The Peregian Beach Community House by Sparks Architects has been awarded the Sunshine Coast’s 2010 Building of the Year.

Community and sustainability went hand in hand to wow the judges at the Australian Institute of Architect’s 2010 Sunshine Coast Regional Architecture Awards.

The jury applauded the project for “its delightful and fully-considered example of sustainable architecture”. 

The council-owned community house was built to accommodate various activities, so a flexible floor plan was crucial to maintaining creative freedom.

“The council were keen to focus on sustainability so it was a good opportunity for us to put their money where their mouth was,” said Dan Sparks.

95% of the building’s concealed timber softwood and expressed hardwood was recycled and natural light prevails thanks to large wall planes of polycarbonate.

Running northeast to southwest, a breezeway acts as a gallery space as well as channeling summer breezes into the function and office spaces.

The highly flexible hall space features an entire longitudinal wall, which can be completely opened to the garden, giving on to a small-scale amphitheatre.

Creating “a nostalgic nod to the quintessential beach shack of the Sunshine Coast” Sparks Architects used a very simple skillion form to create an inspiring and award-winning community space. 

Sparks Architects
sparksarchitects.com

All photography by Dan Sparks