Nature and the great outdoors are the heroes in the eye-catching Sunshine Coast homes and buildings celebrated in the latest regional architecture awards.
The top gong goes to an impressive residence comprising two linked, parallel wings nestled among lush rainforest surroundings.
Ridgewood House, by Robinson Architects, has been awarded the Gabriel Poole Award for Building of the Year at the 2022 Australian Institute of Architects’ Regional Architecture Awards for the Sunshine Coast.
The Noosa hinterland home also received a regional commendation in the Residential Architecture – New category.
Judges praised the architects’ responsiveness to the subtropical site.
“This project draws you deep into the experience of place with a refreshing inventiveness that epitomises the Sunshine Coast,” they said.
Striking tapered eaves hang over the home’s periphery, allowing fresh breezes to travel through the entire structure.
An existing shed is converted into a studio workspace and a tool/machinery shed is contemporarily clad in galvanised iron.
A plunge pool, small ceramics studio and floor-to-ceiling windows with green vistas are some of the more distinguishing features of the home.
The homeowners said the design accentuated the surrounding natural environment.
“As the light changes during the day, the house mellows with the sun’s warmth,” they said.
“Our favourite spot is sitting on the deck, enjoying the sunshine or listening to rain on the roof.”
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In other Sunshine Coast regional highlights, Witta Circle by Shaun Lockyer was awarded a commendation in the Residential – New category.
Among the most unique features of the five-bedroom, four-bathroom home (which also has two powder rooms) are the window-framed pool in the courtyard (pictured below) and luxurious glass-encased wine cellar.
Sunshine Coast News recently featured, when the jaw-dropping property was named Australian Home of the Year at the 2022 HIA-CSR National Housing Awards.
An ambitious 20-year master plan for Montessori International College received a commendation in the Urban Design category.
The plan prioritised a learning environment, with thriving biodiversity and land rehabilitation at the heart.
Jurors noted that the design “demonstrates an enduring ecological legacy for future incremental growth of this learning laboratory”.
Other Sunshine Coast regional commendation winners are:
• Commendation (Residential Alterations and Additions) – Noosa Heads House by Vokes and Peters
• Commendation (Educational) – USC Foundation House by Hassell
• Commendation (Residential New) – Mt Mellum House by Sparks Architects
• Commendation (Residential Alterations and Additions) – Bath House by Kelly Martin Architecture
• Commendation (Commercial) – Noosa Car Spa by Andrew Bock Architecture
• Commendation (Sustainability) – Australis by Sealand.
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 on June 24.
