Photo credit: Christopher Frederick Jones
Kangaroo Point Bridge
Kangaroo Point Bridge has swept the stage at the recently announced Australian Institute of Architects Queensland Awards, taking home three accolades.
The project was awarded Queensland’s highest architectural honour, the Queensland Architecture Medallion. It was also the recipient of the Karl Langer Award for Urban Design and an award for Sustainable Architecture.
Blight Rayner Architecture, in collaboration with Dissing + Weitling Concept, were responsible for the architecture and design of the project. Brisbane City Council, with Arup and COX Architecture, completed the project’s reference design.
Spanning 460 metres across the Brisbane River, the bridge links Kangaroo Point to the Brisbane CBD. It provides dedicated pedestrian and cycle paths that promote active transport and reduce reliance on vehicles.
The integration of riverside dining venues, including a restaurant, bar, and café, creates a vibrant social destination for tourists and locals alike.
The jury praised Kangaroo Point Bridge for showing how investment in key public infrastructure can enhance mobility and livability in our rapidly growing cities.
Matso’s Sunshine Coast Brewery
Matso’s Sunshine Coast Brewery has won the Commercial Architecture Award, the EmAGN Project Award and a commendation for Sustainable Architecture.
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.”
St Marcellin Centre
The St Marcellin Centre has won this year’s Queensland People’s Choice Prize and an award for Educational Architecture.
Designed by Phorm architecture + design, the jury hailed the project at Marist College Primary School in the Brisbane suburb of Ashgrove as “a benchmark for high standards of contemporary architecture.”
The jury said the St Marcellin Centre acts as “a physical and visual bridge between the main school and the sports precinct.”
Caboolture Hospital Clinical Services Building
The Caboolture Hospital Clinical Services Building has been awarded the FDG Stanley Award for Public Architecture. The project also received this year’s Social Impact Prize and a commendation for Interior Architecture.
Designed by Jacobs, the clinical services building is the centrepiece of the new Caboolture Hospital Redevelopment.
The project brings landscape character into the heart of the design, resulting in an “integration of community, culture and clinical health services,” said the jury.
James Cook University Engineering & Innovation Place
The James Cook University Engineering & Innovation Place has won the Jennifer Taylor Award for Educational Architecture, the GHM Addison Award for Interior Architecture and the Harry Marks Award for Sustainable Architecture.
Designed by KIRK with i4 Architecture and Charles Wright Architects, judges hailed the building in Douglas 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.”
Cathedral School Sports Precinct
The Cathedral School Sports Precinct in Mundingburra, Townsville, was awarded the Regional Project of the Year Prize and received an Award for Educational Architecture.
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.
Houses
Queensland’s best architecturally designed homes were also unveiled at the awards.
Mapleton House, designed by Atelier Chen Hung received the Robin Dods Award for Residential Architecture in the Houses (NEW) category.
Designed by John Ellway, Niwa house earned the Elina Mottram Award for Residential Architecture in the Houses (Alterations and Additions) category.
Four Dwellings on 800m2, designed by Clare Design, won the Jobs & Froud Award for Residential Architecture in the Multiple Housing category.
Queensland’s Emerging Architect Prize
Dr Kali Marnarne, Associate Director at Urbis, was awarded the Queensland Emerging Architect Prize. The jury recognised Kali for her research and community involvement, which is marked by generosity, selflessness, and advocacy for underrepresented community members. Her academic and industry contributions have helped educate and inspire the next generation of architects.
WINNING PROJECTS:
| CATEGORY | PROJECT | ARCHITECT | SUBURB |
| Queensland Architecture Medallion | Kangaroo Point Bridge | Architecture and Design: Blight Rayner Architecture with Dissing + Weitling Concept and Reference Design: Brisbane City Council with Arup and COX Architecture | Brisbane City/Kangaroo Point |
| People’s Choice Prize | St Marcellin Centre | Phorm architecture + design | Ashgrove |
| Social Impact Prize | Caboolture Hospital Clinical Services Building | Jacobs | Caboolture |
| Regional Project of the Year Prize | Cathedral School Sports Precinct | Stephen de Jersey Architect | Townsville |
| Enduring Architecture Award | Bethany Home for the Aged | Goodsir Baker Wild | Rockhampton |
| EmAGN Project Award | Matso’s Sunshine Coast Brewery | Five Mile Radius and Knight Wilson Architects | Eumundi |
| Art & Architecture Prize | Sun Stadium | Amrita Hepi with Jazz Money, Dialogue Office, Five Mile Radius and Sibling Architecture | St Lucia |
| NAMED AWARDS – these are the TOP Awards in each category | |||
| The FDG Stanley Award for Public Architecture | Caboolture Hospital Clinical Services Building | Jacobs | Caboolture |
| The Jennifer Taylor Award for Educational Architecture | James Cook University Engineering & Innovation Place | KIRK with i4 Architecture and Charles Wright Architects | Douglas |
| The Robin Dods Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (New) | Mapleton House | Atelier Chen Hung | Mapleton |
| The Elina Mottram Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions) | Niwa House | John Ellway | Highgate Hill |
| The Jobs & Froud Award for Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing | Four Dwellings on 800m2 | Clare Design | Palm Beach |
| The Beatrice Hutton Award for Commercial Architecture | Piccadilly, 340 Queen Street | Blight Rayner Architecture | Brisbane City |
| The Don Roderick Award for Heritage | Mulgrave Gallery | TPG Architects | Cairns |
| The GHM Addison Award for Interior Architecture | James Cook University Engineering & Innovation Place | KIRK with i4 Architecture and Charles Wright Architects | Douglas |
