Climate Responsive Education Architecture Big Winner at the North Queensland Architecture Awards

Building of the Year
The James Cook University Engineering & Innovation Place has won the Walter and Oliver Tunbridge Award for Building of the Year at the North Queensland Australian Institute of Regional Architects Awards.

Designed by KIRK with i4 Architecture and Charles Wright Architects, judges hailed the building as a benchmark project for future education design in the tropical regions.

The jury noted that the multi-story educational facility’s design was “driven by a response to site and climate”, resulting in “spectacular spaces.”
The project also received commendations for the Interior Architecture and Educational Architecture categories, and was shortlisted for three categories: Sustainable Architecture, the EmAGN Project Award and the Art and Architect Award.

Regional Project of the Year
The Cathedral School Sports Precinct in Mundingburra, Townsville, was awarded the North Queensland Regional Project of the Year.

Designed by local architect Stephen de Jersey Architect, judges commended the Sports Precinct as an “unabashedly monumental structure for the school campus.” The judges also described the precinct as an exemplary “climatically responsive gathering space”.

The sporting complex consists of eight multi-purpose hardcourts. Two of these are covered by a roof structure that remains completely open on the northern and southern sides, allowing for natural airflow and ventilation.

The Cathedral School Sports Precinct also received a commendation for Educational Architecture.

People’s Choice Award
The Charters Towers Miners’ Memorial Walk has won this year’s North Queensland People’s Choice Award.

Designed by i4architecture, the Memorial Walk in Charters Towers honours those who lost their lives to accidents on the Charters Towers Goldfields.

Commendation in Public Architecture
The Denise Glasgow Performing Arts Centre at Pimlico State High School has received a commendation in the Public Architecture category.

Designed by Peddle Thorp (Design Architect) with Db architects (Documentation architect), judges applauded the project’s contribution to the “school master plan and the performing arts community.”

All awarded and commended projects from the region are now shortlisted for the Australian Institute of Architects Queensland Architecture Awards, set to be announced in June 2025.

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