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Sub Base Platypus wins Walter Burley Griffin Award for Urban Design

Date: Nov 05, 2021
Category: Awards
ASPECT INSIGHTS Sub Base Platypus AIA Award 01 HERO
Winners of the Australian Institute of Architects National Architecture Awards have been announced with Sub Base Platypus receiving the esteemed Walter Burley Griffin Award for Urban Design, building upon the Llyod Rees Award the project received from the AIA NSW state chapter earlier this year.

We are so proud to be recognised for this project with Lahznimmo Architects and our client the Harbour Trust. The team shared a collective vision to enhance public life and accessibility within this significant site through conservation, remediation and adaptive re-use, all of which was made possible through a rich interpretation of the site’s original heritage.


The project has been a key pillar to reengaging the local community with the waterfront, creating a public place for active recreation and swimming in brand new space. This was all made possible by a commitment to design excellence from both the NSW and Federal Government’s and the Sydney Harbour Trust.


The jury cited: “the adaptive re-use of the HMAS Platypus precinct is a profound and exemplary urban design transformation. The detailed repair, removal and upgrade work is underpinned by a porous and legible urban diagram that facilitates public access to an area of the Sydney foreshore that was off-limits to the public for more than 150 years.”


Congratulations to our client and all of our collaborators - Client: Harbour Trust; Builder: Haslin Constructions; Structural engineer: SDA Structures; Services consultant: Northrop Consulting Engineers; Wayfinding: ASPECT Studios.

ASPECT INSIGHTS Sub Base Platypus AIA Award 03
Photography: Forian Groehn