DLG SHAPE has added another prestigious accolade to its portfolio, winning the 2024 Master Builders Australia National Excellence in Building and Construction Award for Best Fitout in the $5–10M category. The award recognises the exceptional delivery of the Koorie Heritage Trust Building Expansion project in Melbourne, Victoria.
Koorie Heritage Trust is a multi-award-winning design and construction achievement, having secured multiple honours at the 2024 Victorian Architecture Awards hosted by the Australian Institute of Architects. The project, designed by Lyons in collaboration with Greenaway Architects and Architecture Associates, were awarded the Dimity Reed Melbourne Prize, the Marion Mahony Award and were commended in the William Wardell Award categories and most recently, the prestigious 2024 Melbourne Awards in the City Design category from the City of Melbourne.
Notably, DLG SHAPE also earned recognition at the Master Builders Victoria Excellence in Construction Awards, winning in the Excellence in Fitout $5M-$10M category.
The Master Builders National Excellence Awards celebrate the pinnacle of achievement in Australia’s residential, commercial, and civil construction sectors. This year, the awards culminated in a three-day celebration held in Hobart—marking a significant occasion for the SHAPE Tasmania team as they recently established a permanent Tasmanian office to support its growing operations in the region.
We had three finalists in total across SHAPE and DLG SHAPE projects, including Koorie Heritage Trust from Melbourne, Parliament Place from Perth and the Department of Health Fitout from Hobart.
The Koorie Heritage Trust expanded its tenancy at Melbourne’s Birrarung Building in Federation Square to create a dedicated First Peoples art and cultural centre.
DLG SHAPE delivered the project, which involved refurbishing Levels 1 and 3, fitting out Level 2, and integrating all three levels into a cohesive space. Designed by Lyons Architects with Greenaway Architects and Architecture Associates, the space balances cultural connection with modern functionality.
Key Features
Carefully staged in one of Melbourne’s busiest precincts, the project maintained operations on Level 3, prioritising community engagement and minimal disruption throughout the build.
Notably, DLG SHAPE also earned recognition at the Master Builders Victoria Excellence in Construction Awards, winning in the Excellence in Fitout $5M-$10M category.
Michael Manikas, General Manager – DLG SHAPE, said: “The expansion of Koorie Heritage Trust at Federation Square was an incredibly meaningful project for us, and we are proud to see it recognised on a national level. By embracing Indigenous-led design and collaborating with Indigenous subcontractors and suppliers, we ensure the spaces we create not only reflect cultural significance but also honour the stories they hold with authenticity and respect.
This project exemplifies the power of true partnership—where craftsmanship, cultural integrity, and community come together to bring the designers’ vision to life. This award is a testament to that collaboration and a celebration of First Peoples’ culture and heritage, which we are privileged to help preserve and showcase.”
To read more about the Koorie Heritage Trust Building Expansion, click here: Koorie Heritage Trust Building Expansion – DLG SHAPE
We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land, sea, and skies. We’re grateful to those who have cared for, nurtured, and protected Country for future generations, and we pay our respects to Elders past, present, and emerging.
