The 2012 William Hodgen Award for Building of the Year – the top honour in the Darling Downs Regional Architecture Awards – has been awarded to two entries: Real Studio: Murphy’s Creek BNT by Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and the University of Queensland Ipswich Auditorium by Wilson Architects.
QUT’s first Real Studio saw students design and build a rural agricultural shed for use by the Bicentennial National Trail at Murphy’s Creek. Real Studio gives students the opportunity to work on a real project with a real client, budget and requirements from conception to completion. The jury commented that “this project is at one level a wonderful symbol of community renewal as well as a superb program from QUT students to experience the making of a building.”
The main purpose of the new University of Queensland Ipswich Auditorium is to engage students in both place and learning. It is designed to sensitively sit within the historic remnants of the 1870s Woogaroo Lunatic Asylum – later called the Challinor Centre – and to mitigate the impact of an existing four-storey adjoining university building. The jury commented “the masonry modulation, the interstitial public space between new and old, the transparency into the auditorium, and the vivid green glass frontage are beautifully composed around a new campus courtyard. Asked to add what is effectively a large, normally closed, box to a highly articulated, historic campus, the architects wave created a masterful response.”
Out of the fourteen projects that were entered to the awards, four Regional Commendations were awarded. As well as the winning projects, the University of Queensland Fitness and Aquatic Centre by Architectus and the Engine Room Offices in Toowoomba by Aspect Design Studios were the recipients of these commendations.
The jury for the awards was Craig Macmillian of Opus International Consultants and Greg Kratzmann of Greg Kratzmann Architects.
