Arena architects claim top prize

The architects behind the Perth Arena design have been recognised with the industry's top award. Source: PerthNow

THE architects behind the controversial design of the Perth Arena have won the highest honour at the Australian Institute of Architects WA Architecture Awards.

In a joint venture, ARM Architecture and Cameron Chisholm Nicol took home the George Temple Poole Award, which is presented each year to the project judged most impressive of all the award winners in each category.

The George Temple Poole jury viewed an impressive array of outstanding architecture in determining this year's award winner, but ultimately Perth Arena came out on top, also taking home another three awards.

"Visually the Perth Arena is a building that delivers an aesthetic unlike anything previously existing in Western Australia," the jury said in awarding Perth Arena.

"And regardless of whether it is revered or reviled it generates enormous interest and stands as an outstanding example of what architects contribute to the built environment.

"The architects have delivered a building of great visual complexity, outstanding functionality, a building that has captured the imagination of the general public and delivers for Perth an iconic piece of public infrastructure."

The awards, which honour excellence in the design and construction industry, were presented at an Academy Awards-style ceremony at the Perth Concert Hall.

Another major city development, Brookfield Place by Hassell and Fitzpatrick and Partners, also featured prominently in the awards, taking out the Margaret Pitt Morison Award for Heritage, the John Septimus Roe Award for Urban Design and the Ross Chisholm and Gil Nicol Award for Commercial Architecture.

All Western Australian named and Architecture Award winners will progress to the Australian Institute of Architects National Awards to be held in November.

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Arena architects claim top prize