A university campus development translating Aboriginal culture and knowledge into tangible design strategies has taken out the top honour at this year’s Urban Design Awards.
The QUT Campus to Country project was considered by the judging panel to set an important benchmark in quality, vision and clarity.
Minister for Public Works and Procurement Mick de Brenni said the Awards nominations reflected a state-wide commitment to positive design outcomes within the built environment.
“Each one of the 26 entries challenges the status quo, demonstrating leadership and design excellence, and leaving lasting, sustainable legacies for the broader community,” Mr de Brenni said.
“The people behind the projects – the architects, designers and engineers – have balanced functionality with humanity, gifting us some of the most outstanding public buildings in the nation.
“The QUT Campus to Country project was recognised for its connection to, and engagement with, Aboriginal culture and knowledge, and how this can be embedded in the daily campus experience.”
Queensland Government Architect Leah Lang said this year’s entries proved just how high the level of design is in Queensland’s world-class architecture.
“The 26 entries were all of an exceptional standard and showcase the diversity of urban design in Queensland,” Ms Lang said.
“The winning entry by BVN and QUT is proof that thinking outside the square can lead to wonderful innovation.
“By bringing these essential elements of Aboriginal culture onto campus, the Campus to Country project is not just engaging with Aboriginal people and places but telling their story in a much wider space.
“It’s also helping preserve and honour it in an environment where the leaders of tomorrow are actively engaged on a daily level, ensuring a greater understanding, appreciation and knowledge of our First Nations people.”
This year’s Urban Design Awards also saw the inaugural Malcolm Middleton Award for Outstanding Liveable Design crowned, named after the former Queensland Government Architect, Malcolm Middleton.
A third award, the Movement and Place Award, was also initiated this year in partnership with the Department of Transport and Main Roads and awarded to Fish Lane Town Square.
FULL AWARDS LIST
2022 MINISTER’S AWARD FOR URBAN DESIGN
Project: QUT Campus to Country
Location: Brisbane
Team: BVN with Queensland University of Technology
The jury applauds the clarity and quality of presentation, anticipating strong influence in the shaping of the QUT campuses in the future as the design principles are realised in physical works over time.
Commendation
Project: Surgical Treatment and Rehabilitation Services (STARS) and Public Realm
Location: Herston, Brisbane
Team: Hassell, BESIX Watpac with Australian Unity and Metro North Health
The design successfully capitalises on the dynamic topography of the site – incorporating an abundant supply of lush restorative landscape while preserving strategic viewsheds to heritage buildings and the city skyline.
Commendation
Project: Fish Lane Town Square
Location: South Brisbane
Team: RPS with Richards & Spence, Bland 2 Brilliant, Greenstock, Michael Bale & Associates, Shape Australia & FPOV with Aria Property Group
The project team should be congratulated for overcoming extensive site constraints to provide a new and important link in the walkability and open space network in South Brisbane, and for adding a valuable pocket of green space in an otherwise harsh built environment
MOVEMENT AND PLACE AWARD
Project: Fish Lane Town Square
Location: South Brisbane
Team: RPS with Richards & Spence, Bland 2 Brilliant, Greenstock, Michael Bale & Associates, Shape Australia & FPOV with Aria Property Group
Fish Lane Town Square demonstrates a novel and courageous ‘movement and place’ approach in which the engineered by-product of road and rail separation, is completely reimagined, repurposed and regifted to locals, businesses and visitors alike. The project is an excellent example of collaborative delivery led by a private developer in consultation with multiple government stakeholders
Commendation
Project: Loganlea Healthy Street
Location: Loganlea Road, Meadowbrook
Team: Logan City Council with PMP Urbanists
This project seeks to balance the competing priorities of the big morning and afternoon commutes along our major arterial road networks and the simple desire of local residents and key workers to safely cross a road in order to access public transport and other lifestyle and amenity offerings closer to home.
MALCOLM MIDDLETON AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING LIVEABLE DESIGN
Project: Alondra Residences by BVN
Location: Union Street, Nundah, Brisbane
Team: BVN with Lutheran Services
This compact development delivered by the Lutheran Church of Australia carefully curates a series of public, private and communal spaces to deliver health-giving connections to subtropical nature and the outdoors, designed to a Liveable Housing gold standard.
Commendation
Project: Anne St Garden Villa by Anna O’Gorman Architect
Location: Anne Street, Southport
Team: Anna O’Gorman Architects and Lat27 with Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy
This new social housing project by the Department of Communities, Housing and the Digital Economy challenges a historical misconception that public housing and small scale multi-residential developments cannot find a place to call home in our established low-density neighbourhoods.
Commendation
Project: Bokarina Terrace by Hollindale Mainwaring Architecture
Location: Bokarina Terraces Stage 3, Bokarina Beach
Team: Hollindale Mainwairing Architecture with Stockland
The Jury was encouraged to see a number of the typologies being at a Liveable Housing silver standard, demonstrating that the development industry can deliver exemplar designs that are both climatically responsive, adaptive and accessible.
