An impressive array of outstanding architecture professionals, academics and students have been acknowledged at the Australian Achievement in Architecture Awards held at the newly opened National Arboretum in Canberra tonight.

The Australian Achievement in Architecture Awards recognise and celebrate the accomplishments of individuals who contribute to society through architecture and the built environment and include the awarding of the Gold Medal, the highest honour the Institute may bestow.

2013 Australian Achievement in Architecture Award Winners:

Gold Medal Peter Wilson – International

Leadership in Sustainability Prize Daniel Grollo – Victoria

William J Mitchell International Committee Prize John Gollings – Victoria

Emerging Architects Prize Clare Cousins – Victoria

Student Prize for the Advancement of Architecture John Byleveld – South Australia

Neville Quarry Architectural Education Prize Peter Corrigan – Victoria

National President’s Prize Louise Cox – New South Wales

BlueScope Steel Glenn Murcutt Student Prize – Winner James Loder – Victoria

BlueScope Steel Glenn Murcutt Student Prize – Commendations Anthony Parsons – New South Wales, Christopher Mullaney – New South Wales

Dulux Study Tour – Winners Sean Humphries – South Australia, Amy Muir – Victoria, Melissa Bright – Victoria, Adam Pustola – Victoria, Luke Pendergast – Queensland

The Institute would like to thank the following corporate partners for their support of the AAAAs: BlueScope Steel (supporters of the BlueScope Steel Glenn Murcutt Student Prize) and Dulux (supporters of the Dulux Study Tour).

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For access to the embargoed media kit including individual media releases, high res images, jury citations and prize information contact:

Alexandra Cato
National Media and Communications Officer
Australian Institute of Architects
P. +61 (0)3 8620 3813 | M. +61 (0)416 022 818
alexandra.cato@architecture.com.au

The Australian Institute of Architects is the peak body for the architectural profession, representing 11,500 members across Australia and overseas. The Institute actively works to improve the quality of our built environment by promoting quality, responsible and sustainable design. Learn more about the Institute, log on to www.architecture.com.au.

The winning entries for CAPITheticAL reflect the diversity of challenges and opportunities for a national capital in the 21st century. The themes include landscape, water, Indigenous culture, sustainable development, extreme weather and climate change. They also reflect that planning and design responses can be very different. The winning entries include a new northern national capital better connecting to the Asian region, a retreating national capital adapting to climate change, and a regional response to future urban growth with connected ‘mega regions’. The Student Prize winner adopts a dynamic process based on an adaptive urban system for future proofing Canberra. All these entries are a very high standard and together form a narrative about the possibilities for a national capital. The richness and diversity of ideas demonstrates the talent, creativity and desire by many to celebrate Canberra, respect its history and embrace the global, national and local challenges of designing a new national capital for Australia.

FIRST PRIZE $70 000
THE NORTHERN CAPITAL BY ECOSCAPE AUST PTY LTD (FREMANTLE)

The northern capital addresses one of the themes that a number of entrants have considered in the competition – the questioning and future relevance of Canberra’s physical location within the Australian continent in the 21st century.
Unlike some other entries Northern Capital does not seek to relocate Australia’s capital city but to establish a second capital that better addresses Australia’s position in the Asian century.
This project has clarity of intention by retaining Canberra as the existing southern capital – surrounded by mountains and located on a river system – but adds a new northern capital on the shores of Lake Argyle – again surrounded by mountains and with a sustainable water supply from Lake Argyle.
The project locates its Centre for Asian Century Development, Ministry for Northern Development and Office of Cultural Development in the northern capital so that each is close to its client base. The northern capital directly addresses the current debate of Australia in the Asian Century and is sensitive to the integration of Aboriginal culture. By retaining Canberra as the southern capital the scheme acknowledges Australia’s Anglo-European history and the reasons why the site of Canberra was originally selected.
The key administrative buildings are sited symbolically on the shore of Lake Argyle, and the scheme has been sensitive to integrate Aboriginal culture into the design by unifying the three main administrative buildings into a single motif that represents the paths between the waterholes of the people of the Western Desert. This network is played out on the landscaped roofs of central buildings and symbolises good governance for all cultures.
The project incorporates low key environmental initiatives through the use of water and landscape courtyards in buildings and the incorporation of gardens in the suburbs that supply sustainable food within residential areas.
All in all, the scheme provides a city that would be a delight in which to live and work, addresses current political questions and paints a bright optimistic future for Australia akin to the optimism and confidence that Australia displayed in commissioning the original competition for Canberra.
The jury considered this scheme of high merit and an integral part of the overall narrative of the role of a capital city in the 21st Century.

