St kilda pier scoops top awards – a triumph of design and community
The reimagined St Kilda Pier has cemented its place in architectural history, snagging a remarkable trifecta of accolades at the 2026 Victorian Institute of Architects’ awards. This wasn’t just a renovation; it’s a considered intervention – a delicate dance between tourism, local life, and the surprisingly demanding needs of a penguin colony.
A balancing act, finally achieved
Jackson Clements Burrows Architects, alongside Site Office Landscape Architecture and AW Maritime, secured the prestigious Victorian Architecture medal, recognizing the project’s outstanding merit. But the recognition didn’t stop there – the Dimity Reed Melbourne Prize and the Joseph Reed award for urban design further underscored its significance. The initial national Urban Design awards even saw it share the top spot in the built outcomes category.
Let’s be clear: this project faced significant headwinds. The attempted pay-per-view access to the penguin population by Parks Victoria nearly derailed the entire endeavor. Yet, the Victorian jury, displaying a shrewd understanding of the complexities involved, praised the design for its success in harmonizing the competing interests of tourists, residents, fishers, ferry operators, and, crucially, those adorable, flightless residents.
Beyond utility: a civic space
“The project demonstrates how complex infrastructure can also become playful, social and deeply civic,” the judges stated – a sentiment that speaks volumes. This isn’t simply a pier; it’s a vibrant hub, a place where different communities converge. And it’s all underpinned by a commitment to sustainability and resource efficiency, values that resonated strongly with the Victorian awards panel.
Reclaiming the past, shaping the future
The awards' emphasis on community-minded public design extended beyond St Kilda. Projects like the Sunbury community arts and cultural precinct, painstakingly resurrected from the former Sunbury Lunatic Asylum, showcased the transformative power of adaptive reuse. Architecture Associates with Openwork’s deft work transformed a site burdened by a difficult history into a thriving space for creativity, demonstrating the ability to not only preserve but to genuinely reimagine the built environment.
Consider the Sunbury project itself – a former institution designed to contain, now celebrating connection. The judges lauded the architects’ skill in converting a space defined by restriction into one that fosters community. It’s a testament to thoughtful design, a subtle but profound shift in perspective.
Commercial spaces, reimagined
Elsewhere, Fieldwork’s design for 65 Dover Street in Cremorne earned the Sir Osborn McCutcheon award for commercial architecture. Their rooftop recreation space, complete with a half-size basketball court, is a brilliant response to the evolving needs of the modern workplace – a quiet rebellion against the monotony of corporate life. It’s a sophisticated project, elegantly executed and undeniably impactful.
And then there’s Baldasso Cortese’s Edmund Rice centre at Emmanuel College, a stunning example of educational architecture – clad in Colorbond manor red and organized around a central courtyard. The judges recognized the centre’s thoughtful approach to learning, its ability to create distinct “domains” of wisdom, communication, and discovery. A truly impressive achievement.
Finally, Robert Simeoni Architects’ Palmerston Street house in Carlton secured the heritage award and the John and Phyllis Murphy award for alterations and additions. Their restrained reimagining of a former 1870s hotel – navigating rising costs and material shortages – is a masterclass in sensitive restoration. It’s a reminder that history doesn’t have to be confined to the past; it can inform and enrich the present.
A strong finish
Edition Offices’ “House in a Garden” project, nestled within the Birrarung flood plain, took home the Harold Desbrowe Annear award. Its striking timber form, a cinematic immersion within a choreographed landscape, is a powerful statement about the potential of contemporary design. This isn't just a building; it's an experience.