The Most Beautiful Photos You’ll See Of SA Architecture. This Year’s Winners Announced.

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For those who appreciate good design and function, the SA Architecture Awards are essentially building and interior porn. The most incredible buildings, renovations & additions, and design are highlighted at this annual event, which culminated in tonight’s awards ceremony. Even for those of us who aren’t in the industry, the photos speak volumes about the talent and creativity here in Adelaide.

These Awards recognise excellence and innovation in design unrivalled by other architectural design award programs, and have a significant influence on the future of architectural design.

So without further adieu, here are winners, and photos of the projects nominated. It’s visually spectacular.

City of Adelaide Prize

Project Name: Pink Moon Saloon

Practice Name: Sans-Arc Studio

Award given: City of Adelaide Prize

Award Citation: Pink Moon Saloon is the winner of the 2016 City of Adelaide Prize, which recognises innovation and design excellence that enhances our City’s vibrancy and character.

Project Name: Zoo SA Nature’s Playground

Practice Name: Phillips/Pilkington Architects and WAX Design

Award given: Commendation – City of Adelaide Prize

Award Summary: Zoo SA Nature’s Playground is an energetic and rich design that operates beyond the confines of a standard playground, to create a positive and action-packed nature experience for children and adults. The project has converted a remnant corner of the Adelaide Zoo to create a vibrant play space, which has redefined the usability of the Zoo through an inclusive and inventive approach.

Colorbond Award for Steel Architecture

Winning Project Name: South Australian Drill Core Reference Library

Practice Name: Thomson Rossi

Award given: COLORBOND® Award for Steel Architecture

Award Citation: The new South Australia Drill Core Reference Library houses South Australia’s collection of drill core material and represents a unique opportunity to consolidate and showcase an important State resource that was previously fragmented and invisible to the community.

Steel was cleverly used in the project in two important ways, both aesthetically and structurally.

Commercial Architecture Award

Winning Project Name: Base 64

Practice Name: Williams Burton Leopardi

Award given: The Keith Neighbour Award for Commercial Architecture

Award Citation: Base 64 represents a new model of workplace and commercial architecture. A collective of like-minded tech businesses and shared interests have been carefully integrated into a suite of heritage buildings.

 

 

Project Name: Beresford Wines Cellar Door & Tasting Pavilion

Practice Name: Alexander Brown Architects

Award given: Commendation for Commercial Architecture

Award Citation: The Beresford Wines Cellar Door & Tasting Pavilion is a sophisticated building that showcases Beresford winery. The Jury commends the architects for the purposeful restraint and the exploration of natural building materials that serve to connect with the landscape and articulate the client’s brand and philosophy. Large sliding operable timber screens provide security and adaptability to the seasons. The singular intent of the architecture is reinforced by elegant interiors by Enoki. Congratulations to Alexander Brown Architects for creating a contextual and elegant building that provides an engaging visitor experience.

Educational Architecture

Project Name: Flinders at Tonsley

Practice Name: HASSELL

Award given: The Dr John Mayfield Award for Educational Architecture

Award Citation: Flinders at Tonsley stands sentinel at the northern verge of the redeveloped former Mitsubishi Motors Main Assembly Building, which is currently transforming into an education, research and business hub at the Tonsley Park redevelopment. Flinders at Tonsley forms a visual beacon, and defines the former main assembly building together with the TAFE campus to the south.

Project Name: Cardijn College Music Centre

Practice Name: Tridente Architects

Award given: Commendation for Educational Architecture

Award Citation: The Cardijn College Music Centre possesses a clear architectural purpose and rigor that positively influences student learning, whilst continuing to strengthen the schools brand and campus identity.

Enduring Architecture (25 Year Award)

Project Name: South Australian Forensic Science Centre

Practice Name: SA Public Buildings Department, Government of South Australia

Award given: The Jack Cheesman Award for Enduring Architecture

The South Australian Forensic Science Centre is a distinguished example of late Australian ‘brutalism’. Built in 1978, the building has successfully accommodated the evolving requirements of its occupants over forty years.

Heritage

Project Name: Base 64

Practice Name: Williams Burton Leopardi

Award given: The David Saunders Award for Heritage

Award Citation: The Base 64 project demonstrates an excellent level of thoroughness and attention to detail. Encouraged and driven by a very engaged client, the previously disparate site has become a delightful series of interconnected spaces making up a cohesive complex. An oasis behind the relentless busyness of North Terrace, the site has been reinvigorated and showcases a refreshing approach to heritage development.

