ARCHITEAM MEDAL WINNER

ARCHITEAM MEDAL
All entries are eligible to win the ArchiTeam Medal and an award must be given in this category. This is the highest award and judges may award this to an entry of general excellence, or for something more specific, from any category.

Winner:  Queenscliff Recreation Reserve Amenities - Stonehouse + Irons Architecture 

Judges Citation: 

Queenscliff Recreation Reserve Amenities is a beautifully executed public amenities building that is deeply civic in its conceptualisation and execution. The project is exemplary and showcases the significant value that considered design thinking brings to a project. 

The building delivers above and beyond what is typically expected from a public toilet block. It capitalises on shared infrastructure to deliver sustainable outcomes and the planning is clever, efficient and innovative. In addition to toilets, the project works had to incorporate a caravan park linen store, services and laundry, family bathrooms and a place to wash the dog.  

Stonehouse + Irons Architecture have designed more than “a nice toilet block”. The building’s robust detailing and materiality are warmly executed and pay attention to context, light, ventilation and experience. The amenities block makes the most of simple holiday joys. The outdoor shower and hand washing facilities capitalise on the extraordinary view and the public seating generously offers a lovely moment of respite. 

SUSTAINABILITY MEDAL WINNER

SUSTAINABILITY MEDAL
All entries are eligible to win this Medal and an award must be given in this category. This medal is to be judged on the above criteria as well as showing sensitivity to sustainability principles. This can be quite general – from innovative re-use of an existing structure through to a more complex response to sustainability.

Winner: Huff’n’Puff Haus  - Envirotecture 

Judges Citation: 

With a simple goal to design a self-sufficient, low carbon footprint and off-grid home this project provides a well-considered self-sustaining weekend retreat or retirement abode.  

What initially started as an endeavour to construct a resilient and forward-looking dwelling encountered a series of challenges, including unfavourable site orientation, material limitations, and accessibility constraints. In response to these hurdles, the design approach is unpretentious in its architectural form yet highly intentional in its meticulous detailing and construction. Utilizing readily available construction technologies, from strawbale walls to a truss roof, the project serves as a model building that encourages the art of craftsmanship in construction. 

This project demonstrates a steadfast dedication to a core set of basic and uncomplicated principles, persistently overcoming every challenge it faces. The end result is a home that provides its residents with a morally conscientious home, possessing resilience and adaptability to different climatic conditions, while also catering to the requirements of aging in place.

 VIDEO

Glen Huntly I
Agius Scorpo Architects

Judges Citation:

Glen Huntly I is a highly adept and considered project that tackles current suburban housing typologies. Designed for an older couple, it is a house of 2 parts enabling flexible living arrangements that can accommodate multi-generational or co-living for 2 households, or carer support for ageing in place.   

It is located on a south-east corner block opposite a train station. Outwardly presenting a protective façade to street, it is punctured by moments of warmth and delight that invite interest and connection. Inwardly, the L-shaped plan holds a communal north facing rear garden that directly connects to covered threshold spaces.  

Delivered on a modest budget, Agius Scorpo Architects demonstrates a sophistication of thinking in design rigour, efficiencies in layout and structural assembly, economy of construction, prefabrication, use of off-the-shelf materials and a restrained palette. It is an exemplar project offering inventive and resourceful approaches that exploit opportunities beyond limits of site and brief. 

Middle House
Nobel Carter
Architects

Brown Hill House
Eldridge Anderson Architects

Brown Hill House
Eldridge Anderson Architects

Dachshund House
Maxwell
& Page

Glen Huntly I
Agius Scorpo
Architects

Silvertop House
Ben Callery
Architects

Middle House
Nobel Carter
Architects

Studio Uno
Mihaly
Slocombe

WINNERS
Residential New - Over $1Mil

Huff'n'Puff Haus
Envirotecture

Judges Citation:

This project commenced with modest aspirations, aiming to be a self-sustaining weekend retreat or retirement abode. What initially started as an endeavor to construct a resilient and forward-looking dwelling encountered a series of challenges, including unfavorable site orientation, material limitations, and accessibility constraints. 

