Open to both Australian and international practices, “Sydney is Beautiful” is an ideas competition aimed at promoting timeless principles of new traditional architecture and urbanism.
Street Level Australia launched the competition to explore major design issues and the opportunities of the subject site through hypothetical redevelopments.
“The competition is designed to show that better is possible for new buildings,” said Street Level founder Milly Main. “We need to invest in the finest quality of building, particularly for public architecture, including ornament and artistry, so our children have something to cherish and protect.”
The 2022 competition focused on a vacant block at 114 William Street, Woolloomooloo, owned by Transport for NSW, with submissions entailing new schemes for the site that incorporated beautiful, enduring and environmentally sustainable architecture and urban planning. Entries closed 16 January 2023 and winners were announced on 31 January at a ceremony in Glebe.
Sydney-based M. J. Suttie Architects won the competition in a blind jury selection process from a field of 13 entries. The scheme utilised Sydney sandstone masonry, Australian hardwoods, and a selection of other natural and local materials, with a classical vernacular tied to Sydneys architectural traditions.
Winston Grant-Preece’s scheme received second prize.
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Winston Grant-Preece
Second prize went to Winston Grant-Preece for a design that responded to sydney’s climactic conditions, with abundant outdoor space, roof terraces, and shaded pergolas, balconies and covered walkways. The building used language of the Doric order, with double-brick masonry with a rendered finish to allow for external colour.
First prize for the youth submissions went to John Suttie, with second place awarded to Brandon Bosaz, both 16 years old.
NSW minister for infrastructure and cities Rob Stokes launched an exhibition of entries on 31 January where he also awarded a separate Premier’s Commendation Award to Hector Abrahams, and a Youth Commendation Award to John Paul and Joseph Foong.
Judges for the competition included Elizabeth Farrelly, Mike Day (Hatch Roberts Day) and Richard Economakis (University of Notre Dame).
View the full gallery of entries here.
Source: Architecture - architectureau
