Blight Rayner Architecture has achieved a remarkable double victory at the 2025 Minister’s Award for Urban Design, with two of their projects jointly claiming Queensland’s highest honour in the field.
At the ceremony held on July 15, the firm’s Kangaroo Point Bridge in Brisbane and Mary’s Place in Dalby were both named joint recipients of the Minister’s Award for Urban Design — an exceptional recognition of excellence in both metropolitan and regional projects.
The 460-metre Kangaroo Point Bridge, a collaboration with Danish firm Dissing + Weitling, connects Kangaroo Point to the Brisbane CBD.
Featuring dedicated pedestrian and cycle pathways, the bridge has quickly become “a significant new landmark for Brisbane, enhancing connectivity and creating new opportunities for active transport and community engagement.”
Its striking presence on the Brisbane River is already reshaping the city’s landscape while fostering healthier, more sustainable modes of movement.
In Dalby, Mary’s Place represents a powerful story of regional renewal.
The project transformed the site of a fire-damaged pub into a vibrant community square.
In association with Wild Studio, Blight Rayner’s design was recognised “for delivering a vibrant community space on a modest budget, while celebrating the resilience and character of the community”.
Judges praised the park as a model for how thoughtful urban design can breathe new life into regional centres and create meaningful spaces for locals.
This milestone comes just two weeks after Blight Rayner’s sweeping success at the Australian Institute of Architects Queensland State Awards, where the practice took home nine awards and a commendation — a testament to their sustained design excellence and versatility.
Michael Rayner, Director at Blight Rayner, said: “We’re incredibly honoured to have two projects recognised with the Minister’s Award for Urban Design.”
Reflecting further on Mary’s Place and the firm’s continued growth, he added: “Mary’s Place is both a vibrant town square and a homage to one of Dalby’s remarkable citizens, Mary Barry, who ran the pub for over fifty years. In our work, we are always keen to recall the history of a place to enrich its meaning.”
The dual recognition highlights Blight Rayner’s commitment to creating iconic, community-driven spaces in both urban and regional Queensland, reinforcing their standing as one of the nation’s leading architectural practices.
