Regional Prize

The Regional Prize recognises projects that have made a significant contribution to Regional Victoria. All projects located outside the urban growth boundary are eligible for consideration. Projects may

Jury chair report

The jury was impressed with the quality and diversity of entries for this year’s Regional Award. With a total of 36 entries, a long list of 18 was selected for presentation to the jury, from which a final shortlist of eight was chosen. The jury travelled 1800 kilometres over four days to see an outstanding variety of commercial, civic and education projects in their regional settings.

These site visits formed an important part of the process, offering an opportunity for a deeper understanding of the projects and their context. The shortlisted projects shared a laudable understanding and sense of place, with a focus on community connection and engagement through architectural endeavour. A common thread was the commitment to exploring the brief and social context, delivering outcomes well beyond client expectations.

Several projects were impacted by supply issues during the pandemic, but notably the client and consultant teams collaborated with great creative energy to overcome the obstacles, often a challenging issue in smaller regional areas with less be of a built form, an urban design solution or an innovation that has influenced and improved the fabric of the region. resources. This year’s regional projects often embodied a strong connection to culture and place through their sensitive integration with the local fabric.

Often reaching beyond the realms of site boundaries, projects activated adjacent landscapes and spaces thereby sharing their benefits more broadly. Offering notable levels of sustainability, and an awareness and recognition of Country and Traditional Owners, projects generally displayed a commitment to both a socially and environmentally sustainable future.

The jury wishes to acknowledge that there were many projects deserving award recognition, and we commend their collective contribution and architectural excellence. Their dedication has resulted in significant and meaningful new environments that have established themselves as places of great value within their regional communities. The jury wish to congratulate all entries in the Regional Award, in particular the shortlisted projects and this year’s category winner, the Warrnambool Library and Learning Centre by Kosloff Architecture.

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Regional Prize

Warrnambool Library and Learning Centre by Kosloff Architecture

Eastern Maar Country

Set within the urban context of southwest TAFE’s CBD campus, the new Warrnambool Library and Learning Centre by Kosloff Architecture is an outstanding addition to regional Victoria and is this year’s winner of the Regional Award.

The new centre springs from the passionate and collaborative vision of client, community, and architect. Sensitively set within the adjacent heritage buildings, a contemporary threestorey extension is deftly stitched to the 1868 orderly room by a new grand stair and glazed link. The extension is cloaked in an enveloping veil that peels open to reveal the city and landscape beyond, while a series of delightful spaces activate the surrounding campus offering a significant contribution to the city.

Exceptionally detailed and beautifully crafted, the design skilfully combines both a strong civic engagement with a quiet personal experience. Building on the heritage narrative, the richly layered design is imbued with resonance and joy, becoming a welcoming and engaging living room for the campus and community.

Championing learning and education for all ages, the Warrnambool Library and Learning Centre is an inspiring new regional hub of vision and excellence that has lifted the aspirations of the city and region.

Practice team: Julian Kosloff (Design Architect), Stephanie Bullock (Design Architect), Lance van Maanen (Project Architect)

Consultant / Construction team: TSA Management (Project Manager), Kosloff Architecture (Interior Designer), GLAS Urban (Landscape Consultant), Bryce Raworth (Heritage Consultant), SY Structures (Structural Engineer), SY Structures (Civil Consultant), Umow Lai (AV Consultant), Umow Lai (Fire Engineering), Umow Lai (ESD Consultant), Resonate (Acoustic Consultant), Studio Semaphore (Signage and Wayfinding), Quantum Traffic (Traffic Consultant), Philip Chun (Building Surveyor), Philip Chun (DDA)

Builder: Nicholson Construction

Photographer: Derek Swalwell

Regional Prize