Cairns State High School Multipurpose Hall, Bou-wa | TPG Architects

Cairns State High School was founded in 1917. The new three court multipurpose hall, accommodates learning, performance and community space at the gateway to the center of Cairns.

Principal Chris Zilm said, “Important to the school was that the building could perform in a variety of configurations as well as define a new aesthetic for State School buildings, sensitive to the story of the local people and environment. From a stage for the 70-piece orchestra or a whole school assembly for the 1670 students for the first time in the school’s history. Designed in consultation with First Nations students, staff and community members, our architects interpreted the brief with creativity and commitment to quality. The end product has exceeded our expectations with custom design and fabricated features integrating in a simple colour palette.”

Bou-wa has become a destination for international training and aims to welcome Olympic Teams in the future.

Wattlebird House | Scott Flett Architecture Workshop

The Wattle Bird House is inspirational in its design and construction. It is planned to be an intergenerational, sustainable, and comfortable home for the owners and their extended family. The house is thermally efficient, packed with technology, connected to place, and the build is a showcase of the local construction industry. Construction wise it delights with purposely atypical approaches to typical solutions and layers of detail upon every turn. It delights and demands attention. The house showcases construction as a creative activity. The care, labour and skill in the Wattle Bird House is inspirational.

Well-Connected | Enfold with Allan Spira, Architect

Guided by social and sustainable values, Well–Connected is an exemplary demonstration in the careful integration of new areas and refinement of existing spaces to deliver a greatly improved, yet modest home which significantly enhances the quality of life for its young family within.

Newly defined spaces serve as hubs for social interaction, enriching the lives of the owners as they occupy different areas of the home. The incorporation of passive design principles and attention to detail enhances thermal efficiency and elevates comfort levels well beyond standard requirements.

Values of sustainability and social connection are prioritised, while moments of architectural delight provide further validity to the investment of this project. Well–Connected stands as a testament to the possibilities of sustainable and social values led design – promising years of enjoyment and fulfillment for its occupants ahead.

Wilam Ngarrang Retrofit | Kennedy Nolan with Finding Infinity

Wilam Ngarrang is a minimal–intervention retrofit of a 1970s apartment block in Fitzroy, it is Australia’s first plus energy retrofit of an apartment block. The purpose of transforming this building was to create an example for the city. A financially replicable model of low environmental impact retrofit concentrating on improving thermal performance, extending the life–span of the building and increasing amenity for tenants. Importantly, there is also an emphasis on creating a sense of domestic comfort, on making places for people which are warm, welcoming and beautiful, in their own modest way. The design of the project was a partnership between Kennedy Nolan and Finding Infinity, regular collaborators on a diverse range of projects.

Un Peu Perrault | MyMyMy Architecture

**Un Peu Perrault is a Testament to Light Touch Architectural Transformation**

Un Peu Perrault, by MyMyMy Architecture, stands as a testament to the transformative power of sensitive light touch architecture to enhance family connections and elevate daily life. Carefully balancing preservation of the original building fabric with the integration of a bright, inviting extension, the project caters to the evolving needs of the family.

Seamlessly blending innovation with functionality, MyMyMy Architecture’s design fosters moments of tranquillity and familial joy through meticulous attention to detail. Key features include a zigzag folded and perforated steel screen, which redefines street presence, and strategic apertures that infuse interiors with warmth.

This new addition by MyMyMy Architecture is an exercise in restraint. Un Peu Perrault serves as a symbol of architectural metamorphosis, seamlessly melding interior comfort with exterior aesthetics.

Un Peu Perrault is situated in Downer, ACT, on the land of the Ngunnawal people.

The We Ponder Home | align architecture + interiors with SAXON HALL architecture

The We Ponder Home – a visually stunning architectural project that seamlessly blends the rustic charm of Tasmania’s countryside with the timeless elegance of mid-century design. The standout feature of this home is the Tasmanian ceramic wall lights that have been handcrafted to perfection, adding a touch of sophistication to every room.

