Emagn PROJECT
AWARD
EmAGN PROJECT AWARD
The EmAGN Project Award was developed by the South Australia Chapter and EmAGN committee. Introduced into the SA Chapter Awards program in 2021, the award received entries of considerable calibre with the inaugural EmAGN Project Award going to Kingswood House by Archaea – also, the recipient of the Named Award in its primary category.
After the successful pilot of this award in the South Australia Chapter Awards program, The Australian Institute of Architects is pleased to announce the EmAGN Project Award will be included in the Chapter Architecture Awards programs in all states and territories in 2022.
Introducing this award in all states and territories awards programs demonstrates the Institute’s ongoing commitment to recognising and encouraging emerging practitioners to continue to produce outstanding work and to contribute to public discourse about our changing profession.
2020 Winner
Kingswood House by Archaea was the recipient of the John Schenk Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions) and the inaugural winner of the Emerging Project Award in South Australia. The entry articulated how the project had enabled the project lead to develop leadership skills and grow the design services offered by the practice, as well as facilitating mentoring of a graduate who also worked on the project.
The entry demonstrated the emerging practice’s commitment to deliver architecture of great value while also ensuring the knowledge and design processes are passed onto the next generation.
Entries for the 2022 Award Season have closed.
About the Award
The EmAGN Project Award is a celebration of a project that has come about through the process of valuing and recognising the contributions members of the EmAGN demographic make, in the areas of leadership, collaboration, application of expertise and quality of architecture.
The aim of the prize is to recognise members from within the EmAGN demographic whom, through the project:
- Fostered a team culture of collaboration and knowledge sharing and provided opportunities for members from within the EmAGN demographic to contribute and add value to the project.
- Promoted the advancement of members from within the EmAGN demographic through providing opportunities for mentoring and professional and personal development.
- Applied expertise and advanced the quality of architecture though their involvement as project team leaders and team members.
Entering the award
The award will be entered as an indirect, ‘self-nominated’ category through the National Primary categories through an additional check box and statement (in the same process as the Sustainability and Colorbond categories are entered).
No additional entry fees are required.
Find out more about entry dates, eligibility requirements and entering the awards on this page.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS / ENTRY CATEGORY
To be eligible to enter the EmAGN Project Award, entrants must demonstrate they meet at least one of the eligibility requirements and all entry requirements listed below. To support your entry, you are required to submit a summary demonstrating how this project has positively impacted and advanced the work of emerging practitioners and the contributions members from within the EmAGN demographic made to the project.
Eligibility requirements
- At least 75% of the project team is represented by members from within the EmAGN demographic
- The lead project architect for this project is part of the EmAGN demographic
Entry requirements
- The lead project architect must be a member of the Institute
- The project must be entered into a primary category (if the project is listed in multiple categories, the EmAGN Project Award can only be nominated through one of these categories).
NOTE The practice directors are not required to be from the EmAGN demographic for the project to be entered. Eligibility is based on the composition of the project team.
JUDGING CRITERIA
All entries received by the due date will be judged by a Chapter Jury.
The Jury members will comprise of the Jury Chairs of the Primary Categories in Architecture Awards Program.
The Chapter Jury will select one (1) Chapter winner, noting that juries are not obligated to select a Chapter winner if the pool of candidates does not warrant a decision.
NOTE This award is a recognised at a chapter level, Chapter winners will not progress to the National jury for judging.
Chapter and National juries will judge entries based on the following criteria:
- LEADERSHIP
Demonstrate how through this project, members from the EmAGN demographic have been encouraged and provided opportunities for them to develop professionally. Where the team leader for this project is from the EmAGN demographic, how has working on the project allowed them to develop as a project leader. - COLLABORATION
Detail how this project promoted the advancement of members of the EmAGN demographic, providing examples of a team culture of collaboration and learning that provides opportunities for EmAGN demographic members to contribute and add meaningful value to this project. - EXPERTISE AND QUALITY OF ARCHITECTURE
Highlight the key contributions the team members from the EmAGN demographic made to this project. Provide examples of any particular skill/knowledge brought to this project.
2020 Emagn PROJECT AWARD Winner
Kingswood House by Archaea was the recipient of the John Schenk Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions) and the inaugural winner of the Emerging Project Award in South Australia. The entry articulated how the project had enabled the project lead to develop leadership skills and grow the design services offered by the practice, as well as facilitating mentoring of a graduate who also worked on the project.
The entry demonstrated the emerging practice’s commitment to deliver architecture of great value while also ensuring the knowledge and design processes are passed onto the next generation.
Expression of interest
More information
Registrations are now open and will close 18 August 2021.
All verified Registrants will be issued competition documents from 21 July 2021, which is when the competition launches.
We intend to verify all Registrant’s eligibility as quickly as possible.
However, please allow up to five working days for registrations to be verified against eligibility criteria.
Please note the following eligibility criteria that must be met by every competitor.
Entrants must:
- Be a member of the Australian Institute of Architects;
- Be within 15 years of graduation of the AACA Accredited Master of Architecture degree (or equivalent);
- Have first been registered as an Architect anywhere in Australia not more than 10 years ago; and,
- Be currently registered, or eligible to be registered, with any of the Architect Registration Boards in Australia.
Entrants may collaborate with a more experienced Institute member to complete their Submission, however, the Authorised Representative must meet the requirements of eligibility.
Entrants must be eligible to enter, in accordance with this clause, at the time of Registration.
Expression of interest form
To view all of the appendix documents, please register your interest using the expression of interest form below.
2022 Emagn PROJECT AWARD WINNERS
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
SCISSOR HOUSE | OWEN DAVID ARCHITECTURE
Jury citation:
The successful architectural outcome of Scissor House by a sole practitioner in the EmAGN demographic is built evidence of leadership and substantial professional development gained by Owen Abbott.
