The new interior of the Sydney Opera House. Picture: Timber Development Association
ARM Architecture’s refit of the Sydney Opera House’s interior has been named overall winner of the 24th Australian Timber Design Awards presented at the Cargo Hall in Melbourne last night. Source: Timberbiz
The Australian Timber Design Awards is a national competition to promote and encourage outstanding timber design in the built environment professions. The awards are brought to you by the Timber Development Association.
The World Heritage-listed Sydney Opera House celebrates its 50th birthday this year with the Concert Hall, its largest venue and home to the Sydney Symphony Orchestra suffering a poor reputation for acoustics.
The challenge for the overall award winner was to solve this shortcoming which involved innovative use of Brushbox timber panelling and smart interventions into the existing White Birch ceiling.
Sculpted timber panels were also introduced around the stage, stall surrounds, and rear walls, replacing the original timber panelling. These new panels diffuse the sound and prevent direct reflections, resulting in a sense of envelopment in the music. Made in the same Brushbox timber as the original walls, these add a subtle tactile element to the Hall, inviting the hand to run along them.
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 combination of painstakingly recrafted timbers and new fuchsia colouring, which nods to the original interiors designed by Peter Hall, has been described as nothing short of awe-inspiring.
The head of Built Environment Programs and WoodSolutions Program lead Kevin Peachy with the winning team from ARM Architecture. Picture: Timber Development Association
The result is a series of highly tactile and sculptural surfaces that encourage the hand to run along them.
The award organisers said this year’s competition was fierce, and that it was truly inspiring to see such remarkable talent within the industry.
“We can’t wait to see what’s in store for the future of timber design in Australia, and we hope that this year’s winners will inspire others to continue pushing the boundaries and creating innovative, breathtaking projects,” the organisers said.
The Australian Timber Industry would like to extend gratitude to our panel of judges, sponsors and those who entered projects.
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
For a complete list of winners, finalists, and the awards magazine eBook, click here.