The living room, featuring an open–plan layout and a sunken lounge, is a testament to the homeowners’ passion for mid–century architecture. The rough–sawn Tasmanian Oak walls lend a natural and earthy feel to the interiors, while the strategically placed windows offer breathtaking views of the rolling hills.

The We Ponder Home is a space that inspires creativity and promotes a deep connection with nature. With its picture–perfect views of a large eucalyptus tree and an ambiance that feels like an art gallery, this architectural masterpiece is a dream come true for anyone who appreciates timeless elegance and natural beauty.

The Workshop and Levee Studios | Xsquared Architects with BVN

Xsquared Architects with BVN have revitalized the former1951 Diesel Workshop. New flexible and technologically sophisticated teaching spaces have been created in a respectful dialogue with the heritage-listed fabric and vast open spaces of the original building.

New windows open the building to the public realm and allow student ‘Learning through Making’ activities to be on constant display. Open plan spaces support cross-fertilization between students and academics from different disciplines.

A new energy efficient mechanical system works in tandem with increased spatial openness to achieve thermal comfort where previously the building was painfully cold, hot, or noisy depending on environmental conditions.

A detailed sustainability analysis indicates that revitalisation represents a 63% reduction in carbon emissions compared with newbuild and strongly supports the sustainability case for the refurbishment of existing buildings.

For a relatively modest budget the project delivers a high performing facility embraced by the student, academic and broader community.

TL Robertson Library Refurbishment | Hames Sharley and Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects in Association

Originally constructed in 1972, the brutalist TL Robertson Library is Curtin University’s largest and most historic building. Its refurbishment sought to redefine the purpose of the campus library, shifting away from preserving books towards prioritising social connection and a sense of community.

The library’s collection of books was consolidated and relocated to a high-density compactus system, freeing up space to accommodate a spectrum of learning settings; from social learning on the lower floors to silent study areas on the upper floors. The relocation of services enabled the addition of a new seventh level, with an event space that allows the library to host functions with up to 200 guests.

The previously enclosed building has been redefined to enhance its permeability and accessibility, with more legible entries, open floor plates and light-filled spaces, positioning the library as a beacon at the heart of the campus.

550 Spencer Street – Catching the Sun | Kennon

550 Spencer Street is the first building in Australia to produce energy from its own façade.

Remediating a contaminated former petrol station the new formal composition references the post war modernist commercial architecture in Melbourne wrapped in an Australian first highly technical façade system, 550 Spencer Street is a striking contemporary architecture founded on performative principals controlled with a restrained elegance.
Product innovation is a significant contributor to 550 Spencer and contribution to our building industry. An idea that was developed and processed through an arduous assessment criterion to be deemed fit for purpose to the Australian Code of Construction is now available to the industry wide.

Sensitively addressing the residential interfaces and the existing high street context of Spencer Street, 550 Spencer Street contributes to an exciting emerging mixed use precinct on the city fringe through a dynamic façade considered pedestrian experience.

The Pavilion Performing Arts Centre Sutherland | CHROFI & NBRS

The Pavilion Performing Arts Centre (formally the Sutherland Entertainment Centre) holds an important place in the collective memory of the Sutherland community. As an iconic building in a prominent location, this substantial refurbishment afforded the opportunity to create a catalyst for local placemaking. Our approach was to work with the existing building, creating a versatile, welcoming timber and glass foyer that improves connection with the neighbouring Peace Park.

The venue boasts a spacious auditorium with seating for over 680, offering every visitor an intimate and engaging experience. The Pavilion also features versatile events spaces that can accommodate a range of performances, exhibitions, conferences, and community gatherings. Visitors are immersed in a captivating atmosphere that blends elegance, innovation, and artistic vibrancy. The Pavilion Performing Arts Centre sets a benchmark for performing arts facilities in the Shire, supporting the local community, while attracting touring productions to the region.