| The Karl Langer Award for Urban Design | Kangaroo Point Bridge | Architecture and Design: Blight Rayner Architecture with Dissing + Weitling Concept and Reference Design: Brisbane City Council with Arup and COX Architecture | Brisbane City/Kangaroo Point |
| The Hayes & Scott Award for Small Project Architecture | Sun Stadium | Amrita Hepi with Jazz Money, Dialogue Office, Five Mile Radius and Sibling Architecture | St Lucia |
| The Harry Marks Award for Sustainable Architecture | James Cook University Engineering & Innovation Place | KIRK with i4 Architecture and Charles Wright Architects | Douglas |
| AWARDED PROJECTS – These are the best projects in each category. | |||
| Award for Public Architecture | National Rugby Training Centre | Blight Rayner Architecture | Herston |
| Award for Educational Architecture | Cathedral School Sports Precinct | Stephen de Jersey Architect | Townsville |
| Award for Educational Architecture | St Aidan’s Anglican Girls School Sports Performance Centre | Blight Rayner Architecture | Corinda |
| Award for Educational Architecture | St Marcellin Centre | Phorm architecture + design | Ashgrove |
| Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (New) | Cooroy House | Henry Bennett and Dan Wilson | Cooroy |
| Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (New) | Floating Gable House | Phorm architecture + design | Clayfield |
| Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (New) | Gold Creek | Steendijk | Glenn Murcutt in collaboration | Brookfield |
| Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions) | Sydney House | Cavill Architects | New Farm |
| Award for Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing | Blok Three Sisters | Blok Modular in collaboration with Vokes & Peters | Point Lookout |
| Award for Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing | Somerset Indooroopilly Retirement Community | COX Architecture | Indooroopilly |
| Award for Commercial Architecture | Matso’s Sunshine Coast Brewery | Five Mile Radius and Knight Wilson Architects | Eumundi |
| Award for Heritage | Sydney House | Cavill Architects | New Farm |
| Award for Interior Architecture | National Rugby Training Centre | Blight Rayner Architecture | Herston |
| Award for Urban Design | Mary’s Place, Dalby | Blight Rayner Architecture with Wild Studio | Dalby |
| Award for Small Project Architecture | Garage and Studios | Russell Hall Architects | Wilson |
| Award for Sustainable Architecture | Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Training Facility and Advanced Manufacturing Skills Lab | Peddle Thorp | Bohle |
| Award for Sustainable Architecture | Kangaroo Point Bridge | Architecture and Design: Blight Rayner Architecture with Dissing + Weitling Concept and Reference Design: Brisbane City Council with Arup and COX Architecture | Brisbane City/Kangaroo Point |
| Colorbond@ Award for Steel Architecture | St Aidan’s Anglican Girls School Sports Performance Centre | Blight Rayner Architecture | Corinda |
| COMMENDED PROJECTS – These are the Commended projects in each category. | |||
| Commendation – Public Architecture | Brisbane International Cycle Park, Murarrie Recreation Reserve | COX Architecture and City Projects Office | Murrarie |
| Commendation – Public Architecture | UQ Soundshell | KIRK | St Lucia |
| Commendation – Educational Architecture | Helensvale State School – A place of wonder | Resonance design + architecture | Helensvale |
| Commendation – Educational Architecture | Kingsley College – Primary Stage 01 | Design and Architecture | Rockhampton |
| Commendation – Residential Architecture – Houses (New) | Kanooka House | Dan Wilson & Knight Office | Bogangar |
| Commendation – Residential Architecture – Houses (New) | Merinda Sound Beach House | Maytree Studios | Sunrise 1770 Estate |
| Commendation – Residential Architecture – Houses (New) | Moffat Morphing House | Arcke | Moffat Beach |
| Commendation – Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions) | Fingal House | Justin Humphrey Architects | Fingal Head |
| Commendation – Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions) | Binnum Homestead | Alexandra Buchanan Architecture | Binnum Farm |
| Commendation – Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions) | Quadrant House | Kieron Gait Architects | Norman Park |
| Commendation – Commercial Architecture | Milford Planning | Counterpoint Architecture with George Milford | Townsville |
| Commendation – Commercial Architecture | Rail Trail Refuge | REFRESH* Studio for Architecture | Linville |
| Commendation – Commercial Architecture | The Fortitude Music Hall | Arkhefield | Fortitude Valley |
| Commendation – Heritage | Knells | Marc&Co | New Farm |
| Commendation – Heritage | Mary and Edward | O’Neill Architecture | Brisbane City |
| Commendation – Interior Architecture | Blight Rayner Architecture Studio | Blight Rayner Architecture | Brisbane City |
| Commendation – Interior Architecture | Caboolture Hospital Clinical Services Building | Jacobs | Caboolture |
| Commendation – Urban Design | Design Guide for Sunshine Coast Apartments and Townhouses | Sunshine Coast Council | Maroochydore |
| Commendation – Urban Design | The Bokarina Collective | Hollindale Mainwaring Architecture | Bokarina |
| Commendation – Small Project Architecture | Barrambin Shelters and Amenities | Vokes and Peters | Herston |
| Commendation – Small Project Architecture | Tweed Heads Warehouse Fitout | Dan Wilson & Five Mile Radius | Tweed Heads |
| Commendation – Sustainable Architecture | Lyrebird | Sparks Architects | Peregian Beach |
| Commendation – Sustainable Architecture | Matso’s Sunshine Coast Brewery | Five Mile Radius and Knight Wilson Architects | Eumundi |
| Commendation – Sustainable Architecture | Cairns Neighbourhood Centre | JMc Architects | Manunda |
| Commendation – Social Impact Prize | Baxter Street Community Pantry | Deicke Richards | Fortitude Valley |
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