COX Takes Home Three Titles at the 2023 ACT Awards, Including the Top Gong for Interiors
COX was awarded three titles at the 2023 ACT Architecture Awards, including the top gong in the Interior Architecture Category.
Government Fitout was awarded the W Hayward Morris Award for Interior Architecture. The jury cited that ‘the interiors of each level are thoughtfully influenced by and designed to represent the functional divisions of the government client where nature’s colours become the background themes for the fit-out.’
Jury citation
The workplace fitout of Civic Quarter 2 is testament to the architectural designers and consultants pushing the envelope and innovating within the practical requirements of a large-scale commercial office. Working together, the team has created a building where the central atrium and floors that engage with it are dramatic and inviting. Designing within the complex fire safety requirements, multiple floors look out and engage with the atrium void. The balconies become zones for inhabitation, while the inter-level stairs promote active circulation for the occupants.
The interiors of each level are thoughtfully influenced by and designed to represent the functional divisions of the government client where nature’s colours become the background themes for the fit-out. The main breakout spaces, co-located on a lower level are experimental in their materiality while being highly resolved in their execution. The natural colour palette combined with the mix of structural timber framing, tinted rockcote render and functional furniture and joinery become an inviting space to collaborate together or work in quiet isolation.
Government Fitout – CQ2 exceptionally demonstrates the strength of the integrated fitout to deliver excellent design outcomes for both the built environment and the building’s occupants.
Hotel Mottainai received a Commendation for Small Project Architecture, with the jury impressed ‘by the polemical approach to design in the community and the architects’ ability to successfully negotiate the regulatory restrictions that often suppresses innovation in adaptive reuse.’
Jury citation
Mottainai – a Japanese word that describes a feeling of regret when something of value is wasted.
Hotel Mottainai is an art gallery designed as a pop-up hotel room inserted into an unused office building in Canberra’s CBD. It is an immersive experience, fitted out in donated and recycled materials.
The Jury was impressed by the polemical approach to design in the community and the architects’ ability to successfully negotiate the regulatory restrictions that often suppresses innovation in adaptive reuse.
Also receiving a commendation was Johns XXII College, ANU, in the Educational Architecture category. The Jury was impressed by ‘the clarity and quality of key architectural intervention of the new entry sequence as revealed by the design, quality of light, materiality and detailing.’
Jury citation
The new design for John XXIII College at ANU reimagines the life of the residential college with a new entry and common room in addition to improvements throughout the college.
The Jury was impressed by the clarity and quality of key architectural intervention of the new entry sequence as revealed by the design, quality of light, materiality and detailing.
Demonstrating keen acumen and practical understanding, the project creates a rich and varied spatial landscape to engage students and support a positive social, academic, and residential experience.
