The ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ Awards program offers an opportunity for public and peer recognition of the innovative work of our NT architects. The program also provides the Institute with a valuable mechanism to promote architects and architecture within the Northern Territory, across Australia and internationally.
The George Brown Visitor Centre embodies the notion of Genius Loci embracing its spirit of place both within the Botanic GardensÌýand within the broader context of Darwin.ÌýIt has provided the Botanic Gardens with a newÌýeducational,Ìýcommunity and social focusÌýas well as a place for respite and contemplation.ÌýÌý
It provides an exemplary example of a work ofÌýpublicÌýarchitecture, whichÌýexploresÌýthe potential of Darwin’s tropical climateÌýadopting the form of an elongated tropical longhouse pavilion.ÌýÌýA generousÌýverandahÌýspace meanders along the length of the building connecting a series of spaces housing anÌýinterpretive visitor centre; small retail outlet; event space and support amenities.Ìý
The centre has been carefully sited within the Gardens at the base of Frangipani Hill, which forms a natural gathering placeÌýprovidingÌýhigh visibility and accessibility.ÌýTheÌýbuilding formÌýengages with the landscape creating long vistas towards the lilypond and fountain as well as framing views through the building towards aÌýnewÌýamphitheatre created on Frangipani Hill.ÌýÌý
The centre has beenÌýwarmly welcomedÌýby the community hosting a wide variety of events and hasÌýprovidedÌýaÌýrenaissance for the Gardens with increased visitation.Ìý
The George Darwin Botanic Gardens Visitor and Event Centre is a legacy buildingÌýproviding a benchmark for futureÌýpublic buildings in the Northern TerritoryÌýand in particular DarwinÌýand is a most worthy recipient of the Tracy Memorial Award.ÌýÌý
Isabella describes her journey into the Architecture profession as challenging yet memorable, crediting Charles Darwin University with provided a unique academic experience. Her introduction to the Institute was formed in her second year, attending events and using SONA’s resources, and she took part in a student led conference in New Zealand.
The NT Chapter congratulates Isabella Wynveld on receiving the 2021 NT Student Prize.
Ken came to Darwin in 2004 to take up the role of Chief Financial Officer at the newly formed Charles Darwin University.
Ken soon found the role of the CFO at Charles Darwin University included may functions other than Financial Management, when the Vice Chancellor asked when was he going to build the new Higher Education Building in Alice Springs. This was followed by the building of the CDU Chancellery.
The Global Financial Crisis resulted insignificant stimulus being channelled through Universities and Ken moved from being CFO to a full-time role managing a major capital works programme, including building one of Darwin’s early green star buildings.
Ken moved back to the CFO role for a period in 2016 but is now back project managing CDU projects.
Multi Residential in Darwin isÌýcommonlyÌýconstructed in concrete block,ÌýwhichÌýwhilstÌýrobust and efficient to erectÌýis relatively thermally inefficient as the blockworkÌýstoresÌýand re-radiates heat into the apartment environments.Ìý The blockwork alsoÌýrequires ongoing maintenance to seal it from theÌýconstant and heavy wet season rains experienced in Darwin.ÌýÌý
Malabar ApartmentsÌýaddresses these issues through theÌýuseÌýof Colorbond corrugated sheetingÌýas aÌýsun and rain screenÌýtoÌýclad the perimeter blockwork shell.ÌýThe use of the Colorbond cladding is strategic being restricted to external exposed blockwork walls,Ìýwith theÌýdeeplyÌýrecessed blockÌýwalls to balconies left unclad.ÌýÌýÌý
The jury found theÌýproject’s applicationÌýof ColorbondÌýto beÌýhighly commendableÌýproviding aÌýgood environmental outcomeÌýbyÌýimproving the insulationÌýand energy performance of the building skinÌýas well asÌýreducingÌýlife cycleÌýcosts for theÌýdevelopmentÌýand its occupants.ÌýIn additionÌýthe Colorbond sheetingÌýprovides aÌýcost effective andÌýmeaningful way of adding expression andÌýarticulation toÌýthe built form of theÌýdevelopmentÌýproviding an important benchmark for residential apartment buildings in Darwin.Ìý
The George Brown Visitor and Events CentreÌýprovides an exemplary example of a work of public architecture andÌýhas provided the Botanic Gardens with a new educational, community and social focus as well as a place for respite and contemplation.ÌýÌý
The centre has been carefully sited within the Gardens at the base of Frangipani Hill, which forms a natural gathering place providing high visibility and accessibility. The building form engages with the landscape creating long vistas towards the lilypond and fountain as well as framing views through the building towards aÌýnewÌýamphitheatre created on Frangipani Hill.Ìý
Conceptually the building adopts the form of an elongated tropical longhouse pavilion, allowing it to embrace the potential of Darwin’s tropical climate.ÌýÌýKey to the success of the project is aÌýgenerous verandah space, whichÌýmeanders along the length of the building connecting a series of spaces housing anÌýinterpretive visitor centre; small retail outlet; event space and support amenities.ÌýÌý
The jury found this to be a carefully crafted project. The architect is commended for creatingÌýaÌýrichÌýsensory experience for the visitor through the play of light and shadeÌýand use of aÌýrich palette of materialsÌýand raw finishes,Ìýincluding timber, copper andÌýgalvanisedÌýsteel.ÌýÌýFurther adding to this experience as well as typifying the project’s community imperatives is the use Darwin Stringy Bark provided by the Gumatj Corporation in Arnhem Land.Ìý
The new grandstand is located to take advantage of specular views of Mount Gillen and the MacDonnell Ranges, and to avoid the late afternoon sun. The raised spectator area provides shaded universally-accessible seating for approximately 200 people. The naturally ventilated team change rooms are supported by an umpire room and first aid area. The public WCs are the first for the site serving spectators and casual users of the oval.