SECOND PRIZE $30 000
SEDIMENTARY CITY CANBERRA BY BRIT ANDRESEN AND MARA FRANCIS (BRISBANE)

Realised as a table top scroll, Sedimentary City unfurls back to a possible future. Imagined and real mappings of the site of Canberra have been laid one over another to create a ‘sedimentation’ that allows us to trace the past across the landscape.
Beginning with First City where the ancient markers of Ngunwal /Ngumbra country meet Dixon’s 1829 map, through to Griffins City where the surveys of Hoddle and Scrivener meet the Griffin’s 1912 ‘City and Environs’ plan, to the Now City of Canberra, the Business-As-Usual devastated Flood and Inferno cities and finishing, finally, with Capithetical City, a small, sustainable city where all the elemental signs of the past cities and landscape seep back to the surface.
In projects that attempt to imagine future cities, one tends to expect science fiction- utopic leaps into worlds hinted at by technologies recentally promise. The counter-tradition to this optimism is to imagine our demise as a species, to picture an aftermath.
Whether it is of religious or secular design every generation throughout civilization has attempted to give it form. For our generation, climate change has given rise to an urgent critical dimension to imagining our future. This future, the one that we are already living, haunts our daily lives. We are recording it.
In keeping with this counter-tradition, Sedimentary City describes a place altered irrevocably by monstrous change. Yet Sedimentary City is still a future city. It is not a future city we might have expected, with vertiginous towers and sprawling density. Rather it is a deeply poetic, visually sumptuous and strangely reasonable projection.

We hope collectively that Sedimentary City is not an invocation and remains simply an imagined, glass half full kind of place. But it remains just as important to consider, to imagine and be prepared for as any other.

COMMENDATION $5000
MADE IN AUSTRALIA: THE FUTURE OF AUSTRALIAN CITIES BY DR JULIAN BOLLETER AND PROFESSOR RICHARD WELLER of the AUSTRALIAN URBAN DESIGN RESEARCH CENTRE (PERTH)

The jury awarded a Commendation to the Australian Urban Design Research Centre (Perth), for an arrestingly graphic presentation on the impact of Australia’s projected population growth in their
submission, Mega Regions.It is acknowledged that the full team was responsible for Stage 1, and Stage 2 was developed by two members of the team, Dr Julian Bolleter and Professor Richard Weller.
Stage 1 drew attention to the projections of the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), predicting an Australian population of 42 million by 2056 and 62 million by 2100, equivalent to building 59 Canberras over the next 4 decades. After a detailed analysis of Australia- wide opportunities and constraints, this entry recommended building a New City adjacent to Darwin, with a new Asian-oriented university, relocation of Darwin airport, and expansion of the port.
Stage 2 expanded the strategic concepts of Stage 1, by postulating the primary importance of high speed rail and high speed telecommunications in the development of three ‘Megaregions‘ – East Coast, West Coast, and New North. Existing Canberra would remain a lynch pin in a linked system of 25 new high speed rail stops along the east and west coasts. Each rail stop would become the catalyst for a new city.
The submission argued strongly that existing cities could not be expanded to accommodate growth past mid-century without losing their liveability.
It was noted that the average population of the world’s 10 most liveable cities was 1.7 million; the biggest being Sydney with 4.6 million inhabitants.
The jury was struck by the scale of strategic thinking involved in stage 2 and in particular the impact of the submitted video, and saw fit to award this entry a Commendation.

STUDENT PRIZE $3000
PROTO:CAPITAL BY KATE DICKINSON AND ANNABEL KOECK (SYDNEY)

This proposal argues that a capital city is an urban laboratory and an urban prototype for the nation it represents. A capital city is, therefore, fundamentally special and to deny its difference is to deny its very reason for being. As both experimental laboratory and prototype, a capital city should be dynamic and ever-changing rather than static and monumental, the authors say. They claim that the dynamic qualities so evident at Canberra’s inception and essential to its role as capital have been ignored more recently and should be reclaimed. They explore what makes Australia’s capital so special – its exceptional concentration of research, global knowledge and government and its spatial form, a unique combination of productive rural setting, of functioning natural systems and open space, of local suburbs and centres as well as national areas. They then propose a future that employs an interrelated system of experimental networks to link these more directly and demonstrate to the nation how very different urban forms and functions can co-exist more fruitfully if harnessed creatively. The jury appreciated the comprehensive approach of these students and their recognition not only of the assets particular to Canberra as Australia’s capital and as a place (its role, its people, its space), but how to adapt these effectively for the future. By doing so, Canberra could and would, the authors believe, be ‘future proofed’ as an adaptive urban system recognised nationally and internationally for its creative and sustainable management. Under such a scenario, Canberra re-evaluates its position in the contemporary world and adapts for its second century, realising the original vision of the city as Australia’s national capital in new ways.

