'Paving the way': Signal Box, Verve tower win NSW architecture awards

Verve Apartments were named a winner at the 2020 NSW Architecture Awards on Friday night, which the NSW Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects livestreamed for the first time.

They joined the Signal Box cafe on the former rail line in the winners' circle after it clinched the Greenway Award for Heritage.

Verve Residences, the CKDS Architecture project, claimed the Aaron Bolot award for residential architecture - multiple housing. It also claimed the Blacket Prize for regional design excellence.

Jury chair for the residential architecture - multiple housing category Carolyn Mitchell said the structure set a new standard for the Hunter's urban landscape.

"Verve Residences is paving the way for more socially and environmentally aware residential design in Newcastle," Ms Mitchell said. "There are certainly many lessons to be taken from how the architects have gone about creating meaningful engagement between residents, as well as the community it sits within."

Newcastle's tallest building at its completion, Verve made headlines in August last year after structural defects were discovered before its opening. Bloc director and construction manager Drew Mathias said at the time the issues were repaired within days after they were found.

The awards this year included a people's choice program created in response to COVID-19. Voters chose Parramatta's Bankwest Stadium as a post-siolation party venue, Marrickville Library under the We Are In This Together banner and Arkadia by DKO Architecture as an isolation oasis.

Winners now progress to the national architecture awards, with a shortlist to be announced in the coming months.

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