From the rugged Tasmanian coast to the soaring skyscrapers of Spring Street, the winners of this year’s Australian Institute of Architects’ National Architecture Awards have shown how a defined sense of place, commitment to sustainability and professional ingenuity continue to drive innovation and transformation in Australian architectural practice.

The winners of 12 named awards, 20 national awards and eight national commendations have been revealed in Melbourne tonight from a shortlist of 69 projects drawn from a total entry pool of 975. Regional projects were once again well-represented on the winners list demonstrating that award-winning design is not confined to the major metropolitan centres.

Jury chair and Immediate Past President Richard Kirk said the Awards provided an opportunity to reflect on how Australia’s diverse landscapes, urban environments and economic conditions influence and inform our architecture, enriching our culture.

‘The opportunity to visit each project was priceless and illustrated the vibrant, creative, intelligent and uniquely Australian work our architects are producing,’ Kirk said.

‘Projects at this level are all accomplished but it was those that could demonstrate their value broadly, beyond the limits of the brief and the confines of the site, which were nationally recognised.

‘Most impressive were projects that established new design benchmarks and whose influence can be of value to the broader community, leading to positive change in our built environment.

‘For the jury, it was important that all the awarded projects implemented sustainability initiatives at a conceptual level, taking a holistic approach. It was impressive to see the growing sophistication and ingenuity in this domain.’

Kirk noted entries in Public Architecture and Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing, were especially strong this year, presenting ‘an array of formidable projects’ that demonstrated ‘great diversity, innovation and maturity’.

The Sir Zelman Cowen Award for Public Architecture was awarded to Silver Thomas Hanley with Bates Smart for Bendigo Hospital, described as ‘permeable and inviting, with a restrained demeanour that sensitively acknowledges that the hospital can be a place of life-changing events’. National Awards were also presented to Joynton Avenue Creative Centre and Precinct by Peter Stutchbury Architecture in association with Design 5 – Architects for City of Sydney; Optus Stadium by HASSELL COX HKS; and Punchbowl Mosque by Candalepas Associates.

The Frederick Romberg Award for Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing was awarded to 35 Spring Street by Bates Smart, a 44-storey luxury apartment tower on the edge of Melbourne’s CBD. Designed with the location’s history in mind, the tower’s facade reflects a layering of fabric inspired by the bygone rag trade of Flinders Lane and the masonry patterning of Spring Street’s significant political buildings. National Award winners included Nightingale 1 by Breathe Architecture and Short Lane by Woods Bagot, with National Commendations going to Campbell Street by DKO Architecture and SLAB and M3565 Main Beach by Virginia Kerridge Architect.

The sought-after Robin Boyd Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (New) was awarded to House on the Coast by Sean Godsell Architects, ‘an exploration of refinement and reduction’ embracing ‘singular form and intense detailing … from which to engage with the beautiful coastal landscape’. The Eleanor Cullis-Hill Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations & Additions) was presented to Laneway House by Jon Jacka Architects, which boasts a verdant planted roof adding privacy and a beautiful view to the restricted inner-city space.

One of this year’s most moving projects was the winner of the Nicholas Murcutt Award for Small Project Architecture, krakani lumi (place of rest) by Taylor and Hinds Architects with the Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania. The jury described the three-part experience as a work of genuine collaboration between the traditional owners and architects, ‘a compelling example of excellence in architecture and respect’.

National President Clare Cousins congratulated all award recipients and finalists for their valuable contribution to Australian architectural practice.

‘In Australia, we have developed our own brand of architecture that defines who we are and where we come from,’ she said.

‘These awards are the most recognised and competitive in the industry. They are peer-judged and involve an exhaustive selection process, with site visits to shortlisted projects, allowing the jury to experience the quality of the work firsthand.

‘They showcase the continuing evolution and diversity of our craft and the changing needs of our society, illustrating the vital role architecture plays in the lives of all Australians.’

