Run by the Victorian Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects, the awards progam has shortlisted a total of 108 projects spanning 14 categories, from residential to public, commercial and educational architecture.

The importance of the public realm and the far-reaching contribution architecture makes to our daily lives was the standout theme to emerge from this year's shortlist.

"Truly exceptional architecture has the power to improve how people experience life, both in their own private spaces and in the public realm," said the President of the Victorian Chapter, Amy Muir.

Pictured: Boneo House, shortlisted for residential architecture. Image by Sharyn Cairns.

"As reflected in this year's awards, it's been quite a significant year for architecture. In Victoria, we have a rich and ingrained culture supporting strong and diverse architectural endeavours. It is always so encouraging to see architects continuing to challenge the status quo in order for our cities and communities to evolve," she said.

Muir said the shortlist defines the many forms exceptional architecture can take, such as housing typologies that create a platform for better community engagement.

"Carefully considered buildings, urban design interventions and infrastructure projects can take many years to procure," she said.

"The awards program is an opportunity to celebrate the passionate and cohesive teams of architects, clients, consultants and builders who bring them to fruition," she said.

Pictured: Two Halves House, shortlisted for residential architecture. Image by Christine Francis.

The Australian Institute of Architects received a record number of entries this year, a 20 per cent increase on last year, making it the most hotly contested awards year to date.

An exhibition of the entries will run from 22 May to 3 June at No Vacancy Gallery, and will showcase four elements of architecure: architecture in concept, architecture in construction, framed architecure and architecture in use.

The winners will be announced at the awards dinner on 29 June 2018. Winners from each category will then go on to compete in the National Architecture Awards program.

The shortlist for the 2018 Victorian Architecture Awards:

Residential Architecture - Houses

• Tucks Ridge House | Adrian Bonomi
• Architect Moonah Home | Bellemo & Cat
• Shrouded House | BKK Architects
• Humble House | Coy Yiontis Architects
• DATUM HOUSE | FIGR Architecture 
• Park House | Kerstin Thompson Architects
• Compound House | March Studio
• Triangle House | Molecule Studio
• Two Halves | Moloney Architects 
• Ross | Ola Studio
• First Lessons House | Ray Dinh Architecture
• House on the Coast | Sean Godsell Architects
• Lauriston House | Seeley Architects
• Bellerine Pavilion House | Tecture Architecture & Interior Design
• Matilda | Templeton Architecture
• Towers Road House | Wood Marsh Architecture 

Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing

• 35 Spring Street | Bates Smart
• Nightingale 1 | Breathe Architecture
• Campbell Street | DKO Architecture and SLAB
• Parkville Townhouses | Fieldwork
• McAuley Community Services for Women | Hede Architects Pty Ltd
• Averi | Jackson Clements Burrows
• Banksia, NewQuay | McBride Charles Ryan
• Elwood House | Woods Bagot
• C.F. Row | Woods Bagot

Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations & Additions)

• Hatherlie | Andrew Simpson Architects
• The Kite | Architecture Architecture
• King Bill | Austin Maynard Architects
• St Vincents Place Residence | B.E Architecture
• Old Be-al | FMD Architects pty ltd
• Boneo Country House | John Wardle Architects
• Dark Light House | MRTN Architects
• Highbury Grove | RITZ&GHOUGASSIAN
• Station Street House | Robert Simeoni Architects
• Fawkner Street | Workshop Architecture
• Tiger Prawn | WOWOWA Architecture

Interior Architecture

• Jackalope | Carr
• Henry Street House | Eugene Cheah Architecture
• Passage | Honeyman + Smith
• Boneo Country House | John Wardle Architects
• Monash University Caulfield Library Refurbishment | John Wardle Architects
• Monash University Learning and Teaching Building | John Wardle Architects
• Victorian College of the Arts former Mounted Police Stables | Kerstin Thompson Architects
• Our Lady of Good Counsel Church Deepdene | Law Architects
• New Academic Street, RMIT University | Lyons with NMBW Architecture Studio, MvS Architecture, Harrison & White and Maddison Architects
• Armadale Residence | Rob Mills Architecture & Interiors
• Station Street House | Robert Simeoni Architects
• Space & Time | Russell & George

The full shortlist is available here.

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