THE NEWACTON Precinct by Fender Katsalidis Architects was the big winner in the Australian Institute of Architects’ 2015 ACT Architecture Awards announced on Saturday, June 20 at QT Canberra.

The NewActon Precinct by Fender Katsalidis Architects was the most awarded project of the night, winning the ACT chapter’s highest honour, the Canberra Medallion, in addition to commendations across Heritage, Interior Architecture, Sustainable Architecture, Urban Design and Art.

Over 10 years in the making, NewActon was singled out for turning an “underdeveloped part of the city into a vibrant hub”. The NewActon Precinct was seen as an outstanding example of strategic urban planning and design where a developer and a wide-ranging team of designers have collaborated “to get it right”.

Jury members said it was an excellent example of how architectural design can invigorate the heart of a city and “make it pulse.”

Seven projects were awarded for residential architecture in a category that dominated the entry field, with 40 per cent of all entries submitted in the three sub categories of Houses (New), Houses (Alterations and Additions) and Multiple Housing.

‘Box House’ by Rob Henry Architects received the Malcolm Moir and Heather Sutherland Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (New).

‘The Box House has a thoughtfulness and consistency throughout its design. Although designed to be fire-resistant the design is open, warm and welcoming. Box House stands as a beautiful and robust place to live,’ the jury noted.

In addition to the jury’s choice, members of the public were able to select their favourite residential project from Houses (New), Houses (Alterations and Additions) and Renovations in the annual People’s Choice Award with the honour going to Szychowski Residence by Adhami Pender Architecture.

Projects that received an award or named award in the main architecture categories will now progress to the National Awards to be announced in November.

The full list of winning projects is below:

Educational Architecture

Enrico Taglietti Award – John Paul College Performing Arts Centre by Collins Caddaye Architects

Commendation – The Snow Centre for Education in the Asian Century by Daryl Jackson Alastair Swayn

Enduring Architecture

Award – Burgmann College by Dirk Bolt & Associates 1971

Heritage

Award – NewActon Pavilion Reconstruction by Fender Katsalidis Architects

Award – Conservatory House by Cox Architecture

Interior Architecture

W Hayward Morris Award – ‘Australia in the Great War’, Australian War Memorial by Cunningham Martyn Design

Award – NewActon Pavilion Reconstruction – Molonglo Group Offices by Fender Katsalidis Architects

Commendation – The Snow Centre for Education in the Asian Century by Daryl Jackson Alastair Swayn

Public Architecture

Romaldo Giurgola Award – PRC Embassy Pool Enclosure by Townsend + Associates Architects

Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions)

Gene Willsford Award – Boomerang House by Joanna Nelson Architect

Award – Altman Hinkson House by Philip Leeson Architects

Residential Architecture – Houses (New)

Malcolm Moir and Heather Sutherland Award – Box House by Rob Henry Architects

Award – Harvey Taylor House by Philip Leeson Architects

Award – Wonga Street House by Jigsaw Housing

Commendation – OS House by Ben Walker Architects

Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing

Sydney Ancher Award – Lowanna by Marcus Graham Architect

Small Project Architecture

Award– Roji Salon by Craig Tan Architects

Commendation – Altree Court Sun Shade by adhami pender architecture

Sustainable Architecture

Award – NewActon Nishi Commercial by Fender Katsalidis Architects

Commendation – Esperance by Collins Caddaye Architects