• CAPITheticAL is a Centenary of Canberra project, proudly supported by the ACT Government and the Australian Government and administered by the Australian Institute of Architects and presented as a Gallery of Australian Design exhibition.
• CAPITheticAL is an international design ideas competition that invited student and professional designers to imagine how an Australian national capital might be created in the 21st century.
• The hypothetical competition was launched by CAPITheticAL Competition Ambassador, His Excellency Mr Michael Bryce AM AE on Friday 6 May 2011 – 100 years after the original call for design entries for a capital city for the newly federated Australian nation.
• Over 1200 registrations were received from over 40 countries including Russia, India, Germany and Vietnam.
• At the close of Stage 1 on 31 January 2012, 114 entries had been submitted by entrants from 24 countries consisting of 41 student entries and 73 open category entries.
• 74 entries were received from Australian participants, including seven entries from Canberra.
• From these entries, the jury selected a shortlist of 20 with these entrants invited to develop their submissions for Stage 2 which closed in November 2012.
• The CAPITheticAL jury was made up of Professor Barbara Norman (Chair), Dr Catherin Bull AM, Councillor John McInerney, Callum Morton and Professor Alastair Swayn.
• Stage 1 and Stage 2 were judged anonymously.
• The total prize pool totalled more than $100,000 with first prize taking home $70,000.
• All 20 shortlisted submissions will be on display at The Gallery of Australian Design. The free exhibition is open from 6 March until 11 May 2013.

For more information on the competition and full media kit (available after embargo), visit www.capithetical.com.au.

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For media enquiries, high resolution images and embargoed details on the winning submissions contact:
Alexandra Cato
National Media and Communications Officer
Australian Institute of Architects
P. + 61 (3) 8620 3813 | M. +61 (0) 416 022 818
alexandra.cato@architecture.com.au

The Australian Institute of Architects is the peak body for the architectural profession, representing 11,500 members across Australia and overseas. The Institute actively works to improve the quality of our built environment by promoting quality, responsible and sustainable design. Learn more about the Institute, log on to www.architecture.com.au.

The winners of CAPITheticAL, the international competition to design a hypothetical Australian capital city, have been announced in Canberra tonight as a highlight of the capital’s Centenary celebrations.

Western Australian landscape architecture firm Ecoscape won the $70,000 first prize for its submission,The Northern Capital.

Drawing on the need to address the issues of population growth; financial, political and economic development; environmental and climate concerns; farming and food production; and acknowledging Indigenous Australian culture, Ecoscape proposed a new northern capital situated on the shores of Lake Argyle in the north of Western Australia.

The jury – Professor Barbara Norman (Chair), Professor Alastair Swayn, Councillor John McInerney, Dr Catherin Bull AM and Callum Morton – awarded first and second prize, a commendation and a student prize from the 20 shortlisted entries, which share in a prize pool of more than $100,000.

First Prize ($70,000) – The Northern Capital by Ecoscape Aust Pty Ltd (FREMANTLE)
Second Prize ($30,000) – Sedimentary City Canberra by Brit Andresen and Mara Francis (BRISBANE)
Commendation – Made in Australia: The future of Australian Cities by Dr Julian Bolleter and Professor Richard Weller, of the Australian Urban Design Research Centre (PERTH)
Student Prize – Proto: Capital by Kate Dickinson and Annabel Koeck (SYDNEY)

From an exceptionally strong field of 114 Stage 1 submissions from 24 countries, the jury unanimously decided on the final outcome of the design competition.

‘The jury believes strongly that the top three entries and the winning student entry form an important and integrated narrative about the future challenges of the nation’s capital,’ said Professor Norman, CAPITheticAL Jury Chair.

‘The Northern Capital addresses one of the themes that a number of entrants have considered in the competition – the questioning and future relevance of Canberra’s physical location within the Australian continent in the 21st century, however unlike some other entries it does not seek to relocate Australia’s capital city but to establish a second capital that better addresses Australia’s position in the Asian century,’ the jury said.

Second prize winner, Sedimentary City Canberra, was presented as a table top scroll that ‘unfurls back to a possible future. Imagined and real mappings of the site of Canberra have been laid one over another to create a “sedimentation” that allows us to trace the past across the landscape,’ the jury recorded. Brit Andresen’s and Mara Francis’s entry ruminates on the layering effect of modern cities.

