Wednesday 26 June 2002
The most coveted architecture prize, the prestigious Sir John Sulman medal, has been given to the home of high drama NIDA, designed by HASSELL in association with Peter Armstrong Architecture.
‘It is 70 years since the inception of the Sulman medal and this year’s winner reflects the high standard that has been established since the award was first given in 1932,’ said Ms Caroline Pidcock, NSW President of The Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA).
According to the jury report, ‘NIDA’s finishes portray restraint and reasoned elegance… illustrating that a building of significant accomplishment need not be over dramatised.’
This year 110 entries were received for building projects as diverse as an inner city terrace renovation to the redevelopment of a major office building like the MLC at North Sydney.
An architecture award was given to the Sydney Conservatorium of Music by Daryl Jackson/Robin Dyke Pty Ltd & NSW Government Architect and Heritage Architect Tanner Associates for ‘producing one of Sydney’s finest entry rooms’.
Other named awards given included the Greenway Award for Conservation won by Dawson Brown Architecture for Palm Beach House, Craigee Lee ‘an exemplar of the rich fruits possible from a sensitive marriage of old and new.’
Dawes Point (Tarra) Park by the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority in association with the NSW Department of Public Works and Services received The Lloyd Rees Award for Civic Design and an architecture award for conservation. According to the jury ‘its seamless inter-weaving of archaeology, conservation and interpretive reconstruction form a new civic precinct of unique urban character in Australia.’
Also receiving an architecture award for conservation were Design 5 Architects for the Woodford Academy.
Wilcannia Health Service by the Merrima Aboriginal Design Unit in the Government Architect’s Office ‘has been able to capture and prioritise the clues to effective, outback health service’ and was given the Blacket Award for projects outside the Sydney metropolitan area.
Maintaining their position as one of the leading winners of architecture awards, Allen Jack + Cottier received three awards for two projects.
Their ecologically sensitive alterations and additions to Redleaf, Woollahra Council Chambers were given an architecture award for conservation as well as an environment award. Whilst the Schaeffer Fine Arts Library received an architecture award for interiors.
Another architecture award for interiors went to architects Bligh Voller Nield for Campus MLC that ‘reassessed the notion of the work environment within a multi-storey building.’
Only one residential architecture award was given and it went to Marsh Cashman Architects for their House for Art Collectors.
This is an entirely new house, but forms part of a series of terrace houses and according to the jury it ‘has an overall feeling of generosity and a feeling of space which is quite uplifting.’
Commendations were given to four projects in the residential category. A country weekender by Allen Jack + Cottier; a coastal weekender by Nicholas Murcutt Architect, an inner-city terrace the Water House by Dale Jones-Evans Architects and the redevelopment of Overcliffe Cottage in Potts Point by Clinton Murray Architects.
Two commendations were also given in the public and commercial buildings category to: Shear Outback - Australian Shearers Hall of Fame by Paul Berkemeier Architect and Pier 8/9, Walsh Bay by Bates Smart.
The jury also made a special award for Tom Uren recognising his ‘consistent efforts toward the welfare of our collective built and natural environment,’
They also acknowledged ‘his support and vision campaigning to resurrect, restore and retain the great arteries that feed Sydney Harbour.’
In their report the jury commended country councils, but were critical of their city counterparts.
They stated that, ‘Too many projects are results of land and environment court rulings, which has now placed a huge financial burden upon ratepayers,’
‘Slowly the art of architecture is being whittled toward a more predictable and forecast outcome.’
If the profession is to actively pursue the traditions of architecture, the Institute should take the lead and then there will need to be across the board support of architecture that is both public and private,’ said the jury. ENDS
Contacts:
Stella de Vulder/Annette Dearing 02 9356 2955 m 0412 341 013 |
