FREMANTLE architect Kieran Wong has beaten 30 challengers from around Australia to win the prestigious $20,000 ‘Building for Diversity’ design competition. Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan announced the news at last month’s National Housing Conference dinner at the Perth Convention Centre. Mr Wong’s design for a diverse, mixed-use development on a vacant site in Northbridge was judged by an independent jury panel to be the outstanding entry. The chairman of the jury, WA Government Architect Geoffrey London, said Mr Wong’s proposal offered genuine diversity in form and approach. “The use of the site is rationally resolved by placing three-storey units at street level, an inner courtyard above the ground level car park and hostel units in a taller building at the rear of the site,” Professor London said. “Excellent solar orientation has also been gained for the units and the courtyard, while the street would be animated by a mix of housing entries and commercial premises.” WA architects Simon Anderson, Jennie Officer and Trent Woods were awarded second prize ($5,000) in the design competition, while Sydney architects Johannsen and Associates were third ($3,000). Mr Wong, 33, is a graduate of Curtin University and has established his own architectural company, ‘Coda’. He completed the entry with the assistance of his wife and business partner, Emma Williamson, and students Renae Tapley, Stephen Hicks and Brett Mitchell.