The design excellence of two major Sydney urban renewal projects has been recognised at the Australian Institute of Architects’ National Architecture Awards 2018.

Announced in Melbourne tonight, the Darling Harbour Transformation by HASSELL/HASSELL + Populous won the Walter Burley Griffin Award for Urban Design, while the Lachlan Macquarie Award for Heritage was awarded to Joynton Avenue Creative Centre and Precinct by Peter Stutchbury Architecture in association with Design 5 – Architects for City of Sydney.

Described by the jury as ‘a significant moment in Sydney’s urban transformation’, the Darling Harbour project has enhanced the precinct’s urban experience, connecting Chinatown and the harbour in an intuitive way. With a focus on interaction and connection, the project includes new cultural spaces and meaningfully integrated public art.

Built on the site of the former South Sydney Hospital, the Joynton Avenue Creative Centre and Precinct has breathed new life into several abandoned heritage buildings, a site renewal the jury said, ‘respects its past and makes a generous, contemporary public contribution to the Green Square inner-Sydney community’. The new precinct comprises the Joynton Avenue Creative Centre and the Banga Community Shed, which are separated by Matron Ruby Grant Park. The project also won a National Award for Public Architecture.

The Emil Sodersten Award for Interior Architecture was awarded to 75 Myrtle Street, Chippendale by Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects. The building, an early twentieth-century glass factory, maintains ‘a mute, gritty, urban presence’ on the exterior, only to reveal ‘a refined and delightful internal renovation of two levels of space, structure, light and occupation … an exotic cabinet of curiosities’. Designed to retain the building’s industrial past, the interior highlights original materials like brick, steel and timber.

Finally, the Eleanor Cullis-Hill Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions) was awarded to the Laneway House by Jon Jacka Architects, a worker’s cottage in inner-city Sydney. Including a verdant rooftop garden for privacy and outlook, the home brings the outside in and connects with the surrounding laneways.

Jury chair and Immediate Past President Richard Kirk said the National 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.

‘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,’ he said.

‘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.’

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.’

The local winners were among 12 projects to receive named awards, 20 that received national awards and eight that received national commendations from a shortlist of 69 projects drawn from a total pool of 975 of national and international entries.

Full list of NSW winners:

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

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

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

The Eleanor Cullis-Hill Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions) – Laneway House by Jon Jacka Architects (NSW)

National Award for Commercial Architecture – International House Sydney by Tzannes (NSW)

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

National Award for Educational Architecture – Macquarie University Incubator by Architectus (NSW)

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

National Award for Public Architecture – Punchbowl Mosque by Candalepas Associates (NSW)

National Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (New) – Cabbage Tree House by Peter Stutchbury Architecture (NSW)

National Award for Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing – Short Lane by Woods Bagot (NSW)

People’s Choice Award – 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