From Vats To Vaults, Architects Put Their Designs To The Test

The Age

Saturday May 20, 2000

SALLY FINLAY

You might expect a place called Snobs Creek to boast an example of fine modern architecture but you may not anticipate that designer structure to be a fish farm.

A high-tech laboratory at the Marine and Fresh Water Research Institute in Snobs Creek, near Eildon in the state's north-east, is an entry in this year's Royal Australian Institute of Architecture awards.

Entrants in the Victorian awards - category winners will go on to the national level later this year - have increased 20per cent on last year as more regional architects compete with their metropolitan colleagues.

``The number of regional projects entered into this year's award program has grown significantly. Additionally, many more regional architects and smaller practices have entered the program than in previous years," said the institute's Victorian president, Ian McDougall.

Victoria's first vineyard, Yering Station Winery in Yarra Glen, has entered the awards with a redevelopment by Conti Architects.

Part of the original winery remains alongside the new building, which has used the traditional materials of stone and timber with modern stainless steel and glass, which are materials used in the wine-making process.

``The combination of old and new symbolises the wine-making techniques for which the Australian wine industry is so highly respected," said architect Robert Conti.

A prestigious design award would help bring in the tourist dollar for two very different accommodation providers that have entered this year.

Backpackers staying at the Halls Gap Eco Hostel in the Grampians can pay a little less to stay at environmentally friendly digs than those opting for the plush refurbishment of South Yarra's Como Hotel.

Also in Melbourne is new restaurant and cafe, Helvetica, which sits in front of the Commonwealth Law Courts on William Street. The eatery has four main areas and architecture firm Muller have used materials to provide a different atmosphere for each of the area's functions.

Atmosphere of a different kind is available at two of the more unusual entries this year: an outdoor toilet and shower block in Longridge Park camping ground in Warrandyte and a state-of-the-art mortuary at Noble Park.

Award entrants:

* Kerferd Road Kiosk, Middle Park

* St Mark's Church, Fitzroy

* Observatory Gate, Royal Botanic Gardens

* Children's Court of Victoria

* Old Colonists Apartments, Braeside Park, Berwick

* Defence Force Training Facilities, Latchford Barracks, Bonegilla

© 2000 The Age

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