The Sunshine Coast Regional Architecture Awards, held on Friday 24 May, celebrated the creativity and innovation of architects across a multitude of new residential projects.
Selected by the Australian Institute of Architects Awards Jury, the winning designs span coastal, riverfront, and countryside locations. The designs were revered the jury for adapting to challenges and harnessing new building technologies.
Kelly Martin Architecture received a Regional Commendation for its design of Doonan House.
The jury commended the design of the hinterland home for “… bringing family together in spaces that are neither too big nor too small; suitably intimate and thoughtfully detailed for day-to-day interaction”.
Corymbia, a beach-side weekender designed by Tim Ditchfield Architects, won Regional Project of the Year and a Regional Commendation. As an intergenerational home, the design was celebrated for its universal accessibility, skilfully resolved details and thoughtful material choices. The jury described the project as “… expressive of traditional Sunny Coast beach houses”.
The Gabriel Poole Award for Building of the Year was presented to Bombala, designed by Sealand Architects.
Bombala, a home for a couple to enjoy with family and friends, also received a Regional Commendation. Bombala was recognised for challenging the standard ‘water block design’. Whilst the home sits quietly in the street, the design employs volume, courtyards, and screening to organise spaces and curate views. The jury praised the project as “… a masterclass in designing for site conditions”.
Set in the hinterland, Kiamba Valley Farmhouse by Aspect Architecture has been awarded House of the Year and a Regional Commendation. Drawing from the site’s history, the home is arranged as a sprawling series of contemporary and outhouse-style pavilions set around a courtyard. The jury remarked, “… the home is well considered and beautifully crafted, focused on the family core and the practicalities of a working farmhouse.”
Moffat Beach House, designed by KIRK, took home a Regional Commendation for new residential architecture. The re-imagined beach shack is the first CLT (cross-laminated timber) house to be constructed in Queensland. The innovative design was built in just seven days and was noted by the jury for its “… subtle nods to the beachside vernacular”.
Success continued for residential projects. The river-front home Sjøhavn House, designed by Lightbody Architects, received the People’s Choice award and a Regional Commendation. The jury highlighted that the design cleverly employs “…levels, volume, and landscape to satisfy flood resilience measures”.