‘In response to changing conditions, cities periodically grow and shrink and some fall into ruin leaving only fragments – seemingly to vanish like many First Cities of pre-history. Cities are therefore rarely built from ”scratch” but are, over time, overlaid city-layer upon city-layer – so that within each new city-layer there are remnants of all previous cities,’ the pair reflected.

Themes central to the final submissions include better connection to the north, Australia’s Indigenous communities and to South East Asia; recognising and responding to extreme weather, climate change and living with our environment; and embracing regional Australia as a critical consideration in our strategic national vision.

CAPITheticAL competition ambassador, His Excellency Mr Michael Bryce AM AE commented on the variety of responses to the hypothetical questions the competition proposed.

‘What a package of surprises we had in the entries for the CAPITheticAL design competition for a hypothetical capital, with 114 final entries from 24 countries reminiscent of the original design competition in 1910.

‘These entries are not a reflection on the original concept of Canberra by the revered Walter Burley and Marion Mahoney Griffin, but a new way of looking at the nation’s capital, as if we were to have started again in 2013. I’m sure everyone will find something that they have always thought about, and of course times have changed, so let’s take a wild ride into 2013 and keep an open mind for the future.’

The 20 shortlisted CAPITheticAL submissions will be showcased at The Gallery of Australian Design.

Featuring plans, videos and drawings, the exhibition presents a rich trove of ideas, both fantastical and practical, to provoke, amuse and ultimately delight visitors. These hypothetical capitals offer imaginative resolutions to questions of national symbolism and identity, access to government, sustainable development and community building.

This free exhibition is open from 6 March until 11 May 2013. Visit www.gad.org.au for more information.

CAPITheticAL is a Centenary of Canberra project, proudly supported by the ACT Government and the Australian Government and administered by the Australian Institute of Architects.

For more information on the competition visit www.capithetical.com.au.

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For media enquiries, high resolution images and details on the winning submissions contact:

Alexandra Cato
National Media and Communications Officer
Australian Institute of Architects
P. + 61 (3) 8620 3813 | M. +61 (0) 416 022 818
alexandra.cato@architecture.com.au 

The Australian Institute of Architects is the peak body for the architectural profession, representing 11,500 members across Australia and overseas. The Institute actively works to improve the quality of our built environment by promoting quality, responsible and sustainable design. Learn more about the Institute, log on to www.architecture.com.au.

The Australian Institute of Architects welcomes the appointment of Professor Lawrence Nield as Northern Territory Government Architect, announced today by Minister for Lands, Planning and the Environment, Peter Chandler.

Simon Scally, the Institute’s incoming NT Chapter President, said ‘We commend the NT Government on this appointment. The role of Government Architect provides a source of in-house expertise that can greatly assist government to achieve its urban development objectives and to help facilitate a positive, enduring legacy. It is a low cost position that offers a high value return in terms of improving the built environment of the Northern Territory.

‘Lawrence is a highly respected member of the profession and we expect the government to benefit from his expertise. We look forward to working closely with him in his new capacity.’

Announcing the appointment, Minister Chandler described Professor Nield as ‘a person of national eminence who will provide exceptional advice for the development, design and standards of our urban environment and public spaces.’

‘One of his special interests is the design of public buildings and creating master plans for the design of cities and campuses.

‘Professor Nield is also raising awareness for ventilation in city streets to reduce temperatures, something that is well suited to the Territory climate. He is an advocate for building better cities and adopts an environmental approach to architecture and planning.’

Government Architects provide leadership and strategic advice about architecture and urban design and promotes awareness about how good design can make great living places and urban environments.

Professor Nield has made an outstanding contribution to architecture for over 45 years. His career combines a prolific and continued output of significant architecture and urban design projects, services to the Institute, academic and teaching achievements, including a distinguished list of writings and publications.

In 2012, Nield was awarded the highest honour the Australian Institute of Architects can bestow, the Gold Medal for Architecture.

The Institute believes that establishing Government Architect positions within state, territory and federal governments assists Australia to achieve a level of design excellence and sustainability performance in the built environment that will enrich the lives of all Australians and place Australia in an international design leadership position.

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For media enquiries and high res images contact:
Alexandra Cato
National Media and Communications Officer
Australian Institute of Architects
P. + 61 (3) 8620 3813 | M. +61 (0) 416 022 818
alexandra.cato@architecture.com.au 

The Australian Institute of Architects is the peak body for the architectural profession, representing 11,500 members across Australia and overseas. The Institute actively works to improve the quality of our built environment by promoting quality, responsible and sustainable design. Learn more about the Institute, log on to www.architecture.com.au.

