Queensland Architecture Awards 2021: Winners
A house that ‘floats’ above ground behind a raw timber sun breaker has claimed top prize as Queensland’s best home in the 2021 QLD architecture awards. SEE ALL THE WINNERS
Property
Don't miss out on the headlines from Property. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A newly-built Brisbane home which ‘floats’ above ground behind a raw timber sun breaker has been awarded Queensland’s top gong for new residential architecture.
Riverbank House, by Wilson Architects, received The Robin Dods Award for the Highgate Hill project at the Australian Institute of Architects’ Queensland Architecture Awards.
Leveraging the remnant riparian setting and “unencumbered” views of the Brisbane River, the multimillion-dollar build includes a restrained palette of raw materials and the living areas are embedded into the landscape.
MORE QLD REAL ESTATE NEWS
Where your pets will love to live
Eight QLD projects named finalists of colour awards
Coastal barn dream home hits market
The remainder of the home ‘floats’ above ground behind a raw timber brise-soleil motif, offering a distinct presence to the street.
The lower level of the home is reminiscent of the understorey of a high set Queenslander, anchored by a ribbon of concrete – a fence line that transcends into the wall of the building.
Wilson Architects managing director Hamilton Wilson said the clients wanted their home to be deeply connected to the riparian site.
“We set out to leverage the extraordinary landscape, as part of the experience of the property
because it is so unique,” Mr Wilson said.
When the clients’ previous home in Clayfield tragically burnt down, Wilson Architects assisted them to find the property.
Mr Hamilton said a unique feature of the site was a landscaped easement (un-trafficable) down to the river.
The easement had been hand-constructed around the same time the existing dwelling was built in the 1940s, that was left laden with asbestos and rot and later demolished, he said.
“You rarely get a river, a significant heritage riverbank and an easement down on one side of the property that is fully landscaped as well,” Mr Wilson said.
The Australian Institute of Architects’ Queensland Architecture Awards were announced via a virtual presentation on Thursday night.
The jury, made up of renowned architects and design industry leaders from across the state, awarded more than 41 projects across 13 categories including residential, commercial, sustainable architecture and urban design.
Jury chair and director of Deicke Richards Eloise Atkinson described the winning designs as “high calibre” throughout the state with strong environmental influences from entrants this year.
“We have seen a particularly strong year in education,” Ms Atkinson said.
“Public buildings have also been impressive particularly in the regions, and as always in Queensland, residential projects – both ‘new’ and ‘alterations and additions’ – have been large categories and of a very high standard. We have seen the integration of landscape in all building types from the north to south and way out west.”
Cairns Performing Arts Centre, designed by CA Architects and Cox Architecture in collaboration, received top honours for public architecture, taking out the The FDG Stanley Award.
The jury commended the precinct as setting a new benchmark for performing arts centres in Australia.
“The building is undeniably of its place, reflecting the colours, filtered light, lush vegetation and lifestyle of the wet tropics,” Ms Atkinson said.
“CPAC is a significant cultural asset for a city – a public building that will enable more cultural experiences as well as economic growth.”
The state’s top interiors award, The GHM Addison Award for Interior Architecture, was presented to m3architecture for the Mary Rice Early Learning Centre.
The newly opened childcare centre, attached to St Joseph’s Nudgee College campus, rescued a challenging 1980s building from demolition and transformed it into a ‘metaphoric city’ across nine different activity rooms.
“The careful and playful assemblies of materials and pattern making, referenced from the existing site, adds a layer of wayfinding and fun to an interior setting that inspires the imagination for children and parents alike,” the jury said in its citation.
The Harry Marks Award for Sustainable Architecture went to JCU Ideas Lab in Cairns. Wilson Architects with Clarke and Prince were behind the project, designed to bring together creative minds to translate ideas and research into commercial products and processes to drive economic growth and diversity in Australia.
Ideas Lab achieved a LEED Gold certification.
The three-storey building is wrapped in a striking ‘origami’ screen that speaks to the innovation encouraged within the building. A spectacular wall of tropical tendril hanging plants are planted both inside and outside and provide a genuine sense of being in the tropics, while reducing both heat and glare.
The Queensland Architecture Medallion — the highest honour awarded to any project in the state – will be awarded on Saturday, when the Enduring Architecture Award and the
Australian Institute of Architects’ Art & Architecture Prize (QLD) will also be named.
Auction blog: Home sells for seven times what owner paid
The hot pre-Easter weekend auction action kicked off with a cottage selling for seven times what its owner paid, one of more than dozens of homes set to change hands today as strong demand continues across South East Queensland.
Warnie’s home trend that’s taking over Australia
Shane Warne was ahead of his time on the cricket field and he was ahead of the curve when it came to relaxing away from the game too.