2023 Victorian Architecture Awards - Presentation to the Juries
So, a little while back, I got an email from the Melbourne School of Design newsletter advertising a lecture event in the Dean’s Lecture Series (Lectures about architecture presented by some very esteemed international architects). On a whim, I decided to attend since I had some time on my hands and it sounded quite interesting. This set me off on a rabbit hole of other architecture events and I realised, as a student I missed out on tons of events that had been happening. To be fair though, at the time I was neck deep in study and work, so these kinds of events weren’t even on my radar. Although I’m not studying at uni anymore, I want to keep up my learning, so I’ve been making more of an effort to check these events out!
This post will be about one of those events I attended a couple weekends ago, the 2023 Victorian Architecture Awards – Presentation to the Juries. If you have no idea what this is, don’t worry, I didn’t either until a few days before (when it was advertised at that lecture I attended). You can find all the details about it here. I won’t bore you with all the little things but I’ll cover the main points to catch you up!
To start with, The Victorian Architecture Awards is a multistage annual awards event run by the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA), where architects submit their projects for judging to gain industry recognition. There are heaps of award categories, and projects can be submitted to multiple (as long as they’re eligible).
The event I attended – ‘Presentation to the Juries’, was where the architects presented their project to a panel of judges, i.e. the jury. The jury was made up of practising architects who are experts in their categories. What I found interesting was that there was an opportunity to be part of the jury as a graduate juror (open to graduate architects to apply). Not only would you get to meet amazing people, but you’d also get to sit on the jury panel during the presentations and do site visits!
Each presentation ran for a mere 10 minutes (including questions) regardless of the size and complexity of the project, so it was a really great opportunity to see these architects hone in on the key points of their projects and communicate them effectively to the jury. The day itself was super intense with presentations being pretty much back to back. It really reminded me of the architecture crits I had to do during uni all over again – but with higher stakes of course!
There were over 300 presentations happening across different categories throughout the day. Obviously, I couldn't attend everything, but that certainly didn’t stop me from trying. I ran around to as many presentations as I could (I managed to get to 44 of them), and although exhausted by the end of the day, I’d say it was completely worth it. All in all, it was a great opportunity to sit in since the day was open to anyone who wanted to come along.
(After the presentations are the site visits. These unfortunately won’t be open to the public, but do keep an eye out in case some of these projects open up for Open House Melbourne. There’s also an awards night where the winning projects get announced.)
So that’s essentially what the presentations were. I felt super grateful to watch some of the best local architects present their projects. There were way too many projects to talk about, so here are just 10 of the presentations I found most memorable. I’ve also scattered in some of the photos I took throughout the day. Enjoy!
University of Melbourne Student Precinct | Lyons + NMBW Architecture Studio + Koning Eizenberg Architecture + Greenaway Architects + Architects EAT + Breathe Architecture + ASPECT Studios + GLAS Urban
Location: Parkville
Traditional Land Owners: Wurundjeri
This first project was presented by James Wilson from Lyons and Marika Neustupny from NMBW Architect Studio. I watched this project in a couple of categories (Public Architecture, Interior Architecture, and Melbourne Award) to see the difference in the presentation approach. I found that the general approach was pretty similar – both setting up context with broad ideas, then focusing on the areas that were relevant to that particular award category. It was nice to catch some extra details here and there but the main bulk of the presentation was consistent across the categories.
The Student Precinct was the result of the collaboration between 8 architecture and landscape studios: Lyons, Koning Eizenberg Architecture, NMBW Architecture Studio, Greenaway Architects, Architects EAT, Breathe Architecture, ASPECT Studios, and GLAS Urban. If you’re in the area, it’s accessible and definitely worth the visit. The precinct itself is made up of a total of 6 buildings (2 new + 4 updated), surrounding an outdoor amphitheatre created from the landscape which had been dug up and shifted.
Another big part of the project was its connection to the Indigenous land. James mentioned that there were extensive conversations and consultations with Jefa Greenaway from Greenaway Architects and the Indigenous community. This led to the idea of the ‘Water Story’, which brings connection to the Bouverie Creek which used to run under the university.
