutions and beautiful results. Our architects have the ability to create iconic Tasmanian architecture that sits comfortably in its context and their contribution to our built environment and tourism industry is invaluable.”

Award winners are included in a special lift-out in the Sunday Tasmanian on Sunday 8 July and all entries are on show at Hobart’s Brooke Street Pier until 19 July. Tasmanians are invited to vote for their favourite project in the annual people’s choice prize at the exhibition or online at wp.architecture.com.au/tasawards.

Full list of winners:

Commercial Architecture
The Colin Philp Award – krakani lumi by Taylor and Hinds Architects with the Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania
Award – MAC 01 by Circa Morris-Nunn Architects
Commendation – Shorehouse Addition by JAWS Architects

Educational Architecture
Commendation – Helix – Scotch Oakburn College by birelli art+design+architecture

Heritage
The Roy Sharrington Smith Award – luwa by Taylor and Hinds Architects with the Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania

Interior Architecture
The Alexander North Award – 105 Macquarie Street Apartments by Preston Lane
Award – Jakadjari Hair by Preston Lane
Commendation – Kingston Beach Dental by BYA Architects

Public Architecture
The Alan C Walker Award – Kangaroo Bay Pavilion by Preston Lane
Commendation – Port Arthur Visitor Centre by Rosevear Stephenson

Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations & Additions)
The Edith Emery Award – Mawhera Extension by Preston Lane
Commendation – Willisdene House by Archier

Residential Architecture – Houses (New)
The Esmond Dorney Award – Bruny Island Hideaway by Maguire + Devine Architects
Award – Elms House by STUART TANNER ARCHITECTS

Small Project Architecture
The Peter Willmott Award – krakani lumi by Taylor and Hinds Architects with the Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania
Award – Kangaroo Bay Pavilion by Preston Lane
Award – Triabunna Gatehouse by Gilby + Brewin Architecture

Sustainable Architecture
The Barry McNeill Award – Bruny Island Hideaway by Maguire + Devine Architects

Urban Design
Commendation – University of Tasmania City Apartments by TERROIR and Fender Katsalidis, in association

Enduring Architecture
Award – Friendly Beaches Lodge by Latona Masterman and Associates

COLORBOND® Award for Steel Architecture
Award – Bruny Island Hideaway by Maguire + Devine Architects

Chapter Prizes
The James Blackburn Triennial Prize – Lagoon House by Taylor and Hinds Architects
President’s Prize – Leigh Woolley
Emerging Architect Prize – Mat Hinds
SWT Blythe Student Prize – Sports Training and Research Centre by Kwan Chak Law

2018 NSW Architecture Award winners announced

The Australian Institute of Architects has announced the winners of the prestigious NSW Architecture Awards, including the first ever recipient of the NSW Architecture Medallion for ‘best in show’. Winning projects demonstrate design excellence, innovative thinking and among them are highly sensitive responses to the past as well as new visions of how we can live well, work well, learn and play well.

The winner of the Medallion is selected from recipients of the named award in each category. ‘There were several very strong contenders for the Medallion,’ said Andrew Nimmo, NSW Chapter President. ‘Ultimately, the jury chose a very worthy project, The Joynton Avenue Creative Precinct by Peter Stutchbury Architecture in association with Design 5 – Architects for the City of Sydney, which also took out the Greenway Prize for Heritage.’

A beautifully rounded project, The Joynton Avenue Creative Precinct is the result both of a potent collaboration between its architect and heritage architect, and of a client-architect relationship that allowed the investigation of the brief to deliver a memorable public facility and a suite of community buildings as part of the City’s wider urban program of place making.

Sulman Medal winner Punchbowl Mosque by Candalepas Associates emerged as another outstanding public architecture project. In its remarkable, sensuous ensemble of spaces, sound reflects and light and shadow play against the mosque’s concrete and timber forms to create a compelling sense of the sacred.

