Best Residential Interior & Overall Winner:

Not a Motel by Pleysier Perkins (VIC)

Steeped in the iconic principles of mid-century modern design, this playful retreat in Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula exudes the fun of California coastal living. Appropriately titled ‘Not a Hotel’, the project is inspired by the colour and conviviality of Palm Springs motels, acting as a getaway for a family of three and their friends. “With a delightful sense of whimsy and an exceptional use of brick, this four-bedroom holiday home blends the charm of an Aussie beach shack with the retro allure of a Palm Springs motel,” exclaims Brett Ward, General Manager of International Marketing for Brickworks Building Products. “Its nod to mid-century modern design enhances the home’s overall appeal.” Defining the home’s relaxed, coastal aura, Bowral Bricks Chillingham White creates circular motifs throughout the home, curving around an expansive outdoor shower and sunken lounge, two highlights of the shared spaces. Multicoloured doorways and shuttered windows comprise the hallway for the bedrooms, enhancing the motel-feel while referencing the bright and bold palettes of the home’s retro art collection and stained glass windows. 

Best Compact Build Under 200m² – Joint Winner

Draped House by Trias (NSW)

Unafraid of minimalism, this peaceful home in Sydney’s north creates an architectural spectacle in its subtlety. Opting for a robust palette of timber, concrete and sandstone, architects Trias engaged in a reductive design approach to allow the leafy surroundings of Draped House to shine. Sprawling towards the sky from the centre of the façade, a scribbly gum anchors the home in place, the curvature of the roofing simulating its natural arch while expanding the feeling of spaciousness within the compact site. “The home is a testament to beautiful design and craftsmanship, showcasing how a suburban build can harmonise with its surroundings, revealing small spaces can, indeed, be highly impactful,” Brett affirms. 

“Harriet’s House has been expertly expanded from its original Georgian cottage form, using bricks to strike a harmonious balance between subtlety and boldness, resulting in a contemporary transformation that enhances the space beautifully.”

Best Compact Build Under 200m² – Joint Winner

Harriet’s House by So. Architecture (TAS)

“Harriet’s House has been expertly expanded from its original Georgian cottage form, using brick to strike a harmonious balance between subtlety and boldness,” reflects Brett. So Architecture worked across six years with homeowner and Australian design veteran Harriet Edquist to create a space that embraced the original heritage-listed cottage and its small site. Preserving the existing foundations of Harriet’s House reduced building waste significantly, with additional materials chosen to extend upon the Georgian design language with contemporary undertones. Austral Bricks Access in Ash and Yarra in Richmond are used across the new extension’s internal and external walls and flooring, establishing a neutral palette that gently backs beautiful art works and trinkets collected by Harriet over the years. “The result is a contemporary transformation that enhances the space beautifully.”

Best Alteration or Renovation

Niwa House by John Ellway (QLD)

Hailing from the Japanese word for ‘garden’ or ‘courtyard’, Niwa House intertwines tranquil greenery with the home. Despite its inner-city location, the home is thoughtfully connected to an internal garden that can be enjoyed at all times of the year. “A brilliant and agile transformation of the modest Queensland worker’s cottage draws inspiration from the verandah, allowing its residents to seamlessly blend their living space with the garden,” explains Brett. Having no connection to the natural elements previously, architect John Ellway used the renovation to open up the home through a series of platforms that move from living room to greenery, kitchen to garden, blurring the lines between indoors and out.

Best Use of Material Brick

Mygunyah by The Circus by Matt Gibson Architecture + Design (VIC)

Made for multi-generational living, Mygunyah by The Circus demonstrates a masterful use of brickwork, creating deliberate contrast between a modern renovation and the Victorian cues of the existing home. “Divided into three distinct pavilions that gently interlink, the residence embraces a rich interplay of natural light and textures, enhancing the internal spaces,” says Brett. Referencing the traditional elements of the first pavilion, the second utilises Nubrik Traditional Acland Cream bricks in a contemporary form to merge old and new. Moving through to the third of the pavilions, Austral Bricks La Paloma in Romero comprises a double-layered cavity brick system within the generous family room for storage and focus within the space. “The thoughtful application of brick seamlessly bridges the old and the new, creating a balance throughout the project.”

Best Garden Design

Mediterranean Modern by Adam Robinson Design (NSW)

The appeal of Adam Robinson Design’s Mediterranean Modern is undoubtedly evident in the textural whirlwind of its courtyard. A previously dated Victorian terrace was given a contemporary upheaval, embracing minimal design to highlight the impact of a raw palette. “The Mediterranean-inspired courtyard skillfully blends space and nature with its varied stone and brickwork, adding texture and warmth,” Brett describes. “It enhances outdoor entertaining, creating a serene and timeless atmosphere.” Powdery concrete and patchworked stone, in tandem with a combination of old and new brick, paint the courtyard in an assortment of textural shades, refraining from resorting to a plain outdoor space while allowing greenery to flourish.

