The Curwen | KO&Co Architecture

The Curwen | KO&Co Architecture | Photographer: Kate Mathieson Photography

2026 National Architecture Awards Program

The Curwen | KO&Co Architecture

Traditional Land Owners

Yuggera

Year
2026
Chapter

Queensland

Region

Brisbane

Category
Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing
Builder
McNab
Photographer
Kate Mathieson Photography
Media summary

The Curwen delivers 92 new homes in Chermside, comprising 46 social housing and 46 affordable housing apartments. Situated on a prominent site with parkland views, the project has been carefully designed to respond to its surroundings and the needs of the community.

Embracing the Buildings that Breathe principles, the development promotes comfort, sustainability, and connection, setting a benchmark for subtropical apartment living. Natural light, ventilation, and cross-breezes are central to the design, with open corridors and flexible layouts allowing residents to control their indoor environment while ensuring privacy and security.

The project prioritises social inclusion, offering shared spaces that encourage community interaction, including a rooftop alfresco area and communal zones on every level. Through thoughtful design, the development delivers more than housing—it fosters a thriving, connected community while responding to social, economic, and environmental needs.

National Awards Received
National Jury Citation

2026
Queensland Architecture Awards Accolades
2026
Brisbane Regional Award
Brisbane Regional Award Citation
2026
Brisbane Regional Commendation
Commendation for Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing
Brisbane Regional Commendation Citation

The Curwen, Chermside, delivers 92 new social and affordable homes while exploring a “double-loaded” naturally ventilated floor plate that increases density while maintaining resident amenity. Open-air circulation, cross-ventilated apartments and generous thresholds extend living spaces into breezeways and communal edges, fostering neighbourly connection and climatic comfort. Rooftop and level-by-level shared areas foster social inclusion and belonging. Through modest means and careful calibration of everyday moments, the project demonstrates how housing can deliver social, economic and environmental value. 

2026
Queensland Architecture Awards
Queensland Jury Citation
2026
Queensland Architecture Awards #2

Queensland Jury Citation #2
2026
Queensland Architecture Awards #3
Queensland Jury Citation #3
2026
Queensland Architecture Awards #4

Queensland Jury Citation #4

2026
Queensland Architecture Awards #5
Queensland Jury Citation #5
2026
Brisbane Regional Shortlist
Queensland Chapter Awards
COLORBOND Shortlist
EmAGN Project Award shortlist
Queensland Jury Presentation

Region Jury Citation

Project Practice Team

Karen Ognibene, Design Architect
Cate Meehan, Project Architect
John Kim, Project Architect
Blake Challen, Architect
Ivan Ling, Graduate of Architecture
Katie Flanagan, Architect
Sam Routledge, Graduate of Architecture
Rob Eaton, Architect (UK Registered)

Project Consultant and Construction Team

Saunders Havill Group, Town Planner
Bluebird, Project Manager
Jeremy Ferrier Landscape Architect, Landscape Consultant
Irrigation Design Australia, Irrigation Designer
Lambert & Rehbein, Structural Engineer
Lambert & Rehbein, Civil Consultant
Lambert & Rehbein, Traffic Consultant
Ashburner Francis, Electrical Consultant
Ashburner Francis, Mechanical Consultant
H Design, Hydraulic Consultant
Palmer Acoustic, Acoustic Consultant
Knisco, Building Certifier
Walkerbai, Fire Engineer
Ecolateral, ESD Consultant
Douglas Partners, Geotechnical Engineer
Steele Wrobel, Quantity Surveyor

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