With entries now open and closing 30 June, the awards celebrate advanced timber application and projects that push the boundaries. Design professionals across the building and landscaping industries are invited to enter innovative projects, which showcase the creative and visionary use of timber.
Lilyfield Warehouse by Virginia Kerridge Architects
With over 100 quality entries received last year and a continued increase in high-calibre entries over the past six years, Intergrain is proud to announce two new categories to the awards. This year the new Public Space and Student categories will join Exterior Residential, Interior Residential, Exterior Commercial and Interior Commercial.
The judging panel will be made up of leading industry professionals and winners from each category will receive a $2,000 cash prize, Intergrain product to the value of $3,000, and national exposure with an editorial feature in Architecture Australia magazine.
Writing for Interiors Addict, I see my fair share of drool-worthy homes, but never have I ever been so set on moving into one, as I am for Virginia Kerridge Architect’s project, Lilyfield Warehouse.
Virginia Kerridge
A creative adaptation of a rendered brick industrial warehouse building into a family home, the heart of the design is the central garden. Visible from most areas of the house, it is the pinnacle of indoor-outdoor living and most simply just looks effortlessly cool!
Lilyfield WarehouseLilyfield Warehouse
It is therefore not surprising that it is one of Virginia’s favourite projects, winning four awards, including the AIA Interior Architecture Award and two Houses Awards. Yet it is a favourite of Virginia’s for another reason, and that’s the clients. “My dream project is any project where the client, architect and builder are on the same wavelength,” says Virginia. “So my favourite projects are always for my favourite clients and most recently the Lilyfield Warehouse was a favourite project, not least because of the lovely clients!”
Lilyfield WarehouseLilyfield Warehouse
Another two projects close to her heart for the very same reason are the Taylor Square Warehouse and the House in Country NSW. The Taylor Square Warehouse in particular, being a catalyst for a style that would end up being synonymous with Virginia Kerridge Architect. “Taylor Square Warehouse began an interest in adaptive re-use projects,” says Virginia. “From there it was the House in Country NSW, which was the design of three houses in the country including ancillary sheds in the surrounding area. Achievements in architecture are always related to the most successful projects and this was a very special project.”
House in Country NSW
With a focus on adapting spaces to suit different needs, Virginia will always design with nature and the property’s surrounding land, in mind. Her projects are very detailed and one-off, tailored to the clients and very place specific. While this design style works very well for residential, Virginia also enjoys branching out into the hospitality and commercial sectors.
House in Country NSW
Currently designing several new houses in Byron Bay, a hotel in Cabarita, an eight-storey apartment building in the Gold Coast and alterations to individual houses, Virginia is by no means slowing down, but that’s exactly how she likes it.
In fact it was for that very reason — being able to pick her own projects and choose how much or little she worked — that Virginia started her own firm almost 20 years ago. “You have more freedom,” says Virginia. “You have a choice in what you design and who your clients are. That’s what I enjoy!”
