Queensland’s best urban design projects awarded

The Queensland authorities has introduced the joint winners of the Minister’s Award for City Design. Sponsored by the Queensland Authorities Architect, the annual award recognises excellent contributions to city design throughout the state.

This yr, the state’s high city design honour was bestowed upon two initiatives: Brisbane’s latest landmark – the 470-metre Kangaroo Level Bridge, and Mary’s Place in Dalby – a brand new public park that reworked the positioning of a fire-damaged regional pub.

Kangaroo Level Bridge, which additionally claimed the Minister’s Motion and Place Award in addition to a spot within the lately introduced Nationwide Structure Awards shortlist, was praised by the jury “as a masterful balancing of complicated purposeful and structural priorities with a deeply beneficiant program of city experiences, incorporating activated plazas, historic components, a 100-seat eating pavilion, and sweeping views of each riverbanks.

Housing and Public Works Minister Sam O’Connor famous, “The Kangaroo Level Bridge isn’t just a technique to cross the river, it’s a vacation spot in itself that gives spectacular views, locations to dine, and a brand new technique to join with the town.”

The challenge’s structure and design was led by Blight Rayner Structure with Dissing and Weitling, based mostly upon an idea and reference design by Brisbane Metropolis Council with Arup and Cox Structure.

Civic Cupboard Chair for Infrastructure Councillor Ryan Murphy mentioned the Kangaroo Level Bridge had shortly grow to be an icon of the town, with greater than two million journeys taken since its opening in December 2024.

“After we designed the bridge, we went for a daring and placing design that might set it other than all the opposite bridges within the metropolis. Whereas it was a difficult and meticulous building course of, the Kangaroo Level Bridge has grow to be a must-visit vacation spot,” Murphy commented.

In Dalby, Mary’s Place was recognised “for delivering a vibrant group area on a modest finances, whereas celebrating the resilience and character of the proud regional group.”

Designed by Blight Rayner Structure with Wild Studio, and constructed on the positioning of the Business Lodge – which burnt down in 2018 – the park is called after long-time publican Mary Barry and serves as a hub for occasions, gatherings, and to showcase public artwork.

O’Connor famous that the challenge “tells a narrative of loss, resilience and renewal – turning a burnt-down pub right into a vibrant public coronary heart of the group.”

The Malcolm Middleton Award for Housing Innovation was awarded to Blok Three Sisters by Blok Modular with Vokes and Peters, which can be shortlisted within the Residential Structure – A number of Housing class of this yr’s Nationwide Structure Awards. The modest, modular growth on Minjerribah/North Stradbroke Island was praised for setting a brand new benchmark in adaptable, high-quality city housing.

The judges highlighted its considerate spatial format, deal with pure gentle and air flow, and alignment with the rules of QDesign – Queensland’s city design coverage.

“The Blok Three Sisters challenge on Minjerribah is a superb instance of contemporary housing accomplished proper – stunning, sustainable, and well constructed by way of modular building,” O’Connor mentioned.

A full record of awarded and counseled initiatives may be seen on-line.