Building of the Year
The Mulgrave Gallery in Cairns has won the Eddie Orbin Award for Building of the Year at the recently announced Far North Queensland Australian Institute of Architects Awards.
Designed by local practice TPG Architects, the Mulgrave Gallery completes the restoration of the Cairns Gallery Precinct. The precinct includes three repurposed heritage-listed buildings; the Cairns Art Gallery, Courthouse Gallery, and now the Mulgrave Gallery, turning the area into a hub for arts and culture.
The judges praised the Mulgrave Gallery for strengthening Cairns’ rich built history and enhancing the region’s cultural heritage.
The project received a commendation in the Heritage category and was also shortlisted in the Sustainable Architecture category.
Regional Project of the Year
Floriana Boutique Hotel has been awarded the Far North Queensland Regional Project of the Year.
Designed by local practice CA Architects, judges said the 1939 interwar Art Moderne landmark on Cairns’ Northern Esplanade has been “reborn as a vibrant icon”.
The jury applauded the design as a “masterful blend of historical preservation and contemporary functionality.”
The hotel also received commendations in the Heritage and Interior Architecture categories.
House of the Year
The Duffy Residences have been awarded Far North Queensland House of the Year.
Designed by local practice NEArchitecture, the project sets a new standard for medium-density housing in Cairns.
Duffy Residences consist of two compact and separate homes that appear as a single dwelling from the street.
The project also received a commendation in the Residential Architecture – Houses (New) category.
People’s Choice Award
The McLeod St Administration Redevelopment has won this year’s Far North Queensland People’s Choice Award.
Designed by local practice Clarke and Prince Architects, the project in Cairns North includes office accommodation, workshops, training and maintenance facilities for the area’s regional electricity network.
Commended and Shortlisted
The Cairns Neighbourhood Centre received a commendation in the Public Architecture category and was shortlisted in both the Sustainable Architecture and Colorbond categories.
Designed by local practice JMc Architects, the Cairns Neighbourhood Centre is a multipurpose activity space in Manunda that encourages social interaction and provides access to services for everyone in the community.
All awarded, commended and shortlisted projects from the region are now in the running for the Australian Institute of Architects Queensland Architecture Awards, set to be announced in June 2025.
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WINNING PROJECTS:
Eddie Orbin Award for Building of the Year
Mulgrave Gallery by TPG Architects Cairns
Regional Project of the Year
Floriana Boutique Hotel by CA Architects Cairns
House of the Year
Duffy Residences by NEArchitecture Cairns
People’s Choice Award
McLeod St Administration Redevelopment by Clarke and Prince Architects Cairns North
Commendation – Interior Architecture
Floriana Boutique Hotel by CA Architects Cairns
Commendations – Heritage
Mulgrave Gallery by TPG Architects Cairns
Floriana Boutique Hotel by CA Architects Cairns
Commendation – Public Architecture
Cairns Neighbourhood Centre by JMc Architects Manunda
Commendation – Residential Architecture – Houses (New)
Duffy Residences by NEArchitecture Cairns
Shortlisted – Sustainable Architecture
Mulgrave Gallery by TPG Architects Cairns
Cairns Neighbourhood Centre by JMc Architects Manunda
Shortlisted – Colorbond Award for Steel Architecture
Cairns Neighbourhood Centre by JMc Architects Manunda
Thanks to our 2025 Far North Queensland Regional Awards Partners: Architectural Window Systems (AWS), Lysaght, ARUP, Harvey Norman Commercial, All Construction approvals (ACA), STP Consultants, LA3, Tarkett, Bondor Metecno, Gilboy Hydraulic Systems, Cairns Regional Council, Sequal Consulting Group, and Forest One.
