The design excellence of two major Sydney urban renewal projects has been recognised at the Australian Institute of Architects\u2019 National Architecture Awards 2018.<\/p>\n
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 \u2013 Architects for City of Sydney.<\/p>\n
Described by the jury as \u2018a significant moment in Sydney\u2019s urban transformation\u2019, the Darling Harbour project has enhanced the precinct\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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, \u2018respects its past and makes a generous, contemporary public contribution to the Green Square inner-Sydney community\u2019. 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.<\/p>\n
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 \u2018a mute, gritty, urban presence\u2019 on the exterior, only to reveal \u2018a refined and delightful internal renovation of two levels of space, structure, light and occupation \u2026 an exotic cabinet of curiosities\u2019. Designed to retain the building\u2019s industrial past, the interior highlights original materials like brick, steel and timber.<\/p>\n
Finally, the Eleanor Cullis-Hill Award for Residential Architecture \u2013 Houses (Alterations and Additions) was awarded to the Laneway House by Jon Jacka Architects, a worker\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Jury chair and Immediate Past President Richard Kirk said the National Awards provided an opportunity to reflect on how Australia\u2019s diverse landscapes, urban environments and economic conditions influence and inform our architecture, enriching our culture.<\/p>\n
\u2018Projects 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,\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n
\u2018Most 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.<\/p>\n
\u2018For 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.\u2019<\/p>\n
National President Clare Cousins congratulated all award recipients and finalists for their valuable contribution to Australian architectural practice.<\/p>\n
\u2018In Australia, we have developed our own brand of architecture that defines who we are and where we come from,\u2019 she said.<\/p>\n
\u2018These 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.<\/p>\n
\u2018They 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.\u2019<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Full list of NSW winners:<\/strong><\/p>\n The Walter Burley Griffin Award for Urban Design<\/strong> \u2013 Darling Harbour Transformation by HASSELL\/HASSELL + Populous (NSW)<\/p>\n The Lachlan Macquarie Award for Heritage<\/strong> \u2013 Joynton Avenue Creative Centre and Precinct by Peter Stutchbury Architecture in association with Design 5 \u2013 Architects for City of Sydney (NSW)<\/p>\n The Emil Sodersten Award for Interior Architecture<\/strong> \u2013 75 Myrtle Street, Chippendale by Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects (NSW)<\/p>\n The Eleanor Cullis-Hill Award for Residential Architecture \u2013 Houses (Alterations and Additions)<\/strong> \u2013 Laneway House by Jon Jacka Architects (NSW)<\/p>\n National Award for Commercial Architecture<\/strong> \u2013 International House Sydney by Tzannes (NSW)<\/p>\n National Commendation for Commercial Architecture<\/strong> \u2013 Barangaroo House by Collins and Turner (NSW)<\/p>\n National Award for Educational Architecture<\/strong> \u2013 Macquarie University Incubator by Architectus (NSW)<\/p>\n National Award for Public Architecture<\/strong> \u2013 Joynton Avenue Creative Centre and Precinct by Peter Stutchbury Architecture in association with Design 5 \u2013 Architects for City of Sydney (NSW)<\/p>\n