A new South Australian icon and a former Adelaide landmark resurrected scooped up honours at the National Architecture Awards in Darwin last night.

The South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) building earned international firm Woods Bagot a National Commendation for Public Architecture.

And the renewal of the old Mitsubishi assembly plant in Tonsley, in the form of the Sustainable Industries Education Centre, saw SA firm MPH Architects and international company Architectus take home the National Award for Interior Architecture.

BELOW: InDaily’s National Architecture Awards photo gallery

The jury commended the SAHMRI building for its stunning façade and bold, functional interior.

“Its dynamic exterior – a beacon – is wrapped in an expressive sunshade, creating a striking appearance during day and night,” the jury said.

“While its external aesthetics certainly leave an impression, the interior is arguably even more remarkable, artfully taking on a sculptural form anchored by a dynamic spiral staircase that climbs through the centre of the building.

“…building services are integrated and concealed behind the facade of the building, and in the design of the next-generation laboratory spaces that promote integration and collaboration between teams.”

The Sustainable Industries Education Centre was described by the jury as an “ingenious redevelopment”.

“The architects have clearly exceeded expectations,” the jury citation for the project reads.

“The former factory building has a remarkable scale with plentiful natural light filtering through its sawtooth roof, and the new interior sits within it like a small town or campus.

“The whole project is open and transparent, furnished to provide detail and warmth without being lavish…

“It is fitting that what was once a process and assembly facility can now so effectively demonstrate to students the advantages of trades working side by side and the lessons they can learn from one another.”

Overall, the jury selected 36 projects across the country (and two international projects) for 43 awards and commendations, out of a pool of 153 projects.

New South Wales was the most highly decorated state on the night, earning 16 commendations and awards, followed by eight for Victoria and six for Queensland.

The jury, led by Paul Berkemeier, was particularly impressed by the volume and calibre of public buildings this year.

“This provides us with great optimism for the future of our public spaces – an area that has so often delivered dispiriting outcomes,” Berkemeier said.

Below is a selection of InDaily‘s favourite awarded and commended buildings.

Public Architecture

South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Woods Bagot – National Commendation for Public Architecture. Photo: Peter Clarke

Dallas Brooks Community Primary School, McBride Charles Ryan (Vic) – National Award for Public Architecture. Photo: John Gollings.

UQ Advanced Engineering Building, Richard Kirk Architect HASSELL Joint Venture (Qld) – National Award for Sustainable Architecture. Photo: Peter Bennetts.

Urban Design

GASP! Stake 02, Room 11 (Tas) – National Award for Urban Design. Photo: Ben Hoskings.

Sustainable Architecture

The Commons, Breathe Architecture (Vic) – David Oppenheim Award for Sustainable Architecture. Photo: Urban Angels

Small Project Architecture

Kew Studio, Sean Godsell Architects (Vic) – National Award for Small Project Architecture. Photo: Earl Carter.

Residential Architecture

Bellevue Terrace Alterations + Additions, Philip Stejskal Architecture (WA) – The Australian Institute of Architects Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions). Photo: Bo Wong

Strohmayr House, Troppo Architects (NT) – National Commendation for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions). Photo: Fiona Morrison

International Architecture

Stonehenge Exhibition + Visitor Centre, Denton Corker Marshall (United
Kingdom) – The Jørn Utzon Award for International Architecture. Photo: James Davies.

Interior Architecture

Sustainable Industries Education Centre, MPH Architects + Architectus in
association (SA) – National Award for Interior Architecture. Photo: David Sievers.

Hotel Hotel, March Studio (ACT) – National Award for Interior Architecture. Photo: Peter Bennetts.

Heritage

Eternity Playhouse, Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects (NSW) – The Lachlan Macquarie Award for Heritage. Photo: Brett Boardman.

Enduring Architecture

CB Alexander College, Tocal, Ian McKay and Philip Cox, Architects in Association
(NSW) – The National Enduring Architecture Award. Photo: Max Dupain.

Commercial Architecture

Bread in Common, spaceagency (WA) – National Award for Commercial Architecture. Photo: Robert Frith, Acorn Photo.

– Some of the winning entries featured also won other honours at the National Architecture Awards.