The winners of the acclaimed Australian Institute of Architects’ 2016 National Architecture Awards were revealed at a ceremony in Sydney on Thursday 3 November.
The expert jury bestowed honours on 40 projects from all around the country that showcase architectural practice at its peak, with several projects receiving multiple recognitions. The winning projects were chosen from a competitive field comprising more than 890 entries, of which 79 were shortlisted.
Jury Chair and Immediate Past President, Jon Clements, said the judges were delighted to discover numerous projects that delivered admirable outcomes with limited means, clearly demonstrated architecture’s value in delivering a public benefit and provided significant contributions to our cities and regional centres.
‘Throughout the judging it was evident that architects had clear commitments to their clients’ aspirations but also to environmental and social sustainability: creating solutions that explored invention in favour of fashion. It was an inspiring and refreshing experience,’ Jon Clements reflected.
2016 Gold Medallists ARM Architecture won the coveted Sir Zelman Cowen Award for Public Architecture with the Geelong Library and Heritage Centre, a project the jury described as a ‘vibrant and energised vertical village where the community can meet, collaborate, engage, learn and celebrate’ and ‘a significant new landmark for Geelong’.
University of Queensland Oral Health Centre by Cox Rayner Architects with Hames Sharley and Conrad Gargett Riddel was the most awarded project of the night taking home the Daryl Jackson Award for Educational Architecture along with National Awards for Interior and Sustainable Architecture.
Perth Concert Hall by Howlett and Bailey Architects (1973) received the National Enduring Architecture Award with the jury noting ‘brutalist buildings like the Perth Concert Hall…can be easy targets for demolition. It is imperative that buildings of this nature are accepted by the general population as being key to our nation’s architectural story’.
At the other end of the scale, residential architecture was celebrated with a ‘productive collaboration’ between architect and client that resulted in a ‘beautifully refined’ home located in Hobart’s Battery Point. Named Jenny’s House and designed by Rosevear Stephenson, the home took out the Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions) category winning the Eleanor Cullis-Hill Award.
The Robin Boyd Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (New) was awarded to Smart Design Studio for their ‘remarkable’ Chippendale home, Indigo Slam. Created for an art patron, the jury described the experience as an ‘exceptional and rare privilege to engage with architecture at this level’.
A number of impressive adaptive re-use projects were well rewarded on the night including The State Buildings in Western Australia, by Architect: Kerry Hill Architects and Heritage Architect: Palassis Architects, which won the Lachlan Macquarie Award for Heritage. Urban renewal project, Tonsley Main Assembly Building and Pods by Woods Bagot and Tridente Architects, received the David Oppenheim Award for Sustainable Architecture and was praised by the jury for demonstrating ‘an exemplary commitment to sustainability outcomes’. A former 1920s packing shed in outback Queensland has been given a new life as a regional art gallery by PHAB Architects and was honoured with National Award for Public Architecture.
Returning for the third time, the People’s Choice Award sought a public vote for Australia’s favourite house, with all homes shortlisted by the national jury in the running. After more than 700 votes, Deepwater by Tobias Partners claimed the title.
In total, the national jury presented 32 awards and 12 commendations across the 14 categories. The National Architecture Awards have been held annually since 1981.