In response to these hurdles, the design approach is unpretentious in its architectural form yet highly intentional in its meticulous detailing and construction. Utilizing readily available construction technologies, from strawbale walls to a truss roof, the project serves as a model building that encourages the art of craftsmanship in construction. 

This project vividly illustrates the commitment to a set of fundamental and straightforward principles, persevering through each obstacle encountered. The resulting house offers its inhabitants an ethically responsible dwelling that is resilient and future-proof, capable of adapting to varying climatic conditions and accommodating the needs of aging in place. 

VIDEO

Stumpy Gully House
Markowitzdesign with Stavrias Architecture

Judges Citation:

The Stumpy Gully House, a striking collaboration between Markowitz Design and Stavrias Architecture, meets the evolving needs of a growing family. By prioritising solar orientation, a strong linear plan connects and separates each of the rooms around a central open plan space. Unlike recent developments in the neighbourhood, the focus on solar orientation over subdivision patterns orientates the living space yard to the side boundary. This relationship provides an interesting connection to the informal landscape design, which take on a fundamental extension of the internal spaces.   

This thoughtful approach to design embodies a seamless integration of design rigour, space efficiency, and cost-effective construction techniques. The house harmoniously combines precision, durability, and imaginative elements, resulting in a design that transcends temporal trends. It serves as a balance of functional, sustainable, and architecturally refined living, setting a compelling example for contemporary family residences.   

The Stumpy Gully House stands as a testament to the timelessness of simple and beautiful materials used well. It is ready to enrich the lives of its occupants for generations to come.
VIDEO  

Huff’n’Puff Haus 
Envirotecture

Stumpy Gully House
Markowitzdesign with Stavrias Architecture 

Park House 
DiMase Architects

Remnant House
Moloney Architects

Garden Wall House
Sonelo Architects

Judges Citation: 

The Garden Wall House is a simple yet highly effective upgrade and refurbishment of an existing house. Through a series of thoughtfully chosen design decisions, this project rejuvenates the home for a family of four that had outgrown its previous layout. 

This innovative design skilfully tackles the challenges posed by the original house's unfavourable orientation while establishing a seamless connection to the backyard. By extending the structure beyond the existing house's boundaries on both sides, it not only captures the northern sunlight but also harmoniously integrates the landscape into the building. 

The arrangement of spaces within the house has been meticulously planned to offer the residents a fresh and adaptable range of options, accommodating the evolving needs of the growing family. This project serves as a testament to the transformative power of even the most minor interventions when executed with a keen eye for detail. 

Cremorne Townhouse 
Winter Architecture

Monty Sibbel
Nuud Studio

Escher House
Inbetween Architecture

Cremorne Townhouse 
Winter Architecture

Monty Sibbel
Nuud Studio

Portsea Surf Shack
Blair Smith Architecture

Garden Wall House
Sonelo Architects

Echidna Studio
MUSK Architecture Studio + Session Architecture 
(Collaboration)

North Fitzroy House 
Fowler and Ward

Coburg Frieze
Mihaly Slocombe 

Quarry House
Winwood Mckenzie

Judges Citation: 

The Quarry House by Winwood Mckenzie impressed immediately with its sensitive use of surface and generous spatiality. Simplicity and a sense of humility open out to an understated elegance that is warm and inviting. 

The architects have used an uncomplicated plan to create a highly effective and versatile home. The design suggests a capability for spaces to adapt or be reassigned to alternate uses over time. It feels mobile, equipped to endure and evolve to future needs.  

The deft use of key elements such as full height openings, integrated storage, and a restrained material palette impart a sense of uncontrived luxury on the occupant. 

This project demonstrates a mastery in its delivery of something very beautiful, that is at once delightfully unpretentious and consummately practical. 

Smith House
Fowler and Ward

Sunday 
Architecture Architecture

Silvertop House
Tom Robertson Architects

Smith House
Fowler and Ward

Sunday 
Architecture Architecture

Quarry House
Winwood Mckenzie

Fitzroy Laneway House
Andrew Child Architect

Judges Citation: 

Fitzroy Laneway House is finely crafted and contextually-sensitive addition, breathing new life into the challenging Victorian terrace typology. Andrew Child's extensive research into evolving subdivision patterns, incremental laneway expansions, and optimal solar access served as the blueprint for this thoughtful rearrangement and extension. This approach not only fosters adaptability in living arrangements but also forges a deliberate connection to the surrounding street, whilst considering the amenity needs of neighboring properties. Each interface offers a unique relationship with its adjacent surroundings. 

