We’re thrilled and humbled that four JCB projects have been recognised in the 2024 Victorian Architecture Awards.
Berninneit Cultural and Community Centre received Victoria’s highest honour for public architecture, the William Wardell Award for Public Architecture.
Citation: “Berninneit is a beautifully crafted evocation of its context and an inviting focus for arts and culture on Philip Island. A dynamic spatial fluidity links an auditorium, multi-purpose spaces, library, gallery, museum, meeting rooms and council offices around retained mature eucalypts forming a community courtyard. The seemingly water-coloured washed brick clad form cleverly consolidates this broad brief into a singular, elemental composition, combining two storey, single storey and auditorium into an undulating interpretation of the region’s natural geology and topography”.
Berninneit was the jury’s unanimous choice for its holistic composition of a community’s diverse cultural program into an extraordinarily well crafted and delightful place to ‘gather together.’
The following projects were additionally recognised across four categories.
T3 Collingwood, representing innovation in sustainable design and Melbourne’s tallest timber hybrid office building, won the Award for Commercial Architecture.
Citation: “T3 Collingwood demonstrates conceptual clarity and strength of conviction, resulting in a building which exudes purpose, thoughtfulness, and rigour.
The urban design moves are clear, revealing the neighbouring post-colonial historical shot tower, and continuing a dialogue with the established urban pattern. Setting back the ground level colonnade allows space on the street to gather or pause, enhancing a sense of belonging to the surrounding area.”
Clifton Hill Primary School, constructed from hybrid mass timber and designed to Passivhaus standards (a first for the VSBA) won the Award for Educational Architecture.
Citation: “As the first VSBA building designed to Passivhaus standards, it sits as a benchmark for future buildings in this sector to aspire towards. Sustainable design principles have been seamlessly integrated into the design, achieving a low carbon, low maintenance and highly efficient building for the school. Jackson Clements Burrows have set a high bar, proving that architectural rigor and sustainable outcomes do not need to be compromised when delivering a VSBA project.”
Sweetwater House, designed by Christopher Botterill with JCB, received the COLORBOND® Award for Steel Architecture and a Commendation for Residential Architecture – Houses (New) for its impressive sustainability credentials and for nurturing a sense of calm for its inhabitants.
Citation: “Sweetwater House is a carefully crafted and thoroughly considered home for a young, dynamic family. Its thoughtful design approach is reflected in the rigour of the plan, the organisation of the spaces, and the precision of the construction methodology.”
Congratulations to our team and our sincere thanks to the category juries and the Institute for this exciting public recognition.