The Coomera Sports and Leisure Centre by BDA Architecture with Peddle Thorp Architects (Melbourne) has taken out the Building of the Year Award in the Australian Institute of Architects’ 2017 Gold Coast/Northern Rivers Regional Architecture Awards.

In awarding the project the jury noted that it ‘balances the functional requirements of the Commonwealth Games while leaving a profound legacy of a sophisticated and usable multipurpose facility. The enormity of the articulated steel framed “shed” hovers above the ground with confidence, this building is both elegant and robust.’

House of the Year was awarded to Byron Bay House and Studio by Vokes and Peters, which the jury praised as a ‘single level, delicate and highly crafted home’ that was both ‘tranquil and tactile without the typical beach house preoccupations.’ The jury said, ‘the interiors are articulated purposefully with air and light within the constraints of a deep and wide floor plan. It is both sensitive and generous, connected and layered.’

Burleigh Street House by ME won Regional Project of the Year, an honour bestowed to an exceptional project by a local architect. The jury described the project as ‘a reworking of a small brick bungalow creating a fine sequence of connected indoor and outdoor spaces. The three connected pavilions intelligently incorporating existing building fabric create open rooms engaged with garden areas while secure from the street.’

In addition to the Building of the Year, Regional Project of the Year and House of the Year, the jury awarded ten Regional Commendations (listed below) from 15 entries, with commended projects now progressing to the Queensland State Architecture Awards to be announced on 23 June in Brisbane.

Regional Commendations:

Luke & Amanda’s Beach House by Scott Carpenter Architect

KDV Golf and Tennis Academy, Gold Coast by Shiro Architects Pty Ltd

Whale House by Paul Uhlmann Architects

The Star Gold Coast: Existing Hotel Refurbishment by ML Design and Steelman Partners (USA)

Coomera Sports and Leisure Centre by BDA Architecture with Peddle Thorp Architects (Melbourne)

Byron Bay House and Studio by Vokes and Peters

Burleigh Street House by ME

Elements of Byron by Shane Thompson Architects

Naranga Avenue House by James Russell Architect

St Ambrose Primary School by Pat Twohill Designs in association with Twohill and James