A bold solution to the Gold Coast’s social housing crisis dedicated to women, an ingeniously refurbished 1980s display home and a family dwelling nestled between banksia and tuckeroo trees are among the projects commended in the 2022 Australian Institute of Architects’ Regional Architecture Awards.

Anne Street Garden Villas took out a commendation with seven independent social housing units in Southport. Anna O’Gorman Architect collaborated with the Queensland State Government in the 2017 Density and Diversity Done Well Competition, which aimed to “propose new housing options for Queensland that meet contemporary community, urban and environmental challenges”. Judges noted that “consideration of privacy, personalisation, access and connection provide the residents with a self-directed sense of both independence and community”.

The jury praised Brisbane practice Nielsen Jenkins’ Currumbin Waters House for its “appropriate, functional, and humble response to the brick and tile typology of the Gold Coast’s 1980s stock housing”. The house received a commendation after entering into the Residential Architecture Alterations and Additions category. Nielsen Jenkins architects opened the dwelling up to fresh air flow and utilised simple materials to respond to all-too-real budgetary constraints.

For residential projects, a commendation went to degenhartSHEDD architecture + urban design’s Coastside, a lavish family home that stacks a pool and rooftop terrace onto a narrow 450msq site. Aphora Architecture’s Banksia House, a robust coastal residence featuring charred timber cladding, also received a commendation. The jury applauded both projects for the architects’ clever use of site constraints.

HOTA Gallery, by ARM Architecture, was also honoured. The gallery is the third completed element of the current HOTA masterplan. The jury complimented the striking vertical form as “a strong marker”, accentuated by the colours and Veronoi geometry to the façade.

Other Gold Coast and Northern Rivers regional commendation and People’s Choice winners include:

  • Commendation -Ed Hardy Park Amenities by ME
  • Commendation – Watersedge by Jamison Architects
  • Commendation – Norfolk, Burleigh Heads by Koichi Takada Architects
  • Commendation – Marlin Villas by Shane Denman Architects
  • Commendation – St Thomas Aquinas Centre by Deicke Richards
  • People’s Choice Awards – Bela by Rothelowman

All of the region’s awarded projects have now been shortlisted for the Australian Institute of Architects’ Queensland Architecture Awards. The state awards will be judged and awarded in June 2022.

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