2014 Sunshine Coast Regional Architecture Awards Results

Major Awards:

Gabriel Poole Award for House of the Year
The Beach Box – OGE Group Pty Ltd

Regional Project of the Year
Post WW2 Development on the Coast & the Moffat Beach Pilot Study – Coordinated by Roger Todd Architect

Enduring Architecture Prize
‘Syrenuse’, Mooloolaba – Noel Robinson Architects

Regional Commendations:

  • Growth – Bark Design Architects
  • Whyatt House – Robinson Architects
  • Additions & Alterations to 78 Nothling Street – Tim Bennetton Architects
  • St Patrick’s Primary School Trinity Building + Amenities – Fulton Trotter Architects
  • Panorama Drive – Owen and Vokes and Peters Pty Ltd
  • Bower @ Bells Reach – JMA Architects P/L
  • Seahaven Resort – Noosa Heads – dm2architecture pty ltd
  • Coolum Tce House – Majstorovic Architecture
  • The Beach Box – OGE Group Pty Ltd
  • Coolum Beach Public Shelters – Majstorovic Architecture
  • Post WW2 Development on the Coast & the Moffat Beach Pilot Study – Coordinated by Roger Todd Architect

Jury Citations:

Growth (Bark Design Architects) Responding to site, landscape and the environment a dialogue is manifest through the three physical constructs of ‘Plinth’, ‘Wind’ and ‘Water’. Growth provides a framed line of site from Boreen Point to Noosa Hill. The project was a collaboration of architects, creative industry participants and UQ School of Architecture students.

Wallaby Lane House
(Robinson Architects) Sited high and following the natural contour of the land, the long, linear house pivots north capturing the natural breezes. Large eaves and a wafer-thin ‘fly-over’ cantilevered roof clear of structure shade the building whilst allowing views of Cooroy Mountain. Visually simplistic with clean lines the house is a well executed and resolved example of the ‘linear’ plan. A remote studio offers respite and solitude in a suitably nurturing and endearing built form.

Whyatt House
(Robinson Architects) Connection to the bush is reinforced in this project through a robust approach to structure. The idea of a big ‘shed’ as part of the composition provided a successful workable solution within budget constraints. The recycled timber ‘wedge’ elevation reinforces the notion of a ‘wool’ shed whilst concrete block work creates thermal and acoustic protection. Client ideas and desires have been respectfully responded to.

Additions & Alterations to 78 Nothling Street
(Tim Bennetton Architects) This considered renovation adds a depth to the client’s emotional connection the vernacular ‘fibro beach shack’. The simple low pitch of the extension, separated by a breezeway, is sympathetic to the scale and lightness of the existing hose and features handmade polycarb barn doors and PVC awnings.

St Patrick’s Primary School Trinity Building + Amenities
(Fulton Trotter Architects) The new Trinity Building, comprising hall, administration and library functions, has become the heart of St Patrick’s Primary School, and visually links with the adjacent heritage-listed stone church and ‘timber and tin’ classroom buildings. The hall’s space reaches out to, and connects to the largest playground on site.

Syrenuse Mooloolaba Unit Refurb
(Giarola Architects Pty Ltd) The refurbishment an existing structure provided a standalone bathroom, powder room and ensuite. Internal awning windows improved air circulation and he balcony edge was redefined with double hinge doors for casual dining. Its overall style is a slightly funky Mediterranean take on modern.

The Bluff Bar
(OGE Group Architects) The Bluff Bar is a successful renovation and reuse of ground floor space at the Alexandra Headlands Surf Lifesaving Club. The interior space now engages with the neighbouring park and beachfront through the installation of a series of slide away doors and ‘pop out’ window seats. Careful selection of materials, reference the clubs beginnings as a traditional timber beach cottage and provide a relaxed friendly understated character.

Panorama Drive
(Owen and Vokes and Peters) The dramatic local terrain inspired this angular form. The black-white colour scheme diminishes its visual presence and preserves the primacy of original house. The redefined entry and circulation spine brings in surrounding light but the central element is a new permeable and open kitchen. Small and beautifully crafted ‘projects within projects’ create connections to the original house.

Bower @ Bells Reach
(JMA Architects P/L) Affordability, scale, diversity and integration are immediately evident in this contextual group of 11 freehold row-houses. The entry-level reference is well complimented by the elevational richness and depth created by deep shadows, appropriate diverse materials, minimal but useable setbacks, and subtle interconnection of elements. Sustainable principles are also embodied and liveability is uncompromised.

Sea Pearl
(OGE Group Pty Ltd) This mixed-use resort apartment project sits comfortably on its beachfront site within a recently upgraded context of similar esplanade developments. The visual connect between its two street frontages enticingly draws pedestrian traffic through the ground floor commercial precinct. A cleverly maximised yield has not diminished the amenity of the dual aspect apartments. This, and attentive design, has underpinned market success during the most difficult of times.

Gympie Flexible Learning Centre
(Fulton Trotter Architects) The Gympie Flexible Learning Centre offers an alternative, yet dynamic education environment for disengaged young people. Courtyard focussed, the facility provides a safe place where possibility and difference are celebrated. The frugal, low-maintenance nature of the centre, mixed with flashes of colour and quirkiness, reinforce this message.