Residential awards and commendations this year demonstrated achievements of design excellence at modest scales across diverse housing types, through careful integration with the existing landscape and through explorations of how we might live with comfort and amenity in densely populated urban areas.

The small footprint of Peter Stutchbury Architecture’s Cabbage Tree House is a commentary on distended dwelling size, while the reminiscence of a forgotten Australian suburbia distilled in TRIAS’s first house project, Three Piece House, is a reminder that architecture is not dependent on large budgets or contextual appeal to be successful. Similarly, careful rethinking of small lots and compact apartment living distinguished winners in the additions and alterations and multiple housing categories.

The Aboriginal-owned and run Biripi Clinic in regional Purfleet was another modest project with a minimal budget that highlighted how architecture can be transformative at any scale. Cleverly stitching together a campus of buildings into a coherent precinct with a public presence, this important symbol of accomplishment and self-determination earned an Award for Commercial Architecture, the COLORBOND® Award for Steel Architecture and the NSW Premier’s Prize.

New approaches also featured among winning projects in educational architecture, which interpreted and responded to contemporary educational briefs with designs that facilitate flexible, collaborative teaching and learning environments.

‘The NSW Architecture Awards are a celebration of design excellence. Although they are unquestionably essential to its emergence, the realisation of design excellence depends on more than the architect’s talent and industry,’ said Andrew Nimmo. ‘Procurement – the ways in which and conditions under which an architect is engaged – plays a critical part in ensuring design excellence is brought to life.’

‘In recognising many of the winners tonight we are celebrating what good procurement practice can mean for architects, clients and for the wider community: beautiful, functional, holistically sustainable environments for living, working, learning, healing and culture.’

In total the jury bestowed 69 awards and commendations. Projects that received a Named Award or Award at the NSW Architecture Awards will now progress to the National Architecture Awards to be announced in Melbourne on Thursday 1 November.

The Institute congratulates all the practices that participated in the 2018 NSW Awards program and thanks this year’s jurors, who contributed their time and expertise with great generosity.

High resolution images and promotional summaries are available for download by registering at –

https://nationalarchitecture.awardsplatform.com/register/pLmXvznA

Download the Awards catalogue including jury citations

Full list of winners:

NSW Architecture Medallion – Joynton Avenue Creative Precinct by Peter Stutchbury Architecture in association with Design 5 – Architects for City of Sydney

Commercial Architecture

The Sir Arthur G. Stephenson Award for Commercial Architecture – International House Sydney by Tzannes

Award – Barangaroo House by Collins and Turner

Award – Biripi Clinic by Kaunitz Yeung Architecture

Commendation – The Beehive by Raffaello Rosselli Architect with Luigi Rosselli Architects

Commendation – 333 George Street by Grimshaw with Crone Architects

Educational Architecture

The William E. Kemp Award for Educational Architecture – Macquarie University Incubator by Architectus

Award – St Patrick’s Primary School, Lochinvar – Stage 1 by SHAC

Award – UTS Blackfriars Children’s Centre by DJRD with Lacoste +Stevenson Architects

Commendation – The Waranara Early Learning Centre for the City of Sydney by Fox Johnston

Commendation – Bellevue Hill Public School by GroupGSA

Heritage

Greenway Award for Heritage – Joynton Avenue Creative Precinct by Peter Stutchbury Architecture in association with Design 5 – Architects for City of Sydney

Award for Heritage Creative Adaptation – O’Connell Public by Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects

Commendation for Heritage, Adaptive re-use – Goonoo Goonoo Station by TKD Architects

Commendation for Heritage, Adaptive re-use – Macaria Gallery by Dunn & Hillam Architects

Award for Heritage Conservation – The Westpac Long Gallery by Design 5 – Architects

Commendation for Conservation – Emmett Residence by Orwell & Peter Phillips

Interior Architecture

John Verge Award for Interior Architecture – 75 Myrtle Street Chippendale by Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects

Award – The Waranara Early Learning Centre for the City of Sydney by Fox Johnston

