The Victorian Architecture Medal is the highest honour awarded annually by the Victorian Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects and has been awarded 38 consecutive times since 1987. The Medal was originally known as the ‘Street Architecture Medal’ introduced by the Royal Victorian Institute of Architects (RVIA) in 1929 as an award for the design of a building of exceptional merit.^[1] Buildings were judged on their "urban propriety and architectural etiquette; the building had to front a street, road, square or court" and with a requirement of being publicly accessible, thereby excluding residential and private commissions.

2023 Victorian Architecture Medal presented for University of Melbourne Student Precinct

2023 Victorian Architecture Medal Winner: University of Melbourne Student Precinct

Background

The Victorian Architecture Medal is awarded at the Victorian Chapter AIA Awards from the 'named award' winners (from all direct entry categories) and also be drawn from the winners of the Sustainable Architecture Award, Colorbond Award for Steel Architecture, the Melbourne Prize or the Regional Prize. The winner of the Medal is judged to be the most outstanding project of the year — drawn from all entries — by definition making it 'a building, place or structure of exceptional merit', often winning multiple prizes across varying categories.

A cast circular bronze medal is awarded to the winner and usually affixed on the winning project in a prominent position.

The medal winner is to have a strong civic and public character with architectural qualities that contribute to the greater public realm of the city. Two notable exceptions are the awarding of the Medal to John Wardle Architecture for a private residence in 1997 and Wood Marsh for the Yve Apartment building in 2006. Changes to the fundamental concept of 'public architecture' being the basis for the judging of the award occurred after World War II. The first post war Medal was awarded in 1953 to Roy Grounds House for a residential house and four apartments. This was followed ten years later with the private and remote Grimwalde House by McGlashan Everist who were awarded the second Medal in 1963. On only five occasions it has been awarded to projects located outside metropolitan Melbourne (1940, 1963, 1987, 1997 and 2022).

The annual William Wardell Award for Public Architecture recognises institutional and public buildings. The Melbourne Prize that commenced in 1996 has become an important award addressing the civic and public realm contribution of architecture to the city, but does not focus solely on the experience of the 'street'.

Street Architecture Medal (1929–1942)

The Royal Victorian Institute of Architect's (RVIA) 'Street Architecture Medal' is considered the predecessor and equivalent of the current Victorian Architecture Medal. It was first awarded in 1929 and consecutively 14 times until 1942. The Street Architecture Award was an idea imported from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) that had started an award with the same name in 1923, an idea which had been around since before World War I. The award was created to encourage design excellence in architecture and increase public interest in the 'street architecture' of London. The first award for best public building in London was made to W. Curtis Green for Wolseley House, 157–160 Piccadilly.^[2]

The 'Extracts from the Examining Jury's Report' of the first Victorian award by chair P.A. Oakley and jury were reported in the Journal of the Royal Victorian Institute of Architects in July 1929.^[3]"As architects, we feel deeply the proud responsibility enjoyed by members of our profession as sponsors of the city buildings which form possibly the most important visible expression of a city’s individuality and attractions." The jury could recognise any building built within the past five years, with the objectives of the award listed as twofold —"Firstly, that buildings which notably contribute to the civic beauty and architecture of the cities of this State should be publicly singled out and acknowledged, in order that universal appreciation of their good qualities and emulation of their characteristics may be encouraged, and that through this means a widespread sense of civic responsibility may be developed and fostered in the architects and citizens of our State..." and secondly that "...due recognition by his fellow practitioners and fellow citizens may be made of the high achievement of the architect responsible for a building deemed worthy of this award...". It was also noted that a competition was to be held for the design of the bronze plaque to be attached to the winning building, open to RVIA Members and students.

The first medal was presented to Francis House at 107 Collins Street in Melbourne, a narrow fronted five storey office building with a ground level shopfront, designed by architects and cousins Blackett and Forster. William Blackett was the then president of the RVIA in his second term (1928–1930).^[4] The building still stands in near original condition. It was built in 1927–1928 for the established pharmacists and chemists, Henry Francis & Co. It was notable for its bronze shopfront details and beige and orange retractable awning, inspired by the shopping streets of Paris and New York, greatly contributing to the characterisation of the area as the 'Paris End' of Collins Street.

1929 Street Architecture Medal Winner 'Francis House' 107 Collins Street, Melbourne

In 1936 the president of the RVIA described the purpose of the award was to "encourage excellence of design and public interest in street architecture, the Institute having decided to examine annually buildings completed during the previous three years and to award a medal for a building of exceptional merit". Describing the 1937 medal winning project the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Building by Leighton Irwin and Roy K. Stevenson "The Jury considers that this is an unusual example of street architecture as it actually faces streets on all four elevations and presents a very interesting treatment of the various facades."^[5]

A long pause caused by World War II and a slow return to a regular annual architecture awards in Victoria saw none given until 1954 at around which time the medal was renamed the 'Bronze Medal' or 'the medal'. During the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s few medals were awarded. It was not until 1987 that an annual medal was awarded consistently and named the Victorian Architecture Medal, and has been given annually until present.

In the 1930s the Royal Institute of British Architects began awarding Street Architecture Awards and Bronze Medals to international projects, including the British Medical Association (BMA) House at 137 Macquarie Street, Sydney, by architects Fowell and McConnel.^[6] The award was presented in 1935 for buildings completed in the five years to end of 1933. This was the first time the award had been presented in New South Wales. The RIBA provided the architects with a bronze medal to be affixed to the building and a signed diploma. It was planned at the time for an award to be presented every three years to a new building in New South Wales.^[7] Hackett Memorial Buildings at University of Western Australia was awarded a RIBA Bronze Medal in 1931.^[8] Later Perth Girls' School^[9] in Western Australia was awarded a RIBA Bronze Medal in 1939, for the period 1936–1938.^[10]

Victorian Architecture Medal Winners (since 1987)

Gallery of awarded projects

Architecture Medal Winners (1943–1986)

In the period following World War II and the resumption of some awards in 1954, the Street Architecture Medal was dropped as an award, with more than 12 years passing since it was last judged and awarded. Perhaps responding to the rise of modernism and new concerns in architecture it was seen as outmoded and out of date, although there was a widespread use of the term 'Bronze Medal' often for housing projects during the period it is unclear if these medals equate to the status of the current Victoria Architecture Medal.

Note:

1. Street Architecture Medal concept dropped by 1954.
2. Definition of award changed to consider private and residential projects.
3. No 'Victorian Architecture Medals' were awarded between the years 1955–1962 and 1964–1986 (according to the AIA).
4. ^† Bronze Medals were awarded during periods when the AIA have stated no VAMs were awarded.
5. ^†† Bronze Medal for The Age/RAIA House of the Year.
6. Status of Bronze Medals to be determined.

RVIA Street Architecture Medal Winners (1929—1942)

Notes:

RVIA Street Architecture Medal

1. No Street Architecture Medals awarded during the war years and post–war years between 1942 and 1953.
2. 5 of 12 awards were given to buildings on Collins Street, Melbourne.
3. 10 of 12 awards were for buildings in Melbourne's CBD.

See also

• Australian Institute of Architects
• Victorian Architecture Awards
• Melbourne Prize
• Australian Institute of Architects Gold Medal
• Robin Boyd Award

References