Project Name: Saint Francis Xavier Cathedral Pipe Organ Project

Practice Name: Grieve Gillett Andersen

Award given: Commendation for Heritage

Award Citation: This project provided a range of challenges for the architect to insert a reclaimed pipe organ into the loft of Saint Francis Xavier Cathedral. Core to the project was balancing the ongoing use of church services through installing the organ, with the need to maintain the aesthetics of the internal spaces. Its success is based on the architect’s skill in managing to place the instrument within the existing framework without significant modification.

Project Name: Tonsley Main Assembly Building and Pods

Practice Name: Woods Bagot and Tridente Architects

Award given: Award for Heritage

Award Citation: The Jury’s decision to award this project rests largely on the notion of retaining the structure for adaptation and the role of the architect within that decision making process. It is recognised that even with a good understanding of cultural heritage across much of the building industry, retaining these types of structures is extremely difficult to justify. In the face of cost and regulatory compliance, the retention rarely forms the easiest option and having achieved this, the cultural heritage of South Australia is better for it.

Project Name: Torrens Island Quarantine Station

Practice Name: Habitable Places

Award given: Commendation for Heritage

Award Citation: In many ways a classic conservation project, the work is underpinned by extensive research and an innovative conservation management plan. The former Quarantine Station site comprises of a range of building types with varied construction techniques and former uses, all of which require different conservation techniques.

Interior Architecture

Winning Project Name: Oggi

Practice Name: studio-gram

Award given: The Robert Dickson Award for Interior Architecture

Award Citation: Oggi is something special. studio-gram have taken a non-descript tenancy and fashioned an extraordinary interior characterised by a variety of spaces, atmospheres and bespoke elements.

Project Name: Elders Head Office

Practice Name: JPE Design Studio

Award given: Commendation for Interior Architecture

Award Citation: The new Elders Head Office offers an historic South Australian company an immense shift in both working style and environment. The jury were impressed with the care and restraint shown throughout by the designers, and their ability to unite a strong and proud history within a contemporary working environment. The well-used communal and meeting areas take advantage of the space and city views. Furniture and material selections reference corporate identity, past achievements and milestones, and Australian flora and fauna. The Jury congratulates JPE Design Studio for providing an inviting workspace that brings an historic South Australian firm into the 21^st century and beyond.

Project Name: Centre for Senior Learning, Pulteney Grammar School

Practice Name: Walter Brooke & Associates

Award given: Award for Interior Architecture

Award Citation: The new Centre for Senior Learning at Pulteney Grammar School breathes new life into an existing industrial space and provides a new focus for senior students.

The design has been able to capture light across multiple levels, balance complex program and interactions within existing buildings, whilst preparing for future developments. The design is robust, exciting and well-realised. The spaces are mature and refined, emphasising student ownership and responsibility. Using the adaptability of semi-supervised and private study areas, the design promotes interaction between students and staff on all levels.

Project Name: UniSA Student Lounge

Practice Name: Phillips / Pilkington Architects

Award given: Award for Interior Architecture

Award Citation: The UniSA Student Lounge is an exciting project that supports the University’s ambition for improving the student experience of the City West Campus. Occupying the ground level of the former library, the new lounge provides a home base for student life. Supporting students from a wide range of cultural or socio-economic backgrounds, the lounge incorporates facilities for cooking, eating, relaxing and socializing, with each zone clearly defined and expressed with individual character.

Public Architecture

Winning Project Name: Stretton Centre

Practice Name: HASSELL

Award given: The Jack McConnell Award for Public Architecture

Award Citation: The Stretton Community and Innovation Centre successfully combines its programming, scale and form to create an exemplary addition to Munno Para’s civic realm, setting a high benchmark for the newly developing community.

Project Name: Glenunga Hub

Practice Name: Greenway Architects

Award given: Commendation for Public Architecture

Award Citation: The Glenunga Hub successfully reinvigorates this community recreation precinct through the consolidation of existing uses into a combined new multi-use community and sporting facility. The new building is a thoughtful, subtle built response effectively utilising the existing land form. The flexible floor plan is open and inviting, maintaining a high level of connection with the surrounding playing fields and children’s playground. Material selections are robust and practical, supporting the demands of the physical activities adjoining the building. The Glenunga Hub’s flexibility encourages both community and sporting clubs to utilise the facility, making it an effective focal point for the wider neighbourhood.

