The Sunshine Coast University Hospital by Architectus Brisbane and HDR Rice Daubney has won the Gabriel Poole Award for Building of the Year at the 2017 Sunshine Coast Regional Architecture Awards announced at a special ceremony in Noosa late last week.
An activity-rich rainforest house and a tent house nestled in the Noosa hinterland also picked up top honours at the awards.
After receiving the Building of the Year award, the Sunshine Coast University Hospital was described by the jury as 'an exemplary world class health and educational facility that puts patient experience and well-being at its forefront'.
The jury added: 'This is a public building which strives for local use and social engagement through the provision of green corridors, public outdoor spaces and community infrastructure.’
The Mitti Street House, a purpose-built semi-enclosed structure designed to experience the elements and designed by James Russell Architect, took out the House of the Year award.
The jury described the Mitti Street House as a ‘A fun environment for multiple families to gather surrounded by rainforest encourages all activities from playing in the courtyard pool during summer to sitting around an open winter fire, all the while wrapped in a protective shade cloth veil.’
The Tent House, designed by local Sunshine Coast architectural practice, Sparks Architects, took home the Regional Project of the Year prize. The project was described as defining inside outside living in the Noosa hinterland.
‘Walls and ceilings dissolve into carefully crafted openings, leaving nothing but the ethereal fly roof, sky and the surrounding rainforest site. This state of permanent camping, belies none of the luxuries of a new architecturally designed home however, with an efficient plan layout and bespoke detailing throughout,’ noted the jury.
The three top award winners, along with six other leading architectural projects also received Regional Commendations from the jury.
Regional Commendations: Architectural Project/Architectural Practice/Location
1. Noosa Nest, Tim Ditchfield Architects P/L, Townsville
2. NCC Early Swimmers, Conwell Architects, Woombye
3. Sunshine Coast University Hospital, Architectus Brisbane and HDR Rice Daubney as Sunshine Coast Architects, Birtinya
4. Tent House, Sparks Architects, Noosa Hinterland
5. Side House Project, Sprout Architects, Maroochydore
6. Breezeway House, Majstorovic Architecture, Coolum Beach
7. Richard Henry, K Architecture, K Architecture, Point Arkwright
8. Mitti Street House, James Russell Architect, Little Cove
9. Currimundi Beach House, Conrad Gargett, Currimundi
These top architectural projects will now progress to the Queensland State Architecture Awards to be announced in Brisbane on 23 June.
