A project by architect Virginia Kerridge named ‘House’ in country New South Wales was named the Australian House of the Year in the 2011 Houses Awards.
House in Country New South Wales was chosen by a jury of eminent architects and designers including Brian Zulaikha (Tonkin Zulaikha Greer), Camilla Block (Durbach Block Jaggers), Paul Owen (Owen and Vokes) and Kerry Phelan (Kerry Phelan Design Office).
Judges said: ”House in Country New South Wales’ demonstrates a complete commitment from an architect and client to creating a distinctively Australian residential architecture.
"A.contemporary architectural interpretation of the Australian colonial idyll, Kerridge has intuitively embraced the legacy of history, creating an elegant yet beguiling utilitarian house that truly captures the spirit of the place. Its beauty is undeniable.
“Set.against the towering mountain ranges that define the valley site, the architectural expression of this sprawling farmhouse is simultaneously fragile and monumental.” Jury members particularly noted the project’s roof form.
“Scaled to the landscape and designed to heighten our experience of its mass and drama, this folded-plane skillion floats across, gathers together and nestles up, creating rooms, connections and spaces with engagingly ambiguous levels of enclosure and function,” read the comments.
“The relaxed atmosphere of the country verandah is referenced through planning, materiality and effortless occupation.”
Presented by Houses Magazine, the awards aim to provide insight into contemporary residential design and the contribution Australian architects and designers.
Other category winners were:
APARTMENT, UNIT OR TOWNHOUSE
WINNER: Anthony Gill Architects, Potts Point Apartment, NSW (pictured)
ALTERATION & ADDITION OVER 200 SQUARE METRES
JOINT WINNER: Virginia Kerridge Architect, House in Country NSW, NSW
JOINT WINNER: James Jones/HBV Architects, Trial Bay House, TAS
ALTERATION & ADDITION UNDER 200 SQUARE METRES
WINNER: Richard Peters Associates, The Shed, NSW (pictured)
NEW HOUSE OVER 200 SQUARE METRES
WINNER: Donovan Hill, Z House, QLD
NEW HOUSE UNDER 200 SQUARE METRES
WINNER: Tribe Studio, House Shmukler, NSW
OUTDOOR
WINNER: Terragram and Allen Jack+Cottier, Garden of Ghosts, NSW
SUSTAINABILITY
WINNER: Tribe Studio, House Shmukler, NSW
