2006 BDAA NATIONAL DESIGN AWARDS

Welcome to the 2006 Building Designers Association National Design Award’s presentation. These awards were presented to designers at a gala dinner in Adelaide on 11th March 2006. It was the 11th annual event conducted by the National Association.

The winners are drawn from 67 finalists, a record number of entries.

Building Designers qualify for the Nationals by winning their respective state award categories during 2005. Judging took place in Sydney on 16th December. They are the best of the best having been distilled down from over 500 entries nationally.

Click on any image to enlarge.

2006 Design Excellence Award

The designer was given a totally free hand to deliver an all-encompassing spacious home incorporating interiors, furnishings, artworks and accessories- right down to the linen.

The creative use of colour defines the bold and confidant architecture of the building. This theme melds seamlessly as you journey through the interiors of the home.

Judges believed this was a home for all seasons and all occasions.

They went on to say, spaces are beautifully proportioned creating an elegant interior with well-considered interior and exterior spaces. A limited palette of colors and materials reinforces the truly superb attention to detail. Every1pxg has been taken care of in every minute detail.

A magnificence example of the Building Designers craft.

Click on any image to enlarge.

Category 1

Clients wanted a small open tropical house. There were no children requirements but a need for occasional visitors and a home office.

They wanted an interesting house and liked the idea of using different materials and bold colours. A big garage / workshop was a must and a concrete driveway to get the boat in and out.

The clients were outdoor people who hated the idea of living in an air-conditioned box. They wanted to especially take advantage of the rainforest views and bird life that comes with the vegetation.

Judges liked the high level of detailing, and the flowing sweeping forms well suited to its environment. A well planned efficient layout.

Click on any image to enlarge.

Category 2

The client investigated renovating the existing house but decided a fresh start was necessary. One owner is retired; the other is a professional artist.

The new home provides contemporary, quietly comfortable living spaces. They are bright and vibrant as a result of the owners colour palette. Provision has been made to display the owners life collections of art.

The relationship of indoor to outdoor was an important consideration and the existing garden was incorporated into the planning and new elements created to continue the Zen like theme in courtyards and the entry to the home.

The home works very well climatically.

Judges commented .- Fabulous outdoor areas with good integration of indoor/outdoor. From the magenta and deep chocolate parameter walls, the house invites one to wonder what other intriguing sights there are to see. Glimpses of lime green walls, white quartz pebbles, a pond that flows into the house, open plan living with a touch of Asian serenity, all delight the viewer in this extremely contemporary and livable home.

Click on any image to enlarge.

Category 3

As well as an energy efficient house, the client wanted a connection with the demolished home through recycling and re-use of materials.

A connection to outdoor living was required which utilized existing ground levels to provide interaction with the land slope at the rear.

Energy efficiency was achieved in the large floor area by enabling the home to be locked down in winter to reduce energy consumption and apply passive solar heating in the rear areas.

Use of natural stone inside and out provides a physical connection between the 2 spaces.

Judges comments: Innovative solution to a strict Design Brief. Liked how the physical presence of the large home on the streetscape was reduced by reflection the roof forms of adjoining dwellings and using attic style rooms.

Great environmentally sustainable solutions.

Click on any image to enlarge.

Category 4

Despite the home suffering overly from budget cuts the result still provides a large comfortable home for the owners and their children.

A strong relationship to the river was of paramount importance in the brief and the owners wished to have their everyday living areas at the top level to maximize views.

This and the mid level open to extensive outdoor areas, which are protected from the blustery southwest breezes by adjustable screens. Accommodation is both generous and stylish. Children can focus their activities on the second level opening out to the pool and rear yard area but have easy access to the upstairs living and entertainment areas.

Judges commented: Bold design. Makes a statement making most of great views. Striking looks, great interior.

Click on any image to enlarge.

Category 5

The Existing home consisted of 3 small bedrooms and one small bathroom. The timber-framed building was designed as a split-level home working to the natural contours of the site.

Brief was to add space to the bedrooms and create a modern home with increased outdoor space and improved street appeal.

The buildings bold square form and simple awning windows were maintained. Existing cladding was stripped and replaced with a new cost effective cladding solution.

Use of flashing divided the building’s external façade into a series of grids, which created bold linear elements whilst still adding shade and contrast on the building.

