Ivy Wins Design Award

By Ian Neubauer

Merivale’s flagship venue ivy was recognised at the NSW Architectural Awards yesterday (Jun 18), taking home the Lloyd Rees award for Urban Design.

Designed by Woods Bagot and Hecker Phelan Guthrie, ivy also received a Commercial Architectural Award for delivering intimacy in a large-format venue and fostering “vibrancy” in laneways separating the venue’s multiple spaces. 


ivy was recognised for excellence in design at the
NSW Architecture Awards in Sydney this week

“Ivy’s planning deftly understates the scale of the complex, which includes 18 bars, nine restaurants, a ballroom, a garden atrium and rooftop swimming pool, as well as two penthouse suites,” the jury headed by chairman Sam Marshall said in statement.

“In spite of its overall area, most of ivy’s venues retain a sense of intimacy more akin to a domestic environment, albeit an extravagant modern residence of the late 1950s.”

Ivy is now in contention for the National Architecture Awards, to be announced in Melbourne on October 29.

Hosted by the Australian School of Architects, the NSW Architecture Awards saw a record 200 projects submitted for judging this year. They ranged from toilet blocks to multi-million-dollar public buildings, with a total of 41 awards and commendations awarded over 10 categories.