Jurors at the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennal unanimously chose Andrew Burns Architect’s proposal for the new Australia House in Japan from among 154 entries. The entrants consisted of an array of practitioners and students from Japan, Australia and beyond, including Searle x Waldron Architecture, Sean Godsell Architects, Sou Fujimoto Architects, and Fiona Winzar Architects.
The decision follows a public call for proposals and a screening meeting held at the Australian Embassy in Tokyo on 22 September 2011. B.A.M.F. attained second place in the competition, while Tomohiro Hata Architect and Associates, Andrew Burges Architects, John Wardle Architects, Sakumastudio, Shuichiro Yoshida Architects and Edwards Moore Architects were all finalists. The jury, lead by Tadao Ando and Tom Heneghan, chose Burns’s proposal due to its meeting the requirements of “reasonable, robust and small.” The jury citation stated, “It is difficult to form a triangle. However, it could create an interesting architecture since it is difficult. I find the approach to the house attractive and different elements well arranged. The idea of dealing with snow is thoughtful, considering that the site is located in heavy snowfall. It would be fantastic if only the triangle roof were visible as the rest of the house is covered with three-metre-high snow.”
Andrew Burns recently visited the site in Japan and tweeted that he made a briefing to the local community. “Tatami mats, sake, 25 locals, they like the design.”
The construction of Australia House is due for completion at the end of July 2012 in time for the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennal.
Follow Andrew Burns on twitter @andrewpburns.
