Page 17 - Tropic Magazine Issue 223

TROPIC • ARCHITECTURE

Highest quality

PRECINCT PRIZE
CA Architects is celebrating
another award win, this time
for its work on the Cairns
Performing Arts Precinct.

Image: Christopher Frederick Jones
Beautifully executed. Seamless
integration. A valuable, high-quality
contribution to the urban fabric of Cairns.
Those are just some of the glowing words
used to describe the Cairns Performing Where else can you
Arts Precinct, which recently picked experience our tropical
up the QLD Housing and Public Works
Minister’s Award for Urban Design. flora, kick a footy and
In partnership with Cairns Regional watch Swan Lake by the
Council, the project was delivered by CA
Architects, Cox Architecture, Andrew Royal Ballet in an open “The flowering arbours, gabion rock wall
Prowse Landscape Architects and LA3. venue like this? and green proscenium with the rustic
The Minister’s Award for Urban Design screen of the theatre creates a magical
recognises contemporary Queensland Carlo Amerio, experience in our tropical environment.”
urban design projects of the highest CA Architects “The experience is unique to Cairns, with
quality. It encourages cities, towns and a precinct that can be visited by the locals
communities across Queensland to strive for its contribution to the Precinct. and tourists on a daily basis, the flexibility
for best practice in all projects. “The Cairns Performing Arts precinct of holding events and performances
The award highlights the critical role of ranks highly among our civil projects that in open and enclosed venues or
good urban design in shaping Queensland our practice has been fortunate enough simultaneously in a festival mode.
and how collaborative relationships can to deliver in Cairns. It was a privilege to “Where else can you experience our
lead to the successful development of the be involved as part of a team to transform tropical flora, kick a footy and watch
built environment. an unused park and an end-of-life Swan Lake by the Royal Ballet in an open
In its award deliberations, the jury theatre into a world-class entertainment venue like this?”
commended the project for challenging precinct that has been embraced by the Nominations for the 2021 Minister’s
the status quo and demonstrating community,” he said. Awards for Urban Design will open in
leadership and design excellence. They “We love the transformation of the Munro early 2021 and typically includes entries
also determined it will leave a “lasting, Martin Parklands with its sculptured from the Australian Urban Design
sustainable legacy for the broader arbours, the curved gabion rock wall and Awards held in the preceding year.
community.” vines that colour the park throughout the
Carlo Amerio from CA Architects told year for the community and visitors to MORE: instagram/ca.architects
Tropic he was extremely proud of the team use and experience on a daily basis.

Image: Colyn Huber Image: Christopher Frederick Jones

17 • tropicnow.com.au