Two COX Projects Shortlisted for National Biophilic Design Awards

COX is proud to announce that two of our projects have been shortlisted for the National Biophilic Design Awards.

Each year, the National Biophilic Design Awards spotlight excellence in Australian buildings, interiors, renovations, and communities that exemplify the principles and benefits of biophilic design.

Cairns Convention Centre

Shortlisted in the Building Scale category, the Cairns Convention Centre exemplifies the natural beauty of Far North Queensland’s subtropical rainforest.

Bathed in natural light and surrounded by the lush embrace of the tropics, this venue redefines what a convention centre can be.
Convention centres are often cloistered indoors, but not this one. The Cairns Convention Centre breaks the mould, seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor spaces to capitalise on its breath-taking surroundings. The crown jewel, the Trinity Terrace, is perched on the top level – offering panoramic views of the Trinity Inlet and the Exhibition area, while the Plenary room opens to majestic mountain vistas across the water.

Sustainable Buildings Research Centre

Also shortlisted in the Building Scale category is the Sustainable Buildings Research Centre, currently the sole Living Building certified structure in Australia.

The Sustainable Buildings Research Centre (SBRC), part of the University of Wollongong’s Innovation Campus, was created to test and demonstrate technologies that will inspire the green building movement in Australia. Wollongong is a few hours south of Sydney, on the beautiful New South Wales coast, and the Centre is situated between a mountain and the sea. Composed of two buildings linked by a landscaped courtyard and bridge, the Centre demonstrates the practices and research it supports and responds to the climate and coastal breezes. In materiality and design, the Centre reflects the beauty and resiliency of the Australian coastal landscape and connects occupants with nature, no matter where they are in the buildings.

These nominations follow our previous successes at the Biophilic Design Awards, including the James Cook University Central Plaza’s recognition as a finalist in the Community & Urban Scale category in 2023.

Save the date

The winners will be announced on May 16th at COX’s Sydney Studio. Join us for an evening of celebration as we honour the achievements of the industry’s leaders. Secure your tickets here.