Public Architecture (Alterations & Additions)
Institute of Koorie Education, Deakin University
Jury Citation:
‘The Institute of Koorie Education is an outstanding project that reworks a previously grim semi industrial building on the Waurn Ponds campus and adds new facilities that create an inspiring suite of spaces that serve Victoria's indigenous community.
The roof of the previous building has been raised to cleverly integrate with the new addition so that the new institute spans three floor levels, exploiting the slope of the site.
The architect has created a beautiful network of circulation and public spaces that knit together a wide diversity of teaching areas, academic offices, studios and a major performance space.
The generosity of this circulation network, which is naturally lit from above, creates a feeling of openness and collaboration.
Cultural traditions of greeting and ceremony are respected by creating both outdoor and indoor spaces that connect in a rational and poetic way.
The building is located at an important entry point to the campus and creates a welcoming, multifaceted and open education centre of a scale that humanises an otherwise monumental University campus environment.’