The Victorian Pride Centre (VPC) won the state’s highest honour for design and architecture at the 2022 Victorian Premier’s Design Awards. Designed by Brearley Architects + Urbanists (BAU), Grant Amon Architects (GAA), WSP and Peter Felicetti, the VPC took home the overall winner gong at the annual awards ceremony held at the National Gallery of Victoria.
Winner of the 2022 Victorian Premier’s Design Award of the Year, the VPC is the first purpose-built centre for Australia’s LGBTQI+ communities. The project was designed to celebrate equality, diversity and inclusion and to forge a new chapter in the narrative of Australian Pride by bringing the LGBTQI+ community together in a single and powerful space.
“The design is beautifully considered, offering a deep sense of place and historical connection to St. Kilda’s LGBTQI+ communities. The building offers a cleverly designed façade that extends beyond the building’s footprint, acting as a symbol of invitation and inclusiveness. The architectural themes were carefully nuanced to celebrate equality, diversity and inclusion in the region,” the jury noted.
“The building design incorporates an array of Circular Design principles, most prominently in its reduction of superficial claddings through the exposure of internal and external structural materials. This striking piece of architectural design will no doubt contribute to the reputation and status of Victoria’s design and creative culture for decades to come.”
The Victorian Premier’s Design Awards recognise and celebrate design innovation across eight award categories including architecture, product design, service and strategy design, fashion design, digital and communication design, and a standalone category for student design.
Eight standout projects were awarded the coveted Victorian Premier’s Design Award Best in Category Award from 93 Finalists and more than 240 overall entries.
Award winners showcase the best in design and architecture from Victoria and reinforce the state’s strength as Australia’s design capital.
The Victorian Premier’s Design Awards have celebrated Victorian designers and businesses since 1996 – promoting the role design has in making products, spaces and experiences more functional, safe, efficient and sustainable.
Previous Victorian Premier’s Design Award of the Year winners include Savic Motorcycles, a high-performance electric motorbike, a world-first 3D diagnostic machine for measuring optical properties of the eye, an International Indigenous Design Charter and the Blackmagic Studio Camera, designed by the renowned design team at Blackmagic Design in Port Melbourne.
Design is an important and growing part of Victoria’s creative industries and a strong contributor to the economy, injecting over $6 billion annually and supporting almost 200,000 jobs.
Minister for Creative Industries Steve Dimopoulos said: “These Awards showcase the remarkable work of Victorian designers, who create buildings and products that improve the way we live, work and interact with each other.”
“Our design industry continues to be among the best in the world and that’s why we are celebrating our talent that is based right here in Victoria.”
Full list of award winners.
The Victorian Premier’s Design Awards are managed by Good Design Australia on behalf of the Victorian Government.
Image: Overall winner Victorian Pride Centre
