Queensland’s best architecture honoured at State Awards

The University of Queensland Cricket Club Maintenance Shed has won the Queensland Architecture Medallion – the highest bestowed honour – at the 2023 Australian Institute of Architects’ Queensland Architecture Awards. 

The jury, made up of renowned architects and design industry leaders from across the state, awarded more than 47 projects across 11 categories including residential, commercial, sustainable architecture and urban design at a presentation at Brisbane’s City Hall.

Queensland Chair of Juries Paul Jones described the quality of submitted designs as impressive and diverse, with a strong representation of projects focussed on sustainability, social responsibility, preservation and adaptive re-use, cultural inclusion and diversity.

“This year’s awards demonstrate the leadership architects and architecture brings to critical and important issues in our society,” Jones said.

In addition to the Queensland Architecture Medallion, the University of Queensland Cricket Club Maintenance Shed, by Lineburg Wang with Steve Hunt Architect, also won The Hayes & Scott Award for Small Project Architecture.

The State Jury, unanimous in their decision, applauded the utilitarian project, calling it “a small project playing a larger game”.

“This project exceeds expectations, showcasing the profession’s unique and exceptional capacity to produce the most triumphant of outcomes under the most constrained of circumstances,” the jury said.

The architects described the abstract, monolithic service building as “a celebration of its cost efficiencies in an exploration of the common grey block – an outcome driven by the construction pricing and material supply constraints of 2020-21”. 

“The building demonstrates exceptional sensitivity to site combined with conceptual and technical rigour and inventiveness, working with the builder and client to outwit an understandably tight budget in a challenging covid environment,” Jones added.

Public, heritage and sustainable architecture winners

Thomas Dixon Centre, by Conrad Gargett, received four accolades, including The Harry Marks Award for Sustainable Architecture, the COLORBOND® Award for Steel Architecture (QLD) and state awards in Heritage Architecture and Public Architecture.

The jury upheld the meticulous restoration, modernisation and amplification of the revered heritage site into the vibrant new home for the Queensland Ballet Company and wider arts community. The building holds WELL Platinum certification.

“The Centre has been sensitively transformed into a dynamic space that seamlessly combines the preservation of its architectural heritage with the demands of modern functionality,” the jury said. “Beyond its role as a heritage site, the Thomas Dixon Centre now serves as a catalyst for wellness, art, and performance in the State of Queensland.”

Rockhampton Museum of Art, by Conrad Gargett, Clare Design (Lead Design Architects) and Brian Hooper Architect, won The FDG Stanley Award for Public Architecture. “Thoughtfully conceived and highly refined, [Rockhampton Museum of Art] delivers an exceptional outcome for both the city and the State,” the jury said.

Educational architecture shines among awardees

The Jennifer Taylor Award for Educational Architecture was awarded to Cannon Hill Anglican College D-Block, by Reddog Architects in association with Blueline Architecture. The jury described the vibrant new dining and learning precinct as a “sophisticated and poetic response to its bush setting”, and “an investment in quality, sustainable design that will nurture generations of students”.

Warwick East State School – National School Building, by Conrad Gargett, won The Don Roderick Award for Heritage Architecture. Built in 1864, the hand-pressed brick building has endured the test of time and embodies the rich educational heritage of the region. “The restoration of the Warwick East State School has revived this state-listed heritage building, breathing new life into one of Queensland’s oldest surviving school buildings while significantly increasing its flood-resilience,” the jury said.

Other named award winners

Vokes and Peters were acknowledged for their “masterful approach in optimising character and identity within a constrained budget” for QVS Stafford Vet Hospital, which was awarded The Beatrice Hutton Award for Commercial Architecture.

Herston Quarter Redevelopment Stage 1 and 2, by Hassell, received The Karl Langer Award for Urban Design. The architects also received The GHM Addison Award for Interior Architecture for Suncorp HQ – a flexible and collaborative workplace the jury commended for fostering “a sense of togetherness and resilience while prioritising employee wellbeing and the future of work”.

Habitat on Juers, by REFRESH* Studio for Architecture, was awarded The EmAGN Project Award (QLD) and The Job & Froud Award for Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing. The affordable social housing project, at Logan, sets a precedent for socially responsible design for the ‘missing middle’ typology, the jury said.

River Hearth House, by Arcke, received The Robin Dods Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (New), while Justin Humphrey Architects were honoured with The Elina Mottram Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions) for The Cottage.

The Robin Gibson Award for Enduring Architecture (QLD) went to Sir Kingsford Smith Memorial by Noel Robinson Architects. Located at Brisbane Airport and completed in 1988, the building houses the aircraft flown in 1928 by Sir Charles Kingsford Smith and his crew across the Pacific from San Francisco to Brisbane’s Eagle Farm – an epic 83-hour flight. The jury declared the project “an exemplary piece of public architecture that protects an important part of Australian History”.

Emerging Architect Prize

Carly McMahon was awarded the Emerging Architect Prize. McMahon is an Architect at Cox Architecture’s Brisbane studio and has been recognised for her “admirable, consistent and selfless dedication” to the profession. With a strong portfolio of prize-winning projects, McMahon has also been a staunch advocate for architectural education and bridging the gap between university and practice for graduates. Her commitment to this cause was key to the establishment of a state-based mentorship scheme, now nationwide, and the formation of a regular role for an architectural graduate on awards juries.

Media enquiries

For further information/high resolution images, please contact: 
Kiri Sawtell, Snr Marketing + Communications Advisor @ Lindy Johnson
T + 61 409 576 060| kiri@lindyjohnson.com.au