‘Contemporary town centre’ wins Canberra Medallion in ACT Architecture Awards

A home built for sustainability, the adaptive reuse of former industrial warehouses, and a business park centred around a light-filled town centre were among the winners of the 2023 ACT Architecture Awards.

Seventeen new projects were awarded in categories from residential new homes and renovations, to public works and interiors. There were also seven named prizes for individuals who have demonstrated excellence in their work.

Jury Chair Jeremy Mather paid tribute to the diversity of projects, noting the breadth of architectural creativity and technical skill.

“It was exciting to see the wide range and scale of projects presented – from the macro to the micro, the highly complex to the finely tuned, creative placemaking and adaptive reuse, humble home renovations and climate conscious new homes to multi-generational housing precincts and everything in between,” he said.

“Across this broad spectrum of beautifully designed and executed projects, not just sustainability, but environmentally responsible design was a standout principle.

“It was extremely evident and a guiding influence in the buildings created, demonstrating the in-tune role that architecture and design must play in lowering our carbon footprint and providing an energy efficient and sustainable built environment for future generations.”

Bates Smart won the Canberra Medallion and The John Andrews Award for Commercial Architecture for Brindabella Business Park. Their aim was to “humanise” the building, with warm, natural materials and fine, human-scaled details within the six-storey triangular plaza.

“Brindabella is a finely crafted, incredibly elegant pair of commercial buildings that demonstrates extreme beauty in complex simplicity,” the jury said.

The Sir Roy Grounds Award for Enduring Architecture went to Roger Pegrum and Pegrum/Ciolek Architects for the 1995 The Chancery at Government House, which is a highly considered, inconspicuous office space nestled into the landscape.

Envelope Architecture’s Narrabundahaus achieved The Derek Wrigley Award for Sustainable Architecture, the COLORBOND® Award for Steel Architecture and the Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (New).

The recycled-brick, flexible home is highly energy efficient and designed for best practice thermal comfort for Canberra weather, as well as indoor air quality and light.

Craig Tan Architects won three honours for their Dairy Road project, including Awards for Interior Architecture and Urban Design.

The Fyshwick redevelopment includes the repurposing of warehouses with laneways and a series of central squares for community and collaboration.

Mr Mather said the awards demonstrated architects’ commitment to nature, houses and human beings, as well as the technical expertise and design rigour.

The ACT Awards were announced at a Gala Dinner at the Arboretum on June 3. Winners in the Chapter Awards will progress to the National Awards.

For further information, please contact: Rosanne Barrett on behalf of the Australian Institute of Architects

| M. +61 (0) 425 420 024  |  hello@barrettcomms.com.au