Close to eighty architects and prominent members of the design community celebrated Newcastle’s top designs at the Australian Institute of Architects 2011 Newcastle Division Architecture Awards on Friday 29 July. Special guests included the AIA national president, Brian Zulaikha, and Sydney architect Paul Berkemeier. The Newcastle Division Awards covers projects that have been completed in the last three years within the Newcastle Division area, which starts from the Central Coast and reaches out to the Hunter and Muswellbrook, and north to Forster Tuncurry.
Multi-award-winning architect David Boyle was the star of the night, receiving the Residential Architecture – Single Housing award and the Small Projects award. Boyle is a graduate of the University of Newcastle and his Burridge-Read Residence stood out for its organic approach to the site and location. The jury commented that the design subtly shifts in geometry and axis to create transparency and fluidity in the plan.
Schreiber Hamilton Architecture also received two awards. The Cessnock Community Performing Arts Centre received the Public Buildings award and the Winsor Street Apartments received the Residential Architecture – Multi Housing award. The jury liked that the Cessnock Community Performing Arts Centre made a positive contribution to its community.
EJE Architecture’s sensitive reworking of the old wharf sheds, now Honeysuckle Hotel, received the Commercial Building award.
The jury – Edward Duc, Carol Seymour, Ramsey Awad, and Gary Mathisen – presented the awards at Noah’s On The Beach in Newcastle.
