All up, 133 architectural projects were entered in this year’s Brisbane regional awards, with a total of 35 regional commendations awarded.
The jury presented the House of the Year Award to Stonehawk by base architecture. Mr Brannigan said the project was “an exceptional solution to an everyday problem”. He said the jury found: “This single family house on a west facing steep suburban site is a close fit but flexible house for a young family. Against the trend, this house embraces multiple use rather than multiplicity of space within a considered architectural framework which deals with the programme, the orientation and the environment.”
Thirty-three other Commendations were also presented. Of this year’s regional commendation winners, the jury said:
ART AND ARCHITECTURE
NORTHERN BUSWAY – PUBLIC ARTWORK (RBWH) by HASSELL
“Artistically, this work contributes to the documentation and interpretation of local urban memory and reflects time in responding to light conditions as they change throughout the day and night. Relative to architecture, it creates a dialogue of contrasts — filigree backdrop with silhouettes, heritage working with the contemporary, and an effort to balance the forbidding inelegant structure with subtle detail. In an urban design sense, the work gives the porphyry wall increased prominence, acts as a transient milestone on Bowen Bridge Road and it responds to varying speeds of passing movement.”
400 GEORGE STREET by COX RAYNER
“The spatial manipulation of the foyer demonstrates a cohesive union of art and architecture, and responds to the curatorial brief. ‘Trickle’ by Donna Marcus is particularly noteworthy for its play on depth and height within the void and its use of ‘found’ domestic objects. Together with the other artworks the installation adds depth and detail to the experience.”
COMMERCIAL ARCHITECTURE
SANTOS PLACE by DONOVAN HILL
“A large building that creates a great sense of place to site that has been displaced by the South East Freeway off-ramp. A variety of scales textures, and fragmentation have been employed at ground level to create a narrative about the miniature of the city fabric. The result is an active and restful’ new lane to the CBD. The colourful pixellated tower is a dynamic and prominent form to the city skyline.”
PATRICKS BERTH 10 AUTOSTRAD TERMINAL by FIALA OOI ARCHITECTS
“A complex brief has been successfully articulated across a complex of industrial scaled buildings using a simple palette of materials and forms. This is an exciting facility that provides its owner with an outstanding platform for selling its world leading product to an international market.”
NORTH LAKES HEALTH PRECINCT by DARYL JACKSON ARCHITECTS
“This is a considered and sophisticated resolution to a complex brief and it has delivered an outstanding public building that informs the individual and the broader community about a new model for public health care. The understated architectural expression belies the ingenious use of natural light, sustainable design and adaptable building platform.”
400 GEORGE STREET by COX RAYNER
“This is a highly prominent building that has positively contributed to the commercial and public domains of the city. The architects have successfully integrated meaningful art throughout the impressive foyer and podium spaces, through collaboration with artists, as well as other allied disciplines, who have also contributed to the building outcome. Heritage issues relating to the neighbouring building, and surrounding context, have been addressed, adding to the revitalisation of this previously neglected precinct of George St.”
HERITAGE ARCHITECTURE
OLD GOVERNMENT HOUSE CONSERVATION AND ADAPTATION by CONRAD GARGETT ARHITECTS
“The designers have successfully provided a considered and sensitive response to a project that was not without considerable challenges, and the refurbishment allows the public to use and enjoy this building for many years to come, whilst not destroying or detracting from any of its historical importance and ambience. It is a superb example of how an historic building can be restored and revitalized for the benefit of the wider community as a whole.”
FORMER WEST'S FURNITURE SHOWROOM by RIDDELL ARCHITECTURE
“This fine example of a 60’s former furniture showroom has been both discovered and lovingly restored by the architect. There are very few examples of retail architecture from this period and as this building was originally designed by the distinguished Karl Langer, it is a highly noteworthy piece of architecture warranting consideration for future listing. The architect has taken considerable care in the research of the project and has been fortunate to be able to speak to the original client. This project is a gem.”
INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE
URBANE by ARKHEFIELD
“Beyond two distinct metal screen exists a layering of experiences. Urbane’s philosophy of crafting food and gathering people sits comfortably in an historic space exercising restraint and skillfully employing texture and lighting. The architects have succeeded in creating a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts.”
THE LILLEY CENTRE by WILSON ARCHITECTS
“The scale, quality of light and material selections within this building successfully reflect a solution to the combination of exciting fresh challenges in pedagogy with the history of a school. The result is a flexible learning environment, in which the past, present, and future artfully combine, to ensure that the students are the beneficiaries.”
SOCIAL AND BEHAVIOURAL SCIENCES STUDENT LEARNING CENTRE by DESIGN NEST
“Client-aArchitect relationship at its best. A small but unique space that allows the users to become part of a “living” environment. Unconventional use of materials combine with mood lighting and simplistic furniture forms to create a flexible learning space that appears to be in demand.”
RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE – HOUSES
Z HOUSE by DONOVAN HILL
“An ordinary person can have an extraordinary house. Organised around an internal garden, this house in an inner urban environment maintains its privacy from the street while contributing to it in a neighbourly and sensitive fashion. The planning investigates an appropriate and sustainable paradigm for urban living in a mature society.”
STEENDYK HOME AND STUDIO by STEENDYK
“Rigorous to the point of obsession, this is a meticulously considered essay in detail and mannered minimalism. Sustainability is addressed in a multilayered approach from adaptive reuse to energy production and efficiency. The resolution, the relationship of new and old and the care for the streetscape context are exemplary.”
POINT LOOKOUT RETREATS by PAUL BUTTERWORTH ARCHITECT
“A pair of houses organised around screened, covered but external living and circulation spaces, the planning provides for dual and level multiple occupancy in an architectural solution which appropriates the landscape and adopts an aesthetic which is quintessentially of the beach.”
BULIMBA BOATHOUSE by OWEN & VOKES
“Pared back to its essentials, this house on a constrained site by the river combines sophisticated manipulation of space with a minimal approach to its programme to achieve a modest suite of spaces both internally and externally which provide for the variety of uses in the life of a family.”
ARBOUR HOUSE by RICHARD KIRK ARCHITECT
“Sited between a grove of existing fig trees and a significant tree on the riverbank, the building promotes an idea of furnishing the landscape which is underpinned by exquisite detailing and the almost exclusive use of timber. The planning device between of the courtyard allows exploitation of the north-east orientation and views from deep within.”
BOOLARONG AND KINKABOOK by SHANE THOMPSON/BVN
“A study in informality in planning executed with a rigorous approach to materials selection and use, results in an abstracted beach aesthetic in this pair of houses which are oriented for privacy and view. There is no concession to physical context but a convincing response to planning regulations and a strong contribution to the ad hoc Stradbroke built environment.”
RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE – MULTIPLE HOUSING
AQUILA APARTMENTS by PLAZIBATT + JEMMOTT ARCHITECTS
“Aquila offers an exciting journey; carefully orchestrating views to the river from the semi-public spaces, then exploding into an expansive vista when perched over the river on the
balconies. Sensitive handling of scale to the street and river edge, and fine detailing befits the opulent materials.”
JASPER LANE by BVN
“A contemporary mews neighbourhood cluster model ordered around an internalised east/west lane that organises architectural expression and urban-scape elements. Entry and play are encouraged at ground, with living and rest nodes elevated above the ground plane to maximize privacy and afford opportunity to capture desirable cross ventilation.”
EDEN SW1 by JMA ARCHITECTS
“This project declares itself a proponent of `subtropical urbanism`. The architects have constructed a set of tight and robust urban dwellings around a generous vertical garden. Upon entry into this communal territory, a genuine sense of retreat and refuge is evoked through the density of landscape and support of architecture.”
YERONGA VILLAGE by ARKHEFIELD
“A brave but necessary business and social model that fosters the principles of tiered levels of care to permit aging in place within a contemporary medium density retirement precinct. A conventional multi residential architectural language has been adapted and infused around well considered intra-communal amenities and spaces.”
THE IVY by BVN
“A skilful interpretation of a traditional multi unit dwelling type which takes full advantage of site conditions. The sectional solution delivers efficient circulation and good natural ventilation successfully merging with the existing mature trees next door. Clever integration of external elements create privacy and strong articulated elevations.”
SMALL PROJECT ARCHITECTURE
BALMORAL RESIDENCE by KIERON GAIT ARCHITECTS
“The architect has enhanced the living experience within the house whilst still being sympathetic to the existing building structure. Spaces have been given additional warmth through clever material selection and visual interest has been achieved through beautiful detailing. There is a balance between external and internal environments that is harmonious. Storage is well considered and discretely inserted.”
KAURI by BASE ARCHITECTURE
“The reconsideration of space including the convincing appropriate of and connection to outdoor spaces transforms the original housing within the existing framework, responding directly to the programme for informal living spaces. The result is a sensitive detailed rearrangement of the living and entertaining areas of a previously renovated house.”
GARAGE CAFÉ by ARKHEFIELD
Garage Café adds vitality to a tired building and the streetscape. This small corner space complements local street life, through the effect of coffee being served to great numbers on the footpath in front of this cafe. Maximum impact is achieved through the carefully folded surfaces of the new structure despite the extremely small footprint of the cafe.
PUBLIC ARCHITECTURE
MULWITH – LORETO COLLEGE, COORPAROO by FAIRWEATHER PROBERTS ARCHITECTS
“Conceptually and materially woven into the existing campus, this project invigorates the senses. The synergetic meshing of form, fabric and passive climatic design measures undoubtedly contribute to an enriched student life. The architect’s artistic approach is embedded throughout and culminates in its bold yet sensitive contextual response.”
HOLLAND PARK POLICE STATION by RIDDEL ARCHITECTURE IN ASSOCIATION WITH PROJECT SERVICES
“A prominent corner site on a busy intersection is well signposted by this unusually sensitive and carefully composed building. Rather than resort to the more usual institutional character, this work is characterised by a concern for a hospitable street address and a legible scale and materiality.”