President’s Medal

Recipient Name: Francesco Bonato LFRAIA

Practice Name: Tectvs

Award given: Sir James Irwin President’s Medal

This year’s recipient of the Sir James Irwin President’s Medal Francesco Bonato exemplifies the idea of advocating for and delivering great design. Bonato is a founding Director of Tectvs, a collaborative architecture and design practice that has received 17 Institute Architecture Awards and over 40 other Awards since its inception in 1989, he has demonstrated this beyond dispute.

But beyond the projects, he epitomises the role of the public professional – having a public opinion about architecture and design, teaching design to up-and-coming generations of architects, and embracing our colleagues from allied design professions.

Residential – Alterations & Additions

Project Name: Veil and Mortar

Practice Name: Khab Architects

Award given: The John Schenk Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions)

Award Citation: This playful and dramatic addition to a symmetrical cottage boasts clearly developed concepts and ideas in the finished project. The design leads you through a central corridor ending not in the usual Adelaide addition but in a ‘fork’, with a view over the pool that is flanked by two ways as the house unzips to the left and right. Past a restored sandstone wall is the kitchen leading to a feature inside/outside staircase, with outdoor views over a sunken informal living space that connects to the rear yard. A secluded TV room is buried below this space, while an enclosed family room sits on the other wing adjacent to the pool.

Project Name: Fade to Grey

Practice Name: Grieve Gillett Andersen

Award given: Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations & Additions)

Award Citation: Another finely crafted and inspiring space by Dimitty Andersen, this well-sited and well-designed addition opens up to the rear garden. Entry for those in the know is through the slick new side entry with a cantilevered steel plate canopy, which provides access to the shared spaces and cleverly ensures privacy for the rest of the house.

Project Name: LOCH

Practice Name: John Adam Architect

Award given: Commendation for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations & Additions)

Award Citation: This minimal intervention approach to an addition grafts a deceptively simple space onto the rear of the existing heritage listed house. The design integrates a new area in with the old, in a sympathetic yet contemporary union. Considered use of turn-of-the-century fittings and finishes sit comfortably with the new living space, while connecting the family with the sloping rear yard. The project stands out as a great example of a detail focused, material rich, layered design that highlights the collaboration between architect and client. In avoiding the twin pitfalls of heritage pastiche and insensitive addition, it should serve as a template for designers seeking to reconcile the old with the modern day.

Project Name: Cawley Tree House

Practice Name: C4 Architects

Award given: Commendation for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations & Additions)

Award Citation: Set on an inspiring site over First Creek on Waterfall Gully Road, this addition takes full advantage of the views afforded by the lush surroundings, the mottled light that filters through the trees and the drama of the location perched atop the creek. Overcoming logistical issues of building on a difficult site, dealing with the many Council restrictions, and working with the legacy of an unorthodox builder of the original house, the architects have produced some exceptional spaces on a tight budget, turning it into a true family retreat on the fringe of the city.

Residential – Multiple Housing

Project Name: Gibson & 7th

Practice Name: Williams Burton Leopardi

Award given: Commendation for Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing

Award Citation: Gibson & 7th is a low rise apartment building featuring a strong and consistent design approach, which introduces some new ideas to the apartment design portfolio. The project features solid brick bookends of single level apartments at either end of a central double loaded corridor, serving interlocking two-level apartments. This creates an efficiency in the design by reducing the amount of corridor space in the building. The efficiency is also evident in the planning of the overall building, with the architect achieving more well-designed apartments on the site than initially anticipated. The external material palette is cleverly brought inside to the apartments with a sophisticated use of perforated metal, stained ply and minimalist joinery, giving life and local character to the modern spaces.

Residential – New Houses

Project Name: West End Residence

Practice Name: Ashley Halliday Architects

Award given: The John S Chappel Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (New)

Award Citation: On a tight city site in the west end of Adelaide, this house for one occupant is a clever design that embodies the client’s highly specific requirements. The obvious main feature upon entering the house is the two-level central atrium, with an opening roof that gives a view to the sky and access to fresh air. The somewhat industrial materials and finishes give the bunker-like house a solid and unashamedly urban presence, which is protective of its interior and owner. From the street it is relatively closed with a clever entrance hidden within the garage door, and on the first floor above there are operable louvres to block out the western sun and view from the street.

