Queensland’s 2013 Darling Downs Regional Architecture Awards from the Australian Institute of Architects were announced on Friday, 15 March, at Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery. Twelve projects spanning the region from St George in the west to Springfield in the east were entered in the Awards, the projects include an aquatic centre, a bookshop and a hillside house, among others, entered in commercial, public, residential, small project and interior architecture categories.
The jury awarded four regional commendations and the William Hogden Building of the Year. On the jury were: jury coordinator Stephen Sims (Sims White Architects), Colin Davidson (CKD Architects), Max Brammer (Brammer Architects), Mark Damant (Woods Bagot) and Liam Proberts (bureau^proberts). Awarded projects will progress to the Queensland Architecture Awards, to be announced in Brisbane on 21 June. An exhibition of the entries will be on display at the Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery until 24 March.
William Hodgen Award for Building of the Year
Somerset Civic Centre – ThomsonAdsett
Jury citation
The hall looms large, as community halls do, presenting a strong townscape identity. Absorbing the shape, colour and texture, the building reflects the dominant backdrop of Glen Park. The foyer space evokes memories of the past within a modern context. Being well thought out and well resolved with simplicity and attention to detail, it fulfils the demands of the design brief and community expectation. Inspired by extensive community engagement, the new multi-purpose facility sits comfortably within its natural setting and was designed to reflect the changing needs of the growing community by being a flexible, eco‐resilient and imaginative civic building. Absorbing the shape, colour and texture, the building reflects the dominant backdrop of Glen Park. Being well thought out and well resolved with simplicity and attention to detail, it fulfils the demands of the design brief and community expectation.
Regional Commendations
Commercial Architecture
Toowoomba Regional Council Customer Service Centre – OPUS Architecture
Jury citation
Toowoomba Regional Council was provided a true civic interface via a comprehensive and cohesive response to the brief within the constraints of the existing building. The project provides an innovative workspace that enables the evolutionary workplace culture that the client aimed to provide. The much loved space is light and colourful and allows for the dynamic office culture.
Public Architecture
Somerset Civic Centre – ThomsonAdsett
Our Lady of the Southern Cross College Technology Sciences + Art Centres – Fulton Trotter Architects
Jury citation
The award is given to the Industrial Technology and Design Centre only. This modest building simply and playfully responds to the brief by using robust materials, introducing ample natural light and ventilation and maximizing height within the workshop spaces. Vivid colours are used throughout the school, and in the trade training centre colour has been used to add to the educational experience by highlighting the exposed structure.
Dalby Aquatic Centre – Liquid Blu
Jury citation
The new aquatic centre is a well executed and playful building that resolves complex flood mitigation constraints while negating the negative stigma commonly associated with the traditional indoor pool. The success of this resolution is clearly evidenced by a phenomenal increase in patronage which suggests that acceptance and even a level of hubris has been achieved within the local community.