The Australian Institute of Architects has unveiled its 2023 Victorian Architecture Awards shortlist, featuring remarkable design innovation. Here, we delve into the unique stories of five standout projects — a mix of wellness centres, commercial spaces and residential precincts.
May 29th, 2023
The 2023 Victorian Architecture Awards offer an exciting showcase of architectural projects, each displaying a unique blend of design principles, cultural contexts and environmental considerations. Here are five projects that have earned their places on the shortlist, each marking a distinctive contribution to Victoria’s architectural landscape.
1. Alba Thermal Springs & Spa by Hayball
Engulfed by the natural splendour of the 15-hectare site on the Mornington Peninsula, the Alba Thermal Springs & Spa presents an interplay of architecture and environment. Its design is both a reverence and a response to the existing terrain and coastal Moonah woodland. The main building, characterised by its unembellished concrete forms and the symphony of a natural material palette echoes the organic melody of the surroundings.
2. Delatite Cellar Door by Lucy Clemenger Architects
The Delatite Cellar Door, a sustainable architectural delight designed by Lucy Clemenger Architects, is a fusion of aesthetics and functionality. With interconnected timbercrete pavilions and horizontal timber cladding along the ridgeline, the Cellar Door enhances the wine-tasting and dining experience. A meticulously chosen palette draws from the natural hues of the surrounding landscape, infusing the design with a rich textural warmth. This project emphasises the use of sustainable and locally-sourced materials.
3. Nightingale Village by various architects
Nightingale Village, a collaborative creation of six leading architecture firms, is a vibrant example of community-centred design. The project contains 203 homes across six zero-gas buildings to create a medium-density neighbourhood. Each structure is meticulously crafted according to social, environmental and financial sustainability principles, reflecting a deeply ingrained commitment to people over profit. Read more about Nightingale Village here.
Related: Dulux Colour Awards Winners
4. University of Melbourne Student Precinct by various architects
A project that seeks to embrace diversity and connection, the University of Melbourne Student Precinct is an architectural synthesis of new constructions and carefully refurbished heritage assets. This precinct exhibits a student-centric design approach, featuring a landscape-led pedestrian terrain that acts as a cultural connector at the heart of student life. The project foregrounds the voices and perspectives of students, while also prioritising a recognition of First Nations cultures.
5. Encore Cremorne by Fieldwork
Situated in the dense urban fabric of Melbourne’s Cremorne, the Encore Cremorne fuses old and new. The project integrates a modern seven-storey glass office tower with a restored early 20th century warehouse. The warehouse’s original features have been restored, while the higher office tower’s southern elevation facilitates the dynamic interplay of light, shadow, and reflection. A landscaped terrace on the first floor and a rooftop garden offer office-goers vibrant settings for work and leisure.
Victorian Architecture Awards
architecture.com.au
We think you might also like this story on one of the projects in the Victorian Architecture Awards shortlist, Nightingale Village.
A searchable and comprehensive guide for specifying leading products and their suppliers
Keep up to date with the latest and greatest from our industry BFF's!
Channelling the enchanting ambience of the Caffè Greco in Rome, Budapest’s historic Gerbeaud, and Grossi Florentino in Melbourne, Ross Didier’s new collection evokes the designer’s affinity for café experience, while delivering refined seating for contemporary hospitality interiors.
Discover the manifestation of century-old techniques realised with modern technologies
The American Hardwood Export Council promotes the works of next-gen designers through Discovered Singapore exhibition happening from 16 to 22 May at Red Dot Design Museum Singapore.
Savage Design’s approach to understanding the relationship between design concepts and user experience, particularly with metalwork, transcends traditional boundaries, blending timeless craftsmanship with digital innovation to create enduring elegance in objects, furnishings, and door furniture.
Next up in our series, we hear from Sally Evans MDIA, Design and Colour Consultant, and Director at Nexus Designs.
Designed by TURNER, Hatch Roberts Day and Turf Design Studio, the Bradfield City Centre masterplan is the blueprint for a new CBD taking shape in Sydney’s west.
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
In a significant development for Southeast Asia’s design scene, XTRA has recently inaugurated a new showroom.
Melbourne’s Wall to Wall festival has just taken place, transforming neglected urban spaces into vibrant hubs of creativity through large-scale mural works by renowned artists.