Best Sustainable Project

Heather’s Off-Grid House by Gardiner Architects (VIC)

“Gardiner Architects redefine ‘off-grid’ with a farmhouse that exemplifies environmental stewardship, blending intergenerational living, adaptability, and sustainability into a truly forward-thinking, eco-friendly design,” says Brett. Situated in Victoria’s Barwon Valley, this sustainable farmhouse works with the natural environment and native vegetation to create a flexible family home. Solar panels, water tanks, a wood-fired boiler and a transpiration septic system work together to allow the home to function off-the-grid, with water from the system aiding in restoring the surrounding greenery. The layout offers both indoor and outdoor living spaces, providing the essential services areas without being excessive in its use of space and construction materials. 

Reflecting Australia’s best of the best in design, the winners of the Inside Out x Brickworks Home of the Year Awards tell an engaging narrative of innovative architecture, harnessing humble material palettes to emphasise their power in creating impactful residences.

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Devised and executed at the globally-anticipated Milan Design Week, the exhibition reflects the ingenuity, excellence and expressiveness distinctive to the annual event. Conceived in 1961, the trade fair convenes in early April, bringing together internationally-acclaimed creatives to share, celebrate and collaborate on all things design. What results is a space for spontaneous experimentation and connection, forming lasting dialogues between the world’s best designers.

Having traditionally crafted bold and elaborate exhibitions for their Milan Design Week feature, Hermès home artistic directors Charlotte Macaux Perelman and Alexis Fabry chose an entirely different route for 2024. Stepping into a shadowy, cavernous space, visitors are initially met with confusion as to the intention of their gaze, before veering downwards to ingest the heart of the display – a complex arrangement of over 20 organic materials that decorate the floor of the La Pelota venue with drama. The patterned pathways that stretch between the panels are inspired by an ornate Hermès jockey blouse, leading visitors on a slow and gradual journey through the site of raw materials, allowing them to experience the individual intricacies of the earth, bricks, terracotta, rocks and timber.

Playing with ideas of longevity and time, the authenticity of clay, stone and soil is at the centre of Hermès’ legacy. The display makes the ordinary sublime in its angular, panelled presentation creating connection between the earth, refinement and celebration within the design process. In placing brickwork across the flooring, the exhibition recognises raw materials as the foundations of our societies, architecture and communities. Choosing local materials already in existence, the curation of the installation holds respect for the natural environment, seeing the materials sent back to local suppliers for reuse or recycling to preserve and extend their usage.

After making their way through the material maze that spans the room, visitors arrived at a screened corridor, containing elements both new and old. Pieces from Hermès’ extensive archives reflected the house’s near two-century old legacy, the vintage mixing with a collection of 21 new creations that echoed the more traditional design elements. The buoyant patterns of a new blanket are seen in a sleek chevron cigarette case from the 1930s, while the hammered silver of a 2002 necklace ties in the aluminium accents of a new leather lounge.

Beginning with materials in their purest form, luxury design house Hermès takes visitors through its rich heritage, pausing to reflect on quality from inception, tying tradition to innovation in their thoughtful portrayal.

“In placing brickwork across the flooring, the exhibition recognises raw materials as the foundations of our societies, architecture and communities.”

“In placing brickwork across the flooring, the exhibition recognises raw materials as the foundations of our societies, architecture and communities.”

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Presented at the newly unveiled Sydney Modern building at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, the Houses Awards honour the contributions of local architects and designers to the ever-changing Australian residential landscape. Here is this year’s inspiring list of winners. 

Australian House of the Year & New House Over 200sqm (joint winner):
Merricks Farmhouse by Michael Lumby with Nielsen Jenkins (VIC)

Situated on a prominent hilltop site along Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula is Merricks Farmhouse – a masterclass in achieving an extraordinary and deep connection to landscape. This award-winning project harnesses the opportunities of a large coastal site to support a restorative experience of place. 

The jury notes, “A decisive form and robust materiality are elevated by precise detailing and meticulous execution, achieving a building that is at once an ambitious and accomplished architectural project, and a warm and welcome home.” 

The project explores the idea of shelter within the confines of a typical farmhouse. Calm and equilibrium is imbued within the home, where living, sleeping and bathing spaces look outwards to private courtyards and greenscapes, enveloped by the home’s exterior walls. In the distance, expansive vistas filter throughout the residence, found in quiet moments of solitude and respite. 

New House Over 200sqm (joint winner):
Shiplap House by Chenchow Little Architects (NSW)

Presented with the challenging site of a headland ridge in Sydney’s eastern suburbs that had strict planning constraints and a turbulent natural environment, Chenchow Little immediately embraced all obstacles to deliver an exemplary home for a young family. Hidden away from the street and embedded into the landscape itself, the materiality of Shiplap House anchors it to place with its timber cladding – a reference to the fishermen’s cottages that once graced these headlands. 

Rich and robust; a balance of privacy and exposure to endless harbour views, the jury commends this project’s direct response to the challenges of a site with clarity and conviction. 

