Cairns Performing Arts Centre has taken out the top prize at the 2021 Queensland Architecture Awards.
Designed by CA Architects and Cox Architecture in collaboration, it was last night named winner of the FDG Stanley Award for Public Architecture.
The state-of-the-art building, which was opened in late 2018, 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.
Mayor Bob Manning said this latest accolade reinforced CPAC's status as a state-of-the-art facility.
"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," Cr Manning said.
"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."
"CPAC, together with the neighbouring Munro Martin Parklands, sets the standard for regional performance arts spaces."
As a winner of the Queensland award, CPAC will progress to the National Architecture Awards to be announced in November.
The win follows last week's recognition of Munro Martin Parklands by The Australian Institute of Horticulture and by the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA).
The Australian Institute of Horticulture was the 2020 Green Space Regional Award.
The parklands, designed by Cairns landscape architect Andrew Prowse, received the AILA Award for Excellence in the Parks and Open Spaces category at the 2021 Queensland Landscape Architecture Awards earlier this month.
MMP boasts tropical plantings, vine covered pergolas and arbours and an open-air plaza, which has hosted a range of live performances.
