Wollongong has won a swathe of accolades at the Australian Institute of Architects\u2019 2015 NSW Architecture Awards announced at Sydney Town Hall on Thursday 2 July.<\/p>\n
Three projects from the region took out awards across multiple categories, including top category honours for Urban Design and Sustainable Architecture.<\/p>\n
\u2018It was fantastic to see so many exemplary projects from a regional centre competing with and even being honoured above their metropolitan counterparts. Our regional towns and cities are integral to our national fabric and it\u2019s exciting to see design excellence reaching beyond the boundaries of the capital city.<\/p>\n
\u2018It is important to remember that the requirement for quality architecture and urban places and spaces exists outside of Sydney. We need all our public domain; all of our buildings, everywhere, to benefit from quality design and design thinking,\u2019 NSW Chapter President Shaun Carter said.<\/p>\n
Wollongong City Centre and Crown Street Mall Renewal by NSW Government Architect\u2019s Office won the top award for Urban Design, the Lloyd Rees Award.<\/p>\n
\u2018This is one of a series of integrated projects aimed at creating a centre in Wollongong that \u201csupports an active life\u201d. By careful design process the project amply succeeds in its aims, providing a flexible and durable place for people which stretches 360 metres through the city,\u2019 the jury noted.<\/p>\n
The GPT Group\u2019s Wollongong Central by HDR Rice Daubney picked up multiple awards including an Award for Commercial Architecture, Award for Urban Design, COLORBOND\u00ae Award for Steel Architecture \u2013 Commendation and the IALD Lighting Prize.<\/p>\n
\u2018This is an exemplary project representing the new role of shopping centres as active players in the life of the city. As a catalyst for further development and fine grain revitalisation along the adjacent streets and laneways, it will continue to impact upon the city\u2019s transformation as a vibrant and dense urban centre,\u2019 the jury said.<\/p>\n
Cox Richardson\u2019s Sustainable Buildings Research Centre (SBRC) \u2013 University of Wollongong won the top prize for Sustainable Architecture, the Milo Dunphy Award, along with a Commendation for Educational Architecture.<\/p>\n
SBRC \u2018has been designed to achieve certification with the Living Building Challenge, arguably the world\u2019s most stringent environmental rating tool that applies to buildings. The building seeks to be water, energy and carbon neutral; beautiful, inspiring and educational; socially responsible and equitable; nontoxic and healthy,\u2019 the jury said.
\nWollongong\u2019s winning projects:<\/strong><\/p>\n