At the National Press Club in Canberra yesterday, Arts Minister Simon Crean launched the long-awaited National Cultural Policy. The multi-million-dollar policy, Creative Australia, is an ‘official strategy for the arts, culture and creativity in Australia’.

Upon its release, the Australian Institute of Architects expressed disappointment at the lack of any significant measures to facilitate architecture to achieve better outcomes for the Australian community.

David Parken, Chief Executive Officer of the Institute said ‘While the government is to be commended for its commitment to developing a National Cultural Policy, it was hoped that, given the guidance the Institute provided to the government, the references to architecture would be strengthened, and would lead in turn to complementary changes in government policy, programs and activity.’

Mr Parken continued, ‘As a cultural enterprise, architecture is punching above its weight at both local and international levels – and all without government assistance. The profession is a key player in the creative industries and yet it has been overlooked. Architecture has again been the victim of its own success. I am disheartened by the tokenism of the policy in regard to the profession.’

Creative Australia has been sure to acknowledge the place that design and architecture hold in Australia’s heritage, culture and economy, but in the 152 page-document, the only significant reference to architecture is the following paragraph:

 

Australian architecture has evolved in response to our particular climatic conditions, resources and cultural demands. It now represents a unique architectural tradition, recognised annually through our own National Architecture Awards. The maturity of this sector is reflected in the recent success of Australian architects and designers at the 2012 World Architecture Festival in Singapore, where Australians won eight of 33 award categories. We are also exporting our architectural talent and expanding our international influence-at least seven of the major venues at the 2008 Beijing Olympics were designed by Australian architectural practices.

In response to this passage, Mr Parken asks ‘If the government really does value architecture so highly, why does it not support the profession in any meaningful way within this policy for a creative Australia?’

In 2011, the Australian Institute of Architects made a robust submission in response to the discussion paper and clearly stated why architecture and design are integral to Australian culture then pointed to a number of ways the government could strengthen the recognition, promotion and facilitation of architecture and its contribution to our culture.

The Institute pointed out that architecture encapsulates the development of our culture like no other art form. It demonstrates our technological advancement and innovation, our cultural ambition too. Also, that where most arts engagement- seeing a play, reading a book, visiting an exhibition – are experiences specifically chosen by an individual, architecture is in the public realm, buildings are ubiquitous and inherently part of our lives.

The submission proposed key government activity, including

• Supporting, seeking, facilitating and celebrating good design and architecture at all scales, through awards, design competitions, and selection and assessment panels
• Encouraging public discussion about the role and importance of architecture and urban design in Australian life
• Raising community expectations and participation that is guided by best available information of the value of architecture and good design
• Encouraging State Departments of Education to develop architectural and urban design issues in their curriculum development.

 

In addition, it outlined specific areas in which it could better support the role of architecture within our culture, such as:

• through the Venice International Architectural Biennale
• through the Gallery of Australian Design, a showcase for Australian design and architecture
• investment in architectural innovation and exploration, and
• the development of an architectural policy.

 

The built environment faces many challenges; an ageing demographic, climate change, affordable housing and traffic congestion, for instance. Better recognition of the role in which architecture and design plays in helping address these issues can be achieved through both a cultural policy and in the development of an architectural policy. Also, an increased emphasis in government policy on well-designed communities can help achieve a quality of life that supports the environment and a rich and vibrant culture and economy. 

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For media enquiries contact:
Alexandra Cato
National Media and Communications Officer
Australian Institute of Architects
P. + 61 (3) 8620 3813 | M. +61 (0) 416 022 818
alexandra.cato@architecture.com.au

The Australian Institute of Architects is the peak body for the architectural profession, representing 11,500 members across Australia and overseas. The Institute actively works to improve the quality of our built environment by promoting quality, responsible and sustainable design. Learn more about the Institute, log on to www.architecture.com.au.

The jury of the 2013 Newcastle Architecture Awards has awarded a special prize to an exceptional Newcastle building at tonight’s ceremony held at the Newcastle Museum.

The Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) by SKM-S2F and Denton Corker Marshall (architects in association) was honoured with the 2013 Newcastle Jury Prize for Best Overall Contribution to Newcastle Architecture along with the Architecture Award for Public Architecture.

Led by Chair Debra McKendry, the jury implemented the award to recognise the significant architectural merit and excellence of the project which deserved special mention for the wonderful public and cultural benefits it bestows to Newcastle.

‘HMRI is a world class medical research institute with both the external architecture and the internal planning reflecting the importance of the work being carried out within. It is an outstanding example of Public Architecture and a clear winner in this category,’ the jury noted.

In addition to the Jury Prize, five Architecture Awards and five Commendations were presented across public, commercial, residential – multiple housing, residential – single housing and small project architecture categories.