New House Under 200sqm: 
Blok Stafford Heights by Blok Modular with Vokes and Peters (QLD)

Praised by the jury for its demonstration of clever and restrained design to create a low-cost family home, Blok Stafford Heights is a modular building with an unpretentious nature. A series of modest site-built blockwork elements provide an anchor to the prefabricated home, which sits at ease in its suburban setting. 

The collaborative process between Vokes and Peter and modular home builder Blok Modular was driven by a purposeful design approach. Distinct spatial connections are significant in this build, both internal and external, allowing the context to inspire the palettes within and the coexistence of the structure and the surrounding landscape. 

House Alteration and Addition Under 200sqm:
Sunday by Architecture architecture (VIC)

Adapting a narrow cottage in Melbourne’s Fitzroy, Sunday’s design maximises its small site, hugging all perimeter boundaries. The courtyard is an extrusion of the home’s form, with living arrangements that stretch into the outdoors, creating both spaces to gather in and retreat to. 

House Alteration and Addition Over 200sqm:
Armadale House by Neeson Murcutt Neille

A renovation to a gracious two-storey free-standing Victorian house provides a restrained series of targeted interventions, contained mostly within the home’s existing footprint. Strategic and surgical, the renovations are aimed at skilfully repositioning rooms and openings, fine-tuning the plan to suit contemporary use. Judges showed an appreciation for the quiet refinement and precision of the interventions that permit old and new to coexist harmoniously.

Apartment or Unit:
Spring Street by March Studio

Situated within a 1970s brutalist building in central Melbourne, this apartment plays on light and materiality. A ceiling of extruded aluminium panels is undoubtedly the focal point, inspired by the reflective ceiling of the metro station located beneath the apartment building.

House in a Heritage Context:
Millers Point Townhouse by Design 5 – Architects

A rare example of Sydney’s early housing, this townhouse is located in a State Heritage listed Conservation Area. The home was selected as the winner for its restoration of legibility and sophistication of the original design. Contemporary insertions enliven the home’s character, while meaningfully interpreting lost elements. 

Garden or Landscape & Emerging Architecture Practice:
Coogee Courtyard by SAHA

An exercise in subtraction, this understated courtyard space is timeless and carefully considered. Removing a two-car garage to reinstate the home’s primary outdoor space provides the growing family with a place for pause. 

SAHA was additionally awarded as the Emerging Architecture Practice, with the jury regarding their work as “quiet, poetic and understated, their buildings seem embedded in place and time.” 

Sustainability:
Monty Sibbel by Nuud Studio 

Monty Sibbel is a sensitive renovation and restoration of a modest 1970s Sibbel Builders home, honouring and elevating the original design, lived experience of the home and the environment it sits within. 

The restoration rectifies issues of environmental performance that existed in the original structure – the home now runs on all-electric power, properly insulated cavity walls, and new glazing that preserves the original hardwood frames. 

Presented by Houses Magazine, the winners of the 2023 Houses Awards display the best of Australian residential design and architecture, acknowledging the efforts of the industry in shaping the evolving landscape. 

“A decisive form and robust materiality are elevated by precise detailing and meticulous execution, achieving a building that is at once an ambitious and accomplished architectural project, and a warm and welcome home.”

“A decisive form and robust materiality are elevated by precise detailing and meticulous execution, achieving a building that is at once an ambitious and accomplished architectural project, and a warm and welcome home.”

The post The Winners of the 2023 HOUSES Awards appeared first on Brickworks.

‘Visual arts are an integral part of our culture and overall social wellbeing. This sector has long been under-valued and poorly funded. With no change in sight, it’s up to individuals and businesses with the foresight and capital to step up and do what they can to reverse the decline,’ says Shelley Simpson. 

This year’s first prize recipient is Cassie Hansen for her architecture wall tablet series, seeing her receive a $10,000 cash prize in addition to a mentor-mentee relationship with Shelley Simpson. Cassie’s ceramics portfolio is centred on midfire and stoneware vessels and objects, which combine wheel-thrown and hand-built elements. 

‘Sometimes when you’re alone in your studio creating pieces, you become unsure of yourself and the work. To have someone like Shelley recognise my ceramics and believe in it enough to bestow this year’s prize is overwhelming, wonderful and a real honour,’ Cassie Hansen says. 

Cassie’s architecture wall tablet series is inspired by the ancient clay tablets of the Mesopotamia period of 3200BC. The hand carved shapes in Cassie’s work are made to resemble site plans of villages, elevations or a collection of material palettes used by architects and designers. 

“Sometimes when you’re alone in your studio creating pieces, you become unsure of yourself and the work. To have someone like Shelley recognise my ceramics and believe in it enough to bestow this year’s prize is overwhelming, wonderful and a real honour. ”

“Sometimes when you’re alone in your studio creating pieces, you become unsure of yourself and the work. To have someone like Shelley recognise my ceramics and believe in it enough to bestow this year’s prize is overwhelming, wonderful and a real honour. ”

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Only moments from Melbourne’s Altona beach, the experimental home presents a distinctive outward presence, merging sleek, industrial aesthetics with dashes of mixed geometry. 

