Bass Coast's Berninneit has been awarded a national architectural prize, celebrating fine design and the importance of connection to country and community.
Berninneit took out a National Award for Public Architecture in the National Architecture Awards in Adelaide on Thursday night.
The impressive arts and cultural hub in Cowes, which was designed by Jackson Clements Burrows Architects and built by McCorkell Constructions, is a Passivhaus-designed building which brings together the arts, story gathering and local amenities.
The centre, which opened to the public late last year, includes a 250-seat theatre, multi-purpose community rooms, a library and historical society museum.
National Architecture Awards judges praised the project for its connectedness to community and cited it's inspiration from local geography.
"Berninneit (a Bunurong word meaning "gather together") was an important introduction to the Philip Island community and one that fosters an intrinsic connection to place and culture," the jury citation said.
"Precise implementation of naturally toned, carbon-neutral masonry evokes colours of the region's dunes and cliffs, while the buckling form speaks to the regional geology and coastal topography."
The judging panel also praised the attention to natural light in the design, which paid tribute to ecologically sustainable development principles and low-carbon materials and created a calming quality to the larger volume of the building.
Bass Coast Shire Council CEO, Greg Box said the award reflected the importance of Berninneit as a cornerstone of the local community, as well as the first-class design skills and sustainable foresight of the architects.
"We are beyond proud that beautiful Berninneit has been honoured with such a prestigious award," Mr Box said.
"Berninneit is a loved and respected part of our community, not only for its beautiful stature and features that acknowledge our region's geography and history, but also for its sustainable features that ensure it will be an important gathering place and part of the fabric of Bass Coast for generations to come."
Bernnineit was one of 62 projects shortlisted for the National Institute of Architects awards, which are considered the institute's highest honours.
This is the fourth award for Berninneit, following recognition in the Victorian Architecture Awards for Best Public Architecture, the Australian Interior Design Award for Public Design and a Victorian Geospatial Excellence Award from the Surveyor General of Victoria for the thoughtful and inclusive approach to the building's naming.
