Andrew Fedorowicz has won another award for his work on the stunning rejuvenation of the Fernery at Ballarat Botanical Gardens. Andrew’s company, Balance Architecture, has been awarded a First Award at the 2024 Global Architecture & Design Awards, presented by ‘Rethinking the Future’ and chosen by 20 international expert jurors. Andrew revived the design of the 1887 Fernery, which was demolished in the 1920s due to timber deterioration.
Andrew is particularly excited about this recent win, despite having won many other awards in the past. “Nothing as significant as this, it’s putting me on the same level as architects around the world,” he enthused. His other honours have included numerous Home Industry Association Awards and a Conservation Award by the Royal Australian Institute of Architects. This is the second major recognition for the Fernery project: Balance Architecture was recently named Winner in the Standalone Structure Category of the 2024 National Timber Design Awards in Sydney (as reported in the TT on Friday 24 October, 2024).
Andrew specialises in design for heritage properties and his company’s website shows a portfolio of gorgeous buildings and homes, sensitively restored and refreshed. His expertise with negotiating heritage planning laws seems to have been a factor in the success of the Fernery project. He credits Jessica Hood from Heritage Victoria for assisting with the process to work within guidelines but also improve the longevity of the fernery by using steel instead of timber supports. “That allowed us to vary the structure to make sure it lasts a good distance, timewise,” Andrew explained. “But they don’t look like steel elements. Heritage Victoria allowed us to do it so that internally it doesn’t look like a factory even though steel has been used.”
As a multiple-award winner, Andrew remains humble and is quick to share the credit for the work on the Ballarat fernery. “All these other people like the engineers and landscapers all have significant contributions,’ he said, while also speaking highly of builder Adam Parker and Ballarat Councillor Samantha McIntosh, who he says was a champion of the project.
Ballarat Botanical Gardens are open from 7.30am- 9pm during Daylight Saving time and are located at 401-405 Wendouree Parade, Lake Wendouree. A picnic in the gardens makes a lovely day out. Andrew hopes for many visitors to the Fernery; “I want the world to know about it!”
This article appeared in the Tarrangower Times, 29 November 2024.
