Winter - Australian Institute of Architects

Public ArchitectureSponsored by Mondoluce34THE ARCHITECT 2012 ISSUE 002Jeffrey Howlett Award for Public ArchitectureAugusta Margaret River Shire Civic and Administration Centre41 Wallcliffe Road, Margaret RiverArchitecture PracticeBollig Design GroupBuilderCimeco Pty LtdPhotographerMichael ConroyJury CommentsThe Augusta-Margaret River Shire Civic & Administration is a work ofarchitecture which speaks clearly and confidently of its regional location andfulfils the client brief to be an example of “the Margaret River Brand”. TheShire sought a built statement of quality, innovation, sustainability and to beuniquely of the south-west, reflecting that brand.The building makes a bold and modern civic gesture with its form, materials,quality and use of colour, yet when analysed, it is still a building whichessentially is of a rural origin, with an inherent sense of modesty, communityand deliberate purpose and delivered within a tight budget.The Jury was impressed by the Architect’s handling of a complex brief withan elegantly simple planning resolution whilst optimising the multiplefunctions inherent in a civic administration facility. The external form isengaging from all sides and describes the building’s functions. The civicspaces are welcoming, way finding is obvious and use of space is optimisedwith a multi-functional approach. The interior design theme is unifying andreferences the local environment, the informality of a laid-back lifestyle andis a nod to the surfing culture. The office areas are energising, light-filledopen planned studios complete with centralised retreat pods – a workplaceretention lesson to local government at large.The informality of the colourful interior palette, the extensive integration oflocal materials, the use of quality local trades and the overall high order offinishes as well as locally referenced public art all reinforce the distinctivesouth-west regional character of the complex.The horrific Margaret River fire in November 2011 put the facility to theultimate test as an emergency co-ordination hub whilst the external civicspaces offered sanctuary for an anxious community.The Architectural team and the builder should be congratulated formaintaining the purity of design intent throughout with a very high qualityof finish that certainly makes this project a design benchmark for theSouth-West.It is a building which will be distinctive of its time, with a sense of optimismand confidence for the region, its quality and functionality will continue toserve the South-West community very well for several generations.Architecture AwardTrades North at ClarksonHarmony Avenue, ClarksonArchitecture PracticeJCY Architects and Urban DesignersBuilderPindan Pty LtdPhotographerDamien HattonJury ComentsThe Jury was immediately drawn to this project, intrigued by the dynamicroof forms, the strong image created by the repetitive multi-coloured façadepanels and the sophisticated integrated public art sculptures which echoedthe built form.The experience of the building itself confirmed that this was a highlycompetent design exercise which had extended the trades training brief tobe a literal demonstration of material detailing and construction technology.The linear planning resolution and inter-connected training spaces cleverlyoptimised enclosed areas while making an event out of merely circulatingthrough the complex. The native landscape treatment was not evidentin post completion photography but is now taking shape and offers aharmonious setting for the building.The overall result is a sophisticated trade training model which is anexemplar to both Government and Industry. It is quite foreseeable thatit could be replicated on either a smaller or larger scale without loss of itscontextually appropriate functionality, design intent or motivating image.Trades North at Clarkson is an important work of design for the trainingsector.