Judges commented that Ben has made a Frog into a Prince or rather an ordinary shack into a modern contemporary smart beach house.

Click on any image to enlarge.

Category 6

The brief was to create an outdoor entertaining area and rationalise the site usage to include the demolition of an existing in-door swimming pool enclosure that was depilated due to termite attack.

The project was part of a large site that was not functioning well due to position of existing tennis court and pool. The pool was converted to rainwater storage reservoir and a new pool constructed at the rear of the site. A large indoor / outdoor entertaining area with an operatable roof that provided daylight access to adjoining rooms plus integration of an outdoor kitchen complete with BBQ facilities.

The design treatment inserts a more contemporary element into an existing formal building serves as purely a functional approach to solving issues of space, ventilation control, daylight access and water conservation for irrigation.

Judges commented a well-resolved solution. Unusual design providing a true indoor/ outdoor space. A truly 21st century veranda.

Click on any image to enlarge.

Category 7

The client wanted a stand out new home …a contemporary showpiece taking advantage of the 180-degree views across Brisbane.

Although on a small lot the home was to be as large as possible. The challenge was a highly constrained small site 344sm..17m wide by 20 m deep with a 1 in 3 average gradient front to rear. The result was a design that pushed all possible boundaries, a modern three storey home with living areas on each level having full access to the views.

Externally rendered blockwork walls were used for retaining purposes on the lower levels with lightweight fibre cement sheeting and timber cover strips creating subtle shadow lines on upper levels. Generous overhangs and shading devises are utilized on the exteriors to protect from Qld’s harsh sun.

Judges commented A very pleasing streetscape. The design offers excellent opportunities for natural light penetration to the homes interiors.

Click on any image to enlarge.

Category 8

The clients brief was to maximise the developemnet potential of the site providing three family beach apartments for his use and to sell to discernng local market in Mooloolaba.

Three units each 250m2 in living area resulted capturing ocean views, open planned with living areas expanding onto large covered decks. All have well defined open areas with natural light and ventilation , finshed in a high level of finishes including marble floor tiles, detailed joinery , coffered ceilings and stainless steel hardware.

Judges commented…a 3 storey apartment building with full floor apartments . Responds well to the confined site, the streetscape and the climate. It displays a sensitive use of material and is well proportioned.

Click on any image to enlarge.

Category 9

As the only residential waterfront property remaining in this part of Tea Gardens it was to be a landmark site.

The brief to design 8 luxury two storey units with a communal pool area while maximizing the water views.

The owner had to be talked out of his passion for Tuscan style in favour of the final solution - a curved roof and a ‘light’ coastal feel to the development. The coastal colour tones chosen were coherent to those suggested by the Residential Flat Design Pattern Book issued by Planning NSW.

Judges commented ... Significant effort has been taken to incorporate passive solar design into the project whilst maintaining the key design elements and maximize water views from the living areas. Six of the eight units have a northeasterly aspect from the deck areas whilst all have views of the Myall River. Articulated facades to the units provide a pleasing feature which the beach side curved roof shape responds to.

Click on any image to enlarge.

Category 10

The brief - to design a high quality mixed use building in an area still in an embryonic stage of development.

Include office space, two one level apartments, one studio style and a penthouse. Innovative solutions to building were sought to enhance a potentially unique outcome. Novel elements included a laminex roof, copper gutters, glass lift and stairs, siphonic roof drainage system and a precast floor structure.

A roof top motion pool, glassed roof light wells, home theatres , air conditioned wine cellars cedar framed moveable window walls, water features with integrated artwork, in floor heating and sub tile acoustic matting.

Clearly a budget to suit as well!

Click on any image to enlarge.

Category 11

The client brief was short and concise. From past successful projects , the client said ‘ give me some1pxg different , tropical and with a WOW factor .

The resort hotel complex is a fusion of modern resort architecture and tropical design, with hints of Asian colonial influences delivering a facility unique to Darwin and the Top End, most deliberately is Territorian.

On arrival, visitors are instantly transported into a unique and tropical environment. There are 130 rooms providing five levels of accommodation from suites to deluxe and exclusive bungalows. The bungalows are sited around the resort style pool and along the Rapid Creek boundary.

The designer delivered the entire Resort from concept, through design development, documentation, tendering and construction to the client in less than 9 months ready for the Arafura Games.

