2015 National Architecture Awards – Sustainable Architecture

Ranging across educational, public and residential projects, winners in the sustainable architecture category of this year’s National Architecture Awards exhibit sophisticated design responses in their considered and innovative material use, minimised or zero operational requirements and holistic approach to environmental sustainability. Bethanga House utilised many Passive House principles in its design response, while both the University of Queensland’s Global Change Institute (GCI) and the University of Wollongong’s Sustainable Buildings Research Centre (SBRC) are designed to meet the Living Building Challenge (LBC), considered the most rigorous performance standard for the built environment.

A common theme that emerges across a number of the projects is the incorporation of ongoing monitoring and data collection, both to inform occupants and users and also contribute to further learning. In Cameraygal (formerly Dunbar building) – an adaptive re-use campus for the Northern Sydney Institute, the sustainable operation modes are used as educational tools. Noteworthy in this area is also the inaugural winner of the Daryl Jackson Award for Educational Architecture, the University of Melbourne’s Melbourne School of Design by John Wardle Architects & NADAAA in collaboration. The 6 Star Green Star-rated project embeds pedagogical learning into the building fabric and processes.

Also of note is the Pico Branch Library, Santa Monica, California by Koning Eizenberg Architecture, winner of the Jorn Utzon award in the International Architecture category. Longstanding practitioners of community collaboration, Koning Eizenberg employed a public participatory approach as part of the design process for the library. The mandatory inclusion of a US ‘fire lane’ generates an innovative response to the public realm through the provision of a photovoltaic panel clad roof that offers shade and connection between the building elements. Julie Eizenberg is a confirmed guest speaker at the 2016 National Architecture conference How Soon is Now.

For a framework on participatory design processes, see the publicly available EDG note:
Social Sustainability: Places and Participatory Processes that Perform Well for People

Sustainable Architecture
David Oppenheim Award
The University of Queensland, Global Change Institute – Hassell

National Awards
Bethanga House – tUG workshop
Library at the Dock – Clare Design + Hayball (Architect of Record)

National Commendations
Cameraygal (formerly Dunbar building) – NSW Government Architect’s Office
Sustainable Buildings Research Centre (SBRC) – University of Wollongong – Cox Richardson

International Architecture
Jørn Utzon Award
Pico Branch Library – Koning Eizenberg Architecture