Seahaven Resort – Noosa Heads – Interior Architecture
(dm2architecture pty ltd) The rebirth of Seahaven is a strong statement for recycling, rather than rebuilding, in this dune front landscape of Noosa’s main beach. The intelligent reconfiguring of the beachfront terraces has enhanced the engagement with the beach, in both directions, and promotes the Noosa vernacular. The newly articulated balconies frame the views but improve privacy and protection to allow extended indulgence in this beachfront aspect. Light is drawn deeply within by translucence and reflectance of well-chosen finishes. Dual use planning and furnishing enlarge the compact space.

Sunshine Beach House
(Teeland architects) Building planning, rendered brick and calming colours emulate a sense of security. The internal entry stairs and front deck engage with and address the local street scene whilst an internal courtyard provides security and external access day and night. Appropriately positioned window to gardens are achieved without compromising privacy. A collaborative design approach including engineer was integral to achieving budget.

Coolum Tce House
(Majstorovic Architecture) A steel portal frame defined the framework allowing a fully louvered North façade as an alternative solution to the setback of the line of enclosure on a challenging site. A lineal spine and ramp gently eases entry to this three-level structure creating a continual space that maintains privacy but retains connection to views and breezes of the eastern coastline. This resolution of a site constraint has led to the project’s biggest success.

Iluka apartments
(Blackburne Jackson Design) A sensitive and sensible response to a prescriptive brief created this exclusive enclave of 22 apartments on the Noosa River escarpment, sympathetically surpassing but compatibly assimilating with its like-minded neighbours. Responsible preservation of the vegetation buffer to the north and an expansive pool-scape to the south presents dual aspects and private amenity to all. Attention to detail design, provision for recycled waste, harvesting and natural infiltration of stormwater, and provision for natural drying, imply a sustainable design.

Seahaven Resort – Noosa Heads – Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing
(dm2architecture pty ltd) The rebirth of Seahaven is a strong statement for recycling, rather than rebuilding, in this dune front landscape of Noosa’s main beach. The intelligent reconfiguring of the beachfront terraces has enhanced the engagement with the beach, in both directions, and promotes the Noosa vernacular. The newly articulated balconies frame the views but improve privacy and protection to allow extended indulgence in this beachfront aspect. Light is drawn deeply within by translucence and reflectance of well-chosen finishes. Dual use planning and furnishing enlarge the compact space.

The Beach Box
(OGE Group Pty Ltd) The utilisation of ‘once used’ shipping containers provides a robust and cost-effective opportunity to re-engage with the beach culture and mixed-use zoning of Buddina. The grouping provides separate private zones with pop-outs for greater internal widths; linking with decks and courtyards and a simple skillion roof over entry referencing modest beach house vernacular. This playful use of containers, engages simple yet appropriate interiors and integration with the landscape. However its power lies in the way it engages with the street and greater public domain through blurred internal/external and public/private boundaries, street furniture and through its honest and engaging presentation.

Grace for Latronics
(Gomango Architects) ‘Grace’ has transformed a derelict industrial estate site by brightly showcasing best-practise sustainable design, and the Cleantech manufacturing of solar inverters. A ‘solar pergola’ fully powers the building, and covers food-producing rooftop gardens and R&R areas for staff. ‘Grace’ is a place to work, live and play.

Sheraton Noosa Resort & Spa
(Woods Bagot) This staged upgrade includes refurbishment of the Entry Porte Cochere, 168 guestrooms and Villas and the Beach House Bar and Restaurant. The idea of ‘landscape’ was used as the core of the design proposition. A natural and organic aesthetic was realised with custom-made carpets, pandanus inspired privacy screens, custom-made solid timber furniture and the selection of textured wall finishes. The reworked ‘sit in’ windows successfully connect the Beach House Bar with Hastings Street.

Coolum beach public shelters
(Majstorovic Architecture) These public shelters have been carefully designed to fit within a family of timber structures that has evolved with the upgrade of the Coolum Foreshore including the Coolum Boardwalk, Pt Perry shelters, Tickle Park amenity building and the original Coolum Board Riders Club House. The exposed hardwood structures are designed with a low-pitch flat roof to allow universal solar orientation and improved rain and sun protection in comparison to a more traditional skillion profiled roofed structure. This building typology is now uniquely recognisable to Coolum Beach.

St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Nambour
(Fulton Trotter Architects) Careful masterplanning and staging has provided new classroom, hall and library facilities for St Joseph’s Primary School, which utilise the site’s natural platforms and slopes. The iconic circular library building, with its pineapple motifs and colouration, has become the learning hub and entry focus for the school.

Post WW2 Development on the Coast & the Moffat Beach Pilot Study
(Coordinated by Roger Todd Architect) It is hoped this study and website will alert council, architects, building designers, town planners and the general public to the long-term advantages of better conservation of Post WW2 Heritage. It provides inspiration for new works and adaptive reuse and a platform to continue recording built history and heritage.

Enduring Architecture Prize Citations:

‘Syrenuse’, Mooloolaba
(Noel Robinson Architects) Syrenuse apartments by Noel Robinson Architects was built in 1981. It’s innovative slab and 6 x 6 grid with meant the slender structure could provide fire protection whilst allowing full height glazing and connection to its view and aspect. Its organic form marked Mooloolaba as a contemporary destination at the time and it remains a benchmark for mid- to high-rise development.