Judges comments were:

Provides a lasting impression to anyone departing the airport. The attention to detail and combination of materials has created a vibrant colorful oasis that would be hard to leave behind which we are sure would satisfy both the client and visitors. 

Click on any image to enlarge.

Category 12

The client required a large factory and warehouse with an attachment administration and office area.

As the first building in a new commercial subdivision the building was to act as a landmark and a catalyst for further development construction.

The site is typical Mediterranean climate, with the main office elevations facing North and West making control of sun shading essential.

Consequently large awnings and aluminum sunshades were applied to the glazed areas of the office while small features highlight windows are added to the factory and warehouse elevations. The majority of light comes via skylights.

Louvered and curved windows and high feature signage aided in the creation of a landmark structure. Metallic Colorbond sheeting at an eccentric angle and rich deeply coloured featured panels also finished the building.

Judges commented…provides a strong presence on a corner site. Good use of the site and materials creates a stunning building.

Click on any image to enlarge.

Category 13

The client’s previous leased studio premises were demolished so he decided to explore building a studio on his own private property.

He was interested in creating a better facility in the process. He had a good reputation in Brisbane and so felt it important to provide some1pxg unique in the face of rising competition.

Latemore design undertook considerable research into both technical matters as well as town planning.

To achieve DA the building had to appear residential in scale and hidden from view and not cause concern to neighbours The design specification included high sound insulation, multi isolated recording booths, variable reverberation time, and essentially diffuse sound fields for specific sounds.

Judges comments.

A well resolved response to a complex project. Does not detract from the existing old Queenslander home. The interior is colourful and the response to the acoustic requirements has resulted in an innovative interior.

Click on any image to enlarge.

Category 14

Extensive use of timber, tiles and stone are the primary building material elements that create an unmistakably tropical architecture. This with the addition of a multitude of colors and finish materials such as fabrics, laminates, timber veneers and glass have created a naturally bright cool and open tropical atmosphere.

The creation of openness through volume, glass and translucent cladding materials also adds to the vibrancy of the interiors, especially the main reception building, and defines an immediate sense of place.

Gang nail timber trusses with artificial steel cleat plates over joints , convert a typical domestic style construction in to a more heavy duty purpose built aesthetic.

Smaller elements such as fabric blade fans, in contrast to the black and stainless steel fans, eliminates any domesticity about the interiors.

Click on any image to enlarge.

Category 15

The designer was given a free hand to deliver an all-encompassing spacious home incorporating interiors, furnishings, artworks and accessories- right down to the linen.

A home that would enable a semi retired “Nana and Pop’ to accommodate their three generations of a large growing family.

The strong geometric fascade has definition and distinction. The creative use of colour defines the bold and confidant architecture of the building. This theme melds seamlessly as you journey through the interiors of the home.

Use of exotic chocolate timber veneers, glass, stone, stainless steel and a variety of textures, which are flanked by the rich warmth of the wide Blackbutt floorboards to create a sophisticated and warm interior.

Judges commented . Spaces are beautifully proportioned creating an elegant interior with well-considered interior and exterior spaces.

A limited palette of colors and materials reinforces the superb attention to detail.

Click on any image to enlarge.

Category 16

Ask anyone about housing in Darwin and the most common response you get is that it doesn’t seem to work very well……………. so says Dave Bennett.

This Hybrid house takes a holistic look at Darwin housing.. The aim was to show the public design improvements.

This demonstration home sought to address various demands of Darwin’s smaller sub divisions and provide holistic answers to a range of criteria

These were: User livability & comfort, Sound and Visual Privacy, Durability and Maintenance, Utilization of smaller allotments, Affordability and Energy and Resource Efficiency.

A fully ventilated and insulated roof is provided to make sure all living areas are shaded from natural sun and radiant heat.

The roof chamber is insulated at roof and ceiling levels. A solar powered roof mounted exhaust fan evaluates the entire roof space in 10 minutes.

Breezeways for cross flow ventilation. Improved natural indirect light from ventilated skylight lowers lighting costs. Extra large 2.2m overhangs on all external walls.

Solar hot water and a gas cook top .Rainwater harvesting and AAA rated showerheads

Judges commented …this winner of the Northern territory 2004 Year of the Built Environment competition has won here again at BDAA national level.

An affordable and comfortable Green House in a tropical location.

Category 17