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

Commendation – Frasers Property Australia Head Office by BVN

Commendation – All Hands Brewing House by Maddison Architects

Commendation – Wine Cave by McGregor Westlake Architecture

Commendation – Grimshaw Architects Office Fit Out by Grimshaw

Public Architecture

Sulman Medal for Public Architecture – Punchbowl Mosque by Candalepas Associates

Award – Joynton Avenue Creative Precinct by Peter Stutchbury Architecture for City of Sydney

Commendation – Barangaroo Ferry Wharf by Cox Architecture

Commendation – Coogee Beach Centre by Brewster Hjorth Architects

Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations & Additions)

Hugh and Eva Buhrich Award for Residential Architecture – Laneway House by Jon Jacka Architects

Award – Bolt Hole by panovscott

Commendation – Italianate House by Renato D’Ettorre Architects

Residential Architecture – Houses (New)

Wilkinson Award for Residential Architecture – Cabbage Tree House by Peter Stutchbury Architecture

Award – Coastal Garden House by Neeson Murcutt Architects

Award – Three Piece House by TRIAS

Commendation – Killcare Beach Bush House by MORA – James Fraser Architect

Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing

Aaron Bolot Award for Residential Architecture – The Rochford by Fox Johnston

Award – The Triplex Apartments by Luigi Rosselli Architects

Award – Griffiths Teas by PopovBass

Award – Short Lane by Woods Bagot

Commendation – Inkmakers Place by Jensen Young

Small Project Architecture

Robert Woodward Award for Small Project Architecture – Treetop Studio by Aileen Sage Architects

Award – Montoro Wines Cellar Door by Source Architects

Award – The Beehive by Raffaello Rosselli Architect with Luigi Rosselli Architects

Commendation – Paper Bird by Plus Minus Design

Commendation – Laneway Studio by McGregor Westlake Architecture

Commendation – Islington Park by Curious Practice

Sustainable Architecture

Milo Dunphy Award for Sustainable Architecture – International House Sydney by Tzannes

Award – The Beehive by Raffaello Rosselli Architect with Luigi Rosselli Architects

Award – Joynton Avenue Creative Precinct by Peter Stutchbury Architecture for City of Sydney

Commendation – Coogee Beach Centre by Brewster Hjorth Architects

Commendation – Macquarie University Incubator by Architectus

Commendation – Cabbage Tree House by Peter Stutchbury Architecture

Commendation – Paper Bird by Plus Minus Design

Urban Design

The Lloyd Rees Award for Urban Design – Darling Harbour Transformation by HASSELL / HASSELL + Populous

Award – East Sydney Community and Arts Centre and Albert Sloss Reserve by lahznimmo architects with Spackman Mossop Michaels Landscape Architects

Award – The Connection – Rhodes by Crone Architects

Award – Day Street Apartments by Tzannes and Loftex

Enduring Architecture

Award – Sirius by Tao Gofers, NSW Department of Housing with Alexander & Lloyd Architects

COLORBOND® Award for Steel Architecture

Award – Biripi Clinic by Kaunitz Yeung Architecture

Commendation – North Avoca Studio by Matt Thitchener Architect

Commendation – Barangaroo Ferry Wharf by Cox Architecture

NSW Chapter Prizes

NSW Premier’s Prize – Biripi Clinic by Kaunitz Yeung Architecture

City of Sydney Lord Mayor’s Prize – Barangaroo Ferry Wharf by Cox Architecture

Commendation – 333 George Street by Grimshaw with Crone

Commendation – ‘Reflection’ Memorial by Johnson Pilton Walker and Jess Dare

The Blacket Prize – St Patrick’s Primary School, Lochinvar – Stage 1 by SHAC

NSW Chapter President’s Prize – Deborah Dearing, President of the NSW Architects Registration Board

Emerging Architect Prize sponsored by AWS – Amelia Holliday and Isabelle Toland, Aileen Sage Architects

David Lindner Prize – Passive Security in Schools: Investigating alternative methods of achieving secure environments in schools by Jamileh Jahangiri, TKD Architects

Marion Mahony Griffin Prize sponsored by Bespoke Careers – Oi Choong, Context Landscape Design

NOTES TO EDITOR:

High resolution images and promotional summaries are available for download by registering at –

https://nationalarchitecture.awardsplatform.com/register/pLmXvznA

The National Architecture Awards and respective state and territory Architecture Awards programs are run by the Australian Institute of Architects. Images and information are provided only for use in articles relating to the Institute’s Architecture Awards. The Awards program must be attributed as the Australian Institute of Architects’ National/State/Territory Architecture Awards.

