Puffing Billy Visitor Centre secures 2022 International Architecture Award

The newly built $24.8 million Lakeside Visitor Centre at Victoria’s popular tourist attraction - Puffing Billy Railway - has secured the prestigious global award for Best New International Architecture for 2022 - awarded at the 2022 International Architecture Awards in Chicago and announced by the Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.

Designed by TERROIR Architects, the Lakeside Visitor Centre celebrates the rich history of the century-old heritage steam railway through a collection of steam-era artifacts and an immersive multimedia experience.

Puffing Billy Railway Chief Executive Peter Abbott noted “we are honoured to receive this prestigious award, which has been a labour of love for so many of us, including the teams at TERRIOR Architects and Kane Constructions.

“This accolade not only celebrates the creation of our world-class visitor centre, but also helps put Puffing Billy on the global stage.”

Backed by a $12.7 million investment from the Victorian Government, the Lakeside Visitor Centre is a centrepiece of the Puffing Billy Railway – visited by thousands each year.

Since its opening in December last year the Centre has drawn more people to the heart of the Dandenong Ranges and boasts a range of dining options featuring seasonal local produce, as well as a hi-tech function space to host workshops, conferences, events and school excursions.

The International Architecture Awards are one of the oldest and most prestigious distinguished global building awards program that honours new and cutting-edge design worldwide.

An international jury of distinguished designers selected over 150 submissions from a shortlist of over 650 projects.