A sheer façade of dappled grey bricks trails along the face of this three-story residence to an asymmetrical gabled roof, and sharp accents of black metal cladding protrude partially from the façade. Varied depths are present in the exterior, with the brick wall extending out over the base of the home below. 

Contrasting with the precipitous brickwork wall and the project’s sharp angularity, moulded curves soften and warm the home’s exterior. A rounded edge defines the home’s front balcony and leads around the side of the house, while an impressive double-storey arching window mirrors the balcony’s curve. 

The materiality emulates the contrast seen in the architectural contours. Neutral Austral Bricks San Selmo in Cloudy Silver are mottled and textural and are paired with the sleek black accents, visually popping against the calming grey and referencing industrial aesthetics. 

This array of design choices coalesces as a unique frontage in a suburban street that stands in a class of its own. 

The exterior brickwork comprises Austral Bricks San Selmo bricks in Cloudy Silver, kiln-fired in Italy using natural minerals. This style purposefully embodies the rustic elements of the masonry, embracing varying tactility and a combination of lighter and darker shades. Due to their durability, locked in via the kiln process and their colour being unaffected by weather, they’re low-maintenance and boast façade longevity. 

Inside the home, clean white walls and blonde timber floors welcome visitors in with a soft and homely palette. Grey accents echo the external silver brickwork, including the grey-veined marble kitchen benches and grey-tiled bathroom floors. Light spills into the two-bedroom home through ceiling-height windows and a timber staircase which becomes a natural light well. 

Award-winning Melbourne company Mancini Made is known for its tailored, high-end construction and custom designs. Founded by brothers Anthony and Paul Mancini, Mancini Made prides itself on its flawless integration of architecture and construction. The company continuously specifies Brickworks for its ever-growing portfolio of exclusive and luxury residences, from 3 Railway Avenue’s Bowral 76 in Chillingham White to Austral Bricks La Paloma used in their Sussex project. 

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Cementiri Nou d’Igualada

Enric Miralles and Carme Pinos designed Cementiri Nou d’Igualada as a place of reflection and memory. Embedded in the Catalonian hills, the cemetery was designed as a tiered landscape – appearing as if it were a natural aspect of the land. The concentrated excavations across the ground allow the concrete niches to rest against the terrain, resembling ruins throughout the sun-filled terraces. 

The main burial area is in a lowered, excavated part of the cemetery, while the second tier has more traditional burial plots. Raw materials of concrete, stone and wood present the structure as one with the land. An expansive walkway, which wraps around the cemetery, leads the way to a central courtyard, which opens itself to the sky. Enveloped by a sloped plan and the heat of the Mediterranean sun above, this central haven is the epicentre of Cementiri Nou d’Igualada. Reminiscent of the desert rivers, the niches act as both retaining walls and as ‘strained banks of the river of souls.’ 

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The Barcelona Edition Hotel

The Barcelona Edition Hotel by Carlos Ferrater of the Office of Architecture in Barcelona sits opposite the old medieval market square in the Santa Caterina neighbourhood. Following the urban transformation of the Ciutat Vella district and Barcelona’s modernisation, which began in the 1980s, the Barcelona Edition Hotel plays a significant role in rejuvenating the city’s public space on Avenida Francesc Cambó. This unique project has contributed to the neighbourhood’s social and economic revitalisation with a new architectural typology, providing a multi-functional space for the community to experience. 

The hotel was designed to replace the existing office building with a new skin that responds to the contemporary evolution of its urban context. The glass-fronted façade is dynamic in form, presenting geometric angles which emphasise light and shade throughout the space. Boasting double-height openings on ground level and a series of suites with city views across Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, The Barcelona Edition Hotel offers an exciting rehabilitation of this district’s commercial fabric. 

Escola Massana

Located in the historic centre of Barcelona, the Escola Massana by Estudio Carme Pinós is part of a more extensive process of urban transformation around Plaça de la Gardunya. The brief called for a ‘luminous interior’ across its 11,000 square metres of surface area while delivering a project that would seamlessly coexist with the existing urban fabric of Barcelona. 

Designed with an intricate material scheme and a striking sculptural vision, the side of the building which faces the square is split into two rotating volumes. Through this, Pinós aimed to diminish the bulkiness and provide different terraces overlooking the square – connecting the individuals inside with the city’s vibrant atmosphere below. Reminiscent of a ‘brise soleil,’ the project’s exterior ceramic elements emphasise its overall volumetric intentions without compromising privacy. Estudio Carme Pinós presents a unique interplay of geometric structures and distinct materiality to create a layered and refreshed approach to educational spaces nestled within urban-dense environments. 

Escola Tecnica Superior d’Arquitectura de Barcelona 

Escola Tecnica Superior d’Arquitectura de Barcelona is Catalonia’s largest and oldest school of architecture. Designed by architect Jose Antonio Coderch de Sentmenat, the building prioritises student well-being by implementing a layout that allows for optimal light and direct views of outside environments. 