The Charlestown Medical Centre by Schreiber Hamilton Architecture took out the commercial architecture category winning the Architecture Award for its ‘strong and engaging contribution to the streetscape’, whileSuters Architects’ Brisans Motorcycle Showroom and Kingston HQ both received a Commendation.

St James’ Primary School Muswellbrook by Webber Architects was awarded a Commendation in the Public Architecture category which was won by HMRI.

The Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing category Architecture Award went to Grand Central Apartments by EJE Architecture, ‘a fine example of the integration of two disparate heritage buildings resulting in a modern multi-residential building’.

‘A refined and robust architectural expression’ was awarded the top prize in the Residential Architecture – Single Housing category. Helen Street House by Jodie Dixon Architect took home the Architecture Award. Commendations were presented to David Boyle Architects for their King Residence project and to True North Architects for Keir Residence.

The final award of the night was presented to Space Design Architecture for their ‘meticulously crafted’Laman Street Residence in the Small Project Architecture category.

Winners from the night will now present their projects to the NSW Architecture Awards’ juries for consideration of state honours which will be revealed on 27 June.

The Newcastle Architecture Awards are proudly sponsored by Architectural Window Systems Pty Ltd, Austral Bricks and Marline Newcastle Consulting Engineers and supported by Terras Landscape Architects.

For more information visit www.architecture.com.au/newcastle.

Jury Citations

COMMERCIAL ARCHITECTURE

ARCHITECTURE AWARD
The Charlestown Medical Centre – Schreiber Hamilton Architecture

The Charlestown Medical Centre achieves a high standard of design and form which sets a pleasing benchmark for future developments in the Charlestown Master Plan.

The scale and bulk of the building has been skilfully articulated to respond to the site context. The use of many and varied sun control measures provides an interesting fenestration treatment which belies the mass of the building.

The building presents a strong and engaging contribution to the streetscape of both Ridley & Smith Streets.

COMMENDATIONS
Brisans Motorcycle Showroom – Suters Architects
Kingston HQ – Suters Architects

PUBLIC ARCHITECTURE

ARCHITECTURE AWARD
Hunter Medical Research Institute – SKM-S2F and Denton Corker Marshall (Architects in association)

HMRI is a world class medical research institute and the jury thought that both the external architecture and the internal planning reflected the importance of the work being carried out within.

The two asymmetrical four storey wings, connected by a central two storey pod, align with the ridge of the hill and the broken forms facilitate a breaking down of the scale of the building. Although this is a large building it sits well in its context.

The planning of the laboratory wings encourages a free flow of ideas for occupants. The extensive use of internal glazing allows natural light penetration into the laboratories and views across the floor plate as well as distant views to the tree tops and beyond.

The jury considers this building to be an outstanding example of Public Architecture and a clear winner in this category.

COMMENDATION
St James’ Primary School Muswellbrook – Webber Architects

RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE – MULTIPLE HOUSING

ARCHITECTURE AWARD
Grand Central Apartments – EJE Architecture

The Grand Central Apartments by EJE Architecture is a fine example of the integration of two disparate heritage buildings resulting in a modern multi-residential building. The new building by EJE Architecture integrates the two original contrasting heritage facades as it steps away from the streetscape. The new work also reflects and complements the nature of the original buildings and the result is a sympathetic crown above the original buildings. The overall project also sits comfortably with its neighbours and complements the form and the scale of its urban location. The final result is both discrete and sympathetic.

Internally the building has been planned to deflect ambient noise from Scott Street and the adjacent Newcastle Railway Station. The apartments have an intimate and human character and enjoy a wonderful outlook across Newcastle Harbour to Stockton Bight and to Port Stephens in the distance. Their northern orientation allows deep penetration of winter sun along with planned shade and north-easterly breezes in summer. The apartments are of a high standard and the complex adds significantly to the residential re-birth of Newcastle East and the wider cityscape.

RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE – SINGLE HOUSING

ARCHITECTURE AWARD
Helen Street House – Jodie Dixon Architect

Architect Jodie Dixon has been designing and developing exquisite residential buildings in Newcastle since 1995. The architectural expression of Jodie’s Helen Street is both refined and robust – it is this year’s winner of the residential architecture – single housing award.

The house has a restrained street presence, discreetly retaining the neighbourhood’s single storey scale. It meshes quietly within the streetscape, but behind its masonry fence, the darkened weather-clad form cantilevers boldly over a raw concrete wall and the full scale of the house is then revealed.

There is a great deal to be said for unexpected pleasure. Immediately inside the entrance door your imagination is captured, the entry space links sleeping and living domains and features an indoor pond and garden vista. A window slices through the base of a rusty wall to allow glimpses to the pool outside and guide you into the living space.

A spine of storage in warm timber forms workspace nooks and widens into a cushioned kids play zone on the north end of the corridor. The kitchen looks onto a courtyard connecting the house to the open garage and guest room wing. The pool does not dominate the site, but is discreetly bound and formed by windows on three sides.

The broken plan ensures each space is ideally orientated, with ample daylight and access to breezes. Concrete living room floors absorb ambient heat in summer, are passively heated by the sun in winter, and overhangs formed by the building’s shape provide sun-shading and weather protection. Ocean breezes are captured from the south, flowing through the living room.

The jury felt the design reflected the personality of the architect – sophisticated, modest, intelligent, beautiful and understated.

COMMENDATIONS
King Residence – David Boyle Architects
Keir Residence – True North Architects

SMALL PROJECT ARCHITECTURE

ARCHITECTURE AWARD
Laman Street Residence – Space Design Architecture

Laman Street Residence is a meticulously crafted 80sqm house in the Cooks Hill locale. The building sits amongst a series of single and double storey cottages circa 1940 in a Heritage Conservation Area.

The building from the street remains unchanged – a freshly painted front entry remains the only indication of any modification. Compact ground level spaces have been reconfigured with the insertion of a courtyard and light well at the rear.

This indoor/outdoor space is protected from the elements and offers both an extension of the kitchen area, as well as allowing natural light and breezes throughout the lower level. An original staircase leads to an upper floor bedroom and bathroom space, opening onto a private garden roof terrace set behind the existing roof form.

This project challenges the general conception of how much space we really need to live in. While being functional on a day to day level, its skilful use of techniques – continuous floor finishes, landscaped elements, glazed walls and roofs – has also created the illusion of a much larger space.

Laman Street House is a successful example of clever planning within a constrained budget resulting in a practical, generous and light filled place that is a joy to live in.

2013 Newcastle Jury was led by Jury Chair and Practice Principle at McKendry-Hunt Architects, Debra McKendry, and included; Ramsey Awad, Senior Lecturer at the School of Architecture and Built Environment at the University of Newcastle; Robert Donaldson, Trustee of The Architecture Foundation; Emili Fox, Director of Fox Johnston in Sydney; and Peter Johnson, former Director of EJE Architecture (retired).

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For media enquiries and high resolution images contact:

Kate Griffith
Australian Institute of Architects Country Division
P. + 61 (2) 4960 4200
kate.griffith@architecture.com.au 

Alexandra Cato
National Media and Communications Officer
Australian Institute of Architects
P. + 61 (3) 8620 3813 | M. +61 (0) 416 022 818
alexandra.cato@architecture.com.au

The Australian Institute of Architects is the peak body for the architectural profession, representing 11,500 members across Australia and overseas. The Institute actively works to improve the quality of our built environment by promoting quality, responsible and sustainable design. Learn more about the Institute, log on to www.architecture.com.au.

Twelve projects are in the running for honours in the Australian Institute of Architects’ 2013 Darling Downs Regional Architecture Awards with winners to be announced on Friday 15 March.

Spanning the region from St George in the west to Springfield in the east, the projects include an aquatic centre, a bookshop and a hillside house, among others entered in commercial, public, residential, small project and interior architecture categories.

Darling Downs Regional Jury Coordinator Stephen Sims, Principal at Sims White Architects, along with Jurors Colin Davidson, Principal at CKD Architects and Max Brammer, of Brammer Architects, will assist the 2013 Awards Jury Director, Mark Damant (Woods Bagot) and Deputy Director, Liam Proberts (bureau^proberts) with selecting the worthy recipients of Regional Commendations and the William Hodgen Award for Building of the Year.

Projects awarded on the night will progress to the coveted Queensland Architecture Awards to be announced in Brisbane on 21 June.

Queensland 2013 Awards Jury Director, Mark Damant will present the Regional Commendations to Darling Downs winners at a special Awards ceremony at Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery, 531 Ruthven Street, Toowoomba commencing at 6:00pm Friday 15 March. Media are invited to attend.

An exhibition of entries will be on display at the Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery from Wednesday 13 March to Sunday 24 March.

