MELBOURNE: Silver Linings, by Wade Stephens of Rachcoff Vella Architecture, has taken out the Building Design of the Year Award (Vic.) at the 2021 Design Matters National Building Design Awards.
In addition to the Building Design of the Year Award, Silver Linings also received Awards for:
- Excellence in the Use of Timber
- Excellence in the Use of Concrete, and
- Residential Design New House over $3 million.
MC Catriona Rowntree announced the worthy winner in a live-streamed virtual awards event broadcast to DMN Members, their guests, VIPs and major sponsors, on Thursday 28 October.
Design Matters National CEO Peta Anderson said DMN Member Wade Stephens was a deserving recipient of the highest accolade in the 2021 Awards which saw entries from Victoria, NSW, ACT, SA, Tasmania and Queensland, this year. Projects from WA and NT competed in separate BD Awards which took place on 15 October in Perth.
“We congratulate Wade Stephens on winning a total of four Awards in this year’s DMN Annual Building Design Awards with a project that is a real stand-out. Silver Linings makes a strong architectural statement and is an exceptional building,” Ms Anderson said.
“In awarding Silver Linings the top prize, the judges remarked that they enjoyed the way Silver Linings’ sleek ,timeless design commands attention. They also liked the home’s impeccable craftsmanship and the way the structural, off-form concrete contrasts with timber to create a modern expression that’s memorable,” Ms Anderson said.
DMN Member Wade Stephens was elated to have Silver Linings, built by Koorool Constructions in Black Rock, south-east of Melbourne, honoured with the Building Design of the Year Award for Victoria.
He said the building responded to the client’s ambition for the project which set the bar high. A minimalist approach was taken, with a restricted material palette (recycled grey and silver lining boards, off form concrete, brass fittings and white oak joinery) that was to be limited in complexity but defiant in individual character and charm.
“All attempts were made to make the most complex item appear invisible. What quickly became apparent was that the raw and unfinished, unpainted, untiled, skim-coated surfaces meant continuous detailing and supervision until the building was complete. It was a passionate and collaborative effort by all,” Mr Stephens said.
“Silver Linings celebrates the hand crafted, non-standardised nor mass-produced building elements, reinforcing the builder’s traditional skills and techniques. The occupants’ day to day lives were considered now and into the future to promote close family living and/or disconnected private zones as a growing family looks for its own space. Minimalist architecture and interiors naturally provide a consistent and calm backdrop to allow a family to either explode on to or become one with,” he said.