Friday 26 February 2010
A building that invests the city of Mackay “with new momentum” has tonight (Friday 26 February) been awarded top honours in the Australian Institute of Architects’ 2010 North Queensland Regional Architecture Awards.
The Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre by Cox Rayner Architects was awarded the 2010 BUILDING OF THE YEAR.
In awarding the prize, Queensland State Awards Director Bud Brannigan said: “This building not only provides a new 1500 seat auditorium for Mackay, but also invests the city’s cultural precinct with new momentum. The various required functions have been managed well by the architects, with performance, meeting, gathering, and back of house spaces simply and discreetly separated. Internal surfaces also engender a sense of warmth. Externally, a series of continuous, closely spaced, 8 metre high hardwood columns to the street edge of the building provides both civic scale and contributes to the prevention of sun penetration. The new connection with the adjacent existing Regional Theatre is also seamless.”
All up, 17 architectural projects were entered in this year’s awards, ranging from Magnetic Island, Hamilton Island, Townsville to Mackay and Ingham. In total, seven regional commendations were awarded - including a commendation for one of the last projects ever designed and constructed by the late legendary architect Harry Seidler.
The jury presented the HOUSE OF THE YEAR Award to Horseshoe Bay House, on Magnetic Island, by Troppo Architects. Mr Brannigan said: “This three bedroom house is the result of a great alliance between architect, builder and client. Three separate pavilions, totalling 120 square metres, together with generous verandahs, combine to form a humble building which captures all of the qualities of its location on Magnetic Island. Thoughtful planning and inventive detailing result in a series of open and delightful spaces.”
Commendations were also presented to: Tyto Wetlands Cultural Centre at Ingham by Troppo Architects; Wave on Hamilton by Harry Seidler and Associates; Townsville North Railway Yards by Fairweather Proberts Architects; Blue Water Lagoon by Aecom; and Lanai by BVN Architecture.
Of this year’s regional commendation winners, the jury said:
TYTO WETLANDS CULTURAL CENTRE: TROPPO ARCHITECTS
“Spread across the entry to Ingham’s Tyto Wetlands, this combination of suspended walkway, community accessible spaces, and a viewing tower resembling a bird in flight, provides visitors with an introduction to one of Australia’s foremost wetland habitats. The architecture comprises robustness and honest expression, mixing materials and structural elements familiar in local agricultural environments.”
WAVES ON HAMILTON: HARRY SEIDLER AND ASSOCIATES
“Set on a sloping hillside on Hamilton Island, overlooking the Whitsundays, these four, three level, duplex villas have also been constructed by the project’s architects. A simple, expressed steel structural frame has allowed for the creation of large, open, upper level living spaces, and generous cross ventilation. A considered roof form both reduces the penetration of late afternoon sun, and increases the volume of the living spaces. The arrangement of the separate buildings on the site has also been determined by the architect’s desire to retain existing vegetation. A restrained palette of materials, surfaces and colour, result in a modern aesthetic.”
TOWNSVILLE NORTH RAILWAY YARDS: FAIRWEATHER PROBERTS ARCHITECTS
“This project, a blend of commercial, residential and urban design outcomes, is the encouraging implementation of the first stage of a seven staged mixed use masterplan, prepared in 2002. Each of the three components contributes to the revitalization of Townsville’s Northyards rail precinct. A central, ceremonial walk between the residential and commercial buildings, creates a pedestrian link from the north to future stages to the south. A range of forms, external materials, finishes, and screens, also enlivens the area.”
BLUE WATER LAGOON: AECOM
“A collection of small scaled buildings, comprising amenities block, plant room, kiosk and administration spaces, are gathered at the entrance to this extremely popular Mackay swimming facility. Combined with, and adjacent to these, are a number of structures providing a crucial element to any tropical environment – shade. The expressive nature of the architecture, exposed steel columns and roof beams, together with their human scale, also reflects the informal nature of this public space.”
LANAI: BVN ARCHITECTURE
“On a north – south oriented site, the architects have managed to configure this 12 storey apartment building to achieve north easterly aspects for the mix of apartments and penthouses, providing both views to the Pioneer River and beyond, as well as cross ventilation to each of these spaces. A range of pastel colours to columns, screening, together with patterning on external surfaces, provide a subtle variety to the street elevations. At ground level, the building engages successfully with the footpath edge, with accessibility provided to community spaces located within this area.”
All commendation recipients are now in the running for Queensland Architecture Awards, to be announced in Brisbane on 19 June.
For information, contact: Jury Director Bud Brannigan 0419 667 093 |
