Inspire 2013

We are delighted to launch ‘Inspire 2013’. This volume of ‘Inspire’ marks the halfway point for our ten volume series that presents an inspirational visual survey of the awards from 2010 to 2019, charting the very best in Australian architecture through the course of a decade. ‘Inspire’ is a beautifully produced publication that features over 280 pages of exciting, innovative architectural projects by leading Australian designers who have been honoured in the 2014 National Architecture Awards program.

The ‘Inspire’ series captures the forward-thinking approach that characterizes Australian architecture industry, especially in the fields of sustainability, urban design, heritage architecture and international architecture. Follow the visual story of award-winning buildings. See the design process from start to finish – including preliminary sketches, quotes and photographs. ‘Inspire’ is a must have for any architect or design enthusiast.

What is it to be inspired? It is the state of being compelled to do something–something creative. The projects you will discover in these pages certainly ‘Inspire’. The book is rich in ideas and possibility that show architectural creativity at its very best. But more than that, these projects represent the work that is being designed and built now; and that fills me with hope, and immense pride in the profession of architecture. I welcome you to ‘Inspire’, a celebration of print for the 2013 Australian Institute of Architects’ National Architecture Awards winners. This is the fourth in a 10 volume series that presents an inspirational visual survey of the Awards from 2010 to 2019, charting the very best in Australian architecture through the course of a decade. The National Architecture Awards bring together outstanding designs from all around the country. Geographically, the projects are very evenly dispersed this year and the National Jury travelled widely across the country in its quest for excellence. If I was to point to any trends this year, there is certainly strength in the notion of community. By this I mean the exceptional quality of work that is evident in public buildings, but also the fact that architects are fundamentally designing for communities. They are increasingly sensitive to the place their work, whether residential, commercial or other uses, will have in the community–and, beyond that, what its legacy might be to the community. Australia’s ultimate public building is unquestionably Parliament House in Canberra. A symbol of Australian democracy, home to the Parliament of Australia and meeting place of the nation, Parliament House is one of Australia’s most iconic buildings. To all readers, we hope you will enjoy this publication–and the wonderful Australian architecture within these pages.