The State Library Victoria was recognised in this year’s Victorian Architecture Awards for their Vision 2020 redevelopment that wrapped up in December 2019.
The project snagged the esteemed Melbourne Prize, as well as awards in the Heritage–Conservation and Public Architecture categories.
The team at Andronas Conservation Architecture were also recognised for their contribution to the project whose roles were to provide heritage advice during the construction period and to co-ordinate heritage approvals for the works.
Director of Andronas Conservation Architecture, Arthur Andronas was elated to receive recognition.
“It was a great honour, honestly,” Mr Andronas told Neos Kosmos.
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Mr Andronas said the recognition they received was particularly important because the awards came from fellow architects who know the amount of effort necessary for such a restoration project and deemed the result successful.
The Greek-Australian architect said that his team put a lot of effort in the project from the design to the implementation of the restoration.
“I feel honoured that my team was able assist in resurrecting the classical idylls as represented by the State Library but especially the Queens Hall. We were fortunate to have played our part with Architectus (Melbourne) and Schmidt Hammer Lassen (Denmark) in this most successful outcome,” Mr Andronas said.
In 1856, two years after the opening of the State Library, officials wanted to repair some damages on the building.
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Influenced by the philhellenic movement they decided to ‘dress’ the building with colours, which included ancient Greek shapes like meanders and acanthi.
Mr Andronas explains that after the restoration, these themes came back to the surface on some parts of the building, as previous colour coats were removed.
Winners were announced in a digital ceremony on 10 July, with 63 award recipients across 15 categories.
Judges praised the Library redevelopment, noting its contribution to the public and its dedication to architectural heritage were impressive.