Winners Announced in Victoria's Building Design Awards
Sleek and clever, yet warm and welcoming, these winning projects have done Victoria proud
Joanna Tovia
3 August 2016
Houzz editorial team. Photojournalist specialising in design, travel and living well. Follow her photodocumentary about pets and the people who love them on Instagram @unfoldingtails
Houzz editorial team. Photojournalist specialising in design, travel and living well.... More
Celebrating creativity and excellence across a range of categories, the projects chosen by Building Designers Association of Victoria (BDAV) to win the coveted Building Design Awards are definite state standouts. “Year after year, we see our building design community continue to push boundaries, particularly in the areas of sustainability, use of natural materials and uniquely crafted spaces,” BDAV President Alastair McDonald said.
Take a look at the winning projects in the Residential Design categories – a selection of them will now be shortlisted for the National Building Design Awards to be held later in the year.
Take a look at the winning projects in the Residential Design categories – a selection of them will now be shortlisted for the National Building Design Awards to be held later in the year.
Cathedralette
Winner: New Houses up to $300K
Designer: EME Design
Location: Brunswick, Victoria
Photos: Luke Middleton
Judges’ notes: “This budget make-over of a small cottage for an empty nester completely transforms this inner suburban home into a light-filled and airy modern home. Utilising a robust yet simple palette of finishes with a brave approach to maximising tight spaces, this design achieves a ‘cathedral-like’ openness within a very small footprint.”
Winner: New Houses up to $300K
Designer: EME Design
Location: Brunswick, Victoria
Photos: Luke Middleton
Judges’ notes: “This budget make-over of a small cottage for an empty nester completely transforms this inner suburban home into a light-filled and airy modern home. Utilising a robust yet simple palette of finishes with a brave approach to maximising tight spaces, this design achieves a ‘cathedral-like’ openness within a very small footprint.”
“The combination of no-nonsense lime-washed wall and ceiling claddings anchored by the softer and tactile featured archway results in a warm and welcoming, and somewhat whimsical, interior. The home reflects the client’s passion for sustainability, love of nature and Australian materials. It is a brave little building.”
Culvert House Trentham
Winner: New Houses $300K-500K
Designer: Maxa Design
Location: Trentham, Victoria
Photos: Chris Neylon
Judges’ notes: “The Culvert House Trentham is a fresh approach to a country house utilising iconic built forms. Sited to maximise the outlook and winter solar access, the home demonstrates the essence of passive solar design principles. Simple gable forms and the rectilinear plan facilitated an economical build.”
Winner: New Houses $300K-500K
Designer: Maxa Design
Location: Trentham, Victoria
Photos: Chris Neylon
Judges’ notes: “The Culvert House Trentham is a fresh approach to a country house utilising iconic built forms. Sited to maximise the outlook and winter solar access, the home demonstrates the essence of passive solar design principles. Simple gable forms and the rectilinear plan facilitated an economical build.”
“Externally expressed with elegant and sustainable material selections, the use of spotted gum vertical cladding references the adjacent mature gum trees. This very liveable country home demonstrates an elegant and simple execution of the clients’ requirements, providing them with a beautiful, self-sufficient home on a limited budget.”
Kangaroo Ground Pavilion
People’s Choice Award; Commendation: New Houses $300K-500K
Designer: S L Building Designs
Location: Kangaroo Ground, Victoria
Photos: Urban Angles and Impress Photography
Judges’ notes: “The Kangaroo Ground Pavilion is a simple, well-resolved building that sits comfortably on the landscape and achieves spectacular 360-degree views of the Dandenongs and surrounding hills of Kangaroo Ground.”
People’s Choice Award; Commendation: New Houses $300K-500K
Designer: S L Building Designs
Location: Kangaroo Ground, Victoria
Photos: Urban Angles and Impress Photography
Judges’ notes: “The Kangaroo Ground Pavilion is a simple, well-resolved building that sits comfortably on the landscape and achieves spectacular 360-degree views of the Dandenongs and surrounding hills of Kangaroo Ground.”
“The design, centred on the theory of ‘less is more’, pares back the built form to provide minimal intrusion on the landscape. This is achieved by using a simple palette of materials and colours, and low roof forms. The result is a contemporary home that offers many sustainable features.”
Taking it to the Bank
Winner: New Houses $500K-$1M; Residential Interior Design
Designer: JFK Design
Location: Brighton, Victoria
Photos: We Shoot Buildings and Tom Roe Photography
Judges’ notes: “This striking, modern and stylish new home is an extension, atop the rear component of an original heritage building, formerly a bank. The transition from old to new has been expertly executed. Materiality is the key to the project’s success.
