Perth’s newest landmark, Optus Stadium, has won two awards at the coveted Australian Institute of Architects National Architecture Awards 2018.
Presented in Melbourne tonight, Optus Stadium by HASSELL COX HKS won the COLORBOND® Award for Steel Architecture and a National Award for Public Architecture.
Described as ‘an immensely complex undertaking … to deliver a world-class sporting arena’, Optus Stadium was applauded for its spectator-focused design, elegance and efficiency.
The stadium was constructed using more than 14,000 tonnes of structural steel, accommodating a seating capacity of 60,000 people, and has the potential to provide up to 10,000 additional seats in the future.
Other Western Australian projects to receive National Awards included the Cadogan Song School by Palassis for Heritage and Cottesloe Lobby and Landscape by Simon Pendal Architect for Small Project Architecture.
Highgate Primary School’s new teaching building by iredale pederson hook architects received a National Commendation for Educational Architecture.
Jury chair and Immediate Past President Richard Kirk said the National Awards provided an opportunity to reflect on how Australia’s diverse landscapes, urban environments and economic conditions influence and inform our architecture, enriching our culture.
‘Projects at this level are all accomplished but it was those that could demonstrate their value broadly, beyond the limits of the brief and the confines of the site, which were nationally recognised,’ he said.
‘Most impressive were projects that established new design benchmarks and whose influence can be of value to the broader community, leading to positive change in our built environment.
‘For the jury, it was important that all the awarded projects implemented sustainability initiatives at a conceptual level, taking a holistic approach. It was impressive to see the growing sophistication and ingenuity in this domain.’
National President Clare Cousins congratulated all award recipients and finalists for their valuable contribution to Australian architectural practice.
‘In Australia, we have developed our own brand of architecture that defines who we are and where we come from,’ she said.
‘These awards are the most recognised and competitive in the industry. They are peer-judged and involve an exhaustive selection process, with site visits to shortlisted projects, allowing the jury to experience the quality of the work firsthand.
‘They showcase the continuing evolution and diversity of our craft and the changing needs of our society, illustrating the vital role architecture plays in the lives of all Australians.’
The local winners were among 12 projects to receive named awards, 20 that received national awards and eight that received national commendations from a shortlist of 69 projects drawn from a total pool of 975 of national and international entries.
Full list of WA award winners:
The COLORBOND® Award for Steel Architecture – Optus Stadium by HASSELL COX HKS (WA)
National Award for Heritage – The Cadogan Song School by Palassis Architects (WA)
National Award for Public Architecture – Optus Stadium by HASSELL COX HKS (WA)
National Award for Small Project Architecture – Cottesloe Lobby and Landscape by Simon Pendal Architect (WA)
National Commendation for Educational Architecture – Highgate Primary School New Teaching Building by iredale pedersen hook architects (WA)
2018 National Jury
Richard Kirk (Chair) – Immediate Past President of the Australian Institute of Architects; Director, KIRK
Jill Garner – Victorian Government Architect
Katelin Butler – Editorial Director, Architecture Media
Charles Wright – Director, Charles Wright Architects
Kevin O’Brien – Principal, BVN
