Murdoch University building Boola Katitjin, designed by Lyons with Silver Thomas Hanley, received top prizes at the 2023 National Architecture Awards.
Murdoch University building Boola Katitjin, designed by Lyons with Silver Thomas Hanley, received top prizes at the 2023 National Architecture Awards.
The building’s architects, Melbourne architecture firm Lyons Architecture with Silver Thomas Hanley, The Fulcrum Agency, and Officer Woods Architects, received the Daryl Jackson Award for Educational Architecture and the national award for sustainable architecture at the awards last night.
Boola Katitjin is Western Australia’s first and biggest mass-engineered timber building.
The building also won top prize at this year’s state architecture awards.
Murdoch University vice-chancellor Andrew Deeks said the accolades were further confirmation the new building would serve as a catalyst for growth and innovation as the university evolved.
“Boola Katitjin is more than a building; it is a space, inside and out, that embodies the values upon which the university was established such as inclusivity and concern for the environment,” he said.
“Boola Katitjin is a visceral statement about our future and my thanks and congratulations go to the architects and everyone involved in bringing it to life.”
The judges said Boola Katitjin’s structure reduced the project’s overall embodied carbon by 55 per cent compared to equivalent concrete buildings while giving the facility a warm, barn-like feel.
Boola Katitjin was the only WA winner but other projects around the state received national commendations.
Simon Pendal Architect’s North Perth House received the national commendation for residential architecture – houses (alterations and additions).
Forrest Hall, on the edge of University of Western Australia’s college precinct in Crawley, received a national commendation for residential architecture – multiple housing.
The project was designed by Kerry Hill Architects.
A pop-up bookshop in the State Buildings was also recognised with a national commendation for small project architecture.
The Postall Hall bookshop was designed by Trower Falvo Architects, which includes Dayne Trower, Simona Falvo and Alessio Fini.
Celilo Springs House, a pavilion in Mount Lawley, received a national commendation for steel architecture.
The project was designed by Western Architecture Studio.
The winners were announced at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra last night.
