2022 National Award for Commercial Architecture

Jury citation

Queen and Collins is a delicately resolved, inventive model for the treatment of the intersection of various commercial buildings. The spatial planning has established an interface of interaction and clarity for congregation and circulation within the urban fabric of Melbourne. The project unravels and exposes the generational design layers of the spaces between the buildings while simultaneously granting clarity and identity to each of the contributory buildings at multiple levels.

The success of the space lies in the purposefully scaled interventions and intersections of its multiple typologies in laneways, courtyards and open-air voids. Pedestrian linkages through its tenant frontages culminate in an integrated lobby where multiple commercial entities come together. Of particular note for the jury was the emotional mood, experienced through shades of dark and light, and the discovery of delightful restorative spaces in the heritage building that contribute to this commercial community.

Project credits

Architect Kerstin Thompson Architects and BVN; Project team Kerstin Thompson, Kelley Mackay, Michael Blancato, Claire Humphreys, Lloyd McCathie, Martin Allen, Grant Dixon, Patrick Phelan, Henry Russell, Caroline Chong, Darcy Dunn, Marwin Sim, Tamsin O’Reilly, Ninotschka Titchkosky, Rob Vider, Sean Regan, Alan Monckton-Milnes, Sally Campbell, Marc Hine, Renae Tapley; Builder Probuild Constructions; Project manager Armitage Jones; Town planner Tract; Structural, civil and facade engineer Aurecon; Mechanical, electrical and fire engineer, hydraulics and fire services, ESD Arup; AV consultant Acoustic Logic; Traffic engineer Irwinconsult (WSP); Quantity surveyor Slattery; Landscape architect Millar Merrigan; Heritage advisor Bryce Raworth; Heritage and preservation architect Lovell Chen; Lighting consultant DJ Coalition; Building surveyor McKenzie Group; Wayfinding and signage Studio Semaphore; Accessibility Morris Goding Access Consulting

Queen and Collins is located in Melbourne, Victoria on the land of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation.