The Buildings that surround us provide places to live, work and play. That they can be designed with finesse, abound with amenity and facility and can be structures that evoke pride and inspiration, adds to the texture of our cities. Good building design enhances not only the skyline but the well-being of citizens and, in The Building category in the 2021 INDE.Awards, exemplars abound.

As supporter of The Building category Neolith understands just what it takes to be the best. For over 35 years the company has been supplying high quality, premium natural stone and stone products to the architecture and design community. The company is built on a philosophy that includes the ideas of solidarity, strength, style, sustainability and the sensory and sanitary. Always ahead of the pack, Neolith, like the entrants in The Building, is the best at what they supply and produce.

Samsen STREET Hotel by CHAT Architects winner of The Building at the 2020 INDE.Awards.

Ross Cameron, Vice President APAC Neolith, commented “First of all, it is an honour to be part of the INDE.Awards and support the architecture and design community. We are excited to partner with INDE in Oceania and Singapore, it is the beginning of the next evolution and the INDEs is the first platform we want to share this moment with.”

In accord with an architect’s vision, a building can complement the landscape and add beauty. To design an iconic building takes talent, of course, but myriad other aspects are required to be taken into consideration, such as the creativity of the form, innovation and site planning. Materials are integral and the right products can make or break a design and that is why Neolith and The Building category are a perfect complement to each other.

Cameron explained, “The 2021 Neolith collection is composed of 57 different models which are available in more than one finish, not to mention the variety of bespoke colours available for architects, some of which are ready and exclusive for Oceania. Neolith offers sustainable solutions with more thicknesses and sizes than any other brand. What is even more exciting is that Neolith will soon be present and closely supporting architects and designers.”

Samsen STREET Hotel by CHAT Architects winner of The Building at the 2020 INDE.Awards.

As the only awards programme in the Indo-Pacific, the INDE.awards recognises the design diversity and creativity that abounds in the region. The Building category pays tribute to the outstanding contribution that is made each year by talented practitioners and this year the entries have raised the design bar higher, yet again.

Last year’s winner of The Building was CHAT Architects’ Samsen STREET Hotel in Thailand. Reinventing an ‘unspoken typology’ in Bangkok and transforming the idea of a ‘love’ hotel, the architects have created a new incarnation of the building. Scaffolding components have been used on the façade and surround the building and this helps address a more transparent interaction with the structure and to re-activate street life. This is a project that champions a new and different way to view street architecture that speaks of place and culture but is updated for life today.

Now with Neolith’s presence in the Asia-Pacific region comes a wealth of experience and knowledge as Cameron concluded, “We are eager to build a new team in Australia and focus on offering a competitive service to the design community, fabricators and specifiers.

Samsen STREET Hotel by CHAT Architects winner of The Building at the 2020 INDE.Awards.

The Building category typifies best practice that makes its mark on people, cities and countries. This category showcases the diverse and extraordinary projects from across our region and presents a snapshot of the architecture landscape of our time and for the future.

Photography of CHAT Architects’ Samsen STREET Hotel is by W Workspace.