Awards Jury Citation /
Karl Langer Award for Urban Design

900 Ann Street, which includes Aurizon’s new headquarters, successfully knits together a commercial venture with the adjacent Holy Trinity Church Precinct. A forward thinking approach between landlord and developer enabled the revitalisation of this historic setting as a publicly accessible facility and garden precinct. The new tower development shields the historic setting from the heavily trafficked Ann Street whist maintaining pedestrian connections and views and vistas to the historic neighbour. The tower’s low-rise brick annexe mediates between old and new, and is a contemporary gesture to the scale, form and materiality of the heritage buildings. 900 Ann Street’s ground plane and composition delivers a simple yet considered urban design response to the city fabric by providing revitalised amenity and relief in a busy urban context. The ground plane of the new tower responds skilfully to the changing levels of the site and allows the retail offering to contribute to the tower and activate the laneway to the church precinct.

The solution transforms a neglected collection of buildings and clearly has allowed revitalisation of these buildings as community spaces and has prompted a reminder of the quality of these original buildings.

Awards Jury Citation /
State Commendation for Residential Architecture - Multiple Housing

Maximising its prime beach location, this project provides single units per floor with sweeping 360-degree views. Undulating concrete spandrels allow for full height glazing to the northeast and flow around the building to provide overhangs and protection to habitable areas. Seamless connections to the balconies allow the outside to merge with the interiors with the flexibility to control breezes and natural ventilation. Finely detailed finishes including timber and stone bring a warm atmosphere to these luxurious apartments.

Awards Jury Citation /
Job & Froud Award for Residential Architecture - Multiple Housing

Multistorey residential remains a challenging form for architects, often built speculatively, the solutions range from stacked slabs to glass covered forms. The Walan Apartments explore a sculptural but climatically attuned response that provides a future reference point for “houses in the sky”. Each floor of the building contains a single dwelling that has been meticulously detailed.

Floor to floor coloured aluminium blades surround the floor plan, some fixed and orientated to allow views and control sun and others facing towards the river that are arranged as large sliding screens. The screens change in plan alignment at each floor to create a richly varied form. Kangaroo Point stone and vegetation inspires the colour selection, which is both bold and appropriate. Additional variation of the building edge to the east on alternate floors allows the planting of trees in addition to low level planting.

The Elina Mottram designed heritage flats are incorporated respectfully and fundamentally as part of the community space ensuring preservation. Internal planning is clear, rational and considered. Walan confidently engages Brisbane in the density conversation and regionally specific response.