“The exterior palette of smooth concrete, zinc, original red brick and galvanised steel columns contrasts with the warm timber tones within. Every aspect from entry path, steps, front door, internal stairs, lighting, kitchen, bathrooms and detailed joinery is fully resolved and harmonious.”
Winner: New Houses $500K-$1M; Residential Interior Design
Designer: JFK Design
Location: Brighton, Victoria
Photos: We Shoot Buildings and Tom Roe Photography
Judges’ notes: “This striking, modern and stylish new home is an extension, atop the rear component of an original heritage building, formerly a bank. The transition from old to new has been expertly executed. Materiality is the key to the project’s success.
“The exterior palette of smooth concrete, zinc, original red brick and galvanised steel columns contrasts with the warm timber tones within. Every aspect from entry path, steps, front door, internal stairs, lighting, kitchen, bathrooms and detailed joinery is fully resolved and harmonious.”
“The ironbark wood applied to floors, walls and cabinetry throughout is warm and textured, making this a comfortable home. The artful use of glass in both slump and blown forms allows light to bathe these interiors, while defining the spaces. A truly innovative incorporation of indoor spaces that have been considered in both detail and material make this residential interior a worthy winner.”
Sorrento House 1
Winner: New Houses Over $1M; Most Innovative Kitchen Design
Designer: Vibe Design Group
Location: Sorrento, Victoria
Photos: Vibe Design
Judges’ notes: “The asymmetric, angular lines of this modern beach house is a spacious synthesis of timber, concrete and steel used sensitively and assertively defined by the black window detailing. This is a well-resolved design that permeates right through to the interior design and decoration. The house demonstrates that modesty and luxury can be reconciled through good design.”
Winner: New Houses Over $1M; Most Innovative Kitchen Design
Designer: Vibe Design Group
Location: Sorrento, Victoria
Photos: Vibe Design
Judges’ notes: “The asymmetric, angular lines of this modern beach house is a spacious synthesis of timber, concrete and steel used sensitively and assertively defined by the black window detailing. This is a well-resolved design that permeates right through to the interior design and decoration. The house demonstrates that modesty and luxury can be reconciled through good design.”
“The sleek, monolithic kitchen has a restrained palette of relaxed materials and strong rectangular forms. The bold black tapware, wine rack and window frame give definition to the working wall, where the white cupboards almost float from the concrete wall.
“Its design is simple yet bold, with a sleek rectangular block of timber cabinetry supporting a substantial concrete benchtop and waterfall end.”
“Its design is simple yet bold, with a sleek rectangular block of timber cabinetry supporting a substantial concrete benchtop and waterfall end.”
Cumquat Tree House
Commendation: Most Innovative Kitchen Design
Designer: Megowan Architectural
Location: Caulfield, Victoria
Photos: Nils Koenning
Judges’ notes: “The kitchen of Cumquat Tree House is the true heart of this home, strategically and centrally located with the dining area and balanced between the outdoor garden cinema and the indoor living room. It anchors and adds balance into this house plan.”
Commendation: Most Innovative Kitchen Design
Designer: Megowan Architectural
Location: Caulfield, Victoria
Photos: Nils Koenning
Judges’ notes: “The kitchen of Cumquat Tree House is the true heart of this home, strategically and centrally located with the dining area and balanced between the outdoor garden cinema and the indoor living room. It anchors and adds balance into this house plan.”
“The kitchen design is enhanced by generous benchtops for preparation, and walkways for easy circulation. Impressive features include concrete benchtops, a retractable splashback, walk-in pantry, and abundant storage. Black, white and soft concrete colours on a timber floor deliver a contemporary look that sits comfortably in this Deco home.”
Palm Court
Winner: Most Innovative Bathroom Design
Designer: Wilson iD
Location: East St Kilda, Victoria
Photos: Gary Gross Photography
Judges’ notes: “The strength of this compact bathroom design stems from a strong visual focus on the bath boxed in glass. Gloss black tiles anchor the hob and surrounding windows, making it feel as if one is bathing in the garden. Black zinc cladding and window frames boldly define the brightly coloured glass, providing quality visual detail that further enhances this bathroom design.”
Winner: Most Innovative Bathroom Design
Designer: Wilson iD
Location: East St Kilda, Victoria
Photos: Gary Gross Photography
Judges’ notes: “The strength of this compact bathroom design stems from a strong visual focus on the bath boxed in glass. Gloss black tiles anchor the hob and surrounding windows, making it feel as if one is bathing in the garden. Black zinc cladding and window frames boldly define the brightly coloured glass, providing quality visual detail that further enhances this bathroom design.”