The ‘Water Story’ is represented in the paving and connects the Southern Grattan Street entrance all the way through to the northern end of the precinct. It was great to see how James was able to explain such a large project effectively within the 10 minutes, using the overarching ideas, like the vertical movement, Indigenous connection and student influence, to connect the project together and tell a story.
Science Gallery Melbourne | Smart Design Studio
Location: Parkville
Traditional Land Owners: Wurundjeri
William Smart from Smart Design Studio presented their project, Science Gallery Melbourne. Science Gallery Melbourne is part of a wider network of galleries located across the globe. I learnt some fascinating strategies that are used in the project that I hadn’t even noticed despite visiting the gallery multiple times. Generally, exhibition spaces can be quite wasteful because of the temporary nature of exhibitions, but the strategies implemented here help to reduce that.
One of these was the use of galvanised steel panels on the floor. The panels allow temporary structures and finishes to be fixed to the floor via magnets. It makes a lot of sense to reduce waste that’s caused by other methods of securing objects to the floor, especially in an exhibition context. As well as that, there are plaster panels that hang from the gridded ceiling and can come down in different arrangements to create partitions and drastically change the layout of the exhibition space. It’s really good to see when spaces like this are approached with a sustainability mindset. They’re features that might not be particularly eye-catching or noticeable, but I still find them exciting!
Nightingale Village | Hayball + Breathe Architecture + Architecture architecture + Austin Maynard Architects + Clare Cousins Architects + Kennedy Nolan Architects
Location: Brunswick
Traditional Land Owners: Wurundjeri
Another project that had many collaborators, Nightingale Village was presented by Patrick Kennedy from Kennedy Nolan Architects and Clare Cousins from Clare Cousins Architects. This project was made up of 6 buildings that came together to form the ‘village’. These were: ‘Nightingale Evergreen’ by Clare Cousins Architects, ‘Nightingale Leftfield’ by Kennedy Nolan Architects, ‘Nightingale CRT+YRD’ by Hayball, ‘Nightingale Skye House’ by Breathe Architecture, ‘Nightingale Parklife’ by Austin Maynard Architects, and ‘Urban Coup’ by Architecture architecture.
Each building follows the philosophy of Nightingale but has their own distinct personalities and is a reflection of each architecture studio. Nightingale projects have a primary focus on sustainable and community living. Nightingale’s a great example of not only building sustainably, e.g., reducing carbon footprints, embodied energy, inclusion of solar pv panels, etc.. We have been seeing this more and more often with newer buildings, but it takes it a step further in terms of pushing sustainable living.
It’s really good to see strategies that go beyond reducing the environmental impact of the construction (which is a good thing already), and implement strategies that the occupants play a role in. For example: reducing reliance on personal vehicles, shared laundry facilities and community gardens. That’s one aspect that makes these projects special; another side is about the community connection.
Clare made a memorable point that ‘architects can’t design communities — they can design a framework for the community to flourish’. I think that’s visible across all the Nightingale projects. They have outreach programs to connect the community together, and designed communal spaces that allow for residents to interact and build the community. Additionally, in the case of Nightingale Village, the proximity of the sites allows the in-between streets to be reclaimed and connect the buildings together.
With each Nightingale building, it’s clear to see that the framework that stemmed from the earlier projects, such as ‘The Commons’ and ‘Nightingale 1’, is successful and continues to set a precedent for future community living in Melbourne. On another note, ‘Nightingale Evergreen’ by Clare Cousins Architects is currently being exhibited at the ‘Melbourne Now’ Exhibition (Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Federation Square, Melbourne).
Bendigo Law Courts | Wardle
Location: Bendigo
Traditional Land Owners: Dja Dja Wurrung
I watched this project presented by Megan Darbyshire from Wardle. Megan was engaging with her storytelling, setting up the context for those unfamiliar with the law court typology. This made for an effective delivery when she presented what the Bendigo Law Courts do differently and the outcomes it achieves. The project was a departure from the conventional law courts typically found in Melbourne CBD. This approach was much more about bringing in natural light to create a calming, therapeutic atmosphere within the public areas as well as the courtrooms themselves.
