Delightful designs nominated for architecture award shortlist

GEELONG and Bellarine construction projects are in the running for a prestigious state award after landing on the shortlist for the 2023 Victorian Architecture Awards.

Residential, commercial and public buildings are all recognised in the lead-up state chapter’s annual prize, which saw a total of 130 projects commended tonight across 15 categories following a lengthy entry and presentation process.

Local designs and their architects to land on this year’s shortlist are:

• AB House at Barwon Heads, Office MI-JI
• The Mental Health Beds Expansion Program at McKellar Centre, NTC Architects with BG Architecture
• Queenscliff Ferry Terminal, F2 Architecture
• Point Lonsdale House, Solomon Troup Architects

The Victorian Architecture Awards celebrate the best designs from across the state and aim to showcase the positive impact of such projects in shaping its built landscape.

Australian Institute of Architects Victorian state president David Wagner said a spot on the shortlist was a significant achievement due to the volume and quality of entries to this year’s awards.

“Shortlisting entries is an unenviable task undertaken by a select jury in response to in-person presentations and the quality of projects not shortlisted speaks volumes for those that have been,” he said.

“Those shortlisted are commonly amazing projects that have been thoroughly considered, designed and have come together to create a special outcome for the client,” Wagner said.

Regional Prize jury chair Justin Noxon said he was impressed to see the quality of entries dotted across the state, including from the Geelong-Bellarine region.

“Acknowledging their regional communities and contexts, these projects demonstrate outstanding architectural solutions, each delivering highly considered and well-executed responses to their own unique circumstance.”

“With an enormous diversity in scale, typology and setting, the shortlisted projects share a common commitment to architectural excellence in regional Victoria.”

Judges will visit shortlisted sites next week ahead of an awards night dinner to determine winners on June 16.