The 2023 Annual Australian Timber Design Award winners were recently announced at the Cargo Hall in Melbourne, hosted by writer and presenter Tim Ross. ARM Architecture received first prize for its outstanding Sydney Opera House Concert Hall Renewal project.
The World Heritage-listed Sydney Opera House celebrates its 50th birthday this year. The Concert Hall, its largest venue and home to the Sydney Symphony Orchestra had never lived up to the promise of the exterior of the building, suffering a poor reputation for acoustics. The challenge to solve this shortcoming involved innovative use of Brushbox timber panelling and smart interventions into the existing White Birch ceiling.
The wall panelling around the stage, stalls and rear walls were reconstructed with new solid carved panelling. All were made in the same Brushbox timber already present in the Hall. The new panels diffuse the acoustic energy, prevent direct reflections and create a blended sound and sense of envelopment in the music. The result is a series of highly tactile and sculptural surfaces that encourage the hand to run along them.
Award Winner
Overall Winner – Sydney Opera House Concert Hall Renewal by ARM Architecture
Merits
- People’s Choice – Boola Katitjin – Murdoch University by Aurecon, Lyons Architects and Multiplex
- Sustainability – ANMF House by BayleyWard Architects
- Rising Star – Austin Reed from Brother Nature for Kunama Townhouses
Excellence in Timber Applications:
- Residential Class 1: New Building – Pocket Passiv by Anderson Architecture.
- Residential Class 1: Alteration or Addition – Music Room by Alexander Symes Architects
- Multi-Residential – Eternity Life Apartments by k20 Architecture
- Public Buildings – The Pavilion Performing Arts Centre Sutherland by CHROFI & NBRS
- Commercial Buildings – Barker College Maths and Student Hub by Architectus
- Interior Fitout: Residential – Elsternwick House by Melanie Beynon Architecture & Design
- Interior Fitout: Public or Commercial – Sydney Opera House Concert Hall Renewal by ARM Architecture
- Furniture and Joinery – Art Gallery of NSW Library and Members Lounge by Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects
Excellence in Timber Products
- Australian Certified Timber – Galkangu Bendigo Govhub by Icon Fairbrother Joint Venture and Lyons Architects
- Engineered Wood Product – Boola Katitjin, Murdoch University by Aurecon, Lyons Architects and Multiplex
- Recycled Timber – Marramarra Shack by Leopold Banchini Architects and Cantilever Consulting Engineers
Tim Ross, an Australian comedian, radio host, writer, and television presenter, announced the winners at Cargo Hall South Melbourne. He is more recently known as the presenter of the ABC shows Streets of Your Town and Designing a Legacy, which reflects his enthusiasm as a self-proclaimed architecture geek.
The Australian Timber Industry would like to extend gratitude to our panel of judges, sponsors, and those who have entered projects.
About the Australian Timber Design Awards
The vision of the Australian Timber Design Awards is to highlight, advertise, advocate, and develop a timber design ethos through the encouragement and showcasing of superlative timber design in various applications. A broad range of entry categories demonstrates the diversity of timber and permits recognition of achievement in various areas.
Overall Winner – Sydney Opera House Concert Hall Renewal by ARM Architecture
Builder: Taylor Construction
Fabricator: VOS Construction
Photographer: Martin Mischkulnig
Location: Gadigal Country, Bennelong Point, New South Wales
View Our Award Winners Gallery
Please visit our Winners Gallery page for more information on winning projects information including architects, engineers, fabricators, builders, locations as well as project images and photography credits.