Project Name: Tusmore Residence

Practice Name: Grieve Gillett Andersen

Award given: Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (New)

Award Citation: This large family home is built on an important heritage site with a mature garden and creek, which has heavily influenced the design of the new house. The house is deliberately set at the rear of the site, with a simple clear floor plan to give the creek and large trees the prominence they deserve. The elegant timber gables formed in a grid provides a consistent design with generous family spaces. To suit modern family life, smaller zones have been designed to fit within the broader context, creating various entertaining spaces.

Project Name: Grass Trees

Practice Name: Max Pritchard Gunner Architects

Award given: Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (New)

Award Citation: From some distance away, Grass Trees is dramatically revealed as you approach from the road. The property’s sweeping driveway with vineyards along either side, takes visitors past the long low house to the large garage and entry area. The simple, strong plan form is evident in the façade, and overall design of the linear house stretching along the contours of the hill.

The open spaces inside provide views in both directions, down the hill and up towards the grass tree scrub, while still managing to feel comfortable and protected. One is drawn past the guest wing with a dedicated view along the main axis, which opens up to a sophisticated kitchen facing over a sunken lounge and spectacular central fireplace, taking full advantage of the view. With the feel of a private resort, the parent’s wing is set along the infinity edge pool. The architects’ touch can even be seen in the garage with the stacked timber display wall, which sets off the client’s collectible cars admirably.

Project Name: Friedrichstrasse House

Practice Name: Troppo Architects

Award given: Commendation for Residential Architecture – Houses (New)

Award Citation: Set on a narrow site in a Historic Conservation zone at the end of a row of houses, this slim new house challenges the notion of a typical infill dwelling. This low-maintenance house has a minimal palate of unpainted materials, from galvanised steel to rammed earth. The refined structure and high-tech services are lovingly expressed by the mechanically-minded client who had a hand in finishing off the house. With views to the street through the entire house, even from the rear rooms, this light and airy house has north facing courtyards and an enviable lower level bicycle store and workshop.

Small Project Architecture

Project Name: House on Mayfair

Practice Name: Grieve Gillett Anderson

Award given: The Marjorie Simpson Award for Small Project Architecture

Award Citation: This tiny house addition embodies a real joy in architectural outcomes. The 10sqm study addition is almost a folly; being developed primarily around the poetics of space rather than the specific need for space. Adding to an already extended early 20^th Century residence, the architectural work exemplifies the opportunities inherent in good design. Residential alterations of this type are often produced directly through a builder rather than an architect, and it is refreshing to see outcomes derived from a design-led approach at this scale.

Project Name: Waterfall Gully Shelter and Toilet Block

Practice Name: Flightpath Architects

Award given: Commendation for Small Project Architecture

Award Citation: The new shelter and toilet facilities building at Waterfall Gully is a well-crafted building that performs well beyond its brief. The pavilion-like structure responds to its landscape setting, former buildings and the language of traditional park buildings as well as providing a highly functional response to the requirements for shelter and toilets.

Project Name: 4 Structures at Henley Square

Practice Name: Troppo Architects and T.C.L

Award given: Award for Small Project Architecture

Award Citation: As part of the broader redevelopment of Henley Square, the four structures are critical to the success of the space. Comprising of three open pavilions and a toilet block, these structures undertake a range of functions; providing some forms of weather protection, spatial orientation, definition of the main areas of activity as well as framed views to the Gulf and the beaches beyond.

Urban Architecture

Project Name: Riverbank Bridge

Practice Name: Tonkin Zulaikha Greer, Taylor Cullity Lethlan and Aurecon

Award given: Commendation for Urban Design

Award Citation: The Riverbank Bridge is a significant addition to the urban structure of the Riverbank Precinct. The placement of the bridge is well conceived, while its sweeping form, lightness and simplicity does not dominate the riverine setting. Bookended by cascading water features on either side as well as providing iconic views of the City and Riverbank precinct, the bridge plays an important role in enhancing the connectivity and enjoyment within the evolving Riverbank precinct. If success can be measured by the level of the public acceptance and usage of the bridge, the project is very successful, having quickly become an integral part of the traditions and rituals of the City.