All images must credit the Institute, the architect and photographer. Use in any other context is strictly prohibited without written permission from the submitting architect.

For media enquiries contact:

Kate Concannon

Advocacy and Communications Lead, NSW Chapter

Australian Institute of Architects

P. + 61 (2) 9246 4017 | M. +61 (0) 406 306 447

kate.concannon@architecture.com.au

2018 Chapter Architecture Awards

Congratulations to all winners in the 2018 Chapter Architecture Awards. Named Award and Award winners will now go into the running to be shortlisted for the National Architecture Awards to be held in Melbourne in November.

Learn more about the list of awarded projects via the media releases for each Chapter below:

Stadium celebrated for defining Perth

Optus Stadium has been presented the most esteemed accolade, the George Temple Poole Award, at the Australian Institute of Architects’ 2018 WA Architecture Awards.

Designed as a joint venture by HASSELL, COX and HKS, the Stadium has been recognised as a city-defining architectural icon, offering a fan’s first experience for Western Australian sport and entertainment events.

“The Optus Stadium project excels as an outstanding example of a multi-sports and entertainment infrastructure, creating an iconic architectural entry statement to the city,” the jury said.

“The facade delivers the gravitas of a global city destination without sacrificing user experience. Visitors are drawn to the structure and reap the benefits of the thoughtful, holistic approach to arrival, navigation, experience and departure.”

Taking out five Named Awards on the night, Optus Stadium was also recognised with The Jeffrey Howlett Award for Public Architecture, The Wallace Greenham Award for Sustainable Architecture, The Mondoluce Lighting Award and The COLORBOND® Award for Steel Architecture.

Honouring excellence in the design and construction industry, the Awards were held on Friday, June 29 at the spectacular St George’s Cathedral.

The Cadogan Song School by Palassis Architects was the recipient of The Margaret Pitt Morison Award for Heritage as well as The Julius Elischer Award for Interior Architecture.

The jury were impressed with the deceptively simple yet elegant solution to an intricate puzzle. The project masterfully resolves the connection between three significant yet entirely separate heritage buildings, dealing with complex level changes and a technically challenging acoustic brief with simplicity and precision.

Amongst an impressive group of urban projects in the 2018 awards, the Scarborough Beach Pool by Christou Design Group was the recipient of The John Septimus Roe Award for Urban Design.

Providing a community-focused transition between urban and recreational landscapes, the pool enhances the public realm through the exceptional use of spaces, levels, technical requirements, services and views.

“The 2018 WA Architecture Awards demonstrate the versatility and accessibility of architects, their broad experience, and the contribution they make to the wider built environment,” said Suzanne Hunt, WA President, Australian Institute of Architects.

“Not only have we seen an impressive selection of larger public projects recognised in the awards this year, but on a smaller scale, the calibre of residential winners is a testament to the way in which architects incorporate quality design into our everyday lives.”

Defining Western Australia as an internationally recognisable destination is paramount to the future of the state, and as such, we were delighted to award Optus Stadium by HASSELL, COX and HKS the highest honour at this year’s Awards.”

All Western Australian Named and Architecture Award winners will progress to the Australian Institute of Architects National Awards to be judged against the very best architectural works in the country.

Full list of winning projects:

GEORGE TEMPLE POOLE AWARD
Optus Stadium by HASSELL, COX and HKS

COMMERCIAL ARCHITECTURE
The Ross Chisholm and Gil Nicol Award for Commercial Architecture– Main Roads WA – Northam Office by TAG Architects
Architecture Award– Freshwaters by Paul Burnham Architect Pty Ltd
Commendation– Scarborough Beach Pool by Christou Design Group
Commendation– The Melbourne Hotel by The Buchan Group – Perth

EDUCATIONAL ARCHITECTURE
The Hillson Beasley Award for Educational Architecture – Highgate Primary School New Teaching Building by iredale pedersen hook architects
Architecture Award– Wesley College Mildred Manning Science Centre by Taylor Robinson Chaney Broderick
Commendation– Methodist Ladies College Junior Years by Cox Architecture
Commendation– South Metropolitan TAFE Murdoch Block T by Armstrong Parkin Architects

HERITAGE
The Margaret Pitt Morison Award for Heritage– The Cadogan Song School by Palassis Architects
Architecture Award– St Francis Xavier Cathedral Precinct, Geraldton by John Taylor Architect
Commendation– Cue Community & Visitor Centre by Suzanne Hunt Architect & Stephen Carrick, Architects in Association
Commendation– Notre Dame University Student Hub by Cox Architecture

INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE
The Julius Elischer Award for Interior Architecture– The Cadogan Song School by Palassis Architects
Architecture Award– Roscommon House by Neil Cownie Architect
Commendation– Notre Dame University Student Hub by Cox Architecture

PUBLIC ARCHITECTURE
The Jeffery Howlett Award for Public Architecture– Optus Stadium by HASSELL, COX and HKS
Architecture Award– The Cadogan Song School by Palassis Architects

RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE – HOUSES (Alterations and Additions)
The Peter Overman Award for Residential Architecture – [Alterations and Additions]– orange ave by vittinoAshe
Architecture Award– Goldtree House by Hartree + Associates Architects
Commendation– King George by Robeson Architects

RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE – HOUSES (New)
The Marshall Clifton Award for Residential Architecture – Houses [New]– 1437 Inside Outside House by Craig Steere Architects
Architecture Award– Blinco Street House by Philip Stejskal Architecture
Architecture Award– M+C Residence 6012 by Philippa Mowbray Architects
Architecture Award– Roscommon House by Neil Cownie Architect
Commendation– Armadale Crescent by Klopper and Davis Architects

RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE – HOUSES (Multiple Housing)
The Harold Krantz Award for Residential Architecture – Houses [Multiple Housing]– The Bottleyard by MJA Studio
Architecture Award– Carrington Street by spaceagency architects
Commendation– St Ives Carine Village by HASSELL

SMALL PROJECT ARCHITECTURE
The Iwan Iwanoff Award for Small Project Architecture – Cottesloe Lobby and Landscape by Simon Pendal Architect
Architecture Award– House A by Whispering Smith
Commendation– Hightide Hub by Harris Architects
Commendation– The Boatshed Market Wineloft by Matthew Crawford Architects

SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE
The Wallace Greenham Award for Sustainable Architecture – Optus Stadium by HASSELL, COX and HKS
Architecture Award– Yalgoo Avenue by Michelle Blakeley, Architect

URBAN DESIGN
The John Septimus Roe Award for Urban Design – Scarborough Beach Pool by Christou Design Group
Architecture Award– Highgate Primary School by iredale pedersen hook architects

RICHARD ROACH JEWELL AWARD FOR ENDURING ARCHITECTURE AWARD
Allendale Square by Cameron Chisholm Nichol

COLORBOND® AWARD FOR STEEL ARCHITECTURE
Colorbond® Award for Steel Architecture – Optus Stadium by HASSELL, COX and HKS
Commendation– Manatj Park, Perth City Link by iredale pedersen hook architects in association with Lyons Architects and Plan E landscape architects

MONDOLUCE LIGHTING AWARD
Mondoluce Lighting Award – Optus Stadium by HASSELL, COX and HKS
Commendation– The Cadogan Song School by Palassis Architects