Media releases

City of Sydney wins major architecture prizes for new public buildings

Published 9 July 2018

The City of Sydney’s commitment to delivering great community facilities through innovation, clever design and sustainability has once again been recognised, with three new public buildings taking home six major architectural awards and a commendation.

The City’s Joynton Avenue Creative Precinct in Green Square, designed by Peter Stutchbury Architecture, took out top honours, winning the Australian Institute of Architect’s inaugural NSW Architecture Medallion.

The $32 million facility at the former South Sydney Hospital site features a creative centre, community shed, childcare centre, park and public artwork.

Next door, the City’s Waranara Early Education Centre, designed by Surry Hills-based firm Fox Johnston, won the interior architecture award and a commendation in the educational architecture category. The one-time outpatient building has been transformed into a modern childcare centre.

The City’s East Sydney Community and Arts Centre and Reserve in Darlinghurst won an urban design award for reinvigorating the former community hall and reconnecting it to the neighbourhood reserve, forming a precinct with Eternity Theatre

Four City projects were shortlisted for the Australian Institute of Architects 2018 New South Wales Architecture Awards announced over the weekend.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore congratulated the architects, construction teams, city staff and everyone involved in creating the award-winning community facilities.

“These NSW Architecture Awards recognise our City’s commitment to world-class urban design and community facilities.

“We are providing high-quality community, cultural and childcare facilities needed for our increasingly densely-populated inner city communities—especially at Green Square, one of the newest and fastest growing neighbourhoods in the country.

“Some of Sydney’s most innovative architects have helped us breathe new life into historic and heritage-listed buildings, ensuring that they will be enjoyed for generations to come.

“I encourage all Sydneysiders to come and explore these award-winning new public spaces.”

Andrew Nimmo, NSW Chapter President, said the jurors chose a “very worthy project” for the inaugural Medallion prize.

“The NSW Architecture Awards are a celebration of design excellence for clients and for the wider community. These are beautiful, functional, holistically sustainable environments for living, working, learning, healing and culture,” Mr Nimmo said.

City of Sydney buildings won six of the 2018 NSW Architecture Awards and one commendation:

  • NSW Architecture Medallion - Joynton Avenue Creative Precinct - Peter Stutchbury Architecture in association with Design 5 with the City of Sydney
  • Greenway Award for Heritage - Joynton Avenue Creative Precinct - Peter Stutchbury Architecture in association with Design 5 with the City of Sydney
  • Interior Architecture Award - Waranara Early Learning Centre - Fox Johnston with the City of Sydney
  • Public Architecture Award - Joynton Avenue Creative Precinct - Peter Stutchbury Architecture in association with Design 5 with the City of Sydney
  • Sustainable Architecture Milo Dunphy Award - Joynton Avenue Creative Precinct - Peter Stutchbury Architecture with the City of Sydney
  • Urban Design Architecture Award - East Sydney Community and Arts Centre - Lahznimmo Architects with Spackman Mossop Michaels Landscape Architects with the City of Sydney

There was also an Educational Architecture Commendation for the Waranara Early Learning Centre for the City of Sydney - Fox Johnston with the City of Sydney

Four City projects were shortlisted across six categories for the prestigious awards:

  • Joynton Avenue Creative Precinct – Peter Stutchbury Architecture in association with Design 5 – nominated for heritage architecture award and the public architecture award.
    The former South Sydney Hospital site has been transformed into a centre featuring a creative centre, community shed, childcare centre, park and public artwork. The community space opened in May.
  • Banga Community Shed – Peter Stutchbury Architecture – nominated for small project architecture award
    A former pathology building now houses a community shed that includes a repair café where locals can develop new skills and learn about the benefits of repairing and reusing household items.
  • Waranara Early Education Centre – Fox Johnston Architects – nominated for interior architecture award and educational architecture award
    A former outpatient building has been transformed into a colourful and modern childcare centre with 74 places for children aged six weeks to six years. The centre features indoor and outdoor play spaces, a vegie garden, outdoor kitchen and digging patch.
  • East Sydney Community and Arts Centre and Reserve – Lahznimmo Architects nominated for public architecture award; Lahznimmo Architects with Spackman Mossop Michaels Landscape Architects nominated for urban design award
    Located in a heritage conservation area on the corner of Burton and Palmer streets, the refurbishment of the 1966 building features improved multi-purpose spaces for rehearsal, creative use and community hire.

Projects that received an award at the NSW Architecture Awards will be considered for the National Architecture Awards, to be announced in Melbourne in November.

For media inquiries or images, please contact Belinda Wallis, Senior Media Advisor.
Phone 0467 810 160 or email bwallis@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, please contact Jack Begbie.
Phone 0481 759 580 or email jbegbie@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au