Unlock Your City....your invitation to tour some of Cairns, tropical Australia's Best Buildings
A public walk is being hosted onSaturday October 11th, 2014throughout Cairns City Centre for the first time ever as part of the weeks Festival of Architecture. The Australian Institute of Architects Far North Qld region is celebrating our growing region and city. Meet the Architects and come and learn about what makes our tropical city so special.
William McCormack Place was designed with Cairns' tropical climate at the forefront of the decision making process. The building features an open air foyer and integrated landscape forecourt. It was the first building in regional Australia to receive a 6 Star Greenstar Rating from the GBCA, representing 'World Leadership' in environmentally sustainable design.
Where to meet: Corner of Sheridan Hartley Streets
Designed by Cox Rayner and Arup in the late 1990s, this building was one of Australia's first environmentally designed major public buildings and an outcome of a collaborative response to a design competition. It was built on a contaminated site, that was ultimately revitalised through clever urban and landscape design. The Centre features an iconic double pleated roof supported by a combination of steel and laminated plantation timbers. Where to meet: Corner of Wharf and Sheridan Streets
The refurbishment of Wharf 1 and 2 are examples of award winning heritage architecture and urban design. They were completed in 2011 and 2014 respectively by Total Project Group and CA Architects. The original wharf sheds were built between 1910 and 1925 and the refurbishment has converted the sheds into a world class passenger facility. These projects are a key element in the Cairns Cityport Masterplan which has transformed the waterfront into an urban public realm. Where to meet: Corner of Wharf and Lake Streets
The Cairns Esplanade was redeveloped in 2004 by a consortia of designers including Peddle Thorp, Cox Rayner, Arup and Tract Consultants. The redevelopment included the new Lagoon, Fogarty Park sound shell, the information and interpretive nodes and the urban design and landscape between these places. The Esplanade Nodes provide an important role in illustrating a selection of historical stories from the Cairns region.
Where to meet: End of Aplin Street on the Esplanade (opposite Holiday Inn and Cairns RSL)
Designed by Canadian Architect Ian Ferrier in the 1960's, The Cathedral Church follows the Roman Basilica style and is an interesting example of brutalist/ modern architecture. This is the third church built on this site. The first was a wooden structure erected in 1889 and later destroyed by Cyclone Willis in 1927. The second was a temporary two-storey structure that still stands at the rear of the site behind the church
Where to meet: 181 Abbott Street (between Florence and Minnie Streets)
This 1970's building was originally the home to Queensland Transport for more than thirty years. In 2004 its refurbishment was completed and then reopened to become the Centre of Contemporary Arts (CoCA). This project demonstrates innovative ways to revitalise an existing decaying building into a mix of performance, production and office facilities.
Where to meet: 96 Abbott Street (between Florence and Aplin Streets)
This building is a good example of a sustainable refurbishment to an existing commercial building. It was completed in 2008 by CA Architects with RPS as the client. The project received a 4 star Greenstar rating with careful use of materials whilst creatively working with the existing split-level office building to transform the spaces and draw natural light into a previously dark interior
Where to meet: 135 Abbott Street (between Aplin and Shields Streets)
The $20 million Lake Street Redevelopment Project delivers important traffic connectivity, bus service improvements and enhanced tropical gathering spaces for the heart of the Cairns CBD. The project included planting of nearly 200 native rainforest trees and palms, more than 4000 plants and shrubs, paving and hard stand, and upgrade to existing narrow outdoor dining areas.
Where to meet: Corner of Lake and Aplin Streets (behind the Cairns Library)
Designed by Harvey Draper and Built in 1912 for Irishman Michael Boland, the Boland's Centre was the first ever and largest concrete building in the far north. It was a commercial department store and the first three storey building with a lift in Cairns. The building now contains a mix of refurbished retail and office space with abundant natural light on three levels.
Where to meet: Corner of Lake and Spence Streets
Grafton Street was the site of Chinatown between 1880 and 1950. It was the host of many ‘joss’ houses, restaurants and other businesses. The last Chinese temple was demolished in 1964, but in 2014 the history of Grafton Street has been recognised through new interpretative displays and landscaping. Grafton Street continues to be a place of alternative commerce and emerging business and arts.
Where to meet: 76-80 Grafton Street, City Arcade (where Caffiend Café meets Grafton Street)
