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Maleny designers clean up
Local building designers win national awards
By Sonia Clark
Mary Cairncross Discovery Centre
Maleny-based Norman Richards building design + interiors received three award feathers in an already impressive cap of industry and public accolades at the National Association of Building Designers Awards held on October 23.
Noted for their innovative and elegant low environmental impact buildings and interiors, the company's local projects to date have included the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve Rainforest Discover Centre (in collaboration with Guymer Bailey Architects), the Maleny Community Centre refurbishment, Maleny Indoor Activity Centre and Glass on Glasshouse luxury accommodation.
The building design business received three Queensland awards for outstanding design and interiors for the Mary Cairncross Discovery Centre and R-B House a private residential renovation. Building designer Norman said it had been many years since they had entered their designs for awards so their win at this year's state awards was an unexpected delight.
“We were absolutely floored to have won at a national level. We were up against the best of the best so it was incredible to be honoured in this way,” Norman said.
“We prioritised local materials that reflect the natural setting including blackbutt, tallowwood and ironbark timber for warmth, and local basalt stone for texture. We also re-used materials from the original buildings where possible,” Fiona said.
R-B House was originally a four-bay shed that was renovated into an elegant and comfortable family residence on a tight budget.
With a goal to make their designs look as simple and effortless as possible, one of the key skills of the design team is that they put an incredible amount of thought, effort and attention to detail to ensure a finished product that is in harmony with its site and environment.
“We don’t advertise ourselves as eco designers. Sustainable design is just good design - design that gives a sense of space, uses less materials, less embodied energy and minimises artificial heating and cooling,” Fiona said.
