Page 59 - Tropic Magazine Issue 29

TROPIC • DESIGN

Tropical shade The Australian Institute of

The Australian Institute of
Architects (AIA) FNQ branch is
ARCHITECTURE
Architects (AIA) FNQ branch is
Tropic’s latest addition to our
Architect and urban designer Tropic’s latest addition to our
talented range of contributing
writers. With more than 12,000
Gisela Jung explains how talented range of contributing
writers. With more than 12,000
member architects across
our tropical life is tied to our member architects across
the country – and more than
environment, homes and the country – and more than
50 locally – the institute is
public spaces. 1 50 locally – the institute is
the national peak body for the
the national peak body for the
architectural profession and an
important voice in our region’s
Life in the tropics has always been seen as architectural profession and an
“living in paradise”. It’s warm and sunny, important voice in our region’s
tropical urbanism.
everything grows fast, the landscape is tropical urbanism.
lush and the ocean inviting. This is not No other time has shown “We find things in the
quite the reality for us living here; warm just how important it is to stories our clients didn’t
weather turns into intense heat, sunny even know they had, and
days into storms and the wet season allow for change
brings days of rain. We move from our give them something better
air-conditioned houses in the suburbs than expected in return.”
to air-conditioned cars, to air-conditioned Gisela Jung
offices in the city. Time spent in outdoor After many months of living under
cafes or along our beautiful waterfront COVID-19 we’ve learnt how fast our Award-winning projects
is reduced. perception of the norm can change. by AIA architects
But life does not need to be that When our dining table became our Bulmba-ja TPG Architects
predictable. Well-designed public spaces, work desk, and our loungeroom the JCU Ideas Lab
as well as the traditional Queenslander classroom, it highlighted the need for Wilson & CP Architects
and some modern homes demonstrate homes that suit our humid climate.
that air-conditioning can be reduced to a And as we return to long-vacant Cairns Performing Arts Centre
minimum, if not eliminated entirely. restaurants and offices, we are and Munro Martin Parklands
CA Architects & Cox Architecture
Correct orientation to capture breezes, reflecting on how these spaces can
large overhangs, ceiling fans to assist best serve our community. Centenary Lakes Nature Play
airflow, large openings that seamlessly As my long-time collaborator Carlo PAWA Architecture & LandPlan
connect buildings with landscape, and Amerio from CA Architects says, JCU Internet of Things
flexible spaces to allow for a different “we are here to push boundaries Peddle Thorp Architects
use of space depending on weather and question the norm to find the Synapse SAIF Warner St
and light – these are just a few things new normal.” We are listeners, POD (People Oriented Design)
architects have always advocated for. communicators and inventors of ideas & Indij Design
Living and working in Far North that change the way we do things – in
Queensland, we are closer to Papua New our homes, public spaces and cities.
Guinea than Brisbane. Local architects Our projects push boundaries and each
understand our challenges are tied to development informs our next design.
our environment, as well as the value We are continuously and consciously
of purposefully designed homes and creating, rethinking and reimagining
buildings that reflect our climate an improved world.
and community.
Gisela Jung
Associate Director at CA Architects,
Adjunct Associate Professor at James
Cook University, Tropical Urbanism and
Design Lab (TUDLab) Founding Member,
and Chair of AIA FNQ.

MORE: architecture.com.au

1. Cairns Performing Arts Centre
2. Sketch on ‘tropical urbanism’ by TLC, TPG and
2 CA Architects

59 • tropicnow.com.au