Full list of winners:
Commercial Architecture
The Harry Seidler Award – AHL Headquarters – 478 George Street (NSW) by Candalepas Associates
National Award – 5 Martin Place (NSW) by JPW & TKD architects in collaboration
National Commendation – Alex Hotel (WA) by spaceagency architects
National Commendation – Cape York Partnership Offices (QLD) by Kevin O’Brien Architects
National Commendation – Devil’s Corner (TAS) by Cumulus Studio
National Commendation – Ormuz Specialist Eye Clinic (QLD) by Loucas Zahos Architects
Educational Architecture
The Daryl Jackson Award – University of Queensland Oral Health Centre (QLD) by Cox Rayner Architects with Hames Sharley and Conrad Gargett Riddel
National Award – The Mandeville Centre, Loreto Toorak (VIC) by Architectus
National Commendation – Geelong Grammar School, School of Performing Arts & Creative Education (VIC) by Peter Elliott Architecture + Urban Design
National Commendation – UNSW Materials Science & Engineering Building (NSW) by Grimshaw
Enduring Architecture
National Award – Perth Concert Hall (WA) by Howlett and Bailey Architects
Heritage
The Lachlan Macquarie Award – The State Buildings (WA) by Architect: Kerry Hill Architects, Heritage Architect: Palassis Architects
National Award – 5 Martin Place (NSW) by JPW & TKD architects in collaboration
National Commendation – Bayside Fire Station (QLD) by Owen Architecture
Interior Architecture
The Emil Sodersten Award – Canberra Airport Hotel (ACT) by Bates Smart
National Award – University of Queensland Oral Health Centre (QLD) by Cox Rayner Architects with Hames Sharley and Conrad Gargett Riddel
National Commendation – Geelong Library & Heritage Centre (VIC) by ARM Architecture
International Architecture
The Jørn Utzon Award – Australian Pavilion, Venice (Italy) by Denton Corker Marshall
Australian Award – National Gallery Singapore (Singapore) by studioMilou Singapore with CPG Consultants
Public Architecture
The Sir Zelman Cowen Award – Geelong Library & Heritage Centre (VIC) by ARM Architecture
National Award – St Andrews House (NSW) by Candalepas Associates
National Award – The Condensery – Somerset Regional Art Gallery (QLD) by PHAB Architects
National Commendation – City of Perth Library and Public Plaza (WA) by Kerry Hill Architects
National Commendation – Kempsey Crescent Head Surf Life Saving Club (NSW) by Neeson Murcutt Architects Pty Ltd
Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions)
The Eleanor Cullis-Hill Award – Jenny’s House (TAS) by Rosevear Stephenson
National Award – Darlinghurst Rooftop (NSW) by CO-AP (Architects)
National Award – Mills, The Toy Management House (VIC) by Austin Maynard Architects
Residential Architecture – Houses (New)
The Robin Boyd Award – Indigo Slam (NSW) by Smart Design Studio
National Award – Deepdene House (VIC) by Kennedy Nolan
National Award – Point Lonsdale House (VIC) by NMBW Architecture Studio
National Award – Rosalie House (QLD) by Owen Architecture
National Commendation – House in Hamilton (QLD) by phorm architecture + design with Tato Architects
Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing
The Frederick Romberg Award – Knutsford / Stage 1 (WA) by spaceagency architects
National Award – 10 Wylde Street (NSW) by SJB
National Award – Monash University Logan Hall (VIC) by McBride Charles Ryan
Small Project Architecture
The Nicholas Murcutt Award – Maidstone Tennis Pavilion (VIC) by Searle x Waldron Architecture
National Award – Bath House (QLD) by Stephen de Jersey Architect
Sustainable Architecture
The David Oppenheim Award – Tonsley Main Assembly Building and Pods (SA) by Woods Bagot and Tridente Architects
National Award – Northern Beaches Christian School (NSW) by WMK Architecture
National Award – University of Queensland Oral Health Centre (QLD) by Cox Rayner Architects with Hames Sharley and Conrad Gargett Riddel
National Commendation – Project Zero (QLD) by BVN
Urban Design
The Walter Burley Griffin Award – Bowen Place Crossing (ACT) by Lahznimmo Architects
National Award – Lennox Bridge Portals (NSW) by Hill Thalis Architecture + Urban Projects
COLORBOND® Award for Steel Architecture
The COLORBOND® Award – South Australia Drill Core Reference Library (SA) by Thomson Rossi
People’s Choice Award
Winner – Deepwater (NSW) by Tobias Partners
2016 National Jury
Jon Clements (Chair) – Immediate Past President of the Australian Institute of Architects; Director, Jackson Clements Burrows
Rodney Eggleston – Founding Director, March Studio
Abbie Galvin – Principal, BVN
Stuart Vokes – Director, Vokes and Peters
Fenella Kernebone – Head of Curation, TedxSydney
See the gallery of winners here.