House in a Heritage Context
Owen Architecture’s Bayside Fire Station in Brisbane has won the 2016 House in a Heritage Contextaward, sponsored by the Heritage Councils of NSW and Victoria, in the annual Houses Awards.
Operating as a fire station until 2004, the 1938 building is a modest, functional civic building that plays a prominent landmark role in the street.
The jury citation noted: “Its strong symmetry, solid facade and austerity have been well understood by the architects in this brilliantly understated conversion.
“The design path taken by the architects has resulted in a finished project that not only retains this rare example of pre-war Queensland civic architecture, but also creates for a contemporary family a high-quality residence enriched by its past.”
Two Victorian projects – Fitzroy Loft by Architects EAT and Acute House by OOF! Architecture – received commendations, and there were 12 projects shortlisted in the category.
The 2016 Houses Awards were announced at Sydney’s Doltone House, Hyde Park, on Friday 22 July. Heritage Council NSW chair Stephen Davies (right) presented the award to architect Paul Owen.