St Gregory’s Hall by Collins Caddaye Architects was awarded Canberra’s most prestigious architecture prize, the Canberra Medallion at the Australian Institute of Architects’ 2012 ACT Architecture Awards on Saturday 2 June 2012.

St Gregory’s Hall by Collins Gaddaye Architects. Image courtesy of Stefan Postles.

St Gregory’s Hall was also awarded the Romaldo Giurgola Award for Public Architecture presented by ACT Jury Chair Roger Pegrum, who called the project: “A fine example of excellence in all aspects of the art of architecture”.

Speaking on behalf of the ACT Jury, Pegrum said: “This elegant and carefully crafted multi-purpose hall sits comfortably and confidently within the small grouping of the old Church and the primary classrooms at the north end of the school grounds.

“Internally, the planning is wonderfully simple and all parts of the spaces are finished with imagination and fine detail. It is a pleasing urban composition in all respects, demonstrating that modesty and good manners are no impediments to a successful and clear architectural statement.”

A record 60 entries were received for the 2012 Awards, vying for top honours in 11 categories spanning public architecture (this year’s largest category), residential, commercial and heritage architecture.

In total 28 prizes and commendations were awarded.

Potato Point House by Joanna Nelson Architect. Image: Tim Thomas

The Malcolm Moir and Heather Sutherland Award for Residential Award — Houses along with an Art in Architecture Commendation, went to ‘a delightful and unassuming coastal retreat’, Potato Point House designed by Joanna Nelson Architect.

Fyshwick Markets by Colin Stewart Architects. Image: Stefan Postles

Fyshwick Markets by Colin Stewart Architects took home the John Andrews Award for Commercial Architecture for their restoration of the open air market.

National Library of Australia by Cunningham Martyn Design. Image: John Gollings

Cunnigham Martyn Design received the W.Hayward Morris Award for Interior Architecture and the INLITE Light in Architecture Prize for their ‘sophisticated’ refurbishment of the ground floor interior of the National Library of Australia.

The ‘imaginatively designed and excellently constructed’ Mother Teresa School by Munns Sly Moore Architects was awarded the Education Prize and the Survival at Sea Facility, The Waterfront HMAS Creswell by BVN Architecture received the Award for Small Project Architecture.Survival at Sea Facility, The Waterfront HMAS Creswell by BVN Architecture. Image: John Gollings