Australian architecture firms HDR Rice Daubney, CHROFI, Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp and Ian Moore Architects have taken out category prizes at the 2014 World Architecture Festival in Singapore, the largest global celebration of architecture.

FJMT’s Liberty Place (above) project in Sydney took the ‘Completed Building – Office’ award from a strong shortlist of 17 finalists, which also included projects from Australia’s Woods Bagot and Lyons architects.

The jury commended the project, saying “they have sensitively achieved the creation of a public space in a very urban context through placing and manipulating multiple building interventions.”

“Collectively, it is an articulate assemblage of elements (ground plane, street walls, tower elements and landscape).

“The architectural forms create a dynamic public space and reinvigorate a previously run down mid-city area.”

Ian Moore Architect’s ‘The Olive Grove’ (above) house in the Hunter Valley was the recipient of the ‘Future Projects – House’ award and was commended for its dramatic response to its surrounding environment.

Ian Moore Architects was awarded the prize ahead of the eight category finalists — which included Australia’s Allen Jack+Cottier Architects and Fox Johnston-NettletonTribe — for their creative and respectful response to the site’s topography, and the house’s simple form.

“We commend the way the house is sent against the sloping site, and we applaud the house’s dramatic presence in its environment. We also liked the simplicity in its form and its sustainable features,” the jury commended.

HDR Rice Daubney’s $260 million Chris O’Brien Lifehouse in Sydney received the ‘Completed Buildings - Health’ award at the festival and overcame competition from a shortlist of four entries.

The centre combines all facets of clinical care; surgery, medical and radiation oncology, research, integrative medicine and support services for patients, their families and carers. The jury were impressed with the encompassing design.

“This building redefines cancer treatment by focusing on the patient experience. It combines architecture and art with medical science, logistics, technical equipment and complex building technology focused on patient care,” they said.

“The facility aims to redefine the cancer patient experience and become a centre of excellence. This vision is about many things – a genuine patient focused facility, broad based holistic treatment in a world-class clinical environment with integrated research programmes.”

CHROFI takes home the ‘Completed Buildings – Production, Energy and Recycling’ prize from the festival, awarded ahead of eight shortlisted entries for their Lune de Sang Sheds project.

The Sheds are a unique inter-generational venture that will see a former dairying property in northern New South Wales transform into a sustainably harvested forest.

“The vision is exceptional in that rather than planting a fast growing crop, various hardwoods of the region have been chosen to establish a rainforest landscape that will take generations to mature,” reads a statement from the festival.

“The hardwoods will be tended to maturity and then selectively harvested, the long lifespan of the trees meaning a wait of between 50 and 300 years before the various species fully mature.”

The jury commended the project, expressing appreciation for the elegance and poetry present in the craft that managed to transform simple sheds into extraordinary architecture that form a sensitive engagement with the landscape. Its multi-generational design horizon distilled into timeless forms and durable materials is also what made it outstanding.

Images: John Gollings, Ian Moore Architects, supplied and Brett Boardman.

Nathan Johnson

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