Commercial Architecture

Projects in this category must be built primarily for commercial purposes, generally falling within BCA Classes 3b, 5, 6, 7 and 8.

Jury chair report

This year entries for the Commercial Architecture category demonstrate a breadth of project typologies, including wineries, boutique office buildings, health spas and Gin distilleries. Comparative analysis was therefore a complex process and site visits an imperative.

What connected these diverse projects was the exemplary nature employed by the architects to produce highquality design outcomes within the parameters of commerciality. The strength of ideas, the use of materials and the execution of the final built form appeared not to be constrained by the client, budget, or the need for the project to operate successfully in a commercial environment.

The jury reflected on the contextual range of projects beyond the remit of the traditional commercial city centre.

Several shortlisted entries where from regional Victoria where climatic conditions, sustainability and landscape played a pivotal role in the design thinking. They also acknowledged a growing appreciation within the profession of the responsibilities of working on Country and the influence of First Nations histories. The jury endorses these sentiments and recognise them as a continuing and positive step forward for everyone in the design industry.

Jury deliberations were thorough, inclusive, and robust; however, the awards evaluation criteria remained a steady compass to ensure we navigated toward the right decisions. We congratulate the awarded and commended projects and suggest the future of commercial architecture in the postCOVID era is looking optimistic.

Category sponsor

Colours available in Australia through

The inspired colours in this swatch were sourced from the Natural Colour System (NCS). Access to this colour range is available in Australia through Taubmans.

Taubmans does not claim that the colours or paints used in this award-winning project were produced by Taubmans.

The Sir Osborn McCutheon Award for Commercial Architecture

Delatite Cellar Door by Lucy Clemenger Architects

Taungurung Country

The remarkable commercial success of this beautifully designed Delatite Cellar Door is a testament to the exceptional relationship between the client and architect.

Throughout their visit, guests are immersed in a multisensory experience that unfolds with each passing moment.

Sitting gracefully in the landscape, guests are invited on a gentle ascent through the magnificent surroundings to the building. Moving through the space, every opportunity is seized to connect to the environment, as demonstrated through the external portal that frames Mount Buller in the background, creating an imaginary threshold to the cellar experience.

The spaces unfold effortlessly, displaying exquisite, understated details that make use of the skills of local craftsmen and locally sourced materials. This reflects the tireless commitment of both the client and architect to sustainability and their respect for the land, fostering a seamless relationship with nature in line with their business philosophy.

The interiors successfully create a welcoming domestic atmosphere where visitors can pause to take in the view and warm and welcoming space.

The client’s generosity in sharing their stunning asset with the local community is reflected through the spatial organisation of the building and landscape. This is enhanced through the versatility of the space allowing the opportunity for music festivals and local farmer’s markets to take place on the premises in future.

Practice team: Lucy Clemenger (Design Architect), Tilde Sheppard (Project Architect), Aykiz Gokmen (Graduate of Architecture), Lily Nie (Graduate of Architecture)

Consultant / Construction team: The O’Neill Group (Structural Engineer), Alpine Building Permits (Building Surveyor), DBQS (Quality Surveyor), Enrate (Energy Assessor)

Builder: Easton

Photographer: Derek Swalwell

Award for Commercial Architecture

Encore Cremorne by Fieldwork Wurundjeri Country

Through a meticulous process of moulding the volume of the space, Fieldwork’s Encore Cremorne project responds to the challenging brief of delivering an office tower, with an outstanding example of urban integration.

The 20th-century brick building is carefully retained and restored, with inserted punctual openings to facilitate the new commercial activities housed within the structure. Above, the new development is composed of seven floors with a superb, pleated glass and brick facade that reflects and deconstructs the surrounding environment through a play of reflections and lights.

The volumes gracefully dance and sway, guided by delicate modulation, hollowing out at the corners, offering respite to the dense urban fabric. The wells of light they create beckon the sunlight to delicately permeate through to the narrow laneways.

