Winter - Australian Institute of Architects

Architecture AwardWomen’s Health and Family Services227 Newcastle Street, NorthbridgeArchitecture PracticeCODABuilderFirm ConstructionPhotographerRobert FrithJury CommentsCoda has expertly merged a complex array of social and medical operationson a site inscribed by time and memory. The existing conditions of the sitepresented significant obstacles to a brief that required the unification ofseveral separate agencies and groups – Coda has managed to distil a seriesof delightful spaces by giving form to the coalescence of people and space.New interventions ascribe new meaning to the existing buildings onsite, with variance of gentle interaction and compelling reformation.Simultaneously robust and delicate, the project navigates a palimpsestof material, colour and light, establishing a unique project that lives andbreathes people, place and time.Architecture AwardSouthern Seawater Desalination PlantLot 32 Taranto Road, BinningupArchitecture PracticeParry & Rosenthal ArchitectsBuilderSouthern Seawater AlliancePhotographerRobert Frith & Corey LittlefairJury CommentsThis project demonstrates the synergy between engineering andarchitecture, and how the two disciplines marry together perfectly.The site was once a quarry, which has now been transformed into a trulyworld class desalination plant.This project showcases the best of both worlds, from meeting thestringent environmental requirements of the site, overcoming thestrong environmental concerns of the local community and meeting theperformance objectives from various Government Departments.All of this had to fit within the engineering challenges of an industrialdesalination plant.The architectural merit of this plant is meeting all of the objectives perfectly.49THE ARCHITECT 2012 ISSUE 002