2022 National Award for Small Project Architecture

Jury citation

This project constitutes a remarkably clever resolution for a dental practice within the fabric of an inner-city Melbourne suburb. Using the scale, materiality and density of Victorian terrace housing on a street-corner allotment, Rob Kennon Architects has unlocked the space by wrapping the footpath into the body of the site. This seemingly simple move reconciles the entire proposition, resulting in an intriguing entry sequence, a purposeful plan and universal accessibility – while sensitively negotiating the heritage fabric.

By borrowing the materiality of the surrounds, and even deploying bitumen as part of the continuation of the entry sequence, the architect has made this unusual setting for a dental practice into a success. Continuing a dialogue with the exterior materiality of the context, the interiors are subtle and restrained, resulting in a calm, egalitarian reception that avoids being clinical.

The jury noted how seamlessly the dental practice occupies the spaces, which bespeaks a durable and purposeful architectural outcome – and attests to attention and professional care on the part of the architect.

Project credits

Architect Rob Kennon Architects; Project team Rob Kennon, Maia Cookson; Builder Gmakcon; Structural engineer Vert Engineering; Building surveyor Metro Building Surveying

The Dentist is located in Abbotsford, Victoria on the land of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation.