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The Australian Institute of Architects has announced the winners of its 2018 Victorian Architecture Awards.
This year, projects that made a significant and thoughtful contribution to the public realm dominated across the 14 categories.
"The projects included in the awards program define a broad and rich example of architecture within our state," Victorian Chapter president Amy Muir said.
"The awards acknowledge the strong collaboration between clients and architects required to deliver carefully considered and robust buildings and public realm interventions.
“We are celebrating the contribution that architecture brings to the everyday lives of people and to the evolution of our cities and townships throughout Victoria."
As with our Queensland award coverage, we will only be covering the named awards – the highest award in each category.
Related: Australian Projects Shortlisted for the 2018 World Architecture Awards
Compound House | March Studio
The Residential Architecture award for a new house was awarded to March Studio for the Compound House.
The jury compared the house's two distinct volumes to Philip Johnson's famous Wiley House, adding that the design ponders the typical image and fortress nature of the middle-class home.
"This house is complex, playful and self-conscious," the jury said.
Nightingale 1 | Breathe Architecture
Brunswick's Nightingale 1 is the first iteration of the replicable deliberative development Nightingale model.
"The model aims to attract residents and businesses that will connect and work together," the jury said.
"The result could be a highly utilitarian environment, (and a holier than thou attitude), but the project is simple, grounded and authentic, resonant with the depth of architectural consideration applied at every turn."
King Bill | Austin Maynard Architects
The residential architecture houses (alterations and additions) category went to King Bill by Austin Maynard architects.
The renovation of the exisiting 1850s terrace house in Fitzroy has incorporated an old stable building at its rear.
"The joyous impact of the King Bill visit left the jury with no alternative but to select this house for the named award," the jury said.
Sorrento Visitor Centre | Workshop Architecture
The winner of the small project architecture award is the Sorrento Visitor Centre by Workshop Architecture.
The jury said the Sorrento Visitor Centre is "layered with civic gestures associated with much larger buildings".
"It accords with the streetscape by extending into it, while visual connections to the public amenities promote intuitive wayfinding."
New Academic Street, RMIT University | Lyons with NMBW Architecture Studio, Harrison and White, MvS Architects and Maddison Architects
The New Academic Street project transforms the "heart" of RMIT University's city campus.
A major redevelopment of a number of 1970s concrete block buildings on Swanston Street, along with minor new builds, the project connects the campus with central Melbourne.
The jury said the New Academic Street is a big project that seeks to do big things.
"The collaboration of architects involved in this project has been a highly effective way to bring diversity and richness, and to avoid the single author approach that often marks similar projects as institutional."
"The project provides a critical piece of urban design for this area of the city."
North Melbourne Terrace | Matt Gibson Architecture + Design
The heritage architecture award went to an inner-city Victorian terrace house built in 1872.
Now home to a family of five, the jury said that the architect handled the re-interpretation of the building with "care, grace and creativity."
Barwon Water | GHDWoodhead
The commercial architecture gong was awarded to Barwon Water's head office in Geelong.
Transformed from a tired late-1960s brutalist building into a contemporary working environment, the jury said the project was "an outstanding example of adaptive re-use."
"The architects have deftly re-oriented public access and opened up the possibility of civic links."
"This building is an accomplished example of the architects’ skill and imagination in economically and sustainably transforming a building earmarked for demolition into a regional jewel."
Our Lady of Good Counsel Church Deepdene | Law Architects
The Church of Our Lady of Good Council, constructed in the mid-1950s, won the named award for interior architecture.
"By striking a balance between the familiar and the new, the intimate and the grand, an inspiring environment has been created to re-engage parishioners," the jury said.
Bunjil Place | fjmt
Fjmt's Bunjil Place in Narre Warren was awarded the top gong for public architecture.
"Democracy is at the heart of Bunjil Place," the jury said.
"It is a highly aspirational project that positions cultural facilities front and centre in what could have been a continuation of shopping centre car parks were it not for council's strategic vision for its community."
New Academic Street, RMIT University | Lyons with NMBW Architecture Studio, Harrison and White, MvS Architects and Maddison Architects
The educational architecture award is the second named award for the New Academic Street project.
"The project is a unique project design collaboration, in which the individual design work of each practice aggregates into a genuine architectural and educational diversity."
Allan and Beth Coldicutt Award
Nightingale 1 | Breathe Architecture
The sustainable architecture award is the second named award for Breathe Architecture's Nightingale 1 project.
Materials were selected for low embodied energy, ethical production, longevity and durability," the jury said.
"This project demonstrates the leadership potential that is possible when architects are willing to stand up for what they believe on strategic and ethical grounds in addition to aesthetic and functional grounds."
