12 June 2015
A rejuvenation of Alice Springs’ community heart has won big at the Australian Institute of Architects’ 2015 NT Architecture Awards announced on Friday 12 June in Darwin.
The jury, consisting of Kerry Clare (Chair), Robert Foote and the Honourable Sally Thomas AC, selected 11 projects to receive accolades. Overall, the jury was impressed by the focus on community, as well as the diverse architectural responses to the challenging conditions of designing in the Territory. Also notable this year were the important relationships established by the architects with the clients and builders, resulting in excellent outcomes.
Alice Springs CBD Revitalisation by Susan Dugdale and Associates was presented with the top honour of the night, the Tracy Memorial Medal, in addition to the George Goyder Award for Urban Design and the COLORBOND® Award for Steel Architecture making it the most awarded project of the Territory’s 2015 awards program.
Local community benefits, environmental response and cultural aspects of this project were highlighted by the jury. They also noted it had successfully incorporated the environmental and indigenous heritage of the community, reduced the street clutter and provided a comfortable and colourful resting point for locals and visitors alike.
‘The jury commends the council and community for initiating and supporting this project, and the designers for delivering this first stage which has the potential to increase public enjoyment, vibrancy and cultural engagement and most positively shape the future of Alice.’
Susan Dugdale and Associates also took home an Award for Commercial Architecture for their innovative design of new headquarters for ‘young and progressive’ construction company, Asbuild.
Desert House, perched high on a west facing ridge of Alice Springs, by Dunn and Hillam Architects received an Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (New). The design, centered on a rocky courtyard, incorporates a variety of effective architectural principles to provide comfort for the occupants with minimal use of resources in the extreme conditions of Australia’s interior desert climate.
In addition to celebrating projects around the Territory, the presentation evening saw the recognition of two dedicated individuals with the announcement of the Emerging Architect Prize and the Student Award. See the full list of winner below:
Commercial Architecture
Award – Asbuild HQ by Susan Dugdale and Associates
Enduring Architecture
Award – Alice Springs Railway Station by Guy Maron Architects
Interior Architecture
Award – Menzies School of Health Research Charles Darwin University by Hames Sharley
Commendation – Flinders University Northern Territory Medical Program Development by Hames Sharley
Commendation – Engineers Australia by MODE
Public Architecture
Award – Menzies School of Health Research Charles Darwin University by Hames Sharley
Commendation – Alice Springs Youth & Community Centre – Multi-Purpose Hall by Tangentyere Design
Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions)
Commendation – LIFT by ajar architects
Residential Architecture – Houses (New)
Award – The Desert House by Dunn and Hillam Architects
Commendation – Elevated by ajar architects
Urban Design
George Goyder Award – Alice Springs CBD Revitalisation by Susan Dugdale and Associates
COLORBOND® Award for Steel Architecture
Award – Alice Springs CBD Revitalisation by Susan Dugdale and Associates
*Projects listed above that received an Award or Named Award will now progress to the National Architecture Awards to be announced on 5 November.
Additional Prizes
The Tracy Memorial Award – Alice Springs CBD Revitalisation by Susan Dugdale and Associates
The Indigenous Community Award – Garma Knowledge Centre by Build Up Design
People’s Choice Award – Elevated by ajar architects
Emerging Architect Prize – Joanna Best, Troppo Architects
Student Award – Sarah Young, Charles Darwin University