By building a curved structure throughout the school, the majority of the classrooms faced north, and the central classrooms, which faced south, are efficiently illuminated through the courtyards with indirect and filtered light entering through. The project’s extensive use of traditional brick material allows the structure to blend in with its surroundings. An exemplary architectural feat of form and function, Escola Tecnica Superior d’Arquitectura de Barcelona connects the students with the surrounding landscape, enriching their daily learning experience. 

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Walden 7 

Known for his visionary buildings, which redefined the concepts of urban living, Walden 7 is one of Ricardo Boffill’s most recognisable projects. Walden 7 is an urban and mixed-use development located on the site of a former concrete factory. Named after the book Life in the Woods by Henry David Thoreau, the building utilises an organic honeycomb structure featuring fourteen stories of dwellings grouped around five courtyards. 

A series of individual cells characterise the internal division of the building. The ‘cell,’ as members of the Taller de Arquitectura have labelled it, is simply a 30m2 room, with each cell planned to accommodate and fulfil the needs of a single person, offering maximum privacy levels. Each cell has a separate entrance, carefully located along the cell, to ensure visual privacy from the neighbouring rooms. Each cell comes equipped with a kitchenette, toilet, bath table and various cupboards. Curtains are included to screen certain areas that require extra privacy. 

Divisions within each cell do not form conventional rooms; walls are placed merely to create a sense of separation, and each individual cell is part of a series that, when combined, forms a block. Ricardo Boffill sought to redefine the conventional layout of multi-storey dwellings and present a modern reinterpretation of a simple room, which solely caters for the most essential of needs. 

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Olot is defined by the four volcanoes amidst the city centre, offering stunning natural landscapes, including the natural springs of Sant Roc, that inspire its surrounding architecture. Below are the key highlights from the day, each designed by RCR Arquitectes. 

La Lira Theatre Public Space

Originally home to the La Lira Theatre before its demolition, this space in Ripoll’s inner city has been transformed into a sheltered communal area for visitors to explore. Overlooking the flowing Ter River, the project is reminiscent of a town square, keeping elements from the late theatre. La Lira Theatre by RCR Arquitectes, in collaboration with J. Puigcorbé, follows the irregular line of the site and showcases a colossal, geometric void, which opens up a pedestrian walkway from the square through to the river that runs through Ripoll. 

Steel louvres weave throughout the structure, letting dappled light and greenery flood the cocooned space, giving it an aura of liveness. The space also features a balcony with views of the more peaceful areas of the river and an expansive meeting point for social connection. Without losing the spirit of the old theatre, this internal place of convergence acts as a transitory passage, where passers-by can feel the atmosphere of the old town intersecting with the vibrancy of the new, contemporary structure.

Bathing Pavilion Tossols-Basil 

Down a panelled concrete path in the city of Olot nestles RCR Arquitectes Bathing Pavilion in a lush clearing just off the riverbank. River Fluvià begins its journey from the high altitudes of Collsacabra, just south of Olot, and flows into the Ampurdán marshlands of the Mediterranean. Refined simplicity encompasses the design of this space, featuring a cafe, change rooms, toilets and showers. 

Structurally, the pavilion is moulded to take the river’s organic shape, elevated by a material composition of polished stainless steel and corroding steel bending over the concrete floors. A platform sits at the front end of the structure, floating a few centimetres above the ground, and it extends the pavilion’s form and immerses visitors in the surrounding waters. 

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Bathing Pavilion Tossols-Basil

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Bathing Pavilion Tossols-Basil

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Bathing Pavilion Tossols-Basil

Barberí Space

A multipurpose studio was necessary to meet the growing demands of design creatives RCR Arquitectes. Over ten years, what was once the ruined Barberí foundry building in Olot was restored into a workspace that harnessed existing and surrounding materials with an elegant contemporary approach – welcoming an exciting new chapter for RCR Arquitectes. 

Paying homage to its architectural predecessor, the material composition of the existing structure, wood, stone and ceramic, is celebrated and complemented by additional materials, such as glass and steel, within the furniture and flooring. The office is grounded by a courtyard in its centre, featuring unpredictable contours that add dimension and vibrancy to the space. A library spans two levels, enclosed in glass, separated with steel slats from a warehouse that functions as a workshop and screening room behind it. 

With vast windows opening into the courtyard, a second building holds workstations on tables in cantilever steel while an iron-columned pavilion closes the space. Through minimal interventions, RCR Arquitectes reorganised and stabilised the structure’s existing volumes and renewed its lease on life to deliver an extraordinary workspace nestled within nature. 

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Barberí Space

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Barberí Space

Les Cols Restaurant, Pavilions and Marquee

Catering to the rising need for a group entertainment space on the site of Olot’s Les Cols Restaurant and Pavilions, RCR Arquitectes were employed to create a space that reflected their signature architectural poeticism. Seeking to provide an evocative, atmospheric space for outdoor gatherings and picnics, the marquee is inspired by core aspects of the culinary world in its colours, textures, attention-to-detail and neutral base. 

This banqueting pavilion is broken into small segments through its orthogonal design, splitting up the larger space with semi-transparent plastic strips hanging from the roof’s steel tubes. Underneath, the terrain was hollowed out to deliver a discreet structure, which framed the captivating views of the volcanic countryside. With materials sourced straight from the natural environment, seen in the volcanic stone floors, the space is a tranquil dichotomy of the simple and intricate. 

