Pub: Sydney Morning Herald

Pubdate: 27-Jun-2002

Edition: Late

Section: News And Features

Subsection:

Page: 4

Wordcount: 286

And the award goes to … anyone who can explain the architectural awards process

COMMENT

Elizabeth Farrelly

Awards, to paraphrase Peter Carey, only matter to those who get them.

Quite right, and arguably they shouldn’t even matter that much, in view of the evident capriciousness of the exercise.

In architecture especially, perhaps, everything turns on the dynamics and predilections of the jurors: their tastes, values, backgrounds, even politics.

It is an exercise made only more confusing by the intricate array of categories. What, for instance, defines a public building? Why is the Sydney Conservatorium a Public and Commercial building when Woollahra Council building at least as public in terms of funding and access, and on no more historic a site sits, and wins, in the lesser pools of both Conservation and Environment?

One effect of this curious arrangement is that perfectly modest B-list architecture gets forwarded to the next-round National Awards circus, while major works like the Con, granted no more than a commendation at state level, drop in the ditch.

This year’s public basket held two major buildings: the NIDA building, by Hassell architects, and the Con, by Daryl Jackson Robyn Dyke architects.

Both were handsome, intelligent, memorable, and spatially imaginative, despite the Con’s vastly greater degree of difficulty. But somehow, for reasons not explained by its declared search for social ease and lifting of the spirit, the jury deemed NIDA’s intelligent resolve Sulman-worthy, and dismissed the Con as one of Sydney’s finest entry rooms. Faint praise indeed.

But the Con should feel consoled by its shortlisting in the UK-based World Architecture Awards, along with Norman Foster’s British Museum additions and Rem Koolhaas’ Las Vegas Guggenheim. Not bad for an entry room.

The winners

PUBLIC & COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS SULMAN AWARD

NIDA: Hassell; Peter Armstrong Architecture

ARCHITECTURE AWARD

Sydney Conservatorium of Music & Conservatorium High School: Daryl Jackson Robin Dyke Pty Ltd & NSW Government Architect. Heritage Architect: Tanner & Associates

COMMENDATION

Shear Outback Australian Shearers Hall of Fame: Paul Berkemeier Architect Pty Ltd

COMMENDATION

Pier 8/9 Walsh Bay: Bates Smart

RESIDENTIAL: SINGLE &MULTIPLE HOUSING

WILKINSON AWARD

No award

ARCHITECTURE AWARD

House for Art Collectors: Marsh Cashman Architects

COMMENDATION

The Water House: Dale Jones-Evans Architects Pty Ltd

COMMENDATION

Kangaloon: Allen Jack & Cottier Architects Pty Ltd

COMMENDATION

Overcliffe: Clinton Murray Architects Pty Ltd

COMMENDATION

Box House: Nicholas Murcutt Architect

CONSERVATION

GREENWAY AWARD

Palm Beach House Craigee Lee: Dawson Brown Architecture

ARCHITECTURE AWARD

Redleaf, Woollahra Council Chambers: Allen Jack & Cottier

ARCHITECTURE AWARD

Dawes Point Park: Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority (SHFA) with Government Architects Office; Department of Public Works & Services

ARCHITECTURE AWARD

Woodford Academy: Design 5 Architects

LLOYD REES AWARD

Dawes Point Park: SHFA, Government Architects Office; Department of Public Works & Services

INTERIOR

ARCHITECTURE AWARD

Campus MLC, North Sydney: Bligh Voller Nield Pty Ltd

ARCHITECTURE AWARD

Schaeffer Fine Arts Library: Allen Jack & Cottier Architects Pty Ltd

ENVIRONMENT

ARCHITECTURE AWARD

Interactive Learning Centre, Charles Sturt University, Dubbo Campus: Office of Design (Charles Sturt Univ); CN Walton & Associates

Redleaf Woollahra Council Chambers: Allen Jack & Cottier Architects Pty Ltd

BLACKET AWARD

Wilcannia Health Service: Government Architect’s Office

Merrima Aboriginal Design Unit

COLORBOND STEEL AWARD

Australian Shearers Hall of Fame

Paul Berkemeier Architect Pty Ltd

SPECIAL JURY AWARD: Tom Uren

PRESIDENT’S AWARD:Che Wall

PREMIER’S AWARD: Newington Apartments, Homebush:Marion Mahony GRIFFIN AWARD

Elizabeth Farrelly