Forest home and invisible centre recognised at architecture awards

Two projects – Cairns Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre and HP Tree House have been awarded top honours at the Australian Institute of Architects’ 2012 Far North Queensland Regional Architecture Awards tonight.

HP Tree House designed by mmp Architects received the House of the Year Award and Cairns Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre by Charles Wright Architects was awarded the Eddie Oribin Award for Building of the Year. Both projects were also recognised with Regional Commendations and all awards were presented by Queensland State Awards Jury Director, Michael Rayner AM LFRAIA.

HP Tree House is set on a secluded and private lot on the flanks of Mt Whitfield in Cairns, the principle aims of this low budget home included simple, elegant and unpretentious form, easy access, minimum impact on site, sustainability and low maintenance. Sustainability is enhanced with long term low maintenance materials, sustainably harvested or plantation grown timber, locally sourced natural stone retaining walls. Suspended above the forest floor, living in this home is akin to life on a roofed platform within the rainforest canopy. A relaxed and easy ambience contributes to a harmonious relationship between the house and its occupants.

Of the HP Tree House project the jury noted ‘a house which cleverly engages its rainforest shroud from every room and interstitial space. Its unassuming exterior belies a sequence of varied scaled interior spaces that embody a relaxed tropical lifestyle in all possible weather conditions.’

House of the Year: HP Tree House by mmp Architects. Image by Michael Martino.

The Cairns Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre is a new, iconic gateway into the botanic gardens and tanks arts centre precinct – “a democratic public space under-cover” – a challenging new architecture for the tropics which will act as an attractor to assist Cairns in its mission to be seen as a progressive city nationally and globally significant. Council called for the building to be long, low and blending seamlessly with the surrounding environment (ideally invisible).

The jury commented ‘a courageous and radical departure from classic crafted and lightweight Queensland visitor centres, this alternative approach to environmental fit has clearly generated a potent sense of place and use of light. Exhibits both outstanding working and visitor environments within a clear sustainability ethos.’

Eddie Oribin Award for Building of the Year: Cairns Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre by Charles Wright Architects. Image by Patrick Bingham Hall.

In total five Regional Commendations were awarded. Of the other regional commendations the jury said:

St Clare’s Catholic School, Tully, Performing Arts Centre by Total Project Group Architects: ‘An admirable salvaging of an existing facility rather than employing an easier new expansion solution, to successfully condense and energise the school. Multi-purpose performance and art functions combine with creating a frame for school fetes and other uses that more than optimise this project’s modest budget.’

Cairns City Centre Master Plan by Architectus: ‘ An aspirational document which seeks largely to return Cairns’ CBD to its status as Australia’s definitive tropical city. It combines an overall cohesive framework within a series of small achievable projects to facilitate realistic implementation.’

JCU Queensland Tropical Health Alliance Research Laboratory by SKM-S2F: ‘A very simple and honest translation of user requirements into an alternative typology form existing campus buildings. Well resolved internal laboratory functions and spaces provide for highly effective research and testing of important biological work for tropical Queensland and beyond.’

The 2012 Far North Queensland jury consisted of Steve Cahill, Architect at Clarke & Prince; Charlotte Doger de Speville, Principal at C.D.S. Architects; and Gary Hunt, Principal at Hunt Design.

For media enquiries and high resolution images contact:
Alexandra Cato, National Media and Communications Officer, Australian Institute of Architects
P: 03 8620 3813 M: 0416 022 818 E: alexandra.cato@architecture.com.au


The Australian Institute of Architects is the peak body for the architectural profession, representing more than 11,000 members across Australia and overseas. The Institute actively works to improve the quality of our built environment by promoting quality, responsible and sustainable design. Learn more about the Institute, log on to www.architecture.com.au