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Les Cols Restaurant, Pavilions and Marquee

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Les Cols Restaurant, Pavilions and Marquee

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Les Cols Restaurant, Pavilions and Marquee

The post The 2023 Brickworks Architour: Ripoll & Olot appeared first on Brickworks.

Here are the architectural highlights from Day 3 in Barcelona. 

Poliesportiu Municipal Camp del Ferro

A collaboration between three architecture studios, AIA, Barcelo Balanza Arquitectes and Gustau Gili, Poliesportiu Municipal Camp del Ferro is a sports centre containing three indoor sports courts for the Sant Andreu district in the north of Madrid. Determined to establish a connection between its architectural past and present, the architects revisited the old factories, warehouses, sheds and workshops within the district to create a cohesive design narrative for the new project. 

A mix of solid and perforated bricks creates rich patterns in the façade, visually breaking up the building’s geometry. The chosen materials’ distinct tactility and textural essence lend themselves to their surrounding contexts. Through the building’s comprehensive design, the centre invites large amounts of light throughout the space, promoting natural ventilation, comfortable access points and an efficient layout for safe evacuation during high-traffic events. Beneath ground level, an essential part of the sports complex is partially buried, reducing the visual impact but generating a significant urban space for the city of Barcelona. The lower level functions as a public foyer designed to welcome thousands of visitors across the city and beyond. 

Throughout the years, Poliesportiu Municipal Camp del Ferro has worked towards creating an energy-efficient program within the building through volumetric planning. The structure implemented a series of measures such as solar protection, cross ventilation, natural lighting and renewable energy usage to reduce energy demand levels, earning the project a LEED Gold Certificate. 

Sala Beckett

Historically known as the former social club of Pau I Justícia, architects Ricardo Flores and Eva Prats reinvented the neighbourhood haunt into Sala Beckett. Named in honour of renowned playwright Samuel Beckett, this local favourite celebrated marriages, first communions and parties for the area of Poblenou. Today, Flores and Prats transformed the space into a theatre and dramaturgy school. 

The architects preserved the existing exterior while substantially reconfiguring the interior to accommodate the new program. Determined to ‘not rid the building of its ghosts,’ existing elements that could be reused were carefully removed, inventoried and stored. 

Through studying the existing spaces, decoration and usage, the architects took these as inspiration for the renewed atmosphere of the drama centre. Connected by a large foyer, every level at Sala Beckett is exposed to many interior spaces, allowing for connection and intrigue throughout the centre. The foyer presents itself as a hub for insightful exchange and thoughtful conversation to inspire the wonderful world of the dramatic arts.

Barcelona Pavilion 

Designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich, the acclaimed Barcelona Pavilion was the German Pavilion for the 1929 Barcelona International Exhibition, held in Montjuïc. The Pavilion was disassembled in 1930 after the closure of the exhibition; however, this project became a key point of reference in Mies van der Rohe’s career and twentieth-century architecture more broadly. Given the significance of the Pavilion and its emblematic expression of the Modern Movement, the world turned its thoughts to its possible reconstruction. 

Erected from glass, steel, and a selection of marble, red onyx and travertine, the Barcelona Pavilion has been one of the most significantly studied and interpreted architectural wonders in the world. Architects Ignasi de Sola-Morales, Cristian Cirici and Fernando Ramos were tasked with researching, designing and supervising the reconstruction of the building, with work commencing in 1983 and the original site reopening in 1986. 

Originally conceived to be the face of Germany after WW1, the intention for this building was to be ‘an ideal zone of tranquility’ that soaked in its surrounding landscapes and championed a striking symphony of materiality through its layered rectilinear build. The Barcelona Pavilion is an architectural feat that merges functionality, minimalism and refined simplicity – one that has endlessly inspired past, present and future generations of architects and designers. 

“Erected from glass, steel, and a selection of marble, red onyx and travertine, the Barcelona Pavilion has been one of the most significantly studied and interpreted architectural wonders in the world.”

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Biblioteca Sant Antoni – Joan Oliver

Capitalising on the spatial and social opportunities of the site, RCR Arquitectes incorporated urban amenities, a library and a senior citizens centre within Biblioteca Sant Antoni – Joan Oliver. Named after esteemed playwright and poet Joan Oliver, the library presents itself as an energetic and versatile hub for the neighbourhood community, inviting visitors to enjoy the public spaces within. 

RCR Arquitectes intended to make the street more dynamic and present opportunities for people to enjoy the inner courtyard. The project adorns a striking façade, which speaks to the tonality and structure of its street front position and surrounding urban landscape. Inside, the glass-enclosed main reading room is raised and set between two lateral wings of the library, allowing natural light to permeate through from both sides, forming a gateway into the public space beyond. 

Boasting a varied cultural program of a public library, retirement home, a playground environment for children, Biblioteca Sant Antoni – Joan Oliver seeks to revitalise an urban area and deliver a socially dynamic urban destination. 

