Brisbane Building of the Year

Walan, by Brisbane architectural firm bureau^proberts, has been honoured with the John Dalton Award for Building of the Year at the Australian Institute of Architects’ Queensland Regional Architecture Awards.

Walan is a 14-storey residential development, located at the edge of the Brisbane River and adjacent to the Kangaroo Point cliffs. The design is a contemporary take on the traditional ‘Queenslander’.

Liam Proberts, bureau^proberts Managing and Creative Director, said he and his team were delighted to receive the award. “Our goal was to push the boundaries of multi-residential design,” Liam said. “With Walan, we thought of each floor like a house in its size and connection to the outside. Just like a Queenslander, all rooms open to a veranda edge, providing cross ventilation while maintaining privacy.”

Carefully selected travertines and natural stones for benchtops and walls feature throughout, referencing the surrounding cliffs of Kangaroo Point. This connection to the cliffs was a driver for the external expression of the project and its unique façade of specially-designed screens. They reference the fissures and openings of the surrounding cliffs, embedding the building in the landscape of Kangaroo Point.

Importantly, the screens also provide a veil between living spaces and external spaces — while modulating the light and heat of the entirely-glass building.  The screens are sculptured and face a slightly different angle, which creates complexity in the design as well as contributing to the individuality of each residence and house-like feel. Each whole-of-floor residence has a unique pocket garden, reminiscent of the cliffs and river-scape.

Awards flow for Brisbane’s bureau^proberts

In addition to Brisbane Building of the Year, the practice was also awarded Regional Commendations for the following projects:

·         North Residences (Residential Architecture — Multiple housing)

·         Albert Villa (Heritage Architecture; and Residential Architecture — Houses — alterations and additions)

·         Minka Twins (Residential Architecture — Houses — new)

·         Newstead Series (Residential Architecture — Multiple housing)

·         Walan (Residential Architecture — Multiple housing)