Bates Smart Award for Architecture in Media

The Bates Smart Award for Architecture in the Media is Australia’s most prestigious media award for journalists, editors, producers and event organisers working in the field of architecture and design. It is an annual award to encourage and to recognise media discussion of architecture.

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Advocacy Award

The Age opinion pieces by

Michael Smith

Michael Smith’s series of contributions for The Age take complex urban and architectural questions and relay them in a clear and accessible manner. It is a rare example of an architect speaking beyond the profession and advocating for issues that impact the lives of a broad public.

Smith dives into the details of planning policy in his piece “Small apartment buildings should be exempt from planning NIMBYism”, and advocates for new public spaces in “Docklands should be turned into our next live music hub”. He champions new playgrounds while cautioning against inequity in his article “A playground revolution is taking place, but the suburbs are missing out” and simply calls out bad design in a humorous way in “Melbourne Aquarium left me feeling crabby”.

With each piece, Smith does more than identify the issues, he also offers practical and imaginative suggestions for what might be done. These suggestions speak up for the city and its residents, not merely for the benefit of architects. Smith’s articles form an important contribution to the debate around the future of Melbourne and demonstrate how architectural thinking can be directed to larger civic questions.

State Award

Architectural criticism in The Saturday Paper

by Naomi Stead, RMIT, The Saturday Paper

Naomi Stead’s architecture articles for The Saturday Paper are a captivating exploration of a wide range of architectural works, encompassing various scales and typologies. Stead’s unique approach embraces a celebration of each project’s sense of place and design philosophy. Notably, her description of the Sydney Modern’s atrium, designed by SANAA, as “a descending diagonal – a skewer of oblique voids tumbling down the hill,” exemplifies her ability to capture the character of architectural spaces.

Setting her work apart is Stead’s balanced perspective, providing both positive and critical assessment, in contrast to much of the current architectural criticism. Whether analysing grand endeavours like the Sydney Modern or smaller-scale projects like Garden Tower House by Studio Bright, Stead reveals the intrinsic significance of buildings beyond their visual aesthetics.

The exceptional talent of Naomi Stead lies in her capacity to engage a broader audience. Her language is devoid of technical jargon. Her thought-provoking commentary offers valuable insights into architectural projects, making her essays enjoyable reading for both architectural enthusiasts and non-architectural readers alike. Her essays are compelling and informative, leaving a lasting impact on anyone interested in the world of architecture.

National Award

Deadly Djurumin Yarns

by Deadly Djurumin and Parlour

Deadly Djurumin Yarns, produced by Deadly Djurumin and Parlour, makes an exceptional contribution to the field of architecture. Moderated by Sarah Lynn Rees and Danièle Hromek, the series comprises 15 hour-long episodes that together begin to unpack current practices, processes and challenges faced by those working to integrate cultural heritage and Country into the built environment in Australia.

Deadly Djurumin Yarns brings together voices and projects from across Australia. Through thought-provoking discussions that include architects, heritage specialists, planners, clients, Traditional Owners and Elders, this project draws on the expertise of many to propose how the industry can better connect to Country, culture, and community. Presented as a series of video recordings, Deadly Djurumin Yarns overcomes barriers to information and is therefore capable of facilitating much-needed conversation within the built environment.

As a platform for sharing firsthand experiences, Deadly Djurumin Yarns elevates Indigenous voices, promotes cultural understanding, and inspires a more inclusive and sustainable built environment. Contributing to a long-awaited conversation, the series uses media to catalyse positive change in the industry. By supporting respectful and meaningful communication, Deadly Djurumin Yarns is informing the future of architecture in Australia.

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