The Glasshouse, Port Macquarie's darling entertainment venue has won the Blacket Prize for the best building in regional NSW, adding to its impressive awards showcase which includes the Newcastle Master Builders Association Excellence in Building and Construction Awards and Local Government 2010 Cultural Award for Aboriginal Cultural Development for the Black & White: Selections From the Thomas Dick Collection.
"Efficient planning allows the building to accommodate a range of uses and users; important for a regional facility where operational costs are a key factor in the long-term viability," the jury said of the space. The theatre uses richly patterned and shaped adjustable timber panels to create an intimate space with excellent acoustics and sightlines while he art gallery spaces are elegantly proportioned and complemented by a range of function rooms and support facilities. "Archeological remnants of the town’s beginnings are made visible and interpreted across the building’s ground floor paving and revealed in the subterranean display… the architects are commended for their tenacity meeting many technical, political and financial challenges with ingenuity and exceptional skill," they added.
Conceived by the architects of Tonkin, Zulaikha Green, the Glasshouse has hosted a slew of successful local performances in the two years since its opening, including the recent ABBA Mania Australian tour and the comical hi-jinx of Arj Barker. The Glasshouse also features the Port Macquarie Regional Gallery which has housed a number of notable exhibits including the award winning Black & White: Selections From the Thomas Dick Collection.
Most Beautiful Buildings in Australia
Does the Glasshouse measure up to some of the most impressive architectural achievements in Australia? You decide - here are some of the most notable:
Berry Sport and Recreation Centre - Berry, NSW
Taking home the top prize in Sport category at this year’s World Architecture Festival (WAF) Awards in Barcelona is the Sport and Recreation Centre in Berry, NSW. With accommodation for up to 150 guests, outdoor heated swimming pool, lit tennis courts, ropes course, climbing wall and a suite of other outdoor and indoor recreational activities - this is definitely not the neighbourhood gym.
Horizon Apartments - Sydney NSW
Conceived by internationally renowned architect Harry Seidler, this residential high rise building in Darlinghurst boasts some of the best harbour views in the city. With 260 luxury style apartments on offer, The Horizon has become some of the hottest property in Sydney's booming real estate market.
Letterbox House - Blairgowrie, Vic
Designed by McBride Charles Ryan, the Letterbox House stands apart amongst the run of the mill beach houses in the area. This was designed to be a "family home" (although I'm sure most family memories wouldn't recall something this exquisite), its openness is a new take on the traditional Aussie veranda and its stand out style has earned it a place in the Australian Institute of Architects Victorian Chapter Annual Awards.
Melbourne Recital Centre - Melbourne, Vic
This is the home of the classics - the Melbourne Recital Centre is the city's second largest hall for classical music and it's certainly a difficult one to miss. Designed by Ashton Raggatt McDougall, the Melbourne Recital Centre is a part of the Melbourne Recital Centre and MTC Theatre complex with two auditoriums for show stopping performances including the likes of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and David Hobson.
Monaco House - Melbourne, Vic
Another creation of McBride Charles Ryan (we're noticing a pattern here), the Monaco House is certainly a spectacle of the Melbourne CBD. Serving as the Honorary Consul of Monaco, the building's unique front has earned it its spot in the top tier of the architectural elite, taking home awards such as the Victorian State of Design Award and Australian Institute of Architects National Annual Awards.
National Portrait Gallery - Canberra, ACT
While the crowds gathered at the National Gallery of Australia to get a rare glimpse of the Masterpieces from France, many waiting on the queues took a moment to marvel at the architectural splendour of the building next door. The National Portrait Gallery is the most significant building to be completed in the Parliamentary Precinct since the completion of the New Parliament House in 1988. Opened in December 2008, the National Portrait Gallery was part of the Australian Institute of Architects 2009 National Architecture Awards commended for the design of its interior space as well as being a phenomenal example of public architecture.
The Sydney Opera House - Sydney, NSW
The Sydney Opera House has achieved legendary iconic status, up there with the likes of the Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty and Big Ben as one of them most recognisable buildings in the world. The Opera House was conceived by one Jørn Utzon and its 16 year saga of construction is one for the record books, resulting in Utzon leaving the project, never to return to see his final creation. Amongst its many other awards and achievement, the Sydney Opera House was officially granted its status as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2007.
Rundle Lantern - Adelaide, SA
This 748 panel LED lighting display wrapping around the façade of the U-Park building of Adelaide's once humble Rundle St was the culmination of a project to turn the area in to a Times Square type meeting area with neon signage and billboards. Standing at the nine stories high, Rundle Lantern is fast becoming the centre of
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