FIVE WA projects were bestowed honours at last Thursday’sAustralian Institute of Architects’ 2016 National Architecture Awards in Sydney, cherry-picked from a competitive field of more than 890 entries, of which 79 were shortlisted.
Perth Concert Hall by Howlett & Bailey Architects, built in 1973, received the National Enduring Architecture Award, with the jury noting: “Brutalist buildings like the Perth Concert Hall can be easy targets for demolition.
“It is imperative that buildings of this nature are accepted by the general population as being key to our nation’s architectural story,” the judges said.
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READ NOWThe State Buildings by Kerry Hill Architects and Palassis Architects won the Lachlan Macquarie Award for Heritage, in part for its impressive adaptive reuse of the original spaces.
Kerry Hill Architects also received a national commendation in the public architecture category for the City of Perth Library & Public Plaza, while Spaceagency was commended for its work on the Alex Hotel in the commercial architecture category.
Spaceagency received another win for WA’s only housing project on the honours list with its Knutsford Stage 1 apartment project in Fremantle, awarded The Frederick Romberg Award for Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing.
The expert jury awarded 40 projects from around the country with 32 awards and 12 commendations, recognising work that showcased architectural practice at its peak.
Jury chair and AIA immediate past-president Jon Clements said the judges were delighted to discover numerous projects that delivered admirable outcomes with limited means, clearly demonstrating architecture’s value in delivering a public benefit and providing significant contribution to cities and regional centres.
“Throughout the judging, it was evident that architects had clear commitments to their clients’ aspirations but also to the environmental and social sustainability, creating solutions that explored invention in favour of fashion,” he said.
“It was an inspiring and refreshing experience.”