Stephanie G. Mathis This award encourages architecture firms to take a slower, more deliberate approach and consider the bigger picture.
This category was first introduced in 2007 as a rebranding of the original “25 Year Award”, which was given in 2003. The institute’s policy excludes projects that are adaptive reuse. It is distinct from the heritage award. It instead recognizes “enduring features” in a sufficiently old building.
The durability of the building is tested over 25 years, not only by letting fashions pass or a stronger award-winning year take the credit but also by allowing for the passing of time. Some architects predict the gradual transformation of the surrounding environment and the inevitable decaying of materials. Raw hardwood takes months to turn grey; sandstone buildings can take several years for their color to dull down, and bronze roofs will take many years to green uniformly.
It takes years for their true intentions to become apparent. It can take up to a decade for buildings with gardens that are deeply integrated in their design to mature.
Is architecture a public good?
The first architectural text, Ten Books on Architecture by Roman architect Vitruvius, was probably written around 15 BC and dedicated to Emperor Augustus.
A 1684 illustration of Vitruvius presenting De Architectura (right) to Augustus. Wikimedia Commons
The text adds to Vitruvius’ often quoted trinity of architectural value, beauty, commodity, and firmness.
Vitruvius’sAugustus may have influenced Vitruvius’s architectural sensibility. He clearly valued public architecture over private architecture. Vitruvius believed an architect should have been trained to act for the public good, but he also recognized that not all architects had such a generous bent.
He went as far as to praise homeowners who built their homes themselves rather than trusting them to an architect who might be self-serving or money-hungry.
Vitruvius’ values, expressed 2,000 years ago, are still the core values of our profession.
It can be difficult to determine at any given moment whether or not an architectural work is promoting the public good. After the opening of many projects, the owners have removed the general component.
The Enduring Architecture Award has always recognized buildings that have retained their public function or enhanced it in years after completion.
Residential projects that are masterful
Almost all of the 11 buildings that have been awarded this award since it was first introduced as the 25-Year Award include large public spaces.
Three theatres, two courts, and a parliament are the majority of public buildings in the city. Both the two commercial towers awarded, Australia Square, in Sydney’s CBD, and the former BHP house in Melbourne’s CBD, sacrificed their potential for profitable ground-level rental in order to include large, public spaces, greatly improving aamenities andthe value of the districts in which they are located.
Three private homes are the exceptions to this award that recognizes architecture with a spirit of public service.
Magney House was designed by Australian architect Glenn Murcutt at Bingie Bingie, on the NSW South Coast. AAP/ Anthony Browell
The first is the Magney House by architect Glenn Murcutt, located at Bingie Bingie on the NSW South Coast. Arguably the most distinctive Australian house and the one that has received the greatest amount of media attention, this house has been the focus of unprecedented international media coverage. The house is a summer getaway and belongs to purely private interests that Vitruvius doubted.
The international attention it has received for its iconic design is enough to justify the fact that it should be considered an exception.
There are two exceptions: Glenn Murcutt’s Kempsey Farmhouse, located in NSW, and Robin Boyd’s House II, located in Melbourne’s South Yarra. The architects designed and built the houses for their clients. They then purchased them to do the final renovations.
These are some of the most beautiful examples of architecture that Vitruvius admired and that householders built for themselves.
We can congratulate AIA on the trend in this award. They continue to recognize architecture that creates public spaces not just for press releases or annual awards but also for maintaining that space over decades.
As they mature, we can also expect that other homes designed by remarkable architects, like Richard Leplastrier House at Lovett Bay, will be eligible for this award.
The house Peter McIntyre designed for his family, and himself is the most fitting of the shortlisted entries this year.
