2020 National Architecture Awards shortlist released

The tightly contested competition for the title of Australia’s best architecture in 2020 moved a step closer today with the release of the Australian Institute of Architects’ National Architecture Awards shortlist.

For the first time in the pre-eminent architecture award program’s almost 40-year history, anyone from around Australia, and around the world,  will be able to tune in to the announcement of the winners during a free live-streamed event from 7pm on Thursday 5 November.

From an original entry field of 806 projects, 180 entries progressed through the Chapter Awards for national consideration earlier this year. The National Jury has selected 76 entries for the shortlist that are now vying for recognition across 14 categories.

While the global coronavirus pandemic has necessitated unprecedented changes to this year’s logistics, Jury Chair and Immediate Past National President Professor Helen Lochhead said the judging process was challenging but also inspiring.

“Reflecting on the projects we shortlisted, the jury was struck by the creativity, passion and accomplishment of established and emerging architects alike,” Prof Lochhead said.

“While the pandemic prevented the jury from conducting the usual in-person visits this year, we were still able to experience projects across Australia, animated by people and an array of climatic conditions, on a virtual platform. The chance to engage with clients and end-users as well as the architects made these virtual project visits all the richer.”

“Importantly, this year’s live-streamed National Awards event means that the best in Australian architecture will be accessible to a much larger national and international audience than ever before.”

“The digital delivery of our Chapter Awards has already attracted more than 30 000 views, highlighting the broad interest in outstanding design.”

A very strong field of public and educational architecture projects from around the country feature in this year’s shortlist, which also sees a strong overlap with entries in the sustainability category underscoring that design excellence increasingly embeds exceptional environmental performance.

Recognising that great architecture requires great clients, Prof Lochhead said that the jury was “privileged to see the legacies of many exceptional, motivated clients across Australia – from those painstakingly restoring precious and modest heritage, to those, both private and public clients, commissioning enduring and uplifting settings for now and the future.”

Voting for the People’s Choice Award also opens today giving members of the public until midnight on 1 November to nominate their favourite residential project from the shortlist. All those who vote can then enter the running to win one of three $500 Bunnings gift vouchers, courtesy of the Institute’s Major National Partner, Dulux.

Jury Chair Professor Lochhead was joined on the jury by Jefa Greenaway, Jennie Officer, Kerry Clare and Tim Greer. Find out more about the jury here.

FULL SHORTLIST

Commercial Architecture (5)

• 9 Cremorne St (VIC) by Fieldwork
• Daramu House (NSW) by Tzannes
• Light Box (VIC) by Clare Cousins Architects
• Phoenix Central Park (NSW) by Durbach Block Jaggers and John Wardle Architects
• Three Capes Track Lodges (TAS) by Andrew Burns Architecture

Educational Architecture (9)

• ANU College of Law (ACT) by Guida Moseley Brown Architects
• Carlton Learning Precinct COLA (VIC) by Law Architects
• Curtin University Midland Campus (WA) by Lyons with Silver Thomas Hanley
• Ian Potter Southbank Centre, University of Melbourne (VIC) by John Wardle Architects
• Marie Reay Teaching Centre, ANU (ACT) by BVN
• MLC School Senior Centre (NSW) by BVN
• Monash University Chancellery (VIC) by ARM Architecture
• Monash University Ian Potter Centre for Performing Arts (VIC) by Peter Elliott Architecture + Urban Design
• The Swift Science and Technology Centre (VIC) by McBride Charles Ryan

Enduring Architecture (3)

• Holy Family Church, Indooroopilly (QLD) by Douglas and Barnes
• MCG Great Southern Stand (VIC) by Daryl Jackson in association with Tompkins Shaw and Evans
• Palm Garden House (NSW) by Richard Leplastrier

Heritage (5)

• Bozen’s Cottage (TAS) by Taylor & Hinds Architects
• Broadmeadows Town Hall (VIC) by Kerstin Thompson Architects
• Hollow Tree House (TAS) by Core Collective Architects
• Regent Theatre, Melbourne (VIC) by Lovell Chen
• State Library Victoria Redevelopment (VIC) by Architectus + Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects

Interior Architecture (5)

