The 30th World Environment Day was celebrated in Brisbane with local Brisbane architects scooping both the top award and a high commendation at the Royal Australian Institute of Architects breakfast to celebrate the occasion on June 5.
Bligh Voller Nield architects were presented with the Queensland Sustainable Architecture Award for their Lavarack Barracks Redevelopment Stage 2 Living – In Accommodation, located in Townsville and created in partnership with Troppo Architects.
A High Commendation was also awarded to Bligh Voller Nield for their Port of Brisbane Visitors Interpretation Centre submission, which provided a building which is a “visual delight” to the public and which has a definite “sense of place” through its integration with the adjacent lake and parkland facilities.
The breakfast – hosted by the RAIA in conjunction with other organisations, including the Property Council – was just the start of the day’s festivities, which peaked in the afternoon with the official opening of the “EcoHouse” in King George Square, which was built in only four days at a cost of $30,000.
The house, which was made without any use of timber or concrete, boasted the latest environmentally sustainable features such as enviro-flow guttering, white, heat-reflective roof and polyurethane walls, sliding wall panels, louvres and ceiling fans, low-energy glass which blocks UV rays and a solar hot water system.
Opened by Deputy Lord Mayor Tim Quinn, the occasion was also used as an opportunity for senior government officials to launch environmentally-themed campaigns, including the BCC’s Green Home Guide and Green Garden Guide.
The Hon. Dean Wells, Minister for Environment and the Hon. Merri Rose, Minister for Tourism, Racing and Fair Trading, were also on hand to launch the Your Home consumer guide and a new shopping green campaign.
The Property Council is pleased to have partnered with the EPA, BCC, RAIA, Australian Green Development Forum and Institution of Engineers in developing this event.
