2017 ACT Architecture Awards: Nishi and Terry Snow's horse park among winners

One of Canberra’s most eye-catching buildings and billionaire Terry Snow’s horse park are among a slew of projects that have been recognised for architectural excellence.

A bustling thoroughfare won the highest architectural honour at the Australian Institute of Architects’ 2017 ACT Architecture Awards on Saturday night.

The rejuvenation of Constitution Avenue was recognised with the coveted Canberra Medallion for a design that realised Walter Burley Griffin’s vision for Canberra and was of “immense public worth”.

The project, undertaken by the National Capital Authority, Jane Irwin Landscape Architecture, Hill Thalis, SMEC and AECOM, was cited by the awards jury as responding to its location “with subtle changes in scale and detail – from civic to boulevard, bushland to ceremonial”.

Canberra Airport owner Terry Snow’s Willinga Park snagged two awards: the W Hayward Morris Award for interior architecture and the Romano Giurgola Award for public architecture.

Willinga Park has won the top ACT interior and public design awards. Photo: Ginette Snow

The stock and performance horse stud and equestrian centre at Bawley Point on the NSW South Coast was designed by Cox Architecture, with interiors by Sally Hieatt Interiors.

NewActon’s striking Nishi building, designed by Fender Katsalidis Architects, received two awards: the Sydney Ancher Award for Residential Architecture (multiple housing) and the Commercial Architecture Award.

NewActon’s Nishi building has been recognised at the 2017 ACT Architect Awards. Photo: John Gollings

The jury described the structure as a “compelling exemplar” in an era when housing needed to be denser, more compact and closer to city centres.

• Related: Architecture Awards – Beautiful homes, small packages
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Casey Market Town in Gungahlin, by Cox Architecture, also won the Commercial Architecture Award.

Residential architecture didn’t escape recognition.

MD House by Ben Walker Architects. Photo: BWA

MD House by Ben Walker Architects won the Gene Willsford Award for house renovations.

McCarthy Purba House, designed by Anthony Knobel Architect, won the Malcolm Moir and Heather Sutherland Award for new houses.

McCarthy Purba House, by Anthony Knobel Architect.

A set of stairs in the Woden Town Centre, by Cox Architecture, was recognised for beautifying the bus interchange, winning the Pamille Berg Award for Art in Architecture. 

ACT Chapter president Rob Henry applauded the various award winners.

Encouraging more urban renewal, he said successful densification relied on the “inclusion of places for people that enrich socio-cultural environments”.

In total, 25 awards were presented on Saturday. Award winners will progress to the national awards, announced in November.

Full list of award winners:

Commercial Architecture

Award – NewActon Nishi by Fender Katsalidis Architects

Award – Casey Market Town by Cox Architecture

Commendation – Sikorsky Helitech MH-60R Through Life Support Facility by Daryl Jackson Alastair Swayn Pty Ltd

Heritage

The J S Murdoch Award – Embassy of Sweden by Guida Moseley Brown Architects

Award – Howitt Street Residence by Cox Architecture

Interior Architecture

The W Hayward Morris Award – Willinga Park by Cox Architecture and Sally Hieatt Interiors

Award – Canberra Airport – International by Guida Moseley Brown Architects

Commendation – Casino Canberra Refurbishment by Cox Architecture

Public Architecture

The Romaldo Giurgola Award – Willinga Park by Cox Architecture

Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations & Additions)

The Gene Willsford Award – MD House by Ben Walker Architects

Commendation – Three Generation House by Light House Architecture and Science

Residential Architecture – Houses (New)

The Malcolm Moir and Heather Sutherland Award – McCarthy Purba House by Anthony Knobel Architect

Award – SG House by Ben Walker Architects

Commendation – O’Connor House by de Rome Architects

Commendation – Windywoppa by Collins Caddaye Architects

Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing

The Sydney Ancher Award – NewActon Nishi by Fender Katsalidis Architects

Award – Atelier by Bates Smart

Award – Barcelona by Guida Moseley Brown Architects

Small Project Architecture

The ACT Award – Corner House by Joanna Nelson Architect

Award – Pop Inn by Daryl Jackson Alastair Swayn Pty Ltd

Sustainable Architecture

The Derek Wrigley Award – Corner House by Joanna Nelson Architect

Urban Design

The Sir John Overall Award – Constitution Avenue by NCA, JILA, Hill Thalis, SMEC and AECOM

Award – Woden Stair by Cox Architecture

Enduring Architecture

Award – Lakeview by Harry Seidler & Associates 1984

COLORBOND® Award for Steel Architecture

Award – John James Village by Daryl Jackson Alastair Swayn Pty Ltd

Chapter Awards and Prizes

Canberra Medallion – Constitution Avenue by NCA, JILA, Hill Thalis, SMEC and AECOM

The Pamille Berg Award for Art in Architecture – Woden Stair by Cox Architecture

The Robert Foster Award for Light in Architecture – Canberra Airport – International by Guida Moseley Brown Architects

Architectural Professional of the Year – Shoba Cole, May + Russell Architects

President’s Medal – ACT Emerging Architects and Graduates

Clem Cummings Medal – Tim Reeves and Alan Roberts

Emerging Architect Prize – Jessica de Rome, de Rome Architects

ACT Chapter Emerging Architect Prize – Special Commendation – Annette Pogas, ArPM

ACT Chapter Student Medallion – Daniel Reardon, University of Canberra

Daryl Jackson Alastair Swayn Graduate Prize – Eleanor Kirkham, University of Canberra

John Redmond Prize – Chloe Yin, University of Canberra