• Breezeway House (NSW) by David Boyle Architect
• Grant Pirrie House (NSW) by Virginia Kerridge Architect
• Lawler Residence (NSW) by Andrew Donaldson Architecture and Design
• Napier Street for Milieu (VIC) by Freadman White
• Phoenix Central Park (NSW) by Durbach Block Jaggers and John Wardle Architects

Public Architecture (8)

• Anzac Memorial Centenary Extension (NSW) by Johnson Pilton Walker with the Government Architect NSW
• Kingborough Community Hub (TAS) by March Studio
• Marrickville Library (NSW) by BVN
• Mon Repos Turtle Centre (QLD) by KIRK
• Parks Victoria Albert Park Office and Depot (VIC) by Harrison and White with Archier
• Penguin Parade Visitor Centre (VIC) by TERROIR
• Pingelly Recreation and Cultural Centre (WA) by iredale pedersen hook architects with Advanced Timber Concepts Studio
• State Library Victoria Redevelopment (VIC) by Architectus + Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects

Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions) (7)

• Bismarck House (NSW) by Andrew Burges Architects
• Grant Pirrie House (NSW) by Virginia Kerridge Architect
• Outside [the] box (SA) by Troppo Architects
• Park Road House (QLD) by LineburgWang
• RaeRae House (VIC) by Austin Maynard Architects
• Redwood (NSW) by Chenchow Little
• Three Stories North (VIC) by Splinter Society Architecture

Residential Architecture – Houses (New) (6)

• Basin Beach House (NSW) by Peter Stutchbury Architecture
• Breezeway House (NSW) by David Boyle Architect
• East Street (NSW) by Kerstin Thompson Architects
• Fitzroy North House (VIC) by Rob Kennon Architects
• Glebe House (NSW) by Chenchow Little
• Kindred (VIC) by panovscott Architects

Residential Architecture Multiple Housing (5)

• Gillies Hall (VIC) by Jackson Clements Burrows Architects
• Napier Street for Milieu (VIC) by Freadman White
• Salisbury Townhouses (VIC) by NTF Architecture
• Studio Apartments (NSW) by Hill Thalis Architecture + Urban Projects
• Verve Residences (NSW) by CKDS Architecture with Hill Thalis Architecture + Urban Projects

Small Project Architecture (4)

• For Our Country (ACT) by Edition Office and Daniel Boyd
• In Absence (VIC) by Edition Office and Yhonnie Scarce
• Marsden Park Amenities (NSW) by CHROFI
• Protagonist (VIC) by Cumulus Studio

Sustainable Architecture (6)

• Arkadia (NSW) by DKO Architecture with Breathe Architecture and Oculus
• Marie Reay Teaching Centre, ANU (ACT) by BVN
• Marrickville Library (NSW) by BVN
• Mon Repos Turtle Centre (QLD) by KIRK
• Pingelly Recreation and Cultural Centre (WA) by iredale pedersen hook architects with Advanced Timber Concepts Studio
• Queensland University of Technology, Peter Coaldrake Education Precinct (QLD) by Wilson Architects and Henning Larsen Architects, Architects in Association

Urban Design (7)

• ANU Kambri Precinct (ACT) by lahznimmo architects, BVN and ASPECT Studios
• Anzac Memorial Centenary Extension (NSW) by Johnson Pilton Walker with the Government Architect NSW
• Bridge of Remembrance (TAS) by Denton Corker Marshall
• CBD and South East Light Rail (NSW) by Grimshaw with ASPECT Studios in collaboration with the City of Sydney, on behalf of Transport for NSW, supported by Randwick City Council
• Campbell Section 5 Master Plan (ACT) by Hill Thalis Architecture + Urban Projects
• Metro North West (NSW) by Hassell, in collaboration with Turpin Crawford Studio and McGregor Westlake Architecture
• SwanCare New Leisure Precinct (WA) by iredale pedersen hook architects

International Architecture (2)

• MuseumLab by Koning Eizenberg Architecture
• The Arroyo Affordable Housing by Koning Eizenberg Architecture

COLORBOND® Award for Steel Architecture (4)

• Bankwest Stadium (NSW) by Populous
• Carlton Learning Precinct COLA (VIC) by Law Architects
• Kingborough Community Hub (TAS) by March Studio
• Monash University Chancellery (VIC) by ARM Architecture