The Rockhampton Museum of Art has been named Central Queensland’s building of the year in the 2023 Australian Institute of Architects’ Central Queensland Regional Architecture Awards.
Designed by Conrad Gargett, Clare Design (lead design architects) and Brian Hooper Architect, the gallery is a new home for one of the most significant regional collections of modern Australian art. It was awarded the J W Wilson Award for Building of the Year, as well as a regional commendation for Public Architecture.
The jury praised the ambition of the project and its commitment to community.
“The project democratizes a large, contemporary, functional art gallery in the city’s heritage precinct, creating an active community space and vibrant cultural centre that increases the city’s porosity,” the jury said.
The museum features an open public foyer, which functions both as an urban laneway into the city centre and a gallery wall.
“The outward-facing large glass and sandstone façade leans into the urban fabric of the city, extending the gallery exhibition space into laneway connections between the inner city, the riverfront, and the greater landscape beyond,” the jury said.
Other cultural institutions also did well in this year’s program. Fig Tree Galleries in Yeppoon by Design and Architecture was awarded Regional Project of the Year and a regional commendation for Small Architecture. And the third stage of the Australian Age of the Dinosaurs facility at Winton, known as Dynamic Destination, by Cox Architecture and Cultivar Architecture, received a regional commendation in Public Architecture.
The region’s commended projects have now been shortlisted for the Australian Institute of Architects’ Queensland Architecture Awards. The state awards will be awarded on June 22, 2023.
Central Queensland Regional Architecture Awards
J W Wilson Award for Building of the Year
Rockhampton Museum of Art – Conrad Gargett, Clare Design (Lead Design Architects) and Brian Hooper Architect
Regional Project of the Year
Fig Tree Galleries – Design and Architecture
House of the Year
Coconut Ice – Tomas O’Malley Architect
Coconut Ice by Tomas O’Malley Architect.
Image:
Paul Beutel
Regional commendations
Public architecture
Rockhampton Museum of Art – Conrad Gargett, Clare Design (Lead Design Architects) and Brian Hooper Architect
Dynamic Destination – Cox Architecture and Cultivar Architecture
Residential Architecture – Houses (New)
Coconut Ice – Tomas O’Malley Architect
Commercial Architecture
QFES North Coast Regional Headquarters and Maryborough Fire and Rescue Station – Baber Studio Architects
Small Project Architecture
Fig Tree Galleries – Design and Architecture
The Globe Lookout – Brian Hooper Architect and m3architecture
People’s Choice Award
Coconut Ice – Tomas O’Malley Architect