Our award-winning spaces

Architecture

New developments at the University of Adelaide's North Terrace Campus drew the spotlight at the recent Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA) annual awards.

The North Terrace Redevelopment, the Campus Central Access Lift, the Lower Level Campus Development and a new secure bicycle storage unit all received the highly prized awards and commendations at the RAIA's gala event.

"The University is committed to enhancing the campus for the benefit of students, staff and the community of Adelaide, but doing this within the constraints of space while preserving its unique heritage presents significant challenges. Public recognition of the priority we've placed on design and our contribution to the Adelaide environs is gratifying," said Harald Baulis, Director of Infrastructure.

The Adelaide Prize, presented by the Adelaide City Council, recognises a "built project of excellence that enhances the public realm of the City of Adelaide". It was awarded to the joint State Government, City Council and University North Terrace redevelopment by landscape designer Taylor Cullity Lethlean with architect Peter Elliot Architects.

The jury found "the winning entry stood alone as an outstanding example of collaboration, design integrity and public realm achievement in Adelaide".

"The redevelopment contributes to all of the aspirations that we have for the City of Adelaide to be an activated, sustainable, beautiful place for people... and illustrates that through careful strategic management, and good design, sensitive sites involving a multitude of stakeholders, including the broader community, can have outcomes of outstanding merit," the citation said.

The Urban Design category of the awards produced the top honour of Award of Merit for both the Lower Level Campus Development (Hassell, MGT Architects and Hardy Milazzo) and for the University's new rainbow-coloured access lift (Walter Brooke and Associates). The lift also received a commendation in the New Building category.

The Lower Level Campus Development, which has taken place over the past five years, has opened up the vista to the Barr Smith Library from Frome Road.

The Colorbond Steel Award went to the Prototype Bicycle Shelter (Tridente Architects), located behind the Horace Lamb Building. The unique secure 'bike shed' is relatively light and fully transportable due to the "highly inventive" use of steel.

A University of Adelaide staff member was also recognised at the awards. Professor Tony Radford, from the School of Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Urban Design, won a commendation in the Residential category for his 'Workday Weekenders' - "a mirror image pair of homes on a compact site in Norwood that aim to offer the relaxed welcome of a holiday house at the end of every working day".

"It highlights the possibilities for imaginatively designed urban infill housing," Professor Radford said. "The rare achievement is success in both architecture design awards and ARC research grants. The design of the house is directly influenced by research with colleagues in the School of Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Urban Design on the actual performance in use of architect-designed houses."

Story by Robyn Mills

Open Day 2006

To see the University of Adelaide's award-winning structures and spaces up close and personal, visit Open Day on Sunday 20 August, North Terrace, 10am-4pm.

www.adelaide.edu.au/openday