Subtropical Living Big Winner at Sunshine Coast Regional Architecture Awards

Gabriel Poole Award for Building of the Year
Matso’s Sunshine Coast Brewery has won the Gabriel Poole Building of the Year at the recently announced Australian Institute of Architects Sunshine Coast Regional Awards.

Designed by Five Mile Radius and Knight Wilson Architects, the project transformed the heritage-listed Joe’s Waterhole in Eumundi into a brewery, restaurant and beer garden.

The jury praised the project as a “respectful execution of a substantial renovation to a heritage building on the high street of a small character town.”

The project creates “a space that now attracts an all-ages clientele, resulting in a deservedly popular destination.”

Matso’s Sunshine Coast Brewery echoes the values of its community with a steadfast commitment to sustainability and showcases elegant structural and industrial simplicity, said the jury.

The project also received commendations in the Commercial Architecture and Heritage categories. It was shortlisted in the Sustainable Architecture category and for the EmAGN Project Award.

Regional Project of the Year
Lyrebird, a beach house at Peregian Beach, has been awarded the Sunshine Coast Regional Project of the Year.

Designed by local practice Sparks Architects, the beach house accommodates the needs of a growing family and their beloved dogs.

The jury commended the project as “an enduring family home that responds to climate and achieves great sustainability, while celebrating sub-tropical coastal living.”

All main areas of the home feature floor-to-ceiling glass, allowing plenty of natural light and airflow, while offering expansive views of beaches and gardens.

Lyrebird also received a commendation in the Residential Architecture – House (New) category and was shortlisted in the Sustainable Architecture category.

House of the Year
Cooroy House has been awarded the Sunshine Coast House of the Year.

Designed by Henry Bennett and Dan Wilson, the modest, off-grid home takes cues from the surrounding timber and tin cottages of the Cooroy area.

The jury applauded the home as “an elegant and somewhat humble insertion into a delightful landscape.”

The lightweight, single-storey house is raised on a single platform and composed of a series of pavilions and courtyard gardens connected by a long verandah.

Cooroy House also received commendations in the Residential Architecture – Houses (New) and Sustainable Architecture categories.

People’s Choice Award
St John’s Lutheran School Cooperative Seniors Building in Kingaroy has won this year’s Sunshine Coast People’s Choice Award.

Designed by Bickerton Masters Architecture, the Senior School Cooperative Building is a state-of-the-art, double-storey facility that supports the school’s expansion into Year 11 and 12. The building includes science labs, media rooms and a covered outdoor learning area.

Commended and Shortlisted
Valley View House received a commendation in the Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions) and was shortlisted in the Sustainable Architecture category.

Designed by Maytree Studios, the project transforms a dilapidated post-war cottage on the Sunshine Coast Hinterland into a sustainable family home.

The jury noted that the unassuming existing house is complemented by a pavilion inspired by Nordic and New Zealand design, thoughtfully adapted to suit the sub-tropical climate.

The Design Guide for Sunshine Coast Apartments and Townhouses has received a commendation in the Urban Design category and was shortlisted in the Sustainable Architecture category.

Created by the Sunshine Coast Council, the Design Guide provides helpful and practical information to ensure well-designed apartments and townhouses. This Guide also has the potential to improve the quality of housing densification in the region.

The jury said the Design Guide is “highly relevant to the challenges of a region grappling with how to maintain its unique identity in the face of unprecedented growth.”

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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Full list of Sunshine Coast award-winners below.
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Ellen Cutler, Marketing & Communications Officer at Lindy Johnson Creative.
T + 61 499 616 031 ellen@lindyjohnson.com.au