The Kangaroo Point Bridge has dominated the 2025 Australian Institute of Architects Queensland Awards, claiming three major accolades and cementing its place as a transformative piece of public infrastructure for Brisbane.
The bridge received the Queensland Architecture Medallion, the state’s highest architectural honour, as well as the Karl Langer Award for Urban Design and an Award for Sustainable Architecture.
Designed by Blight Rayner Architecture in collaboration with Dissing + Weitling Concept, and based on a reference design by Brisbane City Council, Arup, and COX Architecture, the 460-metre structure links Kangaroo Point to the Brisbane CBD.
The bridge features dedicated pedestrian and cycle paths, solar energy systems, and riverside dining venues, creating a vibrant social destination for both locals and tourists.
The jury commended the project, stating it “shows how investment in key public infrastructure can enhance mobility and livability in our rapidly growing cities”.
The bridge was further praised for its sustainable features, including integrated solar panels, water management systems, and shaded viewing platforms, achieving an ‘Excellent’ Infrastructure Sustainability Rating.
Other standout winners included Matso’s Sunshine Coast Brewery, which earned the Commercial Architecture Award, the EmAGN Project Award, and a commendation for Sustainable Architecture.
The jury described it as a “respectful execution of a substantial renovation to a heritage building on the high street of a small character town,” and noted it creates “a space that now attracts an all-ages clientele, resulting in a deservedly popular destination”.
The St Marcellin Centre at Marist College Primary School in Ashgrove took home the Queensland People’s Choice Prize and an award for Educational Architecture.
The jury hailed it as “a benchmark for high standards of contemporary architecture” and noted it acts as “a physical and visual bridge between the main school and the sports precinct”.
The Caboolture Hospital Clinical Services Building was recognised with the FDG Stanley Award for Public Architecture, the Social Impact Prize, and a commendation for Interior Architecture.
The jury highlighted its “integration of community, culture and clinical health services”.
James Cook University Engineering & Innovation Place in Douglas was another triple winner, taking the Jennifer Taylor Award for Educational Architecture, the GHM Addison Award for Interior Architecture, and the Harry Marks Award for Sustainable Architecture.
Judges called it a benchmark for future education design in tropical regions, with “spectacular spaces” driven by “a response to site and climate”.
The Cathedral School Sports Precinct in Townsville was awarded the Regional Project of the Year Prize and an Award for Educational Architecture, commended as an “unabashedly monumental structure for the school campus” and an exemplary “climatically responsive gathering space”.
The awards also celebrated Queensland’s best residential architecture, with Mapleton House (Atelier Chen Hung) receiving the Robin Dods Award for new houses, Niwa House (John Ellway) winning the Elina Mottram Award for alterations and additions, and Four Dwellings on 800m2 (Clare Design) taking the Jobs & Froud Award for multiple housing.
Dr Kali Marnarne, Associate Director at Urbis, was awarded the Queensland Emerging Architect Prize for her research, community involvement, and advocacy for underrepresented groups.
“The Queensland Architecture Awards shine a light on how exemplary design enriches everyone’s lives by being safe, inclusive and accepting of difference,” said Allison Stout, Co-chair of Juries.
Jonathan Goh, Co-chair of Juries, noted that this year’s submissions highlight how outstanding architecture quietly addresses and adapts to the varied needs of Queensland’s communities.
He also reflected on architecture’s pervasive influence, explaining that while it often forms the unnoticed backdrop to daily life, its true significance lies in its ability to shape experiences for everyone.
Goh emphasised that the awards serve not just as recognition, but as an opportunity to prompt broader conversations about the importance of architecture and to inspire greater support for projects that benefit the wider public.
Full List of Winners:
- Queensland Architecture Medallion: Kangaroo Point Bridge (Blight Rayner Architecture, Dissing + Weitling, Brisbane City Council, Arup and COX Architecture)
- People’s Choice Prize: St Marcellin Centre (Phorm architecture + design)
- Social Impact Prize: Caboolture Hospital Clinical Services Building (Jacobs)
- Regional Project of the Year Prize: Cathedral School Sports Precinct (Stephen de Jersey Architect)
- Enduring Architecture Award: Bethany Home for the Aged (Goodsir Baker Wild)
- EmAGN Project Award: Matso’s Sunshine Coast Brewery (Five Mile Radius and Knight Wilson Architects)
- Art & Architecture Prize: Sun Stadium (Amrita Hepi, Jazz Money, Dialogue Office, Five Mile Radius and Sibling Architecture)
Named Awards:
- FDG Stanley Award for Public Architecture: Caboolture Hospital Clinical Services Building (Jacobs)
- Jennifer Taylor Award for Educational Architecture: James Cook University Engineering & Innovation Place (KIRK, i4 Architecture and Charles Wright Architects)
- Robin Dods Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (New): Mapleton House (Atelier Chen Hung)
- Elina Mottram Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions): Niwa House (John Ellway)
- Jobs & Froud Award for Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing: Four Dwellings on 800m2 (Clare Design)
- Beatrice Hutton Award for Commercial Architecture: Piccadilly, 340 Queen Street (Blight Rayner Architecture)
- Don Roderick Award for Heritage: Mulgrave Gallery (TPG Architects)
- GHM Addison Award for Interior Architecture: James Cook University Engineering & Innovation Place (KIRK, i4 Architecture and Charles Wright Architects)
- Karl Langer Award for Urban Design: Kangaroo Point Bridge (Blight Rayner Architecture, Dissing + Weitling, Brisbane City Council, Arup and COX Architecture)
- Hayes & Scott Award for Small Project Architecture: Sun Stadium (Amrita Hepi with Jazz Money, Dialogue Office, Five Mile Radius and Sibling Architecture)
- Harry Marks Award for Sustainable Architecture: James Cook University Engineering & Innovation Place (KIRK, i4 Architecture and Charles Wright Architects)
- Queensland Emerging Architect Prize: Dr Kali Marnarne (Urbis)