Two projects that reflect and merge with their surroundings have received top accolades at the Australian Institute of Architecture’s 2012 Far North Queensland Regional Architecture Awards.

The Cairns Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre by Charles Wright Architects was awarded a Regional Commendation as well as the Eddie Oribin Award for Building of the Year.

Described by the jury as a “courageous and radical departure from classic crafted and lightweight Queensland visitor centre,” the structure was designed to be almost invisible, blending in with the surrounding environment through its reflective façade.

The brief called for a visitors centre that would position Cairns as a progressive city both nationally and globally.

“This alternative approach to environmental fit has clearly generated a potent sense of place and use of light. [It] exhibits both outstanding working and visitor environments within a clear sustainability ethos.”

mmp Architects took out the House of the Year Award and a Regional Commendation for HP Tree House, a low budget home harmoniously situated near Mt Whitfield in Cairns.

Designed to be simple, elegant and unpretentious with a strong sustainability focus, HP Tree House is suspended above the forest floor to give the impression of a rooftop canopy.

The jury described the project as “a house which cleverly engages its rainforest shroud from every room and interstitial space.

“Its unassuming exterior belies a sequence of varied scaled interior spaces that embody a relaxed tropical lifestyle in all possible weather conditions.”

Also receiving Regional Commendations were Total Project Group Architects for St Clare’s Catholic School, Tully, Performing Arts Centre; Architectus for Cairns City Centre Master Plan, and SKM-S2F for JCU Queensland Tropical Health Alliance Research Laboratary.

Australian Institute of Architects
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