The University of Queensland’s creation of a high-quality built environment at all of its campuses and research sites has earned the 2008 Australian Institute of Architects President’s Prize.
Queensland Chapter President, Mr Bruce Medek, presented the award to UQ’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Greenfield and its outgoing Property and Facilities Director, Mr Alasdair McClintock, during the President’s Dinner held at Brisbane’s Southbank Parklands last week.
Professor Greenfield thanked Mr Medek and the Queensland Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects.
“This has special meaning for UQ, because it recognises the priority attention paid to the built environment at all our campuses and facilities,” Professor Greenfield said.
“No institution can make people learn, but learning becomes a more attractive proposition when you give students, teachers, researchers and visitors the right environment.
“Hundreds of people - UQ staff as well as consultants and contractors - have earned this prize, and I congratulate them all.
“In particular, it is perfectly timed recognition for UQ’s retiring Property and Facilities Director, Mr Alasdair McClintock.”
Professor Greenfield said the University appreciated the Australian Institute of Architects' recognition of UQ’s respect for the architecture profession.
“It is the University’s honour to work with exceptional architects - including many UQ alumni - who consistently deliver designs that are innovative, practical and sympathetic to our ethos,” he said.
Established in 1998, the President’s Prize recognises individuals or organisations for their contribution to or support of the architectural profession.
Mr Medek congratulated UQ on recognising and appreciating the benefits of exceptional architecture.
“Over the past decade-and-a-half, The University of Queensland has overseen an extensive capital works program at its St Lucia, Ipswich and Gatton campuses, Customs House, Heron Island, and the University Mine at Indooroopilly,” Mr Medek said.
“The emphasis has been placed on not only delivering high-quality architecture but on the spaces that link the buildings on campus.
“The University has done this work in a way that has encouraged exciting and innovative architectural designs.
“Many of the buildings completed in these times have been recognised by the Institute through awards, in fact an award for every two-and-a-half buildings completed.”
Recent architecturally designed projects at UQ include the $33 million Centre for Advanced Animal Science at the Gatton Campus, the $54 million environmentally friendly General Purpose North 4 Building at the St Lucia Campus, and the $63 million Queensland Brain Institute, also located at UQ St Lucia.
Media: Fiona Kennedy (07 3365 1384, fiona.kennedy@uq.edu.au) or Penny Robinson at UQ Communications (07 3365 9723, penny.robinson@uq.edu.au)
