Tonsley Main Assembly Building and Pods in Adelaide continues to impress the architecture community with its comprehensive green building initiatives, taking out the coveted David Oppenheim Award for Sustainable Architecture at the 2016 National Architecture Awards.

Woods Bagot and Tridente Architects were the joint architects on the project and received the honour at the 2016 National Architecture Awards ceremony held in Sydney on 3 November.

The architects beat an impressive field of sustainable projects including the University of Queensland Oral Health Centre by Cox Rayner with Conrad Gargett Riddel and Hames Sharley as well as the Northern Beaches Christian School (NSW) by WMK Architecture, which both received National Architecture Awards.

View the full list of winning projects from the 2016 National Architecture Awards here.

Read the full jury citation for Tonsley Main Assembly Building and Pods by Woods Bagot and Tridente Architects and see the other awarded projects in the Sustainable Architecture category below:

The David Oppenheim Award for Sustainable Architecture—Tonsley Main Assembly Building and Pods (SA) by Woods Bagot and Tridente Architects

Photography by Sam Noonan

Jury citation: Ten kilometres south of Adelaide’s CBD, Tonsley Main Assembly Building (MAB) and Pods demonstrates an exemplary commitment to sustainability outcomes and is the result of careful planning, an extensive consultative process and a dedicated client. Tonsley is the first Australian urban renewal project to be granted a six-star Green Star Communities certification award and its defining move – to retain its existing structure rather than demolish – is to be commended.

The adaptation and re-use of the eight-hectare structure, formerly housing the Mitsubishi car manufacturing plant, acknowledge the importance of its cultural heritage, reimagined in a new urban context. They also equate to significant environmental savings normally associated with the costs of removal. Within the umbrella of the existing roof is a series of adaptable pods, meeting spaces and parks, with flexibility of use built into the design. The site’s story is ongoing and will be a work in progress for some time to come.

Sustainability principles are at the core of the development, including clean technologies, sustainable energy, sensitive water design, passive ventilation and natural lighting. Interconnected paths for cycling and walking and access to public transport are also well considered. By acknowledging the social history of the site while celebrating South Australia’s role in automotive manufacturing, MAB is a model for mixed-use developments and can act as a framework for other projects to recognise the opportunities that lie in industrial heritage.

OTHER AWARDS

National Award for Sustainable Architecture—Northern Beaches Christian School (NSW) by WMK Architecture

Photography by Brett Boardman

National Award for Sustainable Architecture—University of Queensland Oral Health Centre (QLD) by Cox Rayner Architects with Hames Sharley and Conrad Gargett Riddel

Photography by Christopher Frederick Jones

National Commendation for Sustainable Architecture—Project Zero (QLD) by BVN

Photography by Christopher Frederick Jones

Architecture & Design Team

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