Regional projects and the work of emerging architects feature prominently in the Australian Institute of Architects’ 2017 National Architecture Awards.
Officer Woods, a WA-based practice only a decade old, trounced all others to take out top award for Public Architecture for its East Pilbara Arts Centre. The jury described it as a “masterstroke building-within-a-building concept” that “enabled “a group of remote Indigenous artists to make a substantial and tangible contribution to a town centre, thereby exemplifying reconciliation in this country.”
Ken Maher, jury chair and immediate past president of the Australian Institute of Architects said the projects entered into the 2017 awards were “truly exceptional work” and that the process of judging them was filled with an “unspoken shared sense of joy and admiration.”
“The jury gave preference to projects demonstrating the contribution architecture can make to the public good; projects that were inventive in their responses to context, site and program; and those that celebrated an understanding of materials and making,” Maher said.
“In reflecting on the state of architecture as observed from the visits, we were reassured by the maturity, creativity and accomplishment demonstrated by the profession across the board, from well-recognized practitioners to emerging practices and younger architects.
“Public architecture projects were strong, particularly in their contribution to community and their social and cultural benefits, where design invention has expanded the brief and delivered extraordinary value.”
In 2017, 983 entries were received, making it the largest field of entries in the almost four-decade-long history of the National Architecture Awards. In all, 72 projects were shortlisted with 44 receiving awards and commendations across 14 categories.
For the full jury report, click here.
The winners are:
East Pilbara Arts Centre (WA) by Officer Woods Architects.
Image: Robert Frith
Public Architecture
Sir Zelman Cowen Award
East Pilbara Arts Centre (WA) – Officer Woods Architects
National Awards
Juanita Nielsen Community Centre (NSW) – Neeson Murcutt Architects in association with City of Sydney
The Globe (Qld) – Brian Hooper Architect and M3 Architecture (architects in association)
Sunshine Coast University Hospital (Qld) – Architectus Brisbane and HDR Rice Daubney as Sunshine Coast Architects
National Commendation
Act for Kids Child and Family Centre of Excellence (Qld) – M3 Architecture
Frank Bartlett Library and Moe Service Centre (Vic) by FJMT.
Image: John Gollings
Urban Design
Walter Burley Griffin Award
Frank Bartlett Library and Moe Service Centre (Vic) – FJMT
National Award
The Goods Line (NSW) – Aspect Studios with CHROFI
East Sydney Early Learning Centre (NSW) by Andrew Burges Architects in association with City of Sydney.
Image: Peter Bennetts
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Educational Architecture
Daryl Jackson Award
East Sydney Early Learning Centre (NSW) – Andrew Burges Architects in association with the City of Sydney
National Awards
Albert Park College Environmental Arts Hub (Vic) – Six Degrees Architects
St Joseph’s Nudgee College Hanly Learning Centre (Qld) – M3 Architecture
UQ Forgan Smith Building – TC Beirne School of Law and Walter Harrison Library Refurbishment (Qld) – BVN
The EY Centre (NSW) by FJMT.
Image: Gareth Hayman
Commercial Architecture
Harry Seidler Award
The EY Centre (NSW) – FJMT
National Award
Willinga Park (ACT) – Cox Architecture
National Commendation
New Acton Nishi (ACT) – Fender Katsalidis Architects
Indigo Slam (NSW) by Smart Design Studio.
Image: David Roche
Interior Architecture
Emil Sodersten Award
Indigo Slam (NSW) – Smart Design Studio
National Award
UQ Forgan Smith Building – TC Beirne School of Law and Walter Harrison Library Refurbishment (Qld) – BVN
National Commendations
Canberra Airport – International (ACT) – Guida Moseley Brown Architects
The Gipson Commons, St Michael’s Grammar School (Vic) – Architectus
Amanemu (Japan) by Kerry Hill Architects.
Image: Nacasa Partners
International Architecture
Jørn Utzon Award
Amanemu (Japan) – Kerry Hill Architects
Australian Award
Skyville at Dawson (Singapore) – WOHA
Tamarama House (NSW) by Durbach Block Jaggers Architects.
Image: John Gollings
Residential Architecture – Houses (New)
Robin Boyd Award
Tamarama House (NSW) – Durbach Block Jaggers Architects
National Awards
Cape Tribulation House (Qld) – M3 Architecture
Coogee House (NSW) – Chenchow Little
Mitti Street House (Qld) – James Russell Architect
National Commendations
Dark Horse (Vic) – Architecture Architecture
Rose House (Vic) – Baracco and Wright Architects
Captain Kelly’s Cottage (Tas) by John Wardle Architects.
Image: John Wardle Architects
Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions)
Eleanor Cullis-Hill Award
Captain Kelly’s Cottage (Tas) – John Wardle Architects
National Awards
Annandale House (NSW) – Welsh and Major Architects
Burleigh Street House (Qld) – ME
Jac (NSW) – Panovscott
National Commendation
Dornoch Terrace House (Qld) – James Russell Architect
Tropology for DHA (NT) by Troppo Architects.
Image: Troppo Architects
Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing
Frederick Romberg Award
Tropology for DHA (NT) – Troppo Architects
National Award
Crown 515 (NSW) – Smart Design Studio
National Commendation
RMIT Bundoora West Student Accommodation (Vic) – Richard Middleton Architects (RMA)
Lizard Log Amenities (NSW) by CHROFI.
Image: Simon Whitbread
Small Project Architecture
Nicholas Murcutt Award
Lizard Log Amenities (NSW) – CHROFI
National Award
North Bondi Amenities (NSW) – Sam Crawford Architects with Lymesmith
National Commendation
The Piano Mill (Qld) – Conrad Gargett
Central Park Sydney (NSW) by Tzannes and Cox Richardson and Foster and Partners.
Image: Brett Boardman
Sustainable Architecture
David Oppenheim Award
Central Park Sydney (NSW) – Tzannes and Cox Richardson and Foster and Partners
National Award
88 Angel St (NSW) – Steele Associates Architects
National Commendations
Gen Y Demonstration Housing Project (WA) – David Barr Architect
Mt Alvernia College Anthony and La Verna Buildings (Qld) – M3 Architecture
Albert Park College Environmental Arts Hub (Vic) by Six Degrees Architecture.
Image: Simon James
Heritage
Lachlan Macquarie Award
Albert Park College Environmental Arts Hub (Vic) – Six Degrees Architects
National Awards
100 Harris Street (NSW) – SJB
Juanita Nielsen Community Centre (NSW) – Neeson Murcutt Architects in association with City of Sydney
National Commendations
Captain Kelly’s Cottage (Tas) – John Wardle Architects
Embassy of Sweden (ACT) – Guida Moseley Brown Architects
17 Wylde Street (designed 1948, completed 1951) by Aaron M. Bolot.
Image: Ramsay Photo Works/National Museum of Australia
Enduring Architecture
National Award
17 Wylde Street (NSW) – Aaron M Bolot
Arts West, University of Melbourne by ARM Architecture and Architectus.
Image: Warwick Baker
Colorbond Award for Steel Architecture
Arts West, University of Melbourne (Vic) – ARM Architecture and Architectus
Tent House (Qld) by Sparks Architects.
Image: Christopher Frederick Jones
People’s Choice Award
Tent House (Qld) – Sparks Architects
