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The Cairns Performing Arts Centre has been shortlisted for an international award at the 2019 World Architecture Festival - the annual awards dedicated to the global architecture and development industry.

CPAC is one of 18 buildings shortlisted in the culture category, which includes three others finalists from Australia – Green Square Library and Plaza in Sydney, the Dangrove storage facility Alexandria, NSW, and Melbourne’s MPavilion 2018.

Other shortlisted buildings include: Royal Academy of Music - Theatre and new Recital Hall in London, England; the National Kaohsiung Centre for the Arts in Taiwan; and the Amos Rex in Helsinki, Finland.

Commenting on the awards, Cairns Mayor Bob Manning stated "to be shortlisted alongside buildings from some of the most iconic cities in the world is a clear demonstration that CPAC is a state-of-the-art facility that has now gained international recognition.

“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.

“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.”

WAF, the world’s largest, live and interactive architectural festival, will be held in Amsterdam from 4th to 6th December, with shortlisted designs to be presented to more than 100 international juries in front of festival delegates.

Mark Duffin, Projects Leader for CPAC co-designer CA Architects stated "CA Architects and Cox Architecture are thrilled to be shortlisted for such a prestigious award at the World Architecture Festival.

“To be given the opportunity to present alongside illustrious projects from around the world is a great honour and a fantastic opportunity to put Cairns on the map.

“We look forward exhibiting how Cairns tropical setting and culture have impacted the design of the Cairns Performing Arts Centre and associated Munro Martin Parklands as a new Cultural Precinct for Cairns.”

Two members of the CA Cox design team will give a 10-minute presentation of the project at WAF, followed by a further eight minutes of Q&A with the category jury. 

Category winners go on to compete against each other on the final day of the festival for the awards of World Building of the Year, Future Project of the Year, Interior of the Year, and Landscape of the Year.

In the awards submission, CA Cox noted "the building 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.

“The project reflects a commitment to both residents and the broader region with links to the Torres Strait and the Islands of the Pacific Rim.

“Integrated Indigenous art was commissioned from ... Erub Island in the Torres Strait with the unique recycling of found nylon fishing nets.

“Performance is integral to indigenous cultures in North Queensland and CPAC provides a support network for emerging talent, vocations in drama and for touring performances.”

Related Articles

12th July 2019 - Cairns arts and culture thrives through Queensland Government investment

16th April 2019 - Tanks Arts Centre named one of Queensland’s Best Experiences

22nd January 2019 - Ticketlink relocates to new Cairns Performing Arts Centre

2nd January 2019 - New Green Square public space design changes the role of the library

16th December 2018 - Cairns Performing Arts Centre gets official opening

23rd May 2018 - New Cairns Performing Arts Centre set for late 2018 opening

4th October 2017 - New MPavilion opens in Melbourne’s Queen Victoria Gardens

4th February 2017 - Cox Architecture to lead redevelopment of Adelaide’s Her Majesty’s Theatre

20th December 2016 - Cox Architecture design announced for new $250 million Townsville Stadium

8th July 2016 - New Plymouth’s Len Lye Centre a finalist in World Architecture Festival Awards

14th September 2015 - $65 million Cairns entertainment precinct proposal moves forward

9th October 2013 - World Architecture Festival names Auckland Art Gallery building of the year

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