2011 Australian Capital Territory Architecture Awards

Canberra is a landscape of axes and vistas, with a focus on national places of high importance and symbolism, which are carefully placed within the landscape. Perhaps as an extension, the inclination for buildings to be designed as objects in the landscape is pervasive, regardless of scale, typology or symbolic import.

It’s fair to say that most of the entries we saw also displayed this tendency, some of them as highly appropriate responses to their site and function. But there were some interesting departures – schemes which sought to integrate or merge the built form within its landscape. A key example is the Australian War Memorial Eastern Precinct Cafe, which defers to the major “object” – the memorial itself – and to its bush setting, as a frame through which the landscape seems to flow.

Canberra is also famous for its civic qualities and the primacy of the public domain. We were thrilled to witness fine-grained manifestations of this, and the extension of public place-making through private development, in the form of finely curated, robustly procured, integrated artworks of exceptional quality.

– Shelley Penn (jury chair)

Awards

Canberra Medallion Australian War Memorial Eastern Precinct Development by Johnson Pilton Walker.

Public Romaldo Giurgola Award—Australian War Memorial Eastern Precinct Development by Johnson Pilton Walker [image 2]. Awards—University of Canberra International Microsimulation Centre (NATSEM) by Daryl Jackson Alastair Swayn [image 3]; Holy Trinity Early Learning Centre by Collins Caddaye Architects [image 4]; Bonython Community Hall by Collins Caddaye Architects [image 5]. Commendations—Multi-Purpose Building, Florey Primary School, by HBO+EMTB Architects; Radford College Junior School Stage 2 by Cox Architecture; Lyneham Performance Centre by HBO+EMTB Architects.

Commercial Commendations—AHL Office Building by Cox Architecture; Equinox Business Park by AMC Projects.

Small Projects Commendation—Langley and Ryan Residence by Phillips and Associates Architects.

Urban Design Sir John Overall Award—Australian War Memorial Eastern Precinct by Johnson Pilton Walker [image 6]. Award—Humanities and Science Campus Place by Lahznimmo Architects and Spackman Mossop Michaels Landscape Architects [image 7].

Interior W. Hayward Morris Award—Australian War Memorial Hall of Valour Redevelopment by Johnson Pilton Walker [image 8]. Commendations—St Thomas the Apostle Primary School, Kambah, by Paul Barnett Design Group; ActewAGL Headquarters Fitout by Cox Architecture.

Heritage Commendation—Capital Hill Early Childhood Centre by LFA.

Sustainable Awards—University of Canberra International Microsimulation Centre (NATSEM) by Daryl Jackson Alastair Swayn [image 9]; Franklin House by Jigsaw Housing [image 10]. Commendations—ActewAGL Headquarters Fitout by Cox Architecture; Multi-Purpose Building, Florey Primary School, by HBO+EMTB Architects.

Residential – Houses Named Award—Slater White House by Philip Leeson Architects [image 11]. Award—Lagos House by Collins Caddaye Architects [image 12]. Commendation—Namina 760 by TT Architecture.

Residential – Multiple Awards—HMAS Creswell Griffith House by BVN Architecture [image 1]; Kingsgate Ten Houses, O’Malley, by Colin Stewart Architects [image 13]. Commendation—The Ambassador by Colin Stewart Architects. Colorbond Award for Steel Architecture—Slater White House by Philip Leeson Architects [image 14]. Commendation—Horticulture Facilities CIT Bruce by HBO+EMTB Architects. Award for Enduring Architecture—Red Hill Primary School by the Department of Works, 1960 [image 15]. Inlite Light in Architecture Prizes—Australian War Memorial Eastern Precinct Cafe by Johnson Pilton Walker [image 16]; The Journey by Cox Architecture, with artists Robert Foster of Fink & Co in collaboration with Frost* Design [image 17]. Art in Architecture Award—New Acton South Tower Art Program by Fender Katsalidis Architects in association with Pamille Berg Consulting, Oculus and PBS Building, with artists Heather B. Swann, Ochre Lawson, Dan Maginnity, Al Stark, Michael Porter and Gregos Psychoyos [image 18]. Archicentre Mervyn Willoughby-Thomas Renovation Award—Earle Street House by Jigsaw Housing [image 19]. Education Prize—St Thomas the Apostle Primary School, Kambah, by Paul Barnett Design Group.