Projects in the running are:

Architectural Project	Architectural Practice	Architectural Category	Location
Toowoomba Regional Council Customer Service Centre	OPUS Architecture	Commercial Architecture	Toowoomba
The Bremer Institute of TAFE Bundamba Campus – Block C Redevelopment	SKM	Interior Architecture	Bundamba
Somerset Civic Centre	ThomsonAdsett	Public Architecture	Esk
St Barts Anglican Church	OPUS Architecture	Public Architecture	Toowoomba
Our Lady of the Southern Cross College Technology Science + Art Centres	Fulton Trotter Architects	Public Architecture	Dalby
Dalby Aquatic Centre	Liquid Blu	Public Architecture	Dalby
University of Southern Queensland Faculty of Sciences	Suters Architects	Public Architecture	Toowoomba
The Springfield Anglican College Library	Bickerton Masters Architecture	Public Architecture	Springfield
Balonne River House	Fulton Trotter Architects	Residential Architecture – Houses	St George
Kara View Residence	Aspect Architects and Project Managers	Residential Architecture – Houses	Toowoomba
USQ Springfield Bookshop	Giarola Architects Pty Ltd	Small Project Architecture	Springfield Central
Insight Accountants	Aspect Architects and Project Managers	Small Project Architecture	Toowoomba

 

View all Darling Downs entries here.

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For media enquiries and high resolution images contact:

Alexandra Cato
National Media and Communications Officer
Australian Institute of Architects
P. + 61 (3) 8620 3813 | M. +61 (0) 416 022 818
alexandra.cato@architecture.com.au

The Australian Institute of Architects is the peak body for the architectural profession, representing 11,500 members across Australia and overseas. The Institute actively works to improve the quality of our built environment by promoting quality, responsible and sustainable design. Learn more about the Institute, log on to www.architecture.com.au.

‘If you had to do it now, how would you even begin to think about designing a capital for 21st century Australia?’ asked Robyn Archer.

In 1913 American architects Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony won an international competition to design the new capital of Australia.

Marking the Centenary of Canberra, CAPITheticAL, a competition to design a hypothetical capital city for the next century, was launched and more than 1200 practitioners registered their interest, with entries received from 24 different countries.

The Gallery of Australian Design is delighted to present a free exhibition that displays these ideas of what Canberra might look and feel like if a competition were held in 2013 as presented by the 20 finalists of CAPITheticAL.

The exhibition opens at the Gallery of Australian Design on 6 March 2013 and winners of the international competition will be announced on 14 March, sharing prizes worth more than $100,000.

The 20 finalists on display at the Gallery of Australian Design present a rich trove of ideas, both fantastical and practical, to provoke, amuse and ultimately delight visitors to the exhibition. Using plans, videos and drawings, each designer’s vision for the city of the future offers imaginative resolutions to questions of national symbolism and identity, access to government, sustainable development and community building for the year 2013.

Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony’s design, selected as the best from an international field, was intended as an ideal city, one that responded to the concerns of the time.

One hundred years later, times have changed. Questions of sustainability, liveability, transport and climate change challenge the way we live today and must influence plans for the future.

In the CAPITheticAL exhibition,, a new generation of town planners, urban designers, architects and students consider how Canberra might be extended and modified to accommodate the pressures and concerns of the future – or even if a new capital should be created.

Gallery Director Magdalene Keaney says: ‘Having the CAPITheticAL exhibition, a showcase of the 20 finalists selected by the jury as the best ideas to come out of this exciting competition, at the Gallery of Australian Design is a perfect fit.

‘We are extremely proud not only to be the venue but to have been selected as the curatorial concept and production team for the exhibition.’

CAPITheticAL is a Centenary of Canberra project, proudly supported by the ACT Government and the Australian Government, and is administered by the Australian Institute of Architects.

For more information on the competition and the exhibition, visit www.capithetical.com.au.

EXHIBITION DETAILS:
Exhibition open 6 March – 11 May 2013
Open Weds – Saturday, 10am – 4pm
Closed Sunday/Public Holidays
OPEN MONDAY 11th March
ADMISSION IS FREE
www.gad.org.au

NOTES FOR EDITORS: 

For further comment about the exhibition or the Gallery of Australian Design please contact:
Magdalene Keaney, Director, Gallery of Australian Design
E: magdakeaney@gad.org.au T: 02) 6270 1313

For information on the announcement of winners on March 14, please contact:
Alexandra Cato, National Media and Communications Officer, Australian Institute of Architects
E: alexandra.cato@architecture.com.au T: (03) 8620 3813

The Gallery of Australian Design (GAD) is a public gallery established in partnership between the University of Canberra, the Australian Institute of Architects, the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects and the National Museum of Australia. This partnership affords unique opportunities in design learning experiences and research.

Patron: His Excellency Michael Bryce, AM, AE.
Chair of GAD Governing Council: Lyndon Anderson, Dean of the Faculty of Art and Design, University of Canberra.