2017 Queensland Regional Architecture Awards: Gold Coast/Northern Rivers

The 2017 Gold Coast/Northern Rivers Regional Architecture Awards were announced on 3 March by the Australian Institute of Architects..

The award for Building of the Year went to Coomera Sports and Leisure Centre by BDA Architecture with Peddle Thorp Architects (Melbourne). The jury said the project “balances the functional requirements of the Commonwealth Games while leaving a profound legacy of a sophisticated and usable multipurpose facility. The enormity of the articulated steel framed ‘shed’ hovers above the ground with confidence, this building is both elegant and robust.”

The award for Regional Project of the Year, an accolade for an exception project by a local architect, went to Burleigh Street House by ME. The jury said the project is “a reworking of a small brick bungalow creating a fine sequence of connected indoor and outdoor spaces. The three connected pavilions intelligently incorporating existing building fabric create open rooms engaged with garden areas while secure from the street.”

The final award, House of the Year, went to Byron Bay House and Studio by Vokes and Peters. The jury described the project as a “dedicated and highly crafted home.” “The interiors are articulated purposefully with air and light within the constraints of a deep and wide floor plan. It is both sensitive and generous, connected and layered,” said the jury.

Ten projects were awarded regional commendations from 15 entries. The commended projects will no progress to the Queensland State Architecture Awards to be announced on 23 June in Brisbane.