The ingenuity and talent of Brisbane architects have been celebrated by the Australian Institute of Architects.
The annual Greater Brisbane Regional Architecture Awards were held at Howard Smith Wharves, where outstanding projects — spanning multiple sectors including education, commercial, heritage and residential design — were all honoured.
Slew of awards for ‘first-of-its-kind’ playscape
Bradbury Park Playscape, designed by Alcorn Middleton, has taken home four accolades. The project was awarded the John Dalton Award for Building of the Year, the Greater Brisbane People’s Choice Award and two Commendations (for Public Architecture and Urban Design).
Designed for the Brisbane City Council, and located in Kedron on Brisbane’s northside, the playscape is accessible for all but turns a particular spotlight on innovative play for teens (often overlooked in the design of public spaces). The design provides children with opportunities to challenge themselves via different modes of play — including a mix of high-level activity zones, quiet hide-away spaces and more social areas.
Building of the Year jury members praised the architects’ “pioneering approach to playground planning” and their ability to “reimagine the traditional park and playground typology”. All of this was achieved whilst enhancing community wellbeing and championing inclusivity. The Brisbane City Council goes further, describing the design as “… a new benchmark for both government and private industry in the provision of innovative play for older children.”
House of the Year harmonises separation and connection
Kangaroo Point House, by NIELSEN JENKINS, is the Greater Brisbane House of the Year. Nominated in the category of alterations and additions, this lowset home has been slightly raised and now features a two-storey void.
The jury delivered high praise for the design. “The house sinks into the landscape, with the new lower spaces slightly below street level, creating a constant connection to an enveloping garden that provides separation and privacy.”
The architects successfully delivered on the clients’ brief to feel more engaged with the streetscape/community. And this was handled deftly. According to the homeowner: “The reaction of first-time visitors is my favourite. The house is relatively unremarkable from the street, and doesn’t give any clue to the unexpected fabulousness behind the front door!”
‘Buildings that Breathe’ jury honours multi-residential and commercial office designs
The 2024 Lord Mayor’s Brisbane Buildings that Breathe Architecture Commendation recognises outstanding achievement in architecture for buildings that demonstrate strong alignment with Brisbane City Council’s New World City Design. The Greenhouse, designed by Blight Rayner Architecture, and Rivière, designed by Bates Smart, each took home Commendations.
Rivière, a new multi-residential complex in Kangaroo Point, was praised by the jury for clever features such as true cross-ventilated circulatory spaces “… rare at this scale of development in Queensland.” Additionally, the design’s sawtooth tower references the natural faceted forms of Kangaroo Point’s iconic cliffs.
Meanwhile, The Greenhouse (which also took home a Commendation) is located in the West Village precinct. This eight-level office building was originally intended as apartments. The jury, however, commended the architects’ advocacy for a commercial use to enhance daytime activation in the area. “Architects and structural engineers creatively addressed the redesign challenges, adapting existing foundations to the new program and adding a well-designed façade out of simple components articulated in response to the orientation, views, and privacy of the adjacent neighbouring residential apartments.”
A full list of Commended projects, across all categories, follows. All Commended projects have now been shortlisted for the Australian Institute of Architects’ Queensland Architecture Awards. The state awards will be judged and awarded in June 2024.
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Award-winning architects and clients are available for interview.
Full list of Brisbane award-winners follows on next page.
For more information, images or detailed citations, please contact:
Emma Hynes, Marketing & Communications Advisor at Lindy Johnson Creative.
T + 61 438 071 028 | emma@lindyjohnson.com.a
