Best of South Australian architecture unveiled in 2023 Awards

The cream of South Australia’s architecture has been recognised at the 2023 SA Architecture Awards, with the Monarto Safari Park Visitor Centre taking out the top honour. Eco-tourism, hospitality and community recreation hubs featured strongly among the winners announced by the Australian Institute of Architects (SA) on Friday, July 7 at the Adelaide Convention Centre.

The new Monarto Safari Park Visitor Centre aims to connect people to the environment through education and history and was recognised as this year’s most significant contribution to architecture, earning architecture practices Intro and studio gram the prestigious 2023 SA Architecture Medal.

The project also won the Keith Neighbour Award for Commercial Architecture (SA) and the COLORBOND® Commendation for Steel Architecture.

Grieve Gillett Architects’ 9 years of conservation work on the Adelaide Botanic Gardens’ Goodman Building on Hackney Road was honoured with the David Saunders Award for Heritage Architecture (SA).

The John S Chappel Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (New) went to Enzo Caroscio Architecture for a three-level city home that skilfully maximises its small site to create a generous, family-friendly, light-filled home with city and hills views and introspective courtyards. The home also received a Commendation for Interior Architecture (SA).

These Named Awards highlight the diversity of project types and scales that architects engage in and the specialist knowledge that they provide to clients and the community who interact with their work.

Meanwhile, Stallard Meek Flightpath Architects won the EmAGN Project Award, recognising the outstanding work of an architect within 15 years of graduation, and Commendation for Commercial Architecture (SA) for
the addition of a cellar door to Anvers Wines in Kangarilla. The cellar door celebrates the winery’s picturesque setting where visitors can sample wine varieties while enjoying curated views over Mt Lofty and the estate.

The Awards for Public Architecture (SA) were presented to DesignInc for the Wulanda Recreation & Convention Centre in Mount Gambier, and Brown Falconer for the Wayikuu, Max Amber Sportsfield in Paradise.

The Wulanda Recreation & Convention Centre is a flexible hub for aquatic, fitness, conferences, local community groups and large-scale events. The design celebrates the community with residents’ input and prioritises local materials and labour and was also recognised with a Commendation for Sustainable Architecture (SA). This is the second year in a row that a Mount Gambier project has received accolades (with
the Mount Gambier Regional Airport receiving top accolades in 2022), a reflection of the community’s investment in quality design.

The City of Adelaide Prize was awarded to Convic for the Adelaide City Skatepark, which activates a Park Lands site to create an inclusive space for skaters and competitions. In its 50th year, the Adelaide Festival Centre has been celebrated with the Jack Cheesman Award for Enduring Architecture, awarded to a building that has stood the test of time. Designed by Hassell and Partners, the geometric concrete shells remain a much-loved feature of the Adelaide riverbank precinct.

SA Architecture Awards Director Anne Taylor said many of the projects entered this year were designed and built amidst the challenges of the pandemic.

“It was truly heartening to see such strong results, and to hear the creative means entrants utilised to continue pursuing excellence despite many obstacles,” she said.

“We saw recurring comments in client testimonials describing the experience of engaging an architect – and their finished buildings – as ‘exceeding expectations’.

“Tonight’s winners chart the achievements and direction of architecture and design in South Australia.”

Winners will now progress to the National Architecture Awards, to be announced at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra on Tuesday, October 31.