The Far North Queensland Regional Awards, hosted by the Australian Institute of Architects, celebrates major wins for Cairns-located structures across many award categories. Below are some of the key winners. 

Building of the year 

The Eddie Orbin Award for Building of the year was awarded to The Mulgrave Gallery in Cairns  at the recently announced Far North Queensland Australian Institute of Architects Awards.

Designed by local practice TPG Architects, the gallery now completes the restoration of the Cairns Gallery Precinct. 

The precinct includes three repurposed heritage-listed buildings: the Cairns Art Gallery, Courthouse Gallery, and now the Mulgrave Gallery, turning the area into a hub for arts and culture.

The judges praised the Mulgrave Gallery for strengthening Cairns’ rich built history and enhancing the region’s cultural heritage.

The project received a commendation in the Heritage category and was also shortlisted in the Sustainable Architecture category.

Regional project of the year 

Floriana Boutique Hotel designed by local practice CA Architects has been awarded the Far North Queensland Regional Project of the Year. 

Judges said the 1939 interwar Art Moderne landmark on Cairns’ Northern Esplanade has been “reborn as a vibrant icon”.

The jury commended the design as a “masterful blend of historical preservation and contemporary functionality.”

The hotel also received commendations in the Heritage and Interior Architecture categories.

House of the year 

The Duffy Residences were awarded Far North Queensland House of the Year.

Designed by local practice NEArchitecture, the project sets a new standard for medium-density housing in Cairns.

The Duffy Residences consist of two compact and separate homes that appear as a single dwelling from the street.

The project also received a commendation in the Residential Architecture – Houses (New) category.

People’s choice award

The McLeod St Administration Redevelopment has won this year’s Far North Queensland People’s Choice Award.

Designed by local practice Clarke and Prince Architects, the project in Cairns North includes office accommodation, workshops, training and maintenance facilities for the area’s regional electricity network.

Shortlisted 

The Cairns Neighbourhood Centre received a commendation in the Public Architecture category and was shortlisted in both the Sustainable Architecture and Colorbond categories.

Designed by local practice JMc Architects, the Cairns Neighbourhood Centre is a multipurpose activity space in Manunda that encourages social interaction and provides access to services for everyone in the community.

All awarded, commended and shortlisted projects from the region are now in the running for the Australian Institute of Architects Queensland Architecture Awards, set to be announced in June 2025.

Read more about the awards here. 

Lead image: The Duffy Residences. Photo: RWG Photography