The relationship between the historic ground-level building and the new volumes is masterfully harmonised, transcending their differing scales, through the carving of the interstitial spaces. The well established, jungle-like gardens at various levels of the building provide an extraordinary experience for tenants. Likewise, the generous communal areas immersed in greenery offer spaces for both conviviality and focused work.

Practice team: Joachim Holland (Design DirectorArchitect), Tim Brooks (Project Architect), Kara Kim (Architect), William Anderson (Architect), Shin Kil (Architect) Consultant / Construction team: Monno (Developer), Contour (Town Planner), Reddo (Building Surveyor), Bryce Raworth (Heritage Consultant), Openwork (Landscape Architect), Green Factory (ESD Consultant), Mim Design (Interior Designer), Architecture & Access (DDA Consultant), Webber (Structural Engineer), Webber (Civil Consultant), OMNII (Fire Engineer), Traffix (Traffic), Leigh Design (Waste Management), RWDI (Wind Engineering), Protest (Geotechnical), Stantec (Services Consultant)

Builder: Hacer Group

Photographer: Tom Ross

Award for Commercial Architecture

JCB Studio by Jackson Clements Burrows Wurundjeri Country

JCB has successfully reimagined a postpandemic, flexible working space that fosters collaboration and creativity.

The studio, located in the bustling streets of Richmond, is an outstanding example of an adaptive reimaging of a warehouse that coexists with long-standing neighbourhood businesses.

The design approach recognises the transient nature of this fast-developing part of the city with a commitment to sustainability. Every effort has been made to preserve as much as possible, integrating new components specifically with their lifecycle in mind. The building’s original envelope and structure are maintained, together with the sawtooth roof and the timber flooring. The new laminated timber beams, particle board, steelwork and trusses are off-the-shelf items to be disassembled and reused in case of future demolition. All furnishings are beautifully detailed and manufactured, modularly designed to be easily flatpacked and transported elsewhere.

Materials such as stainless steel used at times to structurally reinforce, elevate the details and accentuate the orange colour (a romantic and nostalgic reference to the history of the practice), weaving a compelling narrative that unfolds throughout the spaces.

The project successfully creates a central introspective yet collaborative space, isolated from the noise of the main road, while maintaining a constant connection with the surrounding context of its perimeters. This is exemplified through the self-owned and managed cafe. Open to the community, it activates the adjacent lane and rear entrance to embrace the vibrant street art of the area, ultimately enhancing the building’s unique and dynamic atmosphere.

Practice team: Jon Clements (Design Architect), Tim Jackson (Design Architect), Graham Burrows (Design Architect), Chris Botterill (Project Architect), Alison Palmer (Interior Designer), Tess Wrigley (Interior Designer), Chloe Hinchliffe (Interior Designer), William Christian (Project Architect), Adelle Mackey (Interior Design), Akiko Bamba (Design Team), Ben Pitman (Design Team), Eulalie Trinca (Interior Design), Mathew George (Design Team) Consultant / Construction team: ADP (Electrical & Fire safety), Griepink & Ward (Mechanical), Reddo Building Surveyors (Building Surveyor), AVI Technology (AV Consultant), Dataline (Comms), Light Project (Lighting Consultant), Gincat (Fire Engineering)

Builder: BD Projects, LEEDA Projects

Photographer: Shannon McGrath

Commendation for Commercial Architecture

CONO Business Park by Particular Architects

Country: Wurundjeri

CONO Business Park presents a remarkable achievement in elevating the industrial typology. Thanks to a well-considered street interface, the constant consideration and integration of human scale, and thoughtful organisation of units, the project succeeds in creating a welcoming and vibrant space for the diverse working population. It simultaneously fosters engagement within the surrounding community and businesses operating in the near proximities.

The quality finish of the concrete, considered details, climbing green walls, and the hand-painted super graphic all contribute to a level of refinement that is atypical for this type of development.

The architect has successfully demonstrated the value of good design by fostering a positive relationship with the client, resulting in a space that delivers both a successful commercial outcome and the positive wellbeing of those who work and visit here.

Builder: MBD Momentum Building & Development Pty Ltd

Photographer: Serena Galante Photography

Other entries for Commercial Architecture