A world-class health facility, an activity rich rainforest house and a tent house nestled in the Noosa hinterland have been awarded top honours at the 2017 Sunshine Coast Regional Architecture Awards.
Announced at a special ceremony in Noosa , the Sunshine Coast University Hospital by Architectus Brisbane and HDR Rice Daubney as Sunshine Coast Architects received the Gabriel Poole Award for Building of the Year.
In awarding the project the jury described the Hospital, which embraces its natural surroundings, as ‘an exemplary world class health and educational facility that puts patient experience and well-being at its forefront’.
“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.
Sunshine Coast House of the Year was awarded to Mitti Street House by James Russell Architect, a purpose built semi enclosed structure designed to experience the elements.
“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 jury noted.
Local architectural practice, Sparks Architects, took home the Regional Project of the Year for their Tent House project which the jury 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.”
In addition to the above special honours, these projects along with six other leading architectural standouts received Regional Commendations from the jury and will now progress to the coveted Queensland State Architecture Awards to be announced in Brisbane on 23 June.
Regional Commendations:
- Noosa Nest by Tim Ditchfield Architects P/L, Townsville
- NCC Early Swimmers by Conwell Architects, Woombye
- Sunshine Coast University Hospital by Architectus Brisbane and HDR Rice Daubney as Sunshine Coast Architects, Birtinya
- Tent House by Sparks Architects, Noosa Hinterland
- Side House Project by Sprout Architects, Maroochydore
- Breezeway House by majstorovic architecture, Coolum Beach
- Richard Henry, K Architecture by K Architecture, Point Arkwright
- Mitti Street House by James Russell Architect, Little Cove
- Currimundi Beach House by Conrad Gargett, Currimundi
Main image: Sunshine Coast University Hospital by Architectus Brisbane and HDR Rice Daubney as Sunshine Coast Architects, Birtinya