Double header for Charles Darwin University at 2010

Double header for Charles Darwin University at 2010
NT Architecture Awards

A university building successfully bringing a modernist approach to tropical architecture has tonight (Friday 11 June) 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 prestigious 2010 Tracy Memorial Award and the Reverend John Flynn Award for Public Architecture.

In presenting the awards, 2010 NT Awards Chairman John Mainwaring said: “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.”

Mr Mainwaring added: “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.”

In a major scoop for the practice, 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. In a great bonus for the practice, The Essington School Computer Centre also received the People’s Choice Award.
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Speaking on the quality of entries generally, Mr Mainwaring said: “This year, although entry numbers were small, the collection of nominations offer an insight into the way architects in the tropics continue to deal with green and cultural issues, sustainability, and consideration of the natural and urban landscape.

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”.

“This contemporary tropical home takes the best nostalgic design elements from old Darwin and blends them with modern architectural design utilising standard construction systems of the suburbs, slab on the ground, concrete block work at ground level and steel frames clad in metal for the first floor. This approach resulted in the same per square metre cost as a project home in a new suburb in Darwin, making architecturally designed tropical homes accessible to more home owners.”

The Indigenous Community Architecture Award was presented to Warlpiri Youth Development Centre Stage 1 by Brendan J Meney Architects in association with Richard Layton & Associates.

Mr Mainwaring said: “Exactly 10 years ago, as a juror, I visited Yuendemu and the jury awarded the “Lolly Houses” the Tracey Memorial Award. This year the first stage of the Walpiri Youth Development has been built in the town centre. This, the emergence of the Desert People Centre and the new Central Land Council Building in the outer-skirts of Alice Springs, are examples of how far we have come in creating state of the art, authentic responses to the development and evolution of future indigenous cultures.

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, with the jury saying: “The interior of this building provides a vibrant stimulating work environment for CLC staff, and conveys the message that the CLC is a contemporary, confident, forward-thinking organisation.”

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. At the time of the jury visit the facility was undergoing assessment under the Green Star rating scheme with the outcome still to be determined.

The 2010 Student Award was presented to Jessica Edwards.
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2010 NT Architecture Awards – Full List of Winners

Overall Winner:
The Tracy Memorial Award
Charles Darwin University Chancellery Building by HASSELL
Public Architecture:
The Reverend John Flynn Award for Public Architecture
Charles Darwin University Chancellery Building by HASSELL
The Australian Institute of Architects Architecture Award for Public Architecture
The Essington School Computer Centre by Mode Design Corporation
The Australian Institute of Architects Commendation for Public Architecture
Banyan House Therapeutic Community by Mode Design Corporation …/more
Residential Architecture – Houses:
The Australian Institute of Architects Architecture Award for Residential Architecture – Houses
The Pink House by Build Up Design
Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing:
No entries
Heritage:
No entries
Commercial Architecture:
The Peter Dermoudy Award for Commercial Architecture
Skycity Expansion by HASSELL
Interior Architecture:
The George Chaloupka Award for Interior Architecture
Central Land Council, Alice Springs by Woodhead
Urban Design:
No entries
Small Project Architecture:
No entries
Sustainable Architecture:
The Australian Institute of Architects Commendation for Sustainable Architecture
Central Land Council, Alice Springs by Woodhead
Indigenous Community Architecture (NT):
The Indigenous Community Architecture Award
Warlpiri Youth Development Centre Stage 1 by Brendan J Meney Architects in association with Richard Layton & Associates
People’s Choice Award:
People’s Choice Award
The Essington School Computer Centre by Mode Design Corporation
COLORBONDÒ Award for Steel Architecture:
The COLORBONDÒ Award for Steel Architecture
Skycity Expansion by HASSELL
Student Award
Student Award
Jessica Edwards

All awards recipients are now in the running for National Architecture Awards, to be announced in late October.
Australian Institute of Architects