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New Design

Australian Architect Selected to Design New Australia House

An Open Call for the new Australia House Design Proposals was held as an international competition from 1 to 15 September 2011. The winner was selected at the Australian Embassy Tokyo on 22 September 2011.

A jury headed by Japan's leading architect, Pritzker Prize-winner Tadao Ando, has selected a design by Sydney's Andrew Burns for the new Australia House to be built in Japan's mountainous Niigata Prefecture.

With the financial assistance of the Australia-Japan Foundation, the Tokamachi City Government and others, it was quickly decided that Australia House would be rebuilt. The new Australia House will continue the growing ties between Australia and the Echigo-Tsumari region in which it was located, and stand as a symbol of Australia's support for Japan and its rural regions as it recovers from the disaster.

Speaking of Mr Burns' unique triangular design, Mr Ando said: "It is difficult to form a triangle. However, it could create interesting architecture since it is difficult. I find the approach to the house attractive and different elements well arranged. The idea of dealing with snow is thoughtful, considering that the site is located in a heavy snowfall region. It would be fantastic if only the triangular roof was visible as the rest of the house is covered with three-metre-high snow."

Serving alongside Mr Ando on the jury were Professor Tom Heneghan of the Tokyo University of the Arts (and former Chair of Architecture at the University of Sydney) and Fram Kitagawa, General Director of the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale.

They selected Mr Burns' design from a total of 154 entries from Australian and Japanese architects.

Australia House Design
(From left to right) Mr Fukutake, Mr Ando, Mr Kitagawa and Ambassador Miller
Australia House Design
Selection at the Australian Embassy Tokyo
Australia House Design

Governing organisation for the International Open Call for Design Proposals

Australia House Reconstruction Committee

  • Committee member: Bruce Miller, Australian Ambassador to Japan
  • Committee member: Yoshifumi Sekiguchi, Tokamachi City Mayor and chairman of the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale Executive Committee
  • Committee member: Soichiro Fukutake, General Producer of the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale

Australia House Design Proposal Secretariat

  • Chief of the Secretariat: Hitomi Toku, Cultural Officer, Australian Embassy Tokyo
  • Secretariat: Art Front Gallery, Co., Ltd.
  • Coordinator: Sohei Imamura, architect and Principal of Atelier Imamu, Sotaro Yamamoto, architect and Principal of Yamamoto Sotaro Design Atelier

Official supporter:

  • Australian Embassy Tokyo

Financial supporter:

  • Tokamachi City
  • International Culture Appreciation and Interchange Society, Inc.
  • Australia-Japan Foundation
  • Australian Embassy Tokyo

Result of the selection:

Number of proposals received: 154

1st prize winner: Andrew Burns Architect (PDF 6.12MB)

2nd prize winner: B.A.M.F. (PDF 4.26MB)

Shortlisted:
Tomohiro Hata Architect and Associates (PDF 1.71MB)
Andrew Burges Architects (PDF 975KB)
John Wardie Architects (PDF 679KB)
SAKUMASTUDIO (PDF 1.7MB)
Shuichiro Yoshida + Edwards Moore Architects (PDF 2.43MB)

Concept of the design:

Australia House Design

A structure that creates potentialities for art installation, both internally and within the immediate surroundings. The internal spaces are calibrated to amplify the experience of landscape. Perception of the building alternates between the dynamic appearance of an art object and the familiar presence of a rural dwelling. The roof rises steeply to the daikokubashira, which becomes a charged element within the gallery space. The triangular form creates a long dimension and widening perspective within compact space.


Andrew Burns' Comment

I am delighted to have been selected for the Australia House project in Niigata Prefecture, Japan. It is a great honor to have been recognized by such an esteemed jury, all of whom I greatly respect for their work.

From Katsura Villa to the Chichu Museum, Japanese architecture has long held a fascination to me, and I hope to make a contribution across national borders. I am thrilled to participate in such a progressive art project as the Echigo-Tsumari Triennale, with it's refreshing curatorial approach.

I look forward to working with the Trienalle organisers, Australian Embassy and local community to create a memorable spatial experience and a focal point for cultural exchange between Australia and Japan.