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The post The 2023 Brickworks Architour: Barcelona Part 1 appeared first on Brickworks.

Santa Ana Y La Esperanza Church

The evocative Santa Ana Y La Esperanza Church was designed by Miguel Fisac in 1965. Fisac was commissioned by Monsignor Morcillo, the Archbishop of Madrid-Alcalá, to deliver a parish centre in the neighbourhood of Moratalaz. Working alongside the construction company Urbis, Santa Ana Y La Esperanza embodies the global influence of the brutalist architectural style seen throughout Spain. 

A standout feature of the church, an expansive skylight framed by a series of hollow pre-stressed beams spanning 20 metres, illuminates the altar at the front of the church. Three cavernous, arched recesses serve as a backdrop for the altar and the sculptures of José Luis Sánchez.

Parroquia Santa Monica Church

Situated 15km south of the capital, the parish centre of Santa Monica strikingly navigates the complex features of the plot. Sitting on a long and narrow piece of land, Parroquia Santa Monica Church takes verticality and materiality to a whole new level. 

Built with corten steel cladding, the churches exterior speaks to the earthy tones of its surrounding context. Combined with extruding skylights, which explode beyond the structure and almost towards the heavens above, the interior program utilises the building’s unique layerings of geometry and natural light to create two interconnected yet independent buildings. The church and daily chapel are situated at the front of the building, illuminated by natural light. The second block, sitting towards the rear of the building, integrates the parish offices, parish centre and dwellings for the priests.

Medialab Prado

Designed by Spain-based studio Langarita-Navarro Arquitectos, the Medialab Prado is a city-funded organisation that explores the convergence between art, science, technology and society. Breaking away from the conventional exhibition model, this centre is focused on creating a deeply immersive experience around digital culture – one that promotes production as a permeable process and an activated program to open the minds of its visitors. 

Langaria-Navarro Arquitectos integrated a flexible structure behind the concrete walls of an old industrial building, creating a special connection between an existing system and its contemporary reimagining. The revitalised building functions as a research laboratory and exhibition space for Medialab-Prado. The historic façade remains intact, and the studio inserted a three-storey volume into a vast void at the building’s epicentre. This space features geometric linework and translucent walls, which can be illuminated with striking neon colours.

Caixa Forum

Conceived as an urban magnet, the CaixaForum by Herzog & de Meuron attracts not only art lovers but the general population of Madrid and visitors from far and wide. Situated on a prestigious site facing the Paseo del Prado and Botanical Garden vis à vis, CaixaForum incorporates existing brick walls from the previous power station, Central Eléctrica Power Station, which previously occupied the plot. Boasting striking form, thoughtful restraint and tactile materiality, the silhouette of CaixaForum seamlessly coexists with the roofscapes and atmosphere of its urban context. 

The CaixaForum is one of Madrid’s most eye-catching landmarks, which seemingly hovers above the ground, complemented by a vertical wall installation filled with greenery stretching almost four storeys high. By separating the structure from ground level, CaixaForum opens two worlds: one below and another floating elegantly above. This sheltered area provides shade to passers-by and a covered entryway to the centre’s attendees. Herzog & de Meuron crafted a captivating multi-storey structure, which houses the entrance lobby, service rooms, theatre, auditorium, a myriad of galleries, a restaurant and administrative offices. 

Edificio Girasole

Designed by Catalan architect Jose Antonio Coderch, Edificio Girasole is an upscale residential development nestled on the corner of one of the most renowned streets in Madrid. Also known as Sunflower Housing, this extraordinary building consists of dwellings arranged diagonally against the façade to achieve the optimal level of sunlight throughout the day. 

Inspired by his experiences in Cadaqués – a coastal town in the province of Girona – Coderch crafted a striking series of formal structures, which reflect the demands of urban environments but, more importantly, promote a sense of freedom within. 

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Hemeroscopium House

Set atop a hill in Madrid, Hemeroscopium refers to the Greek word for the spot where the sun sets. Heremoscopium House by Ensamble Studio plays on structure, with an imposing façade of interlocking concrete beams and glass. A cantilevered swimming pool extends across the second storey of the home and is indubitably cast as the striking focal point of the project. 

A home delineating the path to a distant horizon, Ensamble Studio integrates heavy structures and dramatic elements to provoke gravity and reimagine the order in which a residence presents itself. Interior living spaces are hidden from plain sight, allowing these private dwellings to escape within. The simplicity of the structure’s joints, complemented with its complex scheme of residential layout, showcases a new, expressive and extraordinary design language that leaves a lasting impression. This home took a year to engineer, but only seven days to build. ⁠

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The post The 2023 Brickworks Architour: Madrid appeared first on Brickworks.

Award: The 2022 Home of the Year and Best Use of Materials – Brick

Project: Brunswick House by Placement Studio

Taking out the prestigious Home of the Year award, as well as the Best Use of Materials – Brick category is Brunswick House by Placement Studio. Praised by the judges for its innovative approach to the home’s slender footprint, Brunswick House is positioned on a compact block in Brunswick and offers a contemporary take on the traditional Victorian terrace. Taking a novel approach, Placement Studio decided against knocking down the old walls to make an open-plan home. Instead, they crafted a series of rooms – each working as their own moment – which flows from one to the next. 

