The Queensland Regional Architecture Awards for 2010 will be given away in June this year by the Queensland Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA). Outstanding architecture projects submitted by members of the Institute this year were judged on different parameters and honoured.

Descriptions of some of the nominations follow.

UQ Rural Building

The Rural Clinical School building of the School of Medicine in Toowoomba won the Regional Commendation at the 2010 Darling Downs Regional Architecture Awards. This building was designed by Arkhefield architects at a cost of $4.2 million. The highlight of this clinical centre is its unique design structure.

The facility boasts of a state-of-the-art teaching and learning space for up to 80 students, a dedicated Clinical Skills Laboratory, advanced audiovisual equipment, a 24-hour computer lab and a Lectopia education recording system.

This Rural clinic building makes use of concrete walls, copper soffits, and timber doors complemented by large expanses of glass. The jewel in the crown of the design is its sustainable aspects such as self-supporting glass walls, solar energy for winter heating and a smart air-conditioning system to independently service different sections of the facility.

Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort Hybrid Solar Power Station

The Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort Hybrid Solar Power Station was designed by Peddle Thorp Architects and will be the largest Off Grid Power System in Queensland funded under the Government program. This hybrid off-grid power station offsets the electricity needs of the resort whilst reducing carbon emission, noise and reliance on fossil fuel.

The Hybrid Power Station consists of 130 square meters of Solar Panels, Battery Banks with 48 cells, Inverters, and a brand new generator that is a third of the size of current units. Initial reduction in fuel consumption and emissions is estimated to be approximately 40% and the proposed system is expandable, allowing for additional solar panels or wind generators to be added over time, thus further reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

Marcus Beach House

Marcus Beach House received 2010 Sunshine Coast Regional Architecture Award. This house - designed by Bark Design Architects - enjoys a natural, coastal setting, providing its occupants a chance to be one with the landscape and surrounding environment.

Windows and doors of the Marcus beach house are positioned in a way that they capture the prevailing breezes; and an overhanging roof protects the house from direct sunlight. Artificial lighting is kept to a minimum owing to appropriate glazing. The roof over the Master Bedroom pavilion rises to the north providing a band of high level, operable, clerestory glazing that captures daylight and allows warm air to escape, setting up an effective ‘stack effect’ natural cooling process. This eliminated the need for air conditioning.

Maleny House

Maleny house is designed by spark Architects in the sunshine coast hinterland. This house is also one of the architectures to own the 2010 Sunshine Coast Regional Architecture Award as Marcus Beach House. Expansive decking, terraces and large amounts of glass – extending to the skillion roof in places – open the internal spaces to the outdoors, creating a sense of a house without walls.

The Maleny house makes use of recycled hardwood from 60-year-old telegraph poles. The house’s old concrete rainwater tank has also been put to good use, incorporated into the landscaping; now forming a terrace for an oversized chessboard. The presence of 5 additional water tanks allows storage of up to 120,000 litres of rainwater.

Energy and consumption have also been addressed with a ‘butterfly’ roof capturing winter sun – and allowing for a number of solar panels – and polished concrete floors in the extension providing thermal mass. Herb and vegetable gardens have also been developed, aiding the owners in self-sufficiency.