The Anzac Memorial Centenary Extension has provided the Anzac Memorial with much-needed exhibition and education facilities, and reasserted its prominence in Sydney’s Hyde Park with a new forecourt and water cascade, a t the 1930s vision of the memorial’s architect, C. Bruce Dellit. The memorial is an admired landmark but the original vision of cascading fountains to the south of the memorial had remained unrealized, until now.
The Centenary Extension looks beyond the brief to transform a subterranean extension into an integrated visitor experience. It takes the visitor on a journey from the bustling street down to a new formal court, the Hall of Service, the new facilities, and the original memorial halls beyond.
This is a processional journey of the senses. The water cascade progressively dampens the city noise to focus the visitor on the essential nature of the memorial; the daylight through the courtyard oculus transforms the space throughout the days and seasons of the year; and the textural qualities achieved through the interplay of a refined palette of materials result in a respectful conversation with the original memorial.
In deference to the original pairing of Dellit and artist George Rayner Hoff, a collaboration between artist Fiona Hall and design architect Richard Johnson results in a singular experience of art and architecture. Collaboration between Johnson Pilton Walker and the Government Architect NSW made the project possible, including the adept execution of the enormous community project to gather earth from all corners of New South Wales and battle sites overseas to complete the artist’s vision. The Anzac Memorial Centenary Extension fulfils both traditional and contemporary architectural demands, artfully reinterpreting Dellit’s vision and reconnecting visitors with the Anzac spirit of collaboration and community in a living memorial fit for the twenty-first century.
Marrickville Library has breathed new life into a disused building, catalyzing the transformation of an old hospital campus into a new civic hub at the centre of this suburban community. The library, in form and program, epitomizes this diverse community.
The heritage-listed hospital building has been carefully refurbished internally and externally, with a new extension defined by a generous colonnade and a playful sawtooth roof that references both the existing building and the typologies of Marrickville Road. Internally, a variety of spaces cater to the diverse range of uses and people invited into this contemporary library setting. Places for activity and retreat are woven throughout the complex. In the old hospital building, smaller support spaces have been repurposed to house the collections, quiet reading rooms and offices, along with open-air study areas along the reinstated verandahs.
The new spaces complement those housed within the existing ward building. This wing celebrates the building’s heritage by revealing its original facade in the double-height entry hall, which is flooded with natural light from the sawtooth roof lights. The palette of recycled bricks and timber materials that characterizes the new addition is not only warm and inviting but further embeds the narrative of adaptive reuse and recycling within the development. Here, there are spaces to meet everyone’s needs, with areas for reading and relaxing, exhibition space, a children’s area and garden, and the requisite cafe. Users can sit on tiered seating below a soaring ceiling, in cushioned nooks or outdoors.
Marrickville Library represents an evolving vision for new public buildings by creating a distinctive, contemporary and genuinely welcoming environment that has reinvigorated the historic urban setting by placing community life at its heart.
This project has transformed a utilitarian parks depot into an engaging public building. Located in Melbourne’s Albert Park, the building is organized around a central courtyard, providing a welcoming orientation space for park visitors while accommodating depot functions behind. Airy and light-filled office spaces on the level above enjoy a green outlook from every window.
A stacked program has enabled a minimal-footprint building that delivers high amenity and low impact. The exposed concrete and timber structure is lean, yet carefully composed to maximum effect, with upturned perimeter beams doubling as window seats internally and planters on the outside face. With the adept integration of greenery to shade, cool and screen spaces, structures and windows, the exterior is further animated and effortlessly settles the building into its parkland setting.
The State Library Victoria is Australia’s oldest and busiest public library. The Vision 2020 redevelopment addressed ageing buildings, changing needs and confusing circulation through a skilful and sound design framework that will expand the library’s reach and relevance for many generations to come.
The redevelopment has brought together and clarified a conglomeration of 23 buildings, unlocking and transforming 15 spaces for public use. It has created new connections and reinstated the through-block link and Russell Street entry to enhance legibility and access. Public space has been increased by 40 percent, expanding the possibilities of the library’s functions.
Interiors have been stripped of years of building clutter to reveal their original character, in turn, opening up more usable spaces for contemporary research and learning. While remaining respectful of the earlier built fabric, new design elements introduce a fresh and contemporary language, further enhancing the visitor experience in this popular community hub.
The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.
