Taking its inspiration from the ecology of the local area, Cloud Cottage in Bowral, has taken out the top prize at this year’s prestigious Australian Institute of Architects’ NSW Country Division Awards, the James Barnet Award.

Designed by Thirroul based Takt Studio, the cottage will evolve to nestle into an established garden, providing habitat for birds and enhancing the streetscape. The cottage design employed many environmental principles such as geothermal heating and cooling, plus solar and rainwater storage. 

The jury of experts, led by architecture@altitude’s Virginia Wong-See, also recognised the project with the award for Residential Architecture – Houses (New), noting that the highly crafted project offers a legacy for future generations.

"With exceptional craftsmanship the building is designed to age graciously, timeless in its aesthetic," said Ms Wong-See. 

Cloud Cottage also won the Termimesh Timber Award with its sophisticated exploration of the use of a single species of hardwood timber. The home highlights the versatility of timber, using it in different ways to create a series of warm, elegant spaces. 

Across this year’s awards program, Takt Studio took out no less than four awards and one commendation.

The honours included a second award for Residential Architecture – Houses (New) for Blade House on the Illawarra Coast.

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"The house pays homage to the history of Australian coastal towns. Elevated from the ground plane to harness the costal views, the design is orientated in a way that pays attention to the ever-changing site conditions," said Ms Wong-See. 

Source Architects’ March House in Orange was crowned winner of the Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions) category, as well as winner of the Interior Architecture award.

The jury noted the great deal of respect the project shows for the original 1910 Federation building, and the cohesive approach to interior detailing that blends old and new. 

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March House of Orange won a number of awards. Photo: Tom Ferguson

The award for Public Architecture went to Ian Sercombe Architect for the Tuncurry Resource Recovery Centre in the Forster locale.

"The centre addressed the ideas of sustainability and recycling both during construction and through education, helping the Mid-Coast Council in work towards a zero-waste target" said Ms Wong-See.

With its fabric of upcycled materials and recycled timber screening, the community recycling centre and Men’s Shed provide community services such as an upcycle retail outlet, bike recycling program and sustainability program that play a vital role in public awareness and education. 

The Kingscliff Community Hall and Amenities project by Aspect Architecture won the Heritage Architecture award.

The jury noted that the building was destined for demolition like many of its coastal cousins, but through a process of reduction and perforation the true beauty of this 1960s community hall and amenities building in Kingscliff has been revealed.

"The hall and its amenities and visitors centre have been elevated to the position of community landmark, as harmonious to each other as they are to their surrounding town," said Ms Wong-See.

NSW Chapter President, Kathlyn Loseby, congratulated all 2019 award winners

"Regional architects make a significant contribution not only to the profession but more importantly in the vital role they play in creating local designs that support more sustainable and connected communities," said Ms Loseby.

Full list of winning projects by award category below:

James Barnet Award

Winner – Cloud Cottage (Bowral) Takt Studio

Residential Architecture – Houses (New)

Winner – Cloud Cottage (Bowral) Takt Studio

Winner – Blade House (Coredale Illawarra Coast) Takt Studio

Commendation – Eyrie House (Kangaroo Valley) Local Architect South Coast

Termimesh Timber Award

Award – Cloud Cottage (Bowral) Takt Studio

Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions)

Winner – March House (Orange) Source Architects

Commendation – Exoskeleton House (Thirroul) Takt Studio

Interior Architecture

Winner – March House (Orange) Source Architects

Public Architecture

Winner – Tuncurry Resource Recovery Centre (Tuncurry) Ian Sercombe Architect

Heritage Architecture

Winner – Kingscliff Community Hall and Amenities (Kingscliff) Aspect Architecture

Commendation – March House (Orange) Source Architects

People’s Choice Award

Winner – Echo Beach House (Casuarina Beach) Create Architecture

Residential Architecture – Affordable Housing (under $400,000)

Commendation – Charlotte Shack (Charlotte Bay) Ian Sercombe Architect

Commercial Architecture Award

Commendation – Spicers Sangoma Retreat (Bowen Mountain) Barbara Tarnawski Architects

Small Projects

Commendation – Fingal Oasis (Fingal) Aspect Architecture

Sustainable Architecture

Commendation – Tuncurry Resource Recovery Centre (Tuncurry) Ian Sercombe Architect

Vision Award

Commendation – PLAN RAND (Rand) Regional Design Service

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