A heritage-listed waterfront shed which was transformed into the point of entry for international visitors to Cairns been awarded top honours in the Australian Institute of Architects' 2011 Far North Qld Regional Architecture Awards.

The Cairns Cruise Port Terminal by Arkhefield and Total Project Group Architects in Association was awarded this year’s Eddie Oribin Award for Building of the Year.

Cairns Cruise Terminal by Arkhefield and Total Project Group Architects in Association. Image: Scott Burrows

Announcing this year’s winners, Queensland Awards Jury Director Malcolm Middleton said: “An important addition to the urban, cultural and commercial mix of the Cairns CBD, this heritage listed waterfront shed has been recovered and repositioned as a city asset of substance.”

In total, 18 new and innovative architectural projects vied for top honours, with seven projects awarded Regional Commendations and now in the running for the Queensland Architecture Awards in Brisbane on 24 June.

Far North Queensland Regional Architecture Awards Regional Commendations were presented to:

CAIRNS CRUISE TERMINAL by Arkhefield and Total Project Group Architects in Association (Cairns)

“An important addition to the urban, cultural and commercial mix of the Cairns CBD the heritage listed waterfront shed has been recovered and repositioned as a city asset of substance. A rigorous process of built form interpretation combined with a flexible installation of the functional requirements of an international port of entry delivers a flexible facility with potential for significant commercial and cultural contribution to the city from its site. The structural challenges of the brief are comprehensively dealt with in a manner that enhances the buildings integrity and usefulness. An additional overlay of integrated art and urban structuring completes this comprehensive renewal precinct.”

RATTLE N HUM SIDE BAR by mmp Architects (Cairns)

“Simple in execution, this small scale fitout project belies the complexity of the urban site, street front compliance challenges, multiple site ownership issues and theatrical needs for a successful commercial space. The project includes careful recycling of timbers from the previous site tenancy some 40 years earlier. The end product is a satisfying mix of spatial enhancement and functional compliance needs all in cloak of entertainment and on new site energy.”

Successful interior architecture - rattle n hum side bar by mmp Architects. Image: mmp Architects

ST. ANDREW’S CATHOLIC COLLEGE CHAPEL by Fisher Buttrose Architects (Redlynch)

“The chapel is the completion of the central quadrangle- many years in the making on of this carefully crafted campus. Sited over a former creek and indigenous pathway this bold and simple building brings together the uncluttered concepts of the campus around it and offers a welcoming and open space with flexibility to accommodate both intimate and large scale gatherings. The external expression is strongly crafted in formal expression yet retains a sense of invitation through material richness and spatial completion along the central axis. Interior detailing and material choice offers an on site experience of richness and elegance to all users of the campus.”

HEALTH AND SUSTAINABILITY TRAINING PRECINCT (J Block Building) by Total Project Group (Manunda)

“The original base building has been substantially modified to achieve full sustainability green star compliance as well as creating an upgraded arrival and wayfinding identity for the campus. Extensive use of recycled building materials has been implemented and an environmental swale incorporated into the stormwater site systems. The repositioned facilities offer state of the art training standards and integrate effectively with sustainability and indigenous training programs.”

Health and Sustainability Training Precinct (J Block Building) by Total Project Group. Image: Scott Burrows

CASTAWAYS RESORT AND SPA by Edge Architecture (Mission Beach)

“The resuscitation of tourism infrastructure is an important and ongoing requirement for relevance and commercial success. This is particularly important for assets in the tropical zone where extremes of climate and heavy wear and tear require renewal over short time frames. The Mission Beach frontage for the Castaways Resort had been skilfully repositioned as a major element of the resort experience as the public spaces have been renewed with a tactile and subtle interplay of new timber elements, pools and integrated placemaking concepts. A platform for a more substantial upgrade has been established in a manner that allows the existing asset to be remarketed to a new and more discerning clientele.”

THE DUNE HOUSE by Wolveridge Architects (Port Douglas)

“A top end private house in a well established enclave this large scale single level house offers resort style living in a generous setting. Simply detailed and elegantly presented the largely symmetrical plan creates a generous and relaxed setting for family living whilst accommodating visitors successfully in their own wing of the house. Landscape integration is well resolved and the limited material palette assembled to deliver a series of spaces that are easy to understand but unfold additional layers of experience as you move through the spaces, gardens and pools.”

ST THOMAS’S SCHOOL LIBRARY by mmp Architects (Mareeba)

“This playful structure is a result of simple geometric form making. The internal presentation is enhanced by the consistent and uncluttered tonal execution of the material palette incorporated into the circular form of the concept. The functional nature of the space is easily understood and indoor outdoor concepts simply executed. The result is a surprisingly elegant arrival space and easy transition into the teaching areas of the new library. Visual connections to the grounds and the limited vistas of the site are well established form part of the spatial quality of the buildings functional areas.”

Architecture & Design Team

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