2011 Northern Territory Architecture Awards

The fact that there were only ten submissions this year admittedly helped the workload, but all were of a highly creative standard.

The new Kiwirrkurra Art Centre for the Papunya Tula Artists located at remote Gibson Desert by Tangentyere Design continues the strong tradition that company has, in producing appropriate design for Indigenous communities.

Troppo Architects, under new management, continues the firm’s legacy by producing design excellence with new built environment and master planning at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in central Darwin and the Mortlock Lee House at Girraween in the outskirts of Darwin. Both projects were carried out with strict budget constraints. Part of the St Mary’s project was a sensitive intervention into the original sixties courtyard building by Wilkins, Klemm, Morrison. This entire project demonstrates how clever adaptation of older buildings with appropriate insertion of the new, can add to the richness of human settlement without destroying historical legibility.

– John Mainwaring (jury chair)

Awards

Tracy Memorial Award St Mary’s Catholic Primary School New Hall and Library, Reggio Emelia Early Learning Centre and Courtyard by Troppo Architects [image 1].

Public Reverend John Flynn Award—St Mary’s Catholic Primary School New Hall and Library, Reggio Emelia Early Learning Centre and Courtyard by Troppo Architects [image 2].

Residential – Houses Burnett Award—Mortlock Lee House by Troppo Architects [image 3]. Commendations—Ludmilla Tropical House by Mode Design; Ambient Atelier by Ajar Architects.

Urban Design Award—St Mary’s Catholic Primary New Hall and Library, Reggio Emelia Early Learning Centre and Courtyard School by Troppo Architects [image 4]. Commendation—Casuarina Police Station by Mode Design.

Small Project Award—Ambient Atelier by Ajar Architects [image 5].

Residential – Multiple—no award.

Commercial—no award.

Interior—no award.

Heritage—no award.

Colorbond Award for Steel Architecture—St Mary’s Catholic Primary School New Hall and Library, Reggio Emelia Early Learning Centre and Courtyard by Troppo Architects [image 6].

Indigenous Community Architecture Award—The Kiwirrkurra Arts Centre by Tangentyere Design [image 7].

Jury

John Mainwaring (chair), Simon Scally, Tessa Pauling.