I don’t normally think about law courts in architecture but when I do, they’re typically quite intimidating spaces that are blocked off from the outside world. The change in mentality in this design is a step forward in creating a more pleasant environment for not only those moving through the justice system, but also for all those who spend a lot of time working there.
Megan also mentioned that there are Indigenous flora motifs used across the levels to both bring a subtle pop of colour into the spaces as well as helping users navigate the floors with the colour-coded wayfinding system. That’s something for me to keep an eye out for if I visit the building; I appreciate this added storytelling layer embedded into the architecture.
Helvetia | Austin Maynard Architects
Location: Fitzroy
Traditional Land Owners: Wurundjeri
Andrew Maynard from Austin Maynard Architects presented their residential project, Helvetia, an alteration and extension of a late 1800s home. Normally, when it comes to heritage buildings, it’s regulated by the council. They determine what you can and can’t remove from a heritage structure based on factors like its heritage value, so it makes sense for the architect to save that’s required and remove the rest. I’m guilty of this myself, having done a uni studio project that had an existing structure which didn’t need to be kept. I ended up removing the entire structure and started afresh. The approach to this building was much more critical in the assessment of what could be retained from the structure rather than only following the requirements given by the council. Although it was more challenging, they actually saved a huge amount of embodied carbon through reusing the structure and materials.
I found Andrew’s analogy of ‘using a scalpel to remove the tumour in the building’ quite fitting, since the clients were doctors. Aside from the approach to heritage, I also thought the interior spaces were elegant and well thought out, especially the entryway that housed the main staircase. The staircase is not just a connection to the upper floor, but a centrepiece in itself with its in-built shelving and drawers. It reminds me of the approach taken in Japanese architecture, particularly in projects with limited space that result in storage solutions being built into the architecture. There’s also a great video explaining the design process in-depth with a walkthrough of the project on Austin Maynard Architects’ site if you want to find out more about the project.
Melbourne Holocaust Museum | Kerstin Thompson Architects
Location: Elsternwick
Traditional Land Owners: Bunurong
The Melbourne Holocaust Museum was presented by Clare Humphreys and Anne-Claire Deville from Kerstin Thompson Architects. This project was an extension to the pre-existing Jewish Holocaust Museum. The new facade wraps around the heritage section, preserving the importance of it. I have a lot of respect for projects like this. It’s so important here for architects to collaborate together with the community to ensure the building is sensitive to the history and context. Architecture plays a huge role in places like this, setting the tone and guiding occupants through spaces. It's through the quality of space and materiality that communicates whether it's a place of mourning, remembrance, or reflection. The brickwork in the facade allows natural light to filter into the interior — aptly put by Clare as ‘shedding light on history’. The use of light within the building makes up the tonal variations throughout the building. They also mentioned that reflections are used throughout to create moments of unease and surprise, when presented with a reflection of yourself or a stranger. I’m curious to visit this project to really get a sense of the atmosphere inside.
Melbourne Park | NH Architecture + ASPECT Studios + Snøhetta
Location: Melbourne
Traditional Land Owners: Wurundjeri
Hamish Lyon from NH Architecture and Matthew Mackay from ASPECT Studios presented the Melbourne Park project, a collaboration between NH Architecture, ASPECT Studios and Snøhetta. The project aimed to bring back Melbourne’s parkland into the precinct while maintaining the area’s ability to accommodate not only local residents using the area, but also to host large international events. Trying to accommodate vastly different scales of occupation is a challenge. For local residents, it would be important to create an inviting public space that isn’t so exposed. On the other hand, for huge crowds, the major concern is crowd control and making sure the area is safe.
Something they mentioned that I hadn’t even considered was this idea of having no deadends. In the context of a large-scale event, you can see that strategies like this try to reduce safety risks associated with crowds, such as crowd crushing, by making sure there’s always a constant flow of movement. It’s the passive systems that are built into the environment in addition to active crowd management that ensure these events run smoothly. It’s fascinating to learn about the planning that goes into logistics and back of house to create a seamless experience for people attending events. There are such critical design strategies implemented in this project that are unassuming, as it should be for event goers.