“The drama is softened by wood wall panelling, garden views and natural light. The cabinetry design and mirror float and – along with the generous use of glass – both create a sense of spaciousness. This 1940s residence has been enhanced with this innovative bathroom design.”
The Burke Road Sun Room
Winner: Alterations & Additions up to $200K
Designer: Ardent Architects
Location: Camberwell, Victoria
Photos: Pam Morris, Spectral Modes
Judges’ notes: “Rigorous adherence to design principles aligned with the existing period and features of this home, combined with impeccable craftsmanship, has resulted in a seamless extension to the rear of this grand period building. The extension combines all the charm of the original period and at the same time is infused with a quality of light and liveability that is more in keeping with current expectations for modern living.”
Winner: Alterations & Additions up to $200K
Designer: Ardent Architects
Location: Camberwell, Victoria
Photos: Pam Morris, Spectral Modes
Judges’ notes: “Rigorous adherence to design principles aligned with the existing period and features of this home, combined with impeccable craftsmanship, has resulted in a seamless extension to the rear of this grand period building. The extension combines all the charm of the original period and at the same time is infused with a quality of light and liveability that is more in keeping with current expectations for modern living.”
“The judges were impressed with the apparent effort and subsequent success in fusing this new living area with the existing building and its surrounds, which presents as though it was always part of the house.”
Agnes 4
Winner: Alterations & Additions $200K-$500K
Designer: Dig Design
Location: Yarraville, Victoria
Photos: Rachel Lewis Photography
Judges’ notes: “The client brief called for a light-filled contemporary Australian home with the essence of Japan. Starting with a dilapidated, dark and spatially deprived cottage on a tight block, this design response excels by providing well-proportioned light-filled spaces with an apparent ease of connectedness with the outdoor environment.”
Winner: Alterations & Additions $200K-$500K
Designer: Dig Design
Location: Yarraville, Victoria
Photos: Rachel Lewis Photography
Judges’ notes: “The client brief called for a light-filled contemporary Australian home with the essence of Japan. Starting with a dilapidated, dark and spatially deprived cottage on a tight block, this design response excels by providing well-proportioned light-filled spaces with an apparent ease of connectedness with the outdoor environment.”
“The highly resolved and controlled space planning combined with a warm yet varied palette of finishes results in a project that demonstrates the benefits of a vigorous and well considered design response to a set of complex design constraints. This project demonstrates the essence of a well-crafted make-over!”
Waltham Jewel
Commendation: Alterations & Additions over $500K
Designer: Melbourne Design Studios
Location: Richmond, Victoria
Photos: Peter Clarke Photography
Judges’ notes: “The Waltham Jewel has transformed a totally derelict heritage dwelling into a beautiful contemporary new home. The design transformation retains the original heritage grace and blends it with modern design features. A well-balanced and highly considered palette of finishes and fixtures, combined with attention to detail, has delivered a cohesive finished product.”
Commendation: Alterations & Additions over $500K
Designer: Melbourne Design Studios
Location: Richmond, Victoria
Photos: Peter Clarke Photography
Judges’ notes: “The Waltham Jewel has transformed a totally derelict heritage dwelling into a beautiful contemporary new home. The design transformation retains the original heritage grace and blends it with modern design features. A well-balanced and highly considered palette of finishes and fixtures, combined with attention to detail, has delivered a cohesive finished product.”
“The design outcome achieves a beautifully crafted, well-lit, spacious, modern and grand home with just a touch of ‘bling’. This project demonstrates a totally considered approach to a complex and extensive restoration.”
Bishop House
Commendation: Alterations & Additions $200K-$500K
Designer: Maxa Design
Location: Mitcham, Victoria
Photos: Rachel Lewis Photography
Judges’ notes: “Staying within the confines of the existing single-storey home, this extension manages to transform a tired brick veneer. Combining improved thermal performance, a freeing up of spatial planning, and providing views to both the natural environment and city views from the first-floor extension, the original house is almost unrecognisable.”
Commendation: Alterations & Additions $200K-$500K
Designer: Maxa Design
Location: Mitcham, Victoria
Photos: Rachel Lewis Photography
Judges’ notes: “Staying within the confines of the existing single-storey home, this extension manages to transform a tired brick veneer. Combining improved thermal performance, a freeing up of spatial planning, and providing views to both the natural environment and city views from the first-floor extension, the original house is almost unrecognisable.”
“The design outcome achieves a light-filled contemporary modern home whilst retaining many elements of the original. This beautifully articulated building nestles comfortably within the original garden setting, resulting in a totally transformed and reinvigorated family home that has revived the clients’ love for their home.”
