Johnson Pilton Walker has won the most prestigious prize in the Australian Institute of Architects’ 2011 ACT Architecture Awards for its work on the Australian War Memorial.

The War Memorial project dominated the regional event, its five awards coming close to being a clean-sweep.

For its recent work on the Memorial, architecture practice Johnson Pilton Walker received:

  • The Canberra Medallion, the most prestigious architecture prize in the ACT;
  • The Romaldo Giurgola Award for Public Architecture;
  • The John Overall Award for Urban Design;
  • The W.Hayward Morris Award for Interior Architecture; and
  • An Inlite Light in Architecture Prize.

Redevelopment by Johnson Pilton Walker. Photography: Brett Boardman

Speaking on behalf of the ACT awards Jury, Chair Shelley Penn said: “The Australian War Memorial Eastern Precinct is an outstanding recipient of the Canberra Medallion. It demonstrates architectural mastery and excellence at every level, and represents the culmination of the precinct master plan and many years of attentive work by Johnson Pilton Walker.

“It is important as an historic and symbolic place in the development of our nation and its culture, and the design is an enduring contribution to a precinct which embodies our respect for the spirit and attitude of the servicemen and women who made the supreme sacrifice.”

“The café, forecourt and National Service Memorial Courtyard are sensitive in architectural conception, powerful in composition, delicate and precise in construction, refined and exquisite in their simplicity, and delightfully integrated into the immediate and greater landscape.”

In total, 33 awards, commendations and prizes were presented from a record number of entrants.

Penn said the jury “was impressed by the consistent strength of architectural design and its execution.”

An ‘audacious and delightful addition to an ex-guvvie’ house’ in Canberra — the Slater White House by Philip Leeson Architects — was awarded the Named Award for Residential Architecture, and the Colorbond Award for Steel Architecture, with the jury describing the house as ‘rich and playful’, adding it ‘enlivens the street and provides a warm and distinctive home’.

The Lagos House by Collins Caddaye Architects also received a Residential Architecture Award, with Multiple-Housing Awards presented to the HMAS Creswell Griffith House by BVN Architecture at the Royal Naval College and the Kingsgate - Ten Houses O’Malley by Colin Stewart Architects.

The Art in Architecture Award was presented to NewActon South Tower Art Program by Fender Katsalidis Architects in association with Pamille Berg Consulting, Oculus and PBS Building. Artists - Heather B.Swann, Ochre Lawson, Dan Maginnity, Al Stark, Michael Porter and Gregos Psychoyos.

The jury said: “An exemplary procurement and management process by Pamille Berg and painstaking integration with the work of architects Fender Katsalidis has resulted in a collection of excellent works by highly credible established, emerging and street artists ... It far surpasses the superficial overlay of mediocre or poorly integrated artworks that so often occurs when art is regarded as a mere ‘requirement’.

"This Program shows how a genuine, intelligent and rigourous approach can add enormous value to the public realm, to a thriving and dynamic art culture and to the private benefits of those who enjoy them on a daily basis.”

Projects that appear as first polar opposites in scale and building type - the University of Canberra Microsimulation Centre (NATWSEM) by Daryl Jackson Alastair Swayn and the Franklin House by Jigsaw Housing — received Sustainable Architecture Awards.

The jury said: “ As the first educational project to achieve a 5 Star Green Star in the ACT, the NATWSEM design is recognised for its commitment to sustainability and its array of environmental features and initiatives, combining technology with the fundamental principles of good passive design.”

Of the Franklin House, they said: “This prototypical display home is innovative, entrepreneurial and inspiring in its quest to provide first time buyers with an alternative to the standard market offering in speculative housing.”

The 2011 Award for Enduring Architecture was presented to the Red Hill Primary School by the Department of Works in 1960.

The jury said: “The school is well loved and well used. The jury was struck by the sense of vibrancy apparent during a late morning school-day visit. With two additional buildings added in the past 50 years to allow for the large school population of 700 students, and some minor cosmetic and mechanical changes made to the original buildings, the spaces continue to serve their original purpose.”

Other Architecture Award winners were:

  • Urban Design Award — the Humanities and Science Campus Place by Lahznimmo Architects and Spackman Mossop Michaels Landscape Architects
  • Public Architecture Award — Bonython Community Hall by Collins Caddaye Architects
  • Public Architecture Award — Holy Trinity Early Learning Centre by Collins Caddaye Architects
  • Education Prize — St Thomas the Apostle Primary School Kambah — Paul Barnet Design Group
  • Public Architecture Award — University of Canberra Microsimulation Centre (NATSEM) by Daryl Jackson Alastair Swayn
  • Archicentre Mervyn Willoughby-Thomas Renovation Award — Earle Street House by Jigsaw Housing