ACT Building Design Awards showcase industry's best

Plan It Green’s Angela Knock was among Canberra’s local pool of talented designers acknowledged by the ACT Building Design Awards.

The designers behind the winning projects offer a level of expertise and training that the ACT chapter of Building Designers Australia believe should be a prerequisite for those in the profession.

According to the association’s president, building designer Adam Hobill, there are no licensing requirements for residential project designers in the ACT.

Mr Hobill said the association was advocating for independent accreditation of building designers in the capital.

“Part of what the BDA has been doing – most recently at the local level with the ACT government – is to introducing licensing and regulations whereby designers need to be licensed or registered to have their projects approved,” Mr Hobill said.

Regulating building design would minimise consumer risks for the life of the building, Mr Hobill said.

“The fact is that in the worst case, design can be done with no experience and knowledge an might be handy with a pen and some $90 software,” Mr Hobill said.

“There is very high exposure to people who don’t have relevant qualifications.”

The awards, Mr Hobill said, showcase the skills and attributes of a qualified building designer.

“We’ve created awards categories that highlight the specialisations of building designers,” Mr Hobill said.

The big winner of the night was Angela Knock of Plan it Green who took out the Sellick Consultants BDA ACT building designer of the year award.

Mr Hobill said Ms Knock received the award as she submitted a diverse range of high quality projects. Her projects included residential renovations, rural homes, outdoor living spaces and urban extensions.

Other categories included high quality documentation, which was awarded to Patrick Swain of Kydra Designs.

SC Design Solutions’ Simon Croker won the value for money and solar passive/sustainable design awards, while Adam Hobill won the design excellence award for his work on a home in Deakin.

The event was held at Southern Innovations in Fyshwick.

BDA ACT Chapter 2016 Building Design Awards

High quality documentation: Patrick Swain of Kydra Designs – Linsen Straw bale residence

Highly Commended: Tristan Ryall of Architecture Republic – Wamboin extension

Value for money: Simon Croker of SC Design Solutions – The Greenhouse of Little Bidgey

Highly commended: Adam Hobill of Adam Hobill Design – Deakin K Residence

Design excellence: Adam Hobill of Adam Hobill Design – Deakin residence

Highly commended: Bruce Condell of Blue Sky Homes – Major Creek

Solar passive/sustainable design: Simon Croker of SC Design Solutions – Gunyi Retreat

Highly commended: Tristan Ryan of Architecture Republic – Wanniassa renovation

BDA ACT building designer of the year: Angela Knock of Plan It Green