'Cows, major trucks and visitors': the rural shed in the running for an architecture gong
The Creamery at Bannister Downs Dairy, designed by Bosske Architecture, is in the running for the commercial architecture prize. Photo: Peter Bennetts

A dozen commercial projects vie for a gong in the WA Architecture Awards

A Perth CBD meeting place named after a Noongar warrior, a south-west dairy farm and the refurbishment of an iconic winery are among the 12 projects in the running for the commercial architecture gong in this year’s WA Architecture Awards.

Considered a project of local and state importance, Yagan Square was built on former wetlands and was developed as a natural meeting place and point of convergence for the Perth CBD, Northbridge and the new Perth City Link development.

Designed by Lyons, in collaboration with Iredaleok Pedersen Hook and landscape architects ASPECT Studios, Yagan Square was designed to “physically reconnect the entertainment/cultural precinct of Northbridge with Perth’s CBD”.

The refurbishment of Margaret River’s Leeuwin Estate Winery by Suzanne Hunt Architects is also a finalist in the commercial architecture category for the “ambitious” renovation, which paid tribute to the winery’s 50-year history and includes a newly covered veranda and an art gallery.

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Perth's Yagan Square, designed by Lyons in collaboration with Iredale Pedersen Hook and landscape architects ASPECT Studios. Photo: Peter Bennetts

Other entrants in the commercial architecture category include the 19-level QT Perth hotel in Perth’s CBD by Candalepas Associates, the Westin Hotel by HASSELL, the refurbishment of the Lake Karrinyup Country Club by CHRISTOU Design Group, Bunbury’s Dolphin Discovery Centre by MCG Architects and The Creamery, Bannister Downs Dairy by Bosske Architecture.

The family-owned dairy, located on pastoral land seven kilometres from Northcliffe, has experienced rapid success and growth within the Australian and Asian markets.

As a result, there was a need for the construction and relocation to a new facility which would satisfy demand.

Caroline Hickey, Bosske Architecture director, said the interesting project involved a big factory within a paddock, in addition to a visitor centre, and it was important the end result had a rural appearance and not that of a winery.

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The Westin Hotel in Perth, designed by HASSELL studio. Photo: Peter Bennetts

“We wanted something specific to the south-west region and we kind of sliced different versions of dairy farms to get that red shed that surrounded production areas,” she said.

“It has this kind of integral relationship with its landscape. It was really tricky to achieve in that we have cows, major trucks and visitors.

“To control that and we worked really hard to bring up that elevation so it wasn’t a sea of car parking in front of it … so you had that direct connection to the landscape.”

More than 100 entries are in the running across multiple categories in the awards this year, which includes educational architecture, urban design, interior architecture, residential architecture –
houses and public architecture.

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The refurbishment of the Leeuwin Estate Winery, by Suzanne Hunt Architects. Photo: Jody D'Arcy

Australian Institute of Architects WA Chapter president Peter Hobbs said this year’s entrants shone a light on projects of both local and state significance.

“Whether it’s a well-known public project in the heart of the CBD, an upgrade to an iconic zoo exhibit or a heritage transformation in the south west, all of the entries this year work to connect people with their surrounds in a meaningful way,” he said.

“In addition to fostering connections with places and spaces, this year’s entries also demonstrate the importance of quality architecture when it comes to delivering a built environment that will sustain Australia’s diverse communities well into the future.

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The DFO outlet centre in Perth, by Taylor Robinson Chaney Broderick. Photo: Matt Biocich

“The need to consider how spaces might influence the wider community, not just the people who dwell within or use them on a daily basis is incredibly important, so it’s fantastic to see architects delivering such a varied range of projects.”

Members of the community will have the opportunity to explore the entrants at an exhibition at Garden City Shopping Centre in Booragoon from Monday, June 17, to Friday, June 28.

The award winners will be announced at Optus Stadium on Friday, June 28 with winners progressing to the national architecture awards.

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