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Australia 108 reaches new heights

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Kaylah Joelle Baker

The shortlisted projects for the 2022 Victorian Architecture Awards have been announced, and Southbank’s very own Australia 108 is in the running to become known for more than its height.

Presented by the Victorian Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects, a peak body for the architectural profession, the awards provide an opportunity for the public to acknowledge and recognise the innovative works around them.

Among 125 of Melbourne and regional Victoria’s most significant and unique projects shortlisted and divided between 14 categories, Australia 108 finds itself as one of 11 in the “Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing” category.

It’s an achievement that is no small feat for Australia 108’s developer World Class Global as the building also approaches its very own milestone.

“This announcement comes at a very exciting time for the project, as we celebrate the one-year anniversary since the building’s grand completion milestone,” said David Ng, CEO of World Class Global.

“It has been deeply rewarding and fulfilling to see Australia 108 grow into the landmark it is today on the Melbourne skyline, and we hope this acknowledgement from one of the industry’s peak bodies is the first of many.”

Recognised as being the highest residential building in the Southern Hemisphere, Australia 108 has a 2800 square metre striking golden Starburst structure that wraps around the building at 210 metres above ground.

Housed within the structure are twin infinity edge pools that offer an expansive view of the city skyline that would be hard to compare. Although with residential addresses starting at $1.57 million, the highest luxury is to be expected.

The project itself was a six-year build and the work of architecture firm Fender Katsalidis, a company that originated in Melbourne and was founded by Karl Fender and Nonda Katsalidis.

The firm also has another project in the running for the same category title, with its Queens Place project also being selected out of the 252 projects submitted this year.

But it is the Australia 108 project that is distinctively different and a reflection of the firm's personal goals for the city of Melbourne.

“Our goal with Australia 108 was to redefine the stereotypes around how skyscrapers in our city, and around the world, are expressed,” Fender Katsalidis director Nicky Drobis said.

“We’re very pleased to have been recognised by the Australian Institute of Architects for our design innovation behind the residential development, as well as for its distinctive contribution to Melbourne’s evolving skyline.”

To celebrate the first year of the cloud-breaking structure, Australia 108 was lighting up the sky with a spectacular custom-made lighting display on the building's exterior and a firework show on May 6 at 8pm.

For anyone who missed the show, Australia 108 has also announced further lighting displays to continue throughout the year on special occasions.

Australia 108 will know if it’s successful in receiving the winning award title at a ceremony on Friday, June 17 this year.

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