THE LILLEY CENTRE BRISBANE GRAMMAR SCHOOL by WILSON ARCHITECTS
“This complementary addition to the Grammar school exemplifies contemporary teaching and learning spaces. Opportunities for engagement are created through structured and informal settings. The contextual challenges of terrain and traffic acoustics inform materiality and planning to focus around the Boarders Lawn within. Thoughtfully framed views capture urban and green outlooks beyond.”
PHARMACY AUSTRALIA CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE by WOODHEAD
“This building boldly imposes itself in a busy precinct with simple massing and sensitive use of materials and colours. The complexity of brief is overcome with planning simplicity. The entry invites casual ease of movement to all levels via a vertical spine which captivates views through filtered light.”
ENOGGERA STATE SCHOOL RESOURCE CENTRE by THE BUCHAN GROUP
“A contemporary building form comfortably sited within the existing school landscape. Beyond its walls is a dynamic learning space which challenges the current perception of a typical school library. Open and flexible planning has ensured that this building will meet the current and future needs of the client.”
SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE
WILLAWONG BUS DEPOT by CITY DESIGN
“The Willawong Bus Depot represents a major investment by the Brisbane City Council in Environmentally Sustainable Design. Situated on a 22ha remediated waste disposal site the depot has embraced a broad range of strategies that simultaneously minimise the operations environmental impact and enhance the quality of the workplace. In particular the management of the watercycle through a holistic approach to site planning, landscape design and water harvesting and reuse is highly considered and exemplary. Also commendable was the way in which the monitoring and reviewing of the buildings performance is being undertaken so as to ensure both optimal efficiency and assessment of the efficacy of the strategies employed. This assessment is to be fed back into the design parameters of the future bus depots planned. Whilst the depot is currently on mains energy the planned methane gas generator fueled by the ex-dump methane will further minimise the facilities carbon footprint.”
URBAN DESIGN
SMART COMMUNITIES by HASSELL
“Conceptually, this document is potentially a vital guide for the public and private stakeholders of large “smart economy” developments, including governments creating financial and planning frameworks around them. It outlines in an accessible and introductory way major considerations for a project and both strongly emphasises the importance of design and articulates appropriate design processes, especially to those unfamiliar with such urban complexities. While it is possible to envisage how the range of issues and criteria might have been widened, the document represents an important further recognition and explanation of the importance of design in the pursuit of economically and environmentally sustainable cities.”
BOWEN HILLS MASTER PLAN by DIECKE RICHARDS
“This master plan covers the Bowen Hills Urban Development Area defined by the Urban Land Development Authority. As the basis for the intended statutory planning controls in this collection of established and brownfield precincts, the study displays a strongly design-informed approach. Informed by a commitment to subtropical sustainable built form and the importance of the public realm, amidst the often hostile external impacts and internal strategic uncertainties of the area, the urban design work goes well beyond a pattern-making structure plan and demonstrates the workability of the broad and detailed urban design ideas through testing of the sites.”
SOUTH BRISBANE KNOWLEDGE PRECINCT by COX RAYNER
“This major inner urban precinct is the outcome of a PPP process which sought to augment and enhance an existing largely disparate group of buildings. The resulting precinct, covering most of two inner city blocks, exhibits both a far greater coherence and quality as a focussed educational entity and far greater positive relationships to the public streets it is defined by and straddles. The extent to which an integrating public realm structure has been successfully inserted and connected to both new and upgraded buildings illustrates the power and quality of the architectural contribution in a delivery process that is frequently seen as challenging for high class design outcomes.”
KURILPA BRIDGE by COX RAYNER
“This structure is a major addition to the strategic public infrastructure of Brisbane. Its “radical” structural design is a thoughtful and creative response (in its overall conception and detailed implementation) to the challenges of its city context, its topographical and functional constraints, and its high public visibility and indigenous cultural significance. It is already highly successful as both a pedestrian/cyclist corridor across the river and as a public place in itself, to visit and from which to experience afresh the river city. Although, in the traditions of Queensland, seemingly conceived and delivered in isolation from other parallel and adjacent projects, the controversial design (for some, elegant and artistic while, for others, visually challenging and incoherent) is nevertheless a powerful example of an economic, integrated and sustainable response to a complex civic opportunity.”
CAXTON STREET BRIDGE by AECOM
“The bridge provides an important pedestrian linkage from the Caxton Street and Barracks precinct to Upper Roma Street. Accommodating both large numbers of spectators on game days and others routinely walking to the city from Paddington, it provides a safer, more direct and more sheltered alternative to the previous unfriendly edges of busy roads. It is in many ways unobtrusive and unheralded as people-oriented urban infrastructure, which is in a noble tradition. But some parts, however, such as the Roma Street end of the link or the way it responds to radiating traffic and railway noise, are compromised by both budgetary constraints and the complexity, tightness and harsh environment of its unyielding context which virtually refuses to help it.”
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 |
