Press Release
Bronze A' Design Award in Architecture, Building and Structure Design Goes to Marion Park Masterplan Mixed Use Buildings by Rafael Contreras and Monica Earl
The international grand jury of the 2023 - 2024 A' Design Award & Competition recognizes Rafael Contreras and Monica Earl for architecture, building and structure design
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COMO, Italy, April 19, 2024 /DesignNewswire/ A' Design Award & Competition has confirmed the Bronze A' Design Award in the Architecture, Building and Structure Design category for Marion Park Masterplan Mixed Use Buildings by Rafael Contreras and Monica Earl, designed for Contreras Earl Architecture. The result belongs to the 2023 - 2024 A' Design Award & Competition and was reached through blind peer review by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members, who scored anonymized entries against predetermined criteria.
About the Bronze A' Design Award
The Bronze A' Design Award is given to outstanding designs that showcase a high degree of creativity and practicality. It recognizes the dedication and skill of designers who produce work that stands out for its thoughtful development and innovative use of materials and technology. These designs are acknowledged for their professional execution and potential to influence industry standards positively. Winning this award highlights the designer's ability to blend form and function effectively, offering solutions that enhance people's lives and wellbeing.
More About Marion Park Masterplan Mixed Use Buildings
Marion Park aims to be an iconic architectural landmark in Canberra, embodying environmental, social, and governance standards. Inspired by indigenous landscapes, its organic buildings mirror local terrain. The park-like setting, enhanced through First Nations’ design contributions, offers diverse spaces. Housing options prioritize sustainability and affordability, aiming for Net Zero energy usage. Compliant with city plans, it preserves Parliament House's prominence while enhancing the urban fabric.
About Rafael Contreras and Monica Earl
Contreras Earl Architecture (CEA) is led by Rafael Contreras and Monica Earl. Contreras Earl Architecture was founded to design original, inventive, ground-breaking buildings that contribute to the evolution of architecture and toward a better future for our communities and cities. CEA creates buildings, spaces, masterplans and objects that are biologically informed and digitally engineered. From mid-sized commercial buildings and mixed-use developments to high-end apartments and bespoke objects, it’s not about the scale of your project, but the scale of your ambition.
Award Record
Rafael Contreras and Monica Earl is a winner of 2 A' Design Awards, including this recognition. The awards were granted between the 2022 - 2023 and the 2023 - 2024 editions of the A' Design Award & Competition.
About the A' Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award
The A' Architecture Design Award is an international architectural design competition recognizing good architectural designs by best architects worldwide. It is organized within the A' Design Award & Competition and is open to architectural design studios, building contractors, structural engineering firms and architecture and design consultants from all countries. Typical entries include skyscrapers, museums, residential buildings, commercial complexes, educational institutions and religious structures. The awarded architectural projects are published at https://dezigners.org/design-category/architecture
About A' Design Award & Competition
Organized annually since 2008, A' Design Award & Competition is an international, juried design accolade. The competition is open to entries from all countries. The philanthropic mission of the A' Design Award is to advance society through good design, by recognizing and promoting superior products, projects and services that benefit society, and by creating a global awareness and appreciation for good design practices and principles. Nominations are peer reviewed and evaluated anonymously by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members against predetermined criteria such as functionality, ergonomics, engineering, presentation, innovation, usability, sustainability and technology, with score normalization applied to remove biases. Awards are conferred at Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Iron levels. Eligible laureates receive the A' Design Prize, which includes the award trophy, the certificate of design excellence, the hardcover yearbook, a lifetime license to use the A' Design Award winner logo, exhibition of awarded works, an invitation to the gala night and award ceremony in Italy, inclusion in the World Design Rankings and Designer Rankings, and public relations and publicity services. Registration, uploading a work and receiving a preliminary score are free of charge, and Professional and Digital Edition laureates are not contractually obliged to pay further fees to claim the A' Design Prize. More information is available at https://competition.adesignaward.com
Press Resources
- Winner Page: https://dezigners.org/161537
- A' Design Award Page: https://competition.adesignaward.com/161537
- Media Showcase: https://www.designnewsroom.com/!161537
- Laureate Profile: https://dezigners.org/d/342631
Media Contact
Giulia Ferrari, Press Office
Designers.Org
Via Leone Leoni 32, 22100 Como, Italy
press@designers.org
+39 031 4491953
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Fact Sheet
The Work
- Project
- Marion Park Masterplan Mixed Use Buildings
- Function
- Mixed Use Buildings
- Category
- Architecture, Building and Structure Design
- Discipline
- Spatial Design
- Industry
- Architecture
- Colors
- Dark Slate Gray, Light Slate Gray and Dim Gray
- Images
- 5
- Client
- Contreras Earl Architecture
The Recognition
- Laureate
- Rafael Contreras and Monica Earl
- Country
- Australia
- Recognition
- Bronze A' Design Award
- Edition
- 2023 - 2024
- Design ID
- #161537
Credits
- Team
- Rafael Contreras, Monica Earl, Cesar Gonzalez, Zhiwei Jiang, Tim Jensen, Dwayne Liu, WILLEMSEN GROUP, Sustainability - ARUP and Landscape Architect - URBIS
Design Details
- Unique Properties
- The Marion Park master plan envisions an iconic architectural landmark in the heart of the Nation’s Capital, embodying top-tier environmental, social, and governance standards. It will offer diverse housing options, including affordable units, designed with sustainability and liveability in mind. Innovative Passiv Haus principles and onsite renewable energy generation will pave the way for economically viable pathways to Net Zero operation via Greenpower, ensuring a sustainable future.
- Inspiration
- Drawing on the same geographic elements which Walter Burley and Marion Mahoney Griffin used in their prize-winning design proposal for Canberra, we have strived to express in built form the indigenous landscape of Ngunnawal country. Each of the buildings has evolved with an organic topographical form reminiscent of the local hill side landscapes. Knowles Place has been considered as urban park emulating Lake Burley Griffin & the Molonglo River as they flow through the Parliamentary Triangle.
- Research
- The research laying the fundamentals of the project are based around delivering sustainability initiatives. Key initiatives are passive solar design, optimizing natural ventilation, responsible water management, developing for a green city, growing for long term, maximizing green spaces and moving away from non-renewable energy sources.
- Challenge
- The challenge was to develop a master plan that would meet sustainable targets with a unique organic design inspired by the surrounding nature on a prime located site.
- Realization and Technology
- Our goal is to integrate sustainability into design, construction, and operation, aligning with City Renewal Authority's initiatives. We aim for Net Zero operation through onsite renewables and "Greenpower," using passive design and occupant sensing controls to minimize energy demand. These measures meet environmental, health, and economic objectives while supporting climate resilience and Authority's sustainability goals.
- Operation and Interaction
- Passive design principles reduce cooling and heating demand, following Passiv Haus standards. Intelligent occupant sensing controls decrease energy usage by adjusting light and air-conditioning in unoccupied areas. Responsible water management is integrated with sustainability goals, aiming for net-zero carbon operation, Nathers 7-star rating, and adherence to Passiv Haus principles.
- Project Duration and Location
- The project was master planned between June and August 2023.
- Specifications
- Combined the five buildings have a total of approximately 456 residential units, providing a variety of housing typologies designed to functionally meet the intergenerational requirements of individuals, partners and families. The design consists of 2 corner elliptical buildings, each 17 stories and 3 mid-rise structures, each with seven levels. The project includes food and beverage outlets, commercial and retail offices and a community center allowing users to live and play within the district.
- Keywords
- Masterplan, Mixed-Use, Residential, Commercial, Retail, Park
