Counterpoint Architecture of Townsville win Australian Institute of Architects award

A leading Townsville architectural firm has won state-wide recognition for a vibrant project that has changed the way people view social housing.

The Mundingburra Housing Complex designed by Counterpoint Architecture in Townsville has won the Australian Institute of Architects Regional Project of the Year Prize (Queensland) and a Commendation for Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing. According to the judges, the complex significantly transformed perceptions of social housing. Picture: Supplied

A leading Townsville architectural firm has won state-wide recognition for a vibrant project that has changed the way people view social housing.

Counterpoint Architecture won the Australian Institute of Architects Regional Project of the Year Prize for Queensland at the annual State Awards ceremony at Brisbane’s City Hall on Friday night.

The social housing pilot project, which provided eighteen new predominantly two-bedroom homes, also received a Commendation for Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing.

Mark Kennedy, co-director of Counterpoint Architecture and the project director, said it was a nice surprise to get a “pat on the back” at the end.

“It’s great, obviously we don’t set out to win awards, the main aim of the project was to do a good job, to get a good outcome for the client, the city and the site and the end users,” he said.

Counterpoint Architecture co-director Mark Kennedy (third from left) with Townsville City Council councillors or employees Liam Mooney, Jeffrey Kerr, Danielle Gross, Acting Mayor Paul Jacob, Vera Dirou and Andrew Robinson in Townsville. Mr Kennedy and Counterpoint Architecture won the Australian Institute of Architects Regional Project of the Year Prize, and a Commendation for Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing at the annual State Awards ceremony at Brisbane’s City Hall on Friday. Picture: Supplied

According to the judges, the complex built on behalf of the state government, had “significantly transformed perceptions of social housing” and was a standout in regional Queensland.

“The seamless integration of this development into the surrounding community fabric is a remarkable achievement given the context and is one that few projects of this kind ever achieve,” the citation read.

The Mundingburra Housing Complex designed by Counterpoint Architecture. Picture: Supplied

“These well planned and modest units serve as a positive example for all future social housing endeavours, fostering healthy living environments.”

Mr Kennedy said Counterpoint was Townsville’s largest locally based architectural firm that worked on a diverse range of projects.

“We work on individual houses, we work on education projects, commercial fit-outs, some industrial projects,” he said.

“Being in Townsville you need to be reasonably diverse and meet the needs of the local community.”

The Mundingburra Housing Complex designed by Counterpoint Architecture. Picture: Supplied

He said there was a “great need” for social, affordable and supported housing during the current crisis.

“It’s an important sector at the moment and very needed and there are lots of different models: there’s social housing … there’s affordable housing, which is a different model … and other different ways of delivering it.”

Originally published as Counterpoint Architecture of Townsville win Australian Institute of Architects award