This project carefully integrates the site's historical significance by using both material and program to reference to the remnants of the laneway along its southern boundary. Serving as the support space for the existing house, this area features fine black elements in contrast with the thicker, white components of the primary structure. Throughout the project, additions and subtractions reveal the original fabric of the house, honouring its history while harmonising with the new design. 

Fitzroy Laneway House exemplifies a home that accommodates change and adaptation, allowing it to evolve alongside the family who live there. It serves as a custodian of the area's rich history while preserving the original fabric with care and consideration.

VIDEO

Crown St Terrace
Studio Arkive

Fitzroy Laneway House
Andrew Child Architect

Wheatland House
Tom Robertson Architects

Queenscliff Recreation Reserve Amenities
Stonehouse + Irons Architecture

Judges Citation:

Queenscliff Recreation Reserve Amenities is a beautifully executed public amenities building that is deeply civic in its conceptualisation and execution.   

The plan is clever, efficient and innovative, delivering above and beyond what is typically expected from a public toilet. In addition to toilets, the project works had to also incorporate a caravan park linen store, services and laundry, family bathrooms and a place to wash the dog.  

Stonehouse + Irons Architecture have designed more than a “nice toilet block”. The building’s robust detailing and materiality are warmly executed and pay attention to context, light, ventilation and experience. The amenities block makes the most of simple holiday joys. The outdoor shower and hand washing facilities capitalise on the extraordinary view and the public seating generously offers a lovely moment of respite.

Delatite Cellar Door
Lucy Clemenger Architects

Dianella Community Centre
Canvas Projects

Central Goldfields
Art Gallery 
Nervegna Reed Architecture

Central Goldfields
Art Gallery 
Nervegna Reed Architecture

Delatite Cellar Door
Lucy Clemenger Architects

Dianella Community Centre
Canvas Projects

Facade Redevelopment
- Shorts Place Gym   
Joyce Architects

Queenscliff Recreation Reserve Amenities
Stonehouse + Irons Architecture

Tote Bar and Dining 
Field Office
Architecture

Natural Settings
Jack May

Judges citation:

A fascinating and ambitious project with a profound degree of conceptual and technical rigour and resolution. The project confronts the visitor on multiple levels, to re-evaluate status quo and to contemplate alternatives. The public is engaged in areas of climate crisis, thermal systems, material technology, energetic potential and exchanges, spatial and structural paradigms, ecology and more.  

Natural Settings is an immersive installation, that transforms through engagement with the energetic potential of the site and broader climatic context, creating varying spatial configurations, relationships and dialogue.  

Not only is the project intricately conceived, it has at its core the aspiration to begin a process within the minds of the visiting public, that will see status quo questioned, and do its small part in ushering in transformed expectations as to our built environment and its relationship with our planet.  

A stand-out project that is worthy of a greater audience. 
VIDEO

Future Proof House
Elena Cazacu

Natural Settings
Jack May

Future Proof House
Elena Cazacu

Advocating for the Built Environment - Opinion Pieces by Michael Smith
Michael Smith

Judges Citation:

This award has been long overdue. Michael Smith's contribution to advancing the profession by translating intricate arguments into everyday language should not be underestimated. In a world where content must be entertaining, Michael, through his work for The Age, has exemplified how the profession can advocate for improved built environment outcomes in a straightforward yet profoundly thought-provoking manner.  

What initially began as a modest blog with the premise 'Architecture is for everyone' has now evolved into advocacy and architectural discourse accessible to the general public. This provides valuable insights into the industry and challenges preconceived notions held by both professionals and the general public.  

What is truly refreshing is Michael's innovative approach to advancing the profession, by returning to its fundamental mission of delivering purpose-driven outcomes through the exploration of complex questions that affect every Victorian. The next chapter is eagerly anticipated. 

Office Talk Podcast
Dave Sharp

Advocating for the Built Environment - Opinion Pieces by Michael Smith
Michael Smith