Award of Excellence

James Cook University, Verandah Walk — Wilson Architects

James Cook University, Verandah Walk by Wilson Architects

Aboriginal Nation

Gugu Badhun

Location

Douglas, Queensland

Client

James Cook University

JURY COMMENT

Verandah Walk at James Cook University’s Townsville campus achieves much more than its stated purpose of providing a covered link for students walking to and through the library hub precinct. It delivers a sinuous and sculptural ribbon that draws students through the university’s forest and toward its cultural heart. This project embraces and responds to the unique tropical narrative of the region by considering light, shade, humidity, breeze, scent, water, rain and colour. Each section of the walkway is a considered and deliberate design response to its landscape context.

The jury commended the design team’s role in elevating a wayfinding exercise to an experience of “journey,” rather than of “destination.” The project team has combined this with creative thinking and design excellence to deliver a multipurpose initiative that enhances the brand of a place, wayfinding, gathering opportunities, night-time safety and immersion in the lush natural beauty of the campus.

Architects and landscape architects Wilson Architects Quantity surveyor Aecom Structural and civil engineering LCJ Engineers Electrical and hydraulic engineering Multitech Solutions Building certification and access consultant Certis Photographer Andrew Rankin