The design and construction of the building is utilitarian and makes use of as many proprietary elements as possible: precast stairs, prefabricated handrails and long-spanning sandwich panel roofing. However, recognizing the natural beauty of the site and the importance of the investment in the facilities from a community perspective, SDA worked hard to inject the utilitarian materials and forms with elements of whimsy and fun that reflect and celebrate the community use of the space.
The monolithic-striped plinth of the building is constructed of locally produced concrete blocks creating a no-maintenance, high impact nish. The stripes add life to an otherwise tall and blank façade and have a relationship with the natural beauty of the stratified red rock range beyond. The exposed steel framing of the screen at the back of the grandstand provides the minimum fixing points and support required for the perforated Colorbond sheet, and is decorative and unique while being secure, efficient and cost effective.Ìý Ìý
The awning on the west side of the building was additional to the owners brief, but provides shelter for the doors along this tall facade. It helps to mediate the scale and animate the entry approach allowing the building to perform ‘in the round’. The zigzags of the awning struts relate to the zigzags of the screen over and are another element that combines utilitarian function and construction with decorative intent.
Manunda PlaceÌýis aÌýbold and distinctive projectÌýdelicately balancing commercial imperatives withÌýtheÌýdesire to create a thoughtful and positive urban outcome and civic presence.ÌýÌý
AÌýrecessed façadeÌýatÌýground levelÌýcreates a public colonnade, which is further extendedÌýby a canopyÌýprovidingÌýshelterÌýand shade. Public amenityÌýis furtherÌýenhancedÌýbyÌýtheÌýintegration of a cafeÌýinÌýtheÌýfoyerÌýcreatingÌýanÌýactiveÌýstreetÌýedge.ÌýThe architect and developer are specifically commended for their initiative to commission aÌýdramatic scaled public artwork:ÌýWupun, Sun Mat by Regina Pilaw for the foyer.Ìý
A linear service core along one edge of the building reinforces a legible circulation axis allowing open and flexibleÌýlight filledÌýcommercial floorplatesÌýwithÌýuninterrupted views across theÌýcity.ÌýA series of atrium spaces are cut through the floorplates to provide a sense of space and connectivity within the work environment.Ìý
The building form and entry acknowledge their corner location throughÌýthe use ofÌýa simple curved geometry. TheÌýexternal buildingÌýexpressionÌýis defined byÌýrust redÌýcoloured sunshades and canopy,ÌýwhichÌýprovide a distinctive banding expression as well asÌýsun shading, articulation and depth to the façade.ÌýÌýÌý
Manunda Place is a confident restrained piece of architecture whose success liesÌýnot in grand gestures but inÌýgetting the fundamentals ofÌýgood design and place makingÌýright and provides a new benchmark for futureÌýNorthern TerritoryÌýcommercialÌýarchitecture.Ìý
The ACT Government office building marks the regeneration of both the Dickson precinct and Northbourne Avenue corridor. The building in its clear two-part form acts as a hinge where these two places meet. Each side of the building has its own glazed and grided articulated façade that sits comfortably with each other. The siting of the building hard up to Northbourne Avenue creates a plaza to the east which forms the primary entry zone at street level. A careful shift of geometry between the two parts creates an atrium that ensures light penetrates to the heart of every floor. The atrium with its elegant spiral stair as a focus then forms the natural location for circulation both vertically and horizontally. Curved sweeping balconies wrap around its edges creating a layered effect that draws the eye to the light from above and creates places for users to rest and meet. These balcony edges are made with human scale and touch in mind to invite interaction, comfort and delight. Such integrated care in detailing which draws the composition together can be seen throughout from the façade to the canopy at reception to the design of integrated signage for workplace neighbourhoods.
The Casuarina Senior College Library Refurbishment has transformed a tiredÌýunderutilisedÌýLibrary space into a vibrant new Resource CentreÌýdesigned around current teaching and learning pedagogies. The centre incorporates a variety of learning environments including collaborative; informal, and independent study spaces.ÌýThe project is to be commended for delivering a significant educational benefit for a modest interventionÌýand budget.Ìý
Congratulations to Ashford Group and Schapel Interiors for the Casuarina Senior College Library Refurbishment which was voted overall winner of the NT Chapter’s 2021 People’s Choice Award.