Designed in 1999 by Architetto Ken Sowerby of Trevi, Italy (design director of StudioArchitetto&C) and documented by Hassell Pty Ltd of Melbourne the project represents a completely fresh look at what industrial architecture means in this information age. For many years Sowerby has been an advocate of sustainable, responsible design in the built environment. He has contributed to and attended conferences and written many articles on the subject. Sowerby says: "The very process of producing newspapers and printed media in these giant printing facilities calls for considerable consumption of energy and materials but by careful recycling of ink, water, production and paper waste, we can make economical 'repayments' to pay back nature's 'loan'. "The Age facility has been designed not only for maximum recycling of materials, liquids and waste separation within the building but also externally. The land art landscaping concept is focused on minimum consumption and maintenance. Even the huge MAN Roland presses recoup the dynamic energy produced as they wind down.
"Both the building structure, enclosure and the landscape have also been carefully modelled to provide maximum noise attenuation and thus the environmental impact on surrounding neighbors is negligible."
Sowerby firmly believes that an architect has far more essential responsibilities than simply resolving the technical and functional requirements of commodities in an elegant way. "It is Mother Nature that sets us the ethical task of acknowledging her generosity in what we design.This is particularly important also when selecting materials, such as those which take less energy to produce or which can be regenerative (biomass) without depleting nature's stock. Where possible and where practical, materials selected for construction of The Age's printing facility have been left in their natural state, resulting in less energy and consumption of material." Since its construction, The Age Print Centre has received several awards for its amazing architecture and outstanding environmental focus in conservation.
International Newspaper Color Quality Club 2006-2008
Back to Back Winner - awarded wordlwide recognition for print quality, allowing membership to the International Newspaper Color Quality Club 2006-2008 - Awarded jointly through IFRA, NAA (Newspaper Association of America) and PANPA (The Pacific Area Newspaper Publishers' Association).
International Newspaper Color Quality Club 2004-2006
Winner - awarded wordlwide recognition for print quality, allowing membership to the International Newspaper Color Quality Club 2004-2006 - Awarded jointly through IFRA, NAA (Newspaper Association of America) and PANPA (The Pacific Area Newspaper Publishers' Association).
Savewater awards
Winner Trade Waste Management Large Manufacturer
Finalist Water Conservation Large Manufacturer
Australian Institute of Steel Construction Awards
Winner - Premier Steel Construction Award
Winner - Steel Detailing Large Project category - for the main building
Winner - Steel Detailing Small Project category - for the landmark sign
High Commendation - Metal Building Large Project category
Victorian Building Industry Association Excellence in Construction awards
Winner Industrial Building over $5 million
Australian Property Institute Excellence in Property Awards
Winner - Environmental Development
Short listed - Property Development
Royal Australian Institute of Architects
Winner - Sir Osborne McCutcheon award for Commercial Architecture
National Electrical Contractors Association Excellence Awards
Winner - Industrial Category
Illuminating Engineering Society of Australia and New Zealand - Victorian chapter
Meritorious Lighting Awards - Award of Excellence
Association of Consulting Engineers Australia Excellence Awards
Silver Award, Highly Commended - Industrial Infrastructure
Keep Australia Beautiful - Victoria
City Pride Award
Special Commendation - Commercial / Industrial Site
Property Council of Australia 2005 Award
Category Winner Victoria - Factories, Warehouses and Industrial Estates