Mori House | MAArchitects + Aires Mateus
Location: Mount Martha
Traditional Land Owners: Wurundjeri
From MAArchitects, Sophie Davis presented Mori House, a project in collaboration with Manuel Aires Mateus and his team from Aires Mateus. The team at MAArchitects worked to bring the project into realisation, adapting the concept from Aires Mateus to suit Australian conditions. The project client wanted a home that was cosy for 2 but also comfortable for up to 10 people. This was achieved through a central living space with arms extending out in each direction to bring more habitable space into the building. The usual imposing nature of monolithic structures is not seen here, instead the concrete is a canvas for the occupants to make their own. The natural light plays a role in creating spaces that are intimate and inviting.
I recently watched a panel discussion that talked about the interior home space — how in reality, life is messy and the space should accommodate that. This is in stark contrast to the staged design and decor that we often see on Instagram. Although they look picture perfect, I personally don’t think it’s a realistic portrayal of a home. It feels more like a display house or holiday house. This project encapsulates both of those aspects — needing to feel like a home to the residents while keeping that appeal for transitory guests.
Sophie’s presentation was more about her role in the whole process, since this was in the EmAGN (Emerging Architects + Graduates Network) category. It was engaging to hear about her progression and challenges she faced. It puts into perspective how architecture is a constant learning journey. There’s so much to learn at every stage.
Elsternwick Place Precinct | Jackson Clements Burrows Architects
Location: Elsternwick
Traditional Land Owners: Bunurong
This project presented by Graham Burrows from Jackson Clements Burrows Architects is a multi-residential development in Elsternwick. What’s interesting to note about this project is that it was developed in 2 stages. Initially it was only planned to be the single building, but because the neighbouring site became available, the project was extended into it. However, there was a time gap of about 5 years between the stages, and during that time, the demand for larger apartments had increased. Because of this, Stage 1 consists of smaller 1-2 bedroom apartments, while Stage 2 features larger 2-3 bedroom apartments.
It’s not too common for buildings to be conceived in multiple spaced out stages like this, with the changing conditions altering the outcome of the building. It goes to show how dependent buildings are on the conditions they’re built in. The design itself is reflective of its surrounding context, with the form being determined by the site and surrounding restrictions such as height limits and overshadowing considerations. The materiality comes from the surrounding streetscape, and while the exteriors of the buildings differ considerably, the interiors tie the buildings together. The most intriguing thing I find in this project is its development process, how the constraints, challenges, and opportunities are embedded into the architecture.
Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership East Melbourne | DesignInc Melbourne
Location: East Melbourne
Traditional Land Owners: Wurundjeri
Jane Sayers and Stephen Webb from DesignInc Melbourne presented the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Learning East Melbourne, an alteration and extension on the existing heritage structure in the Treasury precinct. Their approach focused on celebrating the heritage structure and creating new ‘insertions’ within the interior. Additionally, the inclusion of the garden link connects the existing structures across the multiple levels. This vertical open space allows plenty of natural light into the building and creates an inward focus and opportunities for chance encounters.
Jane also talked about the conceptual link that ties the project together. Across the 3 levels, the idea of ‘past’, ‘present’ and ‘future’ is embodied (if you’re interested, you can read more about the project concept here). I think this ties the whole project nicely together. Often for my own projects, I find myself trying to find a concept that ties a project together. It usually is more of a poetic gesture than to be taken literally in some cases, but I think it helps to communicate architecture through storytelling devices. I recently listened to an episode of the “Theory of Architecture” podcast, which mentioned this very idea. To those outside of the profession, drawings and diagrams don’t convey architectural ideas as well as within the profession. It’s through storytelling that ideas can be conveyed more easily. I’ve been studying architecture for so long, I forgot that understanding diagrams and drawings was a skill I needed to develop over time!
I hope you enjoyed learning about these projects as much as I did and that this provided some insight into the wide variety of projects at the presentations. These were just a small selection of all the presentations I went to, and even then, I had to be selective since I couldn’t see everything. I’d highly encourage you to come and watch the Presentation to Juries next time if you’re interested in architecture!
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