2014 Qld Regional Architecture Awards: Far North Queensland

The 2014 Far North Queensland Regional Architecture Awards were announced by the Australian Institute of Architects on Friday 2 May at The Wharf Shed 2 in Cairns. From the ten projects entered, six projects will now proceed to the state Queensland Architecture Awards, to be announced in Brisbane on 20 June.

On this year’s jury were: Liam Proberts of bureau^proberts (jury director), Paul Uhlmann (Paul Uhlmann Architects), Catherine Baudet (Ferrier Baudet Architects), Mark Jones (Architectus Brisbane) and Paul Curran (PUSH), Peter Pierce (mmp Architects), Paula Newman (Thomson Adsett), Belinda Allwood (People Oriented Design) and lay juror Ashley Balderson (Status Plus).

Eddie Oribin Award for Building of the Year

JCU Dental by Phillips Smith Conwell Architects.

JCU Dental by Phillips Smith Conwell Architects.

Image: Scott Burrows

JCU Dental (Smithfield) – Phillips Smith Conwell Architects

Jury comment: JCU Dental flips the typical clinical arrangement by putting a positive experience for the client first and foremost. The spaces focus on the lush landscape through well placed and expansive shaded glazing. An interior palette uses a fan palm motif that creates wayfinding and visual interest for patients. This building sets a benchmark for this building type in the tropical regions.

Far North Queensland House of the Year

Stamp House by Charles Wright Architects.

Stamp House by Charles Wright Architects.

Image: Patrick Bingham-Hall

Stamp House (Cape Tribulation) – Charles Wright Architects

Jury comment: An extraordinary response to a very personal and adventurous brief for a new type of tropical house in a remnant paddock in the rainforest. The concrete fabric chosen for permanence, robustness and thermal mass is placed on a man-made lake and shaped and patterned around its quirky personal spaces to somehow make its other worldly presence take its place in the world’s oldest and most pristine landscape.

Regional Project of the Year

Malanda Falls Visitors Centre by Charles Wright Architects.

Malanda Falls Visitors Centre by Charles Wright Architects.

Image: Patrick Bingham-Hall

Malanda Falls Visitors Centre (Malanda) – Charles Wright Architects

Jury comment: The simple and strong idea of directly linking the building to country has generated a unique form that is fitting for its role as a tourist catcher and a symbol of the Malanda landscape. The approach has helped such a building be realized from a challenging brief and delivery process.

Enduring Architecture Prize

Mareeba Uniting Church – Eddie Oribin Architects

Jury comment: An exquisitely conceived and executed building that has a sense of completeness, from its external brick and timber fabric to its bespoke furniture and religious elements. The church has a sense of enduring quality, and has endured, due to the skillful use of beautiful materials and details that are used sparingly, yet are absolutely suited to their purpose.

Regional Commendations

Clare Street Townhouse (Parramatta Park) – Studio Mango

JCU Dental (Smithfield) – Phillips Smith Conwell Architects

Malanda Falls Visitors Centre (Malanda) – Charles Wright Architects

Stamp House (Cape Tribulation) – Charles Wright Architects

The Cairns Institute (Smithfield) – Woods Bagot in collaboration with RPA Architects

William McCormack Place 2 (Cairns) – CA Architects & Cox Rayner Architects

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