Local buildings recognised

Local buildings have been attracting plenty of attention lately, with two Docklands buildings winning major awards over the past month.

The Quays at NewQuay won multiple awards last month, with developer MAB taking out the Australian Property Institute’s Property Development Award for Victoria.

In accepting the award, MAB general manager residential David Allt-Graham said: “We are thrilled to accept this award, which is testament to the cutting edge building and interior design of The Quays and Sebel development.”

“As the Docklands area undergoes a major urban transformation we’re proud to set the benchmark in contemporary accommodation in the precinct and for Melbourne.”

The Quays’ architect McBride Charles Ryan was also recognised in two categories at the Australian Timber Design Awards for its work on the residential development.

The Library at the Dock in Victoria Harbour was also acknowledged at the Australian Timber Design awards, winning the Sustainability Award.

The building was constructed from Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) and recycled hardwood and is Australia’s first six-star green star public building.

According to Planet Ark, which sponsored the award, certified wood has the ability to tackle climate change by keeping carbon locked in the wood rather than in the atmosphere.

The library stores 250 tonnes of carbon in its wood structure, which is the equivalent of absorbing the emissions of 402 cars for a year.

As Australia’s most sustainable public building the library also features passive ventilation, water harvesting and solar panels which supply approximately 30 per cent of its operational power.