A masterly design response which seamlessly balances ‘history and modernity’, has been twice awarded at this year’s Australian Institute of Architects International Chapter Architecture Awards.
Paris Apartment by Australian-based Wood Marsh Architecture won the Hugh O’Neil Award for Heritage for its meticulous and sensitive restoration of an apartment within a 17th century Baroque residence. The original residence was designed in 1668 by Jules Hardouin-Mansart, who’s most notable work is the Palace of Versailles. So, it comes as no surprise that retaining and celebrating the existing interior of this project was highly considered.
The jury was impressed by the “delightful, complementary contrast and dialogue between the old and the new,” in what was a small but challenging project.
Wood Marsh Architecture was praised for a “masterly design response to the high-stakes heritage envelope by contrasting French classical and floral style with minimal decor. They met the challenge of balancing respect for the past, and a gallery style contemporary residence, with confidence.”
The apartment was also awarded the International Chapter Award for Interior Architecture for its “sophisticated understanding and approach to the prevailing design issues … evident in their selection of materials and colour palette appropriate for the soft Parisian light that bathes the interiors,” the jury said.
Lu Style (Beijing CBD) by Schin Architects with Atelier W also received the International Award for Interior Architecture. The jury was delighted by the sensuous and tactile insertion of a restaurant into a rigid, nondescript commercial complex.
Inspired by the ‘evanescent pleasures and the transience of beauty’ of the Southern Song Dynasty of the 12th century, and the littoral origins of the food served at the restaurant, the architects’ have created a “dynamic and evocative setting for one of China’s great culinary traditions.”
KHA Pte Ltd was awarded the International Chapter Award for Commercial Architecture for their design of Ritz-Carlton Maldives in the Fari Islands.
The project delivers an unfamiliar architectural language from Kerry Hill Architects (KHA Pte Ltd), marking the “emergence of a new design dialect” for the firm. Described by the jury as an ‘enigmatic scheme’, the Ritz-Carlton is part of an ambitious lifestyle precinct.
The circular accommodation villas and curved walkways are located on marine-engineered islands. These are juxtaposed with larger, rectilinear structures across the site. “Part of the genius here is the new procurement methods to deliver a unique property,” the jury observed. “Well considered construction uses prefabricated cross and glue laminated certified timber sources. This reduces environmental impact, waste, and pollution on a sensitive site.”
The International Chapter Award for Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing was awarded to The Park Santa Monica by KoningEizenberg Architecture.
The ambitious development, which includes 249 apartments, a one-acre rooftop park and significant ground floor retail space, demonstrates “a European sense of special and social consequence in the development of this typical typology in the interactive courtyards of the plan. The traditional street wall is reconsidered through a series of stand-alone blocks perpendicular to the long site dimensions,” the jury said.
“The architects have disengaged with the traditional context and have designed an experiential building both to residents and the broader community. This is thinking that looks beyond the site itself, contributing to a richer neighbourhood that will no doubt influence developments that follow.”
Te Ao Marama South Atrium by fjcstudio (formerly fjmtstudio), with Jasmax and DesignTRIBE, was awarded an International Chapter Commendation for Public Architecture.
The project transforms the colonial plan of the existing south atrium the Tamaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial into a culturally inclusive gathering and ceremony space, rich with the representation of the Maori and Pasifika cultures of Aotearoa/New Zealand.
The 2023 International Chapter Emerging Architect prize winner is John Wei Shun Chow, of Metagram. The jury recognised John for the work of his architectural practice, Metagram, his leadership roles in the Australian Institute of Architects International Chapter and the Hong Kong Interior Design Association, and his commitment to raising awareness of ‘net zero’ and other carbon reduction initiatives.
Datuk Pei Ing Tan was honoured with a Life Fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects for her involvement and advocacy in the international architecture community. Pei Ing Tan is a Malaysian architect who has been in practice in Malaysia since graduating from the University of Melbourne in 1985. She has been a long-standing member of the Australian Institute of Architects, serving on the International Chapter Council for several years and the Institute’s National Gender Equity Committee.
She is the current Secretary-General of the International Union of Architects (UIA), past-president of The Architects Regional Council Asia (ARCASIA), the regional Asian grouping of architectural institutes, former president of the Malaysian Institute of Architects [PAM] and has served on the Board of Architects Malaysia [LAM]. Pei Ing was awarded the PAM Gold Medal for service in 2019 and the Board of Architects Malaysia President’s Award in 2017.
International Chapter Executive Director Jennifer Nichols said the Australian Institute of Architects Awards program offered public and peer recognition of the innovative work of architects. The program also provides the Institute with a valuable mechanism to promote architects and architecture across Australia and internationally.
The International Chapter Architecture Awards were announced at an in-person celebration at the Bella Center in Copenhagen on Sat July 8 2023.
The International Chapter winners will now move on to be considered in the prestigious National Architecture Awards program, held later in the year.
2023 INTERNATIONAL CHAPTER ARCHITECTURE AWARDS JURY
- Robert Nation AM LFRAIA – Jury Chair
- Fiona Nixon FRAIA
- Ali R Reda RAIA
- Grant Marani LFRAIA
- Pamala McGirr RAIA
2023 International Chapter Architecture Award Winners
HERITAGE
Hugh O’Neil Award for Heritage Architecture – Paris Apartment | Wood Marsh Architecture | France
PUBLIC ARCHITECTURE
International Chapter Commendation for Public Architecture – Te Ao Marama South Atrium | fjmtstudio, with Jasmax and DesignTRIBE | Aotearoa/New Zealand
COMMERCIAL ARCHITECTURE
International Chapter Award for Commercial Architecture – The Ritz-Carlton Maldives | KHA Pte Ltd | Maldives
RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE – MULTIPLE HOUSING
International Chapter Award for Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing – The Park Santa Monica | KoningEizenberg Architecture | USA
INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE
International Chapter Award for Interior Architecture – Lu Style (Beijing CBD) | Schin Architects with Atelier W | China
International Chapter Award for Interior Architecture – Paris Apartment | Wood Marsh Architecture | France
EMERGING ARCHITECT PRIZE
John Wei Shun Chow | Metagram
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