 

Full list of winners:

Commercial Architecture

The Harry Seidler Award – Barwon Water by GHDWoodhead (VIC)

National Award – International House Sydney by Tzannes (NSW)

National Commendation – Australian Federal Police Forensics and Data Centre by HASSELL (ACT)

National Commendation – Barangaroo House by Collins and Turner (NSW)

 

Educational Architecture

The Daryl Jackson Award – New Academic Street, RMIT University by Lyons with NMBW Architecture Studio, Harrison and White, MvS Architects and Maddison Architects (VIC)

National Award – Monash University Learning and Teaching Building by John Wardle Architects (VIC)

National Award – Macquarie University Incubator by Architectus (NSW)

National Commendation – Highgate Primary School New Teaching Building by iredale pedersen hook architects (WA)

 

Enduring Architecture

National Award – Townsville Courts of Law – Edmund Sheppard Building by Hall, Phillips and Wilson Architects Pty Ltd (QLD)

 

Heritage

The Lachlan Macquarie Award – Joynton Avenue Creative Centre and Precinct by Peter Stutchbury Architecture in association with Design 5 – Architects for City of Sydney (NSW)

National Award – The Cadogan Song School by Palassis Architects (WA)

 

Interior Architecture

The Emil Sodersten Award – 75 Myrtle Street, Chippendale by Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects (NSW)

National Award – Monaro Mall, Canberra Centre by Universal Design Studio and Mather Architecture (ACT)

National Award – Monash University Learning and Teaching Building by John Wardle Architects (VIC)

National Commendation – Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre by BVN (QLD)

 

International Architecture

The Jørn Utzon Award – Australian Embassy Bangkok by BVN (Thailand)

Australian Award – School-in-a-Box by Stephen Collier Architects (PNG)

 

Public Architecture

The Sir Zelman Cowen Award – Bendigo Hospital by Silver Thomas Hanley with Bates Smart (VIC)

National Award – Joynton Avenue Creative Centre and Precinct by Peter Stutchbury Architecture in association with Design 5 – Architects for City of Sydney (NSW)

National Award – Optus Stadium by HASSELL COX HKS (WA)

National Award – Punchbowl Mosque by Candalepas Associates (NSW)

 

Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions)

The Eleanor Cullis-Hill Award – Laneway House by Jon Jacka Architects (NSW)

National Award – Gibbon St by Cavill Architects (QLD)

National Commendation – King Bill by Austin Maynard Architects (VIC)

 

Residential Architecture – Houses (New)

The Robin Boyd Award – House on the Coast by Sean Godsell Architects (VIC)

National Award – Cabbage Tree House by Peter Stutchbury Architecture (NSW)

National Commendation – Compound House by March Studio (VIC)

 

Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing

The Frederick Romberg Award – 35 Spring Street by Bates Smart (VIC)

National Award – Nightingale 1 by Breathe Architecture (VIC)

National Award – Short Lane by Woods Bagot (NSW)

National Commendation – Campbell Street by DKO Architecture and SLAB (VIC)

National Commendation – M3565 Main Beach by Virginia Kerridge Architect (QLD)

 

Small Project Architecture

The Nicholas Murcutt Award – krakani lumi by Taylor and Hinds Architects with the Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania (TAS)

National Award – Cottesloe Lobby and Landscape by Simon Pendal Architect (WA)

National Award – Northshore Pavilion by Anna O’Gorman Architect (QLD)

 

Sustainable Architecture

The David Oppenheim Award – Nightingale 1 by Breathe Architecture (VIC)

National Award – Barwon Water by GHDWoodhead (VIC)

National Award – Synergy by BVN (ACT)

 

Urban Design

The Walter Burley Griffin Award – Darling Harbour Transformation by HASSELL/HASSELL + Populous (NSW)

National Award – New Academic Street, RMIT University by Lyons with NMBW Architecture Studio, Harrison and White, MvS Architects and Maddison Architects (VIC)

 

COLORBOND® Award for Steel Architecture

The COLORBOND® Award – Optus Stadium by HASSELL COX HKS (WA)

 

People’s Choice Award

Winner – Cabbage Tree House by Peter Stutchbury Architecture (NSW)

 

2018 National Jury

 

Richard Kirk (Chair) – Immediate Past President of the Australian Institute of Architects; Director, KIRK

Jill Garner – Victorian Government Architect
Katelin Butler – Editorial Director, Architecture Media
Charles Wright – Director, Charles Wright Architects

Kevin O’Brien – Principal, BVN