“National culture builders” ARM Architecture wins the 2016 Australian Gold Medal

Stephen Ashton, Howard Raggatt, and Ian McDougall have left a lasting impression in the Australian contemporary architecture scene since they founded Ashton Raggatt McDougall in 1988. Since then, ARM Architecture has built projects that the Australian Institute of Architects describes as “some of the most extraordinary [if not sometimes controversial] buildings in the short post-colonial history of [the] country.” ARM's contentious body of work recently earned them the honorable 2016 Gold Medal in the Australian Achievement in Architecture Awards. The Gold Medal is the top accolade that recognizes an architecture practice for their outstanding work and significant impact in the field of Australian architecture, as well as the broader nature of contemporary architecture.

On top of that, leading practitioners were also announced as various category winners. This year's winers include Peter Maddison of Grand Designs Australia and Maddison Architects; Jeremy McLeod of Breathe Architecture, and Amy Muir of Muir Architecture — to name a few.

Scroll down to see some photos of ARM's work and to learn more about the firm.

In the ARM founders' opinion, the controversy they have encountered in their work reflects their belief that “architecture itself is contentious and speculative: to be debated, laid open and ultimately affirmed as a cultural contribution.”

While developing their large-scale practice, ARM has built an extensive portfolio of projects sprinkled throughout Australia, from Perth to Adelaide, and particularly in their home city of Melbourne. Their portfolio includes an array of cultural projects, city-scale strategies and urban-design projects, office buildings, residential apartments, community buildings, and retail centers.

A few notable works include the Perth Arena in Western Australia, the new Gold Coast Cultural Precinct, the redesign of the Shrine of Remembrance, the William Barak building, and the RMIT University Storey Hall (the latter two both having sparked controversy). Recently, ARM was commissioned to refurbish the Sydney Opera House.

Ashton, Raggatt, and McDougall have long been greatly involved in architectural education, having held professorial roles and taking part in numerous exhibitions, lectures, and contributions to national conferences. The co-founders have also contributed to the Australian Institute of Architects.

Full list of 2016 AAAA winners

• Gold Medal: Stephen Ashton, Howard Raggatt and Ian McDougall – ARM Architecture (Vic)
• National President’s Prize: Peter Maddison – Grand Designs Australia, Maddison Architects (Vic)
• Neville Quarry Architectural Education Prize: Professor Michael Ostwald – University of Newcastle (NSW)
• Leadership in Sustainability Prize: Jeremy McLeod – Breathe Architecture (Vic)
• William J. Mitchell International Chapter Prize: Brian Burr – Architectural Renderer (New York)
• National Emerging Architect Prize: Amy Muir – Muir Architecture (Vic)
• Student Prize for the Advancement of Architecture: Peter Nguyen (NSW)
• Dulux Study Tour:
  Chris Gilbert – Archier (Tas)
  Katy Moir – Troppo Architects (NT)
  Hannah Slater – Architectus Brisbane (Qld)
  Qianyi Lim – Sibling (Vic)
  Mathew van Kooy – John Wardle Architects (Vic)