Victorian Architecture Awards

Victoria’s top designs and architecture firms will be honoured for their advanced contribution to the state’s industry at the Australian Institute of Architects’ 2014 Victorian Architecture Awards Presentation to be held on 20 June 2014. Winners will be recognised for excellence in design and architecture for buildings in Melbourne and regional Victoria completed across 11 categories, from residential to commercial and heritage.

President of the Australian Institute of Architects’ Victoria Chapter Council Peter Malatt commented, “We are thrilled by the high calibre of designs this year, with over 200 entries received, particularly in our Residential category which has seen a significant increase from last year.

“It’s great for the industry to see such a strong number of quality and sustainable architectural projects that support our belief that design has an important place in the development future of Victoria.”

Key trends this year include blending community, health, arts and education projects with great design, seen via major projects such as the RSPCA redevelopment, the Doherty Institute in Melbourne, Deakin University Regional Community Health Hub in Waurn Ponds, Art Victoria’s home for Circus Oz in Collingwood, Penleigh & Essendon Grammar School and Brighton Grammar School – The Unwin Centre for Learning.

This year the Institute will open up the architecture domain to Melburnians, with a free exhibition of entries taking place at The Atrium at Federation Square from 2 – 16 June. The general public will have the unique opportunity to view all 200 entries and interact with the design through videos created by the entering firms.

Alison Cleary, Victorian Chapter Manager said, “We encourage the public to get involved in architecture in their city. Come along to Federation Square, see the entries for yourself and learn about the impact quality design has on our city and across Victoria.”

The Australian Institute of Architects Architecture Awards are the most prestigious national awards in the country recognising excellence in design. Entries are shortlisted in May and after winners of the Victorian Awards are announced in June, entries go through to the National Architecture Awards to be held in Sydney on 6 November.

The winners of the 2014 Victorian Architecture Awards will be announced at a presentation to be held at Peninsula at Central Pier, Docklands. The 2014 Awards will also see the presentation of the Victorian Architecture Medal, the highest honour awarded to what the juries judge to be the most outstanding project out of all categories.

About the Victorian Architecture Awards
Key Dates

Shortlist of Entries Announced                       early May 2014

Federation Square Exhibition of Entries       2 – 16 June 2014
Awards Presentation Dinner                            20 June 2014

National Awards Presentation                         6 November 2014

Award Categories

•    Commercial Architecture
•    Heritage Architecture
•    Interior Architecture
•    Public Architecture
•    Residential Architecture – New
•    Residential Architecture – Alterations and Additions
•    Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing
•    Small Project Architecture
•    Sustainable Architecture
•    Urban Design
•    ColorBond® Award for Steel Architecture
•    Enduring Architecture


National Awards

1. Named Awards
The most outstanding project submitted in each category is awarded a Named Award.

2. Architecture Awards
Architecture Awards are awarded in each category to projects of excellence that demonstrate consummate architectural skill and make a valuable contribution to the advancement of architecture in Victoria.

3. Commendations
Commendations are awarded in each category to projects of special merit which demonstrate significant architectural skill.

4. National Architecture Awards
Named and Architecture Awarded projects in each state progress to National level and become the field of entries  considered by the National Jury.

State-Specific Awards

•    Victorian Architecture Medal
The Victorian Architecture Medal is the highest honour awarded by the Victorian Chapter each year and is judged to be the most outstanding project of the entire field of entries.

•    Melbourne Prize
The Melbourne Prize recognises projects that have made a significant contribution to the City of Melbourne.

•    Regional Prize
The Regional Prize recognises projects that have made a significant contribution to Regional Victoria.

•    Bates Smart Award for Architecture in the Media
The Bates Smart Award is Australia’s most prestigious media award for journalists, editors, producers and those reporting on architecture and design.

Awards are judged on the following criteria:

•    Conceptual Framework
•    Public and Cultural Benefits
•    Relationship of Build Form to Context
•    Program Resolution
•    Integration of Allied Disciplines
•    Cost/value Outcome
•    Sustainability
•    Response to Client and User needs

The field of 2014 Victorian entries can be viewed at architecture.com.au/victorian-awards