Upsidedown House
Winner: Residential Design: Best Small Lot Design
Designer: placeformspace
Location: Northcote, Victoria
Photos: Simon Black, The Black Arts Photography
Judges’ notes: “This small back laneway site has been given a new lease of life with the addition of this little gem. Working with a small site of 225sqm – and all the design constraints that are inherent with a site of this size – the resulting design outcome for this house is a remarkable achievement.”
Winner: Residential Design: Best Small Lot Design
Designer: placeformspace
Location: Northcote, Victoria
Photos: Simon Black, The Black Arts Photography
Judges’ notes: “This small back laneway site has been given a new lease of life with the addition of this little gem. Working with a small site of 225sqm – and all the design constraints that are inherent with a site of this size – the resulting design outcome for this house is a remarkable achievement.”
“Planning of the bedroom zones on the ground floor has allowed the inhabitants to gaze out from the living zones across a generous pergola-covered deck and beyond to the surrounding area through expansive north-facing glazing. Like any good design outcome, good planning and clever design has turned design constraints into design potential, resulting in an award-winning project.”
Canterbury Project
Winner: Alterations & Additions over $500K
Designer: Roy Hodgson Design
Location: Canterbury, Victoria
Photos: Prue McMillan, Arc Studio Ink
Judges’ notes: “This design is a successful merger of old and new, respecting and enhancing the heritage attributes of a classic interwar residence. It has breathed new life into the many retained original features and integrated them with an elegant and light-filled extension. Taking full advantage of the northerly aspect available, the addition provides effective indoor-outdoor connectivity by utilising a level change, which also denotes an articulated transition from existing to new.”
Winner: Alterations & Additions over $500K
Designer: Roy Hodgson Design
Location: Canterbury, Victoria
Photos: Prue McMillan, Arc Studio Ink
Judges’ notes: “This design is a successful merger of old and new, respecting and enhancing the heritage attributes of a classic interwar residence. It has breathed new life into the many retained original features and integrated them with an elegant and light-filled extension. Taking full advantage of the northerly aspect available, the addition provides effective indoor-outdoor connectivity by utilising a level change, which also denotes an articulated transition from existing to new.”
“The outcome is a stunning transformation of a period home into a bright, passive-solar contemporary space that retains the grace of its original era at the street frontage, and provides a modern garden-connected addition.”
Artisan Apartments
Winner: Multi Residential Design; Best Energy Efficient Design; Best Environmentally Sustainable Design
Designer: EME Design
Location: Heidelberg, Victoria
Photos: Luke Middleton
Judges’ notes: “Careful attention to features such as solar access, thermal mass, and orientation have delivered outstanding energy ratings of 8-9 stars for each of the individual apartments. The Artisan Apartments are carefully connected, stunningly sculptural homes for local empty nesters and young professionals. Indoor/outdoor pedestrian links and terraces provide comfortable spaces that encourage neighbourly interaction, making this a friendly and welcoming place to live.”
Winner: Multi Residential Design; Best Energy Efficient Design; Best Environmentally Sustainable Design
Designer: EME Design
Location: Heidelberg, Victoria
Photos: Luke Middleton
Judges’ notes: “Careful attention to features such as solar access, thermal mass, and orientation have delivered outstanding energy ratings of 8-9 stars for each of the individual apartments. The Artisan Apartments are carefully connected, stunningly sculptural homes for local empty nesters and young professionals. Indoor/outdoor pedestrian links and terraces provide comfortable spaces that encourage neighbourly interaction, making this a friendly and welcoming place to live.”
“Every apartment has abundant natural light through carefully framed windows, beautiful balconies, creative interiors and fabulous views of surrounding vegetation. The judges were impressed with the quality of design, site response and outstanding environmental sustainability.”
“Additionally, universal design and liveability are fully implemented, ensuring the building is future-proofed. The changing requirements of occupants due to ageing or disability can be cost-effectively achieved with minor modifications due to excellent consideration of adaptable design principles.”
TELL US
Which of these projects is your favourite? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
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TELL US
Which of these projects is your favourite? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
MORE
Browse more stories about architecture
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Everything we see from Australia in Houzz is very contemporary and stark.....are there no character homes that can be displayed in Houzz? I spent several months there and didn't see the contemporary designs that are shown here continually but rather very distinctive architecture that I would really like to see reflected in this site.
#7: "Gloss black tiles anchor the [cooktop]..." In the bathroom??
I love that living room in #3 with all the glass. So simple, you just feel like you're outside.