Project Name: Tonsley

Practice Name: Oxigen

Award given: Commendation for Urban Design

Award Citation: The quality and vibrant nature of the elements of the Masterplan that have been implemented are testament to the urban design guidelines developed for the Tonsley Redevelopment site. Tonsley is constantly evolving, embracing its industrial heritage while creating a contemporary innovation hub. The Main Assembly Building and its immediate surrounds, known as ‘MAB’, are the most complete pieces to date, translated from guidelines to a series of spaces and building pods. There is a balance between the factory form and envisaged future utilization of the currently open spaces. The outcome is a compliment to both the vision of the client and the skills and collaboration of the designers.

Project Name: Henley Square Remade

Practice Name: T.C.L with Troppo Architects

Award given: Commendation for Urban Design

Award Citation: Henley Square Remade is the re-imagining of the square as a stage and catalyst for active and passive activities. The greatest success of the design lies in the apparent simplicity and transition from the main street to the jetty and foreshore, whilst integrating diverse functions for all types of visitors. The focus on clear sightlines and paths of travel is punctuated by playful follies and successful dining structures. The use of timber and a restrained materials palette in both the ground plane and built structures make this a great addition to the local community and Adelaide as a whole.

Sustainable Architecture

Awarded to: Tonsley Main Assembly Building and Pods by Woods Bagot and Tridente Architects

Award given: Award for Sustainable Architecture

Award Citation: The success of the Main Assembly Hall and Pods as an exemplar of sustainability is the result of extensive collaboration between a diverse range of partnerships, and the strong commitment and long term vision of the client.

Key design principles of passive ventilation, water sensitive design and natural lighting seamlessly underpin and enrich the main spaces. The MAB is the epitome of a comprehensive suite of sustainable design strategies, thoroughly developed through extensive consultation with stakeholders and community, environmental research and the application of evidence-based design modelling.

Awarded to: Tonsley by Oxigen

Award given: Award for Sustainable Architecture

Award Citation: The Tonsley project is an example of the benefits of extensive community consultation, analytical context analysis and a ‘ground up’ approach to sustainable design principles and the benefits to the public realm.

Courtyards, gardens and shared amenities are knitted by a robust design strategy and series of guidelines to the existing body of the Main Assembly Building, producing vibrant and active public spaces with sustainability at its heart.

South Australian Emerging Architect Prize

Recipient Name: Anthony Balsamo

Practice Name: Walter Brooke & Associates

The Emerging Architect Prize recognises emerging members of the profession who have made a substantial contribution to architecture in South Australia. After very tough competition this year, the Jury congratulates Anthony Balsamo as this year’s recipient of the SA Emerging Architect Prize.

Anthony graduated from the University of Adelaide in 2003 and started his career as a graduate at Walter Brooke & Associates, where he is now an Associate Director. During his time at Walter Brooke he has been involved with a number of projects, one of the most noteworthy being the award-winning Adelaide Oval Redevelopment.

Early in his career as a graduate of architecture, Anthony saw a gap between university graduation and the practicing of architecture, which led him and a small group of colleagues to establish the group NAG. This has had a huge impact on the whole industry, especially for young graduates, and is an initiative that has now been formalised across all Chapters of the Institute, under the national EmAGN. Anthony went on to become the National President of EmAGN for two years and has been on the SA Chapter Council.

Anthony has a strong aspiration for engaging the wider public in architecture in this State. This passion was further developed during the Jack Hobbs McConnell Travelling Fellowship in 2008, which focused on the research topic of Festivals and Architecture, and how they shape our cities. On his return, Anthony worked closely with the Adelaide City Council to develop an annual and public design competition, called Design Festival. Anthony was appointed by the Institute as a Creative Director for the inaugural Festival of Architecture and Design in 2014, and continued in the role in 2015 to huge success.

In addition to working in practice, Anthony has lectured and tutored at Adelaide University, taken part in the Institute’s student mentor program and thoroughly enjoys working with recent graduates to reach their potential in the profession. He is currently on the Board of Directors for a non‐for‐profit organisation, called ArtSembly.

Anthony is an asset to the architecture community in South Australia, as he continues to push the boundaries and influence those around him to do that same. The Jury is pleased to be able to recognise his continuing contribution to the practice of architecture with this Prize.

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