A university building successfully bringing a modernist approach to tropical architecture has been awarded the two top honours at the Australian Institute of Architects’ 2010 NT Architecture Awards.
The project — the Charles Darwin University Chancellery Building by HASSELL - was awarded both the 2010 Tracy Memorial Award and the Reverend John Flynn Award for Public Architecture.
"The Charles Darwin University (CDU) Chancellory Building is a very modern approach to a tropical building, which has been designed with working space wings either side of a central glazed atrium which acts like an internal court or street offering a generous and inviting space to campus users," says John Mainwaring, 2010 NT awards chairman.
"The controversial decision to choose modernist typology over the contemporary Darwin vernacular for this key building on the CDU campus has paid off. The impressive scale of the exterior and internal public spaces combine successfully with a permeability and democracy of access and movement that establish it as a true public facility, and serve to reflect the vision and values of Charles Darwin University."
HASSELL was also awarded the Peter Dermoudy Award for Commercial Architecture and the Colorbond Award for Steel Architecture for the Sky City Expansion. The jury said: "The structure seemingly floats in space with the help of elegantly tapered 'v' shaped steel columns that provide a contemporary yet complementary portico to the original shape of the casino. Excellent site planning, external detailing and interior design combine to give this facility an international image without compromising the unique Darwin landscape and seascape."
A public architecture award and a public architecture commendation were also presented to Mode Design Corporation for two separate projects — the Essington School Computer Centre and the Banyan House Therapeutic Community. The Essington School Computer Centre also received the People’s Choice Award.
The Award for Residential Architecture — Houses was presented to The Pink House by Build Up Design, described by the jury as "a prototype for tropical suburban housing, designed to suit smaller blocks. It draws on the topology of Darwin’s government-built, high-set houses from the 1950s to the 1970s".
The Indigenous Community Architecture Award was presented to Walpiri Youth Development Centre Stage 1 by Brendan J Meney Architects in association with Richard Layton & Associates.
The George Chaloupka Award for Interior Architecture and a sustainable architecture commendation were presented to the Centre Land Council (CLC) at Alice Springs by Woodhead. The Central Land Council building was designed and constructed to achieve a 4 star rating under the Office Design rating system and a 4 star NABERS energy base building rating.
All awards recipients are now in the running for National Architecture Awards, to be announced in late October.
