The transformation and refurbishment of Perth’s iconic State Buildings received the Australian Institute of Architects’ top honour for heritage architecture at the recently held National Architecture Awards.
Kerry Hill Architects and Palassis Architects were responsible for the adaptive re-use of the former Government Offices and were commended by the jury for their respectful approach to the original architecture and sensible restraint throughout the interiors.
The State Buildings beat a joint project by JPW and TKD in Sydney and Queensland fire station repurposing by Owen Architecture, as well as a number of other shortlisted projects.
View the full list of winning projects from the 2016 National Architecture Awards here.
Read the full jury citation for The State Buildings (WA) by Kerry Hill Architects and Palassis Architects and see the other awarded projects in the Heritage category below:
The Lachlan Macquarie Award for Heritage - The State Buildings (WA) by Kerry Hill Architects and Palassis Architects
Photography by Angus Martin
Jury citation: The State Buildings in Perth are an exemplar model of adaptive re-use. The former Government Offices designed by renowned government architects Richard Roach Jewell and George Temple-Poole have been strategically repurposed to accommodate a hotel and a range of food and retail premises, with the retention of the Treasury Offices and the original Postal Hall. Generous and thoughtful planning has allowed the preservation of much of the original building fabric.
The original facade, roofs and a number of interior spaces have been very carefully restored, involving extensive research and significant expertise. New insertions are immediately legible yet complementary to the original fabric and complex access issues have been cleverly resolved through the introduction of two-way lift to manage split levels.
There is clear evidence of respect for the original architecture throughout the project and the sensible restraint shown throughout the interiors successfully integrates a variety of spaces with seamless continuity. The State Buildings are one of Perth’s most significant architectural landmarks and this exceptional project plays a successful role in reactivating Perth’s central heritage precinct.
OTHER AWARDS
- Award for Heritage - 5 Martin Place (NSW) by JPW & TKD architects in collaboration
Photography by Brett Boardman
- Commendation for Heritage - Bayside Fire Station (QLD) by Owen Architecture
Photography by Toby Scott
