The Australian Institute of Architects has launched a new Foundation that will promote the benefits of architecture and design to the wider community through a national program of initiatives.

Chaired by former Director of the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Edmund Capon AM OBE, the Foundation will focus on projects that positively impact our communities through architecture and design including exhibitions, scholarships and education programs.

‘A Foundation supporting the development of architecture is a fresh concept for Australia. Previously, other art sectors have been the major recipients of cultural philanthropy, however architecture, having the capacity for direct and positive impact on the future of our cities and urban spaces, should also be nurtured through philanthropic assistance,’ Mr Capon said.

The Foundation’s fundraising initiatives will include the launch of a Patrons program. ‘Patrons will be our key allies in the development of a range of initiatives that draw architecture and design to the forefront of Australia’s creative consciousness, as well as educating the wider population about the benefits to be gained by good design,’ Mr Capon added.

‘Architecture and design is a vital pillar of community wellbeing, and to ensure continued improvement of the quality of our built environments, we must develop outreach programs and initiatives to generate purposeful conversations about the benefit of good design. It will also make architecture accessible to a more informed public – this is the guiding mission of the Foundation,’ David Parken, CEO of the Australian Institute of Architects said.

The first initiative of the Foundation is an architecture residency program, the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. The Australian Institute of Architects’ Droga Architect in Residence will encourage the exploration of new approaches, the exchange of ideas, international collaboration and cross fertilisation, by inviting international architects to participate in a three-month program.

Cultural philanthropist and supporter of the Institute, Daniel Droga, generously gifted his award-winning Droga Apartment in Surry Hills for use by the Foundation as an architect residency.

The apartment, designed by Durbach Block Architects and winner of the Robin Boyd Award for Residential Architecture at the 1998 National Architecture Awards, will accommodate the inaugural architect in residence, Dr Carmen Fiol-Costa who arrived from Barcelona in early March for a 12 week residency.

Selected from a very strong field of international practitioners, ‘Dr Fiol-Costa exemplifies the vision of the Institute and the Foundation through her commitment to design excellence, social wellbeing and environmental responsibility,’ National President Paul Berkemeier said.

Australian Institute of Architects Foundation – Board Members
Edmund Capon – Chairman, Australian Institute of Architects Foundation
Daniel Droga – CEO, DCM BlueLake
Penelope Seidler AM -Director, Harry Seidler & Associates
Sue Cato – Principal, Cato Counsel
Karl Fender – Director, Fender Katsalidis
Brian Zulaikha – Founding Partner and Director, Tonkin Zulaikha Greer
David Parken – CEO, Australian Institute of Architects

More information.

Contact: mandy.obryan@architecture.com.au

The announcement of winners at the 2014 Newcastle Architecture Awards at Merewether Surfhouse on Thursday 6 March, has seen both the ‘big’ and the ‘small’ rewarded for excellence in design, proving size does not matter when it comes to good design.

The multi-million dollar WesTrac facility by EJE Architecture at Tomago has taken out the top design nod from jurors in the Commercial Architecture category, who acknowledged the building as, ’setting new standards’ in industrial facilities.

Awards Juror, Alex Kibble said, ‘The WesTrac facility is an accomplished piece of contemporary industrial architecture that addresses issues of workplace, training and corporate identity in an efficient and spirited manner that is an exemplar for future industrial development.’

In comparison, a modest renovation project in MacMasters Beach by architect Dianna Thomas won top honours in the largest group of architectural contenders in the Residential category for Alterations and Additions, and was a stand-out favourite with the jurors.

‘Your first reaction on entering Dianna Thomas’s MacMasters Beach House is to sit down and never leave because you’ve arrived home. The house is an exercise in modesty, continuity and fun,’ juror Ramsey Awad noted.

A Commendation was also awarded to Wingham Architects and Austin McFarland Architects, for the renovation of a 100 year old Hamilton cottage. The jury were impressed with their ‘creative thinking’ and bringing ‘new spacious character’ to an original inner city building.

In the New Houses category, EJE Architecture took out top prize for their New Residence: The Junction, which was noted as being ‘superbly constructed’ and a ‘delight’ to walk into and a Commendation was also awarded to Killen + Doran Architects for a new house in New Lambton Heights, for its exceptional ‘attention to detail’.

Joint winners were awarded in the Public Architecture category, with the jury unable to choose between two very significant and unique buildings in Newcastle. Both the Newcastle Museum by fjmt Sydney, and the new Birubi Surf Life Saving Club by EJE Architecture were awarded top Architecture Awards, with both buildings equally celebrating the historical significance of their projects and providing ‘positive and significant contribution’ to sensitive sites.

Young architecture firm, Space Design Architecture has won the Small Projects category for the second year in a row, with their clever office fit out at Maxim Workplace and a Commendation was awarded to CKDS Architecture for their bright and playful adaption of an old library courtyard at the University of Newcastle.

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

Her Excellency the Honourable Quentin Bryce AC CVO, Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia, has today officially opened Victoria’s new home of architecture at 41 Exhibition Street.

Developed by the Australian Institute of Architects, 41X is a 21-storey Five Star Green Star strata-titled commercial tower that accommodates the Institute’s Melbourne offices, including the Victorian Chapter, over five levels. 41X is the first strata commercial office building in Melbourne to target carbon neutrality over its 30 year operating lifespan -accounting for embodied energy, base building operational energy, transport and waste.

‘41X successfully shows how private and not-for-profit organisations can have a positive impact on the development of our cities by creating world class, cutting-edge, environmentally responsible commercial buildings,’ Her Excellency said.

‘This elegant addition to Melbourne’s CBD makes a bold statement about the value of design. With this building, the Institute is strongly reinforcing the value of architects and architecture to the sustainable growth of our community – tangibly fulfilling its mission of ‘making the world a better place through architecture’.

Conceived as a hub for architecture, for Institute members and the public alike, 41X is the place for design enthusiasts to meet, with a design haven on level 1, complete with a comprehensive architecture and design bookshop (Architext) and a café run by Axil Coffee Roasters. In addition, the Institute is currently developing a program of public events focusing on architecture and design.

41X is situated on a small footprint block at the corner of Exhibition Street and Flinders Lane and is also home to 15 other purchasers and tenants keen to be part of this exemplar building.

The project’s inception dates back to 2006, when a detailed feasibility study for the site, encompassing a range of potential options for its future including renovation through to relocation, was commissioned.

After extensive consultation, the Institute’s National Council decided that the site would be redeveloped into a small office tower that would set new standards in quality Australian commercial architecture.

In 2008, the Institute held a two-stage design competition. The commission was awarded to Lyons Architects with a concept that explored ideas about the hybrid public/commercial building, the engagement of the Institute with the public and targeting a carbon-neutral outcome.

In 2012, following a rigorous selection process, HASSELL was selected as architect for the fit-out of the five Institute-occupied levels.

Paul Berkemeier, National President of the Institute said ‘We are immensely proud of our new Melbourne home. It is an exemplary, small footprint, commercial building that shows how good design, sustainability and the work of architects can deliver outstanding results.’

Please see accompanying fact sheet for full details on the sustainability, design and development features of 41X.