The delivery of the project enabled Owen to shape his approach to architectural practice in a variety of circumstances. Design communication between client and architect was refined by developing a clarity and efficiency of presentation style. Quality assurance processes were in place to aid the client’s comprehension and management of quantity and cost allowances.
Owen’s commitment to clear documentation of project communication ensured collaboration between client, builder and consultants was improved and benefited the progression of the works for all parties. This was further demonstrated by on-site involvement during construction where Owen was able to effectively identify, instruct and coordinate solutions to ensure both architectural and client design intent were achieved.
Owen’s contribution to all aspects of design, documentation and procurement of Scissor House has resulted in a delightful collection of carefully integrated architectural additions both internal and external, culminating in a cohesive extension of a modest home that preserves future site adaptation and flexibility for its owners.
NEW SOUTH WALES
THE GREAT COBAR MUSEUM | DUNN & HILLAM ARCHITECTS
Jury citation:
In 2019, Cobar Shire Council engaged Dunn & Hillam Architects to work with Peter Freeman to prepare a masterplan for the site of the Great Cobar Museum.
Stage 1 involved the conservation and adaptation of the existing structure to meet contemporary operational and functional requirements for continued use as a museum and visitor centre.
A sensitive project in a remote location with a modest budget presented challenges but also professional development opportunities for Dunn & Hillam staff members of the EmAGN demographic. This included the appointed project architect – Rose Davies.
Rose’s ability to lead and closely collaborate with team members, consultants and contractors is a product of mentoring from senior staff and a team culture of knowledge sharing.
The success of the project is a testament to the development and contributions of staff members of the EmAGN demographic, which makes it a worthy recipient of the EmAGN Project Award.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
NAZARETH CATHOLIC COLLEGE: ST GABRIEL CENTRE | RUSSELL & YELLAND ARCHITECTS
Jury citation:
Nazareth Catholic College: St Gabriel Centre is a project delivered by a collaborative young team led by a recently registered architect. The jury applauds Hariklia Pontikinas’ leadership in managing and delegating tasks to her team of Jessica Weiland and Georgie Warren. Together they met tight deadlines and adapted well to an on-site management system that ensured quality control and time efficiency.
Russell and Yelland have taken every opportunity opportunity to share knowledge with these junior peers to further enhance their development. The jury commends this emerging team for their delivery of a well-designed, functional learning hub, which fully embraces how the end-users will instinctively use the space, all while running to a tight budget and timeframe.
Queensland
Princess Theatre | JDA Co
A tight timeline, a global pandemic and an aging heritage-listed building, set the stage for a testing yet triumphant rejuvenation of Queensland’s oldest theatre. The Princess Theatre was built in 1888 and is located in the inner-city suburb of Woolloongabba. JDA Co.’s design for the 1475m2, two-storey refurbishment focused on creating a living, breathing heritage building that would last for the next century.
Patrons can now enjoy a redesigned interior fit-out which whimsically contrast to restored heritage ceilings. A reimagined mezzanine provides exceptional stage sightlines while the re-opened gallery offers additional function space for gigs and corporate events.
Throughout, JDA Co has sought to conserve the Princess’ heritage features and when necessary, bring life to them. Today the auditoriums interior windows have been fitted out as window boxes with production lighting, meaning the Princess’s 19th century architecture has now become the canvas for 21st century shows.
Victoria
OBJECT 07 | PRIOR BARRACLOUGH
Jury citation:
Object 07 is a coherent and resolved intervention into a Fitzroy streetscape much valued for its eclecticism, fine grain and heritage fabric. Dennis Prior and his team provided an enthusiastic and thoughtful presentation to the multi-residential jury which clearly communicated their deep engagement with the site context and brief.
The project accommodates seven, three-bedroom townhouses behind a restored heritage frontage and reactivates a formerly unsafe laneway. Object 07 skilfully achieves required density amid sensitive interfaces. It succeeds in being respectful of neighbouring amenity and scale while exploring a confident geometric form and rigorous facade detailing.
As an emerging practice, Prior Barraclough are all from the EmAGN demographic and the jury was impressed by their generous approach to collaboration and team mentorship. At every opportunity, the role and expertise of the project team was acknowledged and promoted.
Valuable experience was gained by directors Dennis Prior and Michael Barraclough and graduate team members Melissa Spencer and Ryan Bate (both now registered architects) in navigating delivery of a more complex multi-residential typology through design and construct procurement. Object 07 achieves impressive architectural quality and detail within tight commercial parameters and provides an inventive model for densification within our inner suburbs.
Western australia
ROCKINGHAM YOUTH CENTRE | SITE ARCHITECTURE STUDIO
Jury citation:
The City of Rockingham’s new Community Youth Centre has transformed a mundane, unloved, and substandard commercial tilt-up building into a thriving and delightful, contemporary youth hub.
For the emerging architects who designed and delivered the Centre, it’s clear that the project provided a challenging yet inspiring and rewarding learning experience; for the youth representatives who were guided through a meaningful and collaborative consultation journey by their architectural counterparts, the project has galvanised a strong sense of identity and created a sophisticated and flexible ‘home away from home’.
In direct contrast to the confined nature of the existing building, the design has responded to the youths’ primary design objective to connect with outside space. New openings have been carefully placed in external walls to visually connect with the landscape beyond and, together with a new canopy, engage with the streetscape. A large internal void draped with greenery creates a light-filled, welcoming entry lobby.
Although modest in scale, the project required negotiation of many unforeseen challenges during the design and construction phases. Shortcomings were creatively resolved with enthusiasm and commitment by the project team, who have delivered an inspired outcome for the City and an important community facility for Rockingham youth.