Brunswick House’s materiality is centred around the use of earthy-toned brick, which appears on the façade and paving, as well as the flooring in the living room. “Laid in a stack bond pattern, the brick accentuates the sense of height, which was crucial in the narrow space,” the Placement Studio submission reads. Boasting a clever, cohesive and familiar design, the sophisticated use of brick allows Brunswick House to beautifully co-exist with its landscape. 

The jury states, “Designed both for function and beauty, the brickworks run from the outside in, achieving a captivating form that connects the inhabitant with the surrounding landscape. Placement Studio demonstrates a deep understanding of context and materiality through a contemporary re-imagination of the humble brick, complemented by the endless comforts of a family home.”

Award: Best Sustainable Project

Project: Gantry House by OOF! Architecture

Gantry House by OOF! Architecture took home the award for Best Sustainable Project. Designed for a multigenerational family of five and their two beloved dogs, it was imperative that this home was able to adapt and evolve alongside their growing family of seven. OOF! Architecture was presented with a set of requirements: a considerable amount of space to work for both parents to comfortably work from home, a main living area for the family to live and relax together, an entertaining area to share with guests, and secluded spaces for privacy and reflection. 

Presented as a multi-functional residence, this house-meets warehouse-meets workshop allows each member of the family to enjoy their activities in a comfortable and easy-going space. The home meticulously combines the family’s interests with a high degree of functionality for daily living. 

The pre-existing structure has undergone a major transformation while maintaining the original details of the street-front cottage façade. A set of playful, orange trusses sets the one; sitting above and throughout the main living areas, consisting of exposed heritage structures and fixtures, raw materials and soft, warm-toned textiles. A recycled brick-veneer exterior is responsible for providing thermal mass, creating a comfortable living temperature all year round. North-facing clerestory windows allow natural light to pour in, while also enabling cross ventilation that eliminates any need for air-conditioning. With sustainability in mind, the home’s main roof is pitched at an ideal degree for solar panels and rainwater collection. 

Award: Best New Build

Project: Always by Kennedy Nolan

Always by Kennedy Nolan received the award for Best New Build. This exemplary residence offers a calming refuge away from the city hustle and bustle, offering undisturbed views that stretch across the Mornington Peninsula. The jury notes, “This residential project combines the warmth, intimacy and nostalgia of a family vacation home with the magic of the Mornington Peninsula and its spectacular coastal setting.” 

 Always breaks the mould of standard glass box homes found in the area, employing a palette of warm timber walls and ceilings, design pieces in earthy shades and soft textures, as well as striking green slate floors. The coastal context and cliff-top site were taken into great consideration when it came to positioning the home within its landscape. 

The jury writes, “Deeply integrated into the terrain, Always showcases a palette of timeless, raw and tactile materiality; amplified views of the horizon; and a distinct sequence of pause points, allowing inhabitants to appreciate the peace-filled refuge against the location. This exceptional house is a marvel of considered and purposeful architecture designed to evolve with its context and the family within.”

Award: Best Home Renovation

Project: Higham Road by Philip Stejskal Architecture 

Higham Road by Philip Stejskal Architecture took out this year’s award for Best Home Renovation. Conceived as a response to the client’s brief for a well-connected and supportive home, the North Fremantle house boasts a series of split levels and spaces situated around a central courtyard with direct garden access from the main living areas – Higham Road’s heart of the home. Considerable in size, Higham Road succeeds in providing visual and spatial interconnection throughout the residence, while championing moments of privacy and refuge. 

The material composition of fibre-cement and corrugated metal cladding, multi-coloured brick, weatherboard and exposed timber throughout the new addition honours and continues the history of the 1920s structure of the existing cottage. Higham Road is a beautiful tale of past, present and future – deeply embedded into every design detail throughout the family home.

Award: Best Interior

Project: Ripponlea House by Luke Fry

The 2022 Best Interior award was presented to Ripponlea House by Luke Fry. The clients originally presented the brief as a two-storey residence, however, the focus quickly shifted towards a ‘quality over quantity’ approach, beautifully displayed throughout a single-level residence. Featuring a simple material palette consisting of long-lasting, locally-sourced European oak, stone, concrete and bagged brick, a sense of lightness and refinement reign supreme throughout Ripponlea House. 

Sitting on a 240sqm site in Ripponlea, the semi-detached brick home provides a functional and comfortable home, meticulously designed to support the lifestyles of a young family. The new extension consists of a sun-bathed courtyard and an open layout, offering endless connections throughout the varying interior landscapes and to the outdoors. The structure’s original features were honoured and restored with a contemporary flair, offering a timeless aesthetic designed to withstand the decades to come. 

This year’s winners of the 2022 Inside OUT Home of the Year Awards represent the finest in Australian architecture and design across the five categories. Congratulations to all the recipients!

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