The Winners of the 2015 Far North Queensland Regional Architecture Awards were announced on 1 May in Cairns and Charles Wright Architects took home the program’s top prize, the Eddie Oribin Award for Building of the Year.
Hosted by the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA), this year’s edition of the awards saw five projects awarded Regional Commendations, earning them progression to the Queensland State Architecture Awards to be announced in Brisbane on 26 June.
Charles Wright Architects have cause for [re]celebration, going one better than their efforts at the 2014 awards by taking the Building of the Year prize for their cantilevered precast concrete house in Port Douglas called ‘The Edge’.
“This house is an impressive response to a difficult site,” said the jury.
“The robust shell-like concrete envelope gives the client privacy and frames the panoramic view. Raw materials and the angular form, which projects the living areas over the hillside, create a commanding presence for the building.” (photography by Patrick Bingham Hall)
Architect Builder Jesse Bennett also received additional honours, taking home the House of the Year and Regional Project of the Year for her Planchonella House, which is tucked into the rainforest along a ridge edge of Mt Whitfield.
“The building humbly engages the occupants with the environment,” said the jury.
“Pockets of space are carefully crafted and detailed, creating places that are both calming and invigorating, with elements of quite delight.” (photography by Sean Fennessy)
Regional Commendations:
The Australian Armour and Artillery Museum by Julianne McAlloon Architects (photography: Andrew Watson)
The Edge by Charles Wright Architects (photography: Patrick Bingham Hall)
Planchonella House by Jesse Bennett Architect Builder (photography: Sean Fennessy)
Daintree Rainforest Observatory by CA Architects (photography: GiselaJung)
Good Counsel College – Westwing Block F by Total Project Group Architects (photography: Andrew Watson)
Image source: Australian Institute of Architects.
