Yugambeh People
Queensland
Darling Downs and West Moreton
This is the first new Queensland courthouse since 2012 and a landmark and bespoke facility for the local community. So, while the courthouse is designed to complement the police station in form and materiality, by nature of its public use and function its design is the more prominent of the precinct.
Internally blackbutt timber and stone are used as natural materials of gratuitous, longevity and beauty to elevate yet calm many of the public spaces. The clerestories provide natural light into the courtrooms, and internal waiting areas providing a view to the sky for judiciary, staff and public alike. This aspiration to elevate and foster calm is furthered with the incorporation of curves into the ceiling timbers and bespoke joinery pieces.
An ambitious community focused project with high ideals, the architecture is considered and minimalist, balancing the decisive and the playful to craft a place worthy of long-term public appreciation.
A civic building designed with “transparent-to-opaque” design strategy, maximises aesthetic appeal and natural light on the facades facing the streets and into the public spaces. Where the building becomes opaque, its functional arrangement addresses critical safety and security requirements for occupants. Interiors have been designed to provide comfort for its vulnerable users. Materials selected for their longevity and beauty, curved timber ceilings elevate yet calm in the courtroom and internal waiting spaces. This building has set a precedent for future projects.
Commendation for Public Architecture
The Beaudesert Courthouse introduces a new civic building to the context of a small regional town. Public spaces have been internalised and managed behind security lines yet remain transparent to the street. The architecture centres on the creation of a new courtroom and marks a clear shift in the considerations of the judicial process. Access into the room has been carefully split into four streams to separate the vulnerable from the public and magistrate, and shield them from the accused. The room itself exhibits calm and sensitive traits with natural light introduced at height above the timber lined interior. Barriers within the space have been removed and the acoustics prioritised so individual voices can be heard.
Commendation for Public Architecture
A civic building designed with “transparent-to-opaque” design strategy, maximises aesthetic appeal and natural light on the facades facing the streets and into the public spaces. Where the building becomes opaque, its functional arrangement addresses critical safety and security requirements for occupants. Interiors have been designed to provide comfort for its vulnerable users. Materials selected for their longevity and beauty, curved timber ceilings elevate yet calm in the courtroom and internal waiting spaces. This building has set a precedent for future projects.
Commendation for Public Architecture
The Beaudesert Courthouse introduces a new civic building to the context of a small regional town. Public spaces have been internalised and managed behind security lines yet remain transparent to the street. The architecture centres on the creation of a new courtroom and marks a clear shift in the considerations of the judicial process. Access into the room has been carefully split into four streams to separate the vulnerable from the public and magistrate, and shield them from the accused. The room itself exhibits calm and sensitive traits with natural light introduced at height above the timber lined interior. Barriers within the space have been removed and the acoustics prioritised so individual voices can be heard.
Dr Lisa Daunt, Design and Project Architect
Brett Meyers, Design Architect
Sergio Sarri, Design Architect
Simon Tanner, Senior Technician
Alan Harper, Senior Technician
Lara Tanswell, Architect
Cheong Lay Kuen, Architectural Graduate
Jeska Allen, Student
Greg Tunn, Specification writer
Nathan Cook – Major Projects – Department of Housing and Public Works, Executive Project Director
Damian Cook – Major Projects – Department of Housing and Public Works, Project Director
Brad Applin – Major Projects – Department of Housing and Public Works, Senior Project Manager
Travis Craig – Building Certifiers Australia Brisbane Pty Ltd, Certifier
James Aishford – ACOR, Structural & Geotechnical Engineer
Simon Landick – EEDPL, Electrical Consultant
Mark Woods – WEBB, Security and Communications Engineer
Ali Al Amri – ACOR, Hydraulic Consultant
Stephen Misson – Stantec, Mechanical Engineer
Peter Kirby – ACOR, Civil Consultant
Renee Moynihan – Jeremy Ferrier Landscape Architects, Landscape Consultant
Gregory Mason – WSP, ESD Consultant
Jarryd Shuker – WSP, Acoustic Consultant