Queensland's 2024 Minister's Award for Urban Design announced

The Queensland government has announced the winners of the 2024 Minister's Award for Urban Design.

The award recognises contemporary Queensland urban design projects of the highest quality.

Nicholas Street Precinct won both Minister's Award for Urban Design and the Movement and Place Award. The jury praised it "as an example of best practices in urban design."

The project integrates climate responsive features such as passive cooling, solar energy and recycled water. It also enhances natural systems with extensive green spaces and native plantings, as well as promotes biodiversity and mitigates urban heat.

"The thoughtful design promotes flexibility and adaptability in how the space can be used and curated, supporting efficient day to day operation as well as a venue for markets and major community events," said the jury.

The final award, the Malcolm Middleton Award for Outstanding Liveable Design went to Mari-Mari-Ba - Affordable Housing by Deicke Richards with EDGE Consulting Engineers, JHA, ACOR, Place Design Group, Stantec, Coastline Certification and Litoria Environmental with the Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works.

"[This] project is an example of a challenging project brief on a sensitive site - one with a long history of cultural engagement - and all within a tight public housing budget," said the jury.

Nominations for the 2025 awards will open in March 2025.

The winners and commendations are:

Heritage Lanes - Woods Bagot and Aspect Studios with Mirvac

Nicholas Street Precinct - Ipswich City Council, Buchan Group, Vee Design, Bornhorst and Ward, WSP, Strategic Spaces, Savills, Ranbury, RLB and Hutchinson Group with Ipswich City Council

Rockhampton Museum of Art - Conrad Gargett, Clare Design (Lead Design Architects) and Brian Hooper Architect with Rockhampton Regional Council

Mount Isa Masterplan and Centennial Place - Tract Consultants, Bligh Tanner, SJM Hydraulics, Multitech Solutions, C-Change and Peddle Thorp with Mount Isa City Council

Brisbane Green Factor - Brisbane City Council

Urban Change Readiness Index - Studio THI

Mari-Mari-Ba - Affordable Housing - Deicke Richards with EDGE Consulting Engineers, JHA, ACOR, Place Design Group, Stantec, Coastline Certification & Litoria Environmental with the Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works

Turner Avenue Homes - Push, David Pennisi, Bligh Tanner & Place Design Group with Eurocom Projects

Nicholas Street Precinct - Ipswich City Council, Buchan Group, Vee Design, Bornhorst and Ward, WSP, Strategic Spaces, Savills, Ranbury, RLB and Hutchinson Group with Ipswich City Council

Hanlon Park / Bur'uda Waterway Rejuvenation - Brisbane City Council, Epoca Constructions, and Tract (in collaboration with Belinda Smith, UAP, Core Consultants, Littoria, Webb, EDAW / AECOM, Norman Creek Catchment Coordinating Committee)