Cairns Performing Arts Centre shortlisted for international design award

The Cairns Performing Arts Centre has been shortlisted for an international award at the 2019 World Architecture Festival - the annual awards dedicated to the global architecture and development industry.

CPAC is one of 18 buildings shortlisted in the culture category, which includes three others finalists from Australia – Green Square Library and Plaza in Sydney, the Dangrove storage facility Alexandria, NSW, and Melbourne’s MPavilion 2018.

Other shortlisted buildings include: Royal Academy of Music - Theatre and new Recital Hall in London, England; the National Kaohsiung Centre for the Arts in Taiwan; and the Amos Rex in Helsinki, Finland.

Commenting on the awards, Cairns Mayor Bob Manning stated "to be shortlisted alongside buildings from some of the most iconic cities in the world is a clear demonstration that CPAC is a state-of-the-art facility that has now gained international recognition.

“There was no question the team from CA Architects and Cox Architecture delivered on our vision to create a place where people can watch in awe the beauty of the arts world and be inspired by their performances.

“They designed a building that can accommodate new technology, bigger shows and more complex sets and meets the needs of our community well into the future.”

WAF, the world’s largest, live and interactive architectural festival, will be held in Amsterdam from 4th to 6th December, with shortlisted designs to be presented to more than 100 international juries in front of festival delegates.

Mark Duffin, Projects Leader for CPAC co-designer CA Architects stated "CA Architects and Cox Architecture are thrilled to be shortlisted for such a prestigious award at the World Architecture Festival.

“To be given the opportunity to present alongside illustrious projects from around the world is a great honour and a fantastic opportunity to put Cairns on the map.

“We look forward exhibiting how Cairns tropical setting and culture have impacted the design of the Cairns Performing Arts Centre and associated Munro Martin Parklands as a new Cultural Precinct for Cairns.”

Two members of the CA Cox design team will give a 10-minute presentation of the project at WAF, followed by a further eight minutes of Q&A with the category jury. 

Category winners go on to compete against each other on the final day of the festival for the awards of World Building of the Year, Future Project of the Year, Interior of the Year, and Landscape of the Year.

In the awards submission, CA Cox noted "the building is part of a cultural precinct with Munro Martin Parklands, which combined delivers a main Proscenium Arch theatre of 950 seats, a 400 seat Flexible Studio and an external Performance Amphitheatre with capacity for 3,000.

“The project reflects a commitment to both residents and the broader region with links to the Torres Strait and the Islands of the Pacific Rim.

“Integrated Indigenous art was commissioned from ... Erub Island in the Torres Strait with the unique recycling of found nylon fishing nets.

“Performance is integral to indigenous cultures in North Queensland and CPAC provides a support network for emerging talent, vocations in drama and for touring performances.”