Congratulations to all of the winners of the 2010 ACT Architecture Awards. Click on the project names
below to read what the jury had to say about each winning project.
To read the President's introduction and to view information about the recipients of the Presidents Medal,
Emerging Architect Prize, Clem Cummings Medal & Student Prizes click here.
Jury Chair Statement
Despite the economic gloom of the global financial crisis, the 2010 RAIA ACT Chapter Awards saw 33
projects entered representing a good range of project types, scales and complexities. Entries were received
in all categories except Multi Residential which was unexpected considering the number of developments
completed in recent years. The Jury visited all of the projects located diversely throughout Canberra,
surrounding districts and the south coast.
This year’s Jury bonded well from the start and embraced the process of reviewing the entries, attending
architect’s presentations, site visits, short-listing and finally, selecting the final projects to be awarded.
We all enjoyed the intense immersion in the cross section of architectural endeavours presented to us.
The Jury’s broad representation of architectural interests provided for illuminating opinion and varied debate,
however, we found common ground in the recognition of outstanding architectural outcomes and consensus
was achieved. The addition of Terroir’s Gerard Reinmuth as the ‘out of town’ juror brought an international
perspective to our discussions and facilitated the review of local works in a larger architectural and cultural
context. Gerard’s input also provided welcome objectivity and directed our focus on the qualities of the
projects.
This year the Jury has selected a number of smaller projects for recognition. Despite their small budgets
and scope, these projects have successfully investigated solutions for achievable ways of living in a more
sustainable, albeit simpler way.
One of these projects proposed a new housing prototype (for Canberra, that is) that demonstrates the
possibilities of economical but comfortable living in 35m2 total floor space in an under-utilised car park
corner. Sorry, no place for the home theatre here, but what a great urban abode! Another project, with
modest but careful architectural moves, enhanced the inherent good design of a small 1960s house into
a still compact but wonderful family home that reflects the owner’s commitment to a sustainable way of
living and is a delight to inhabit.
Both of these projects stand out in the context of our modern day preoccupation with more, bigger, faster
and only occasionally better! When everything else is telling us to up-size, these projects demonstrate
a sustainable approach to consumption with spaces that will be rewarding for life.
The Jury was always graciously received by the owners, clients or users and shown through ’their’
architecture with genuine pride and admiration for the spaces they inhabit.
I would like to thank my fellow jurors for their depth of judgment and their diligent but good natured carriage
of duties.
Also many appreciative thanks are due to Melanie Croaker, who as the acting ACT Chapter Manager
seamlessly coordinated the considerable jury process.
Bruce Townsend 2010
The 2010 main awards included:
Obelia Tait, Katharine Campbell, Gay Williamson, Erik Innes, Gerard Reinmuth & Bruce Townsend (chair) |
