The Science Place in Townsville and the Blackwater Aquatic Centre  in central Queensland have each been shortlisted in two categories in the Australian Institute of Architects’ National Architecture Awards.

The aquatic centre, by Liquid Blu Architects, is shortlisted in the public architecture and sustainable architecture categories, while Hassell’s The Science place is shortlisted in the educational architecture and sustainable architecture categories.

Townsville Courts of Law – Edmund Sheppard Building, by Hall, Phillips and Wilson Architects, is shortlisted in the enduring architecture category.

The shortlist was announced this week, after 203 eligible entries emerged from the Chapter Architecture Awards nationwide.

Jury chair and Australian Institute of Architects immediate past president Richard Kirk described the awards as one of the Institute’s most important advocacy programs, acknowledging and celebrating the transformative capacity of the profession in Australian communities.

“Each project visit was always an experience of delight and surprise, and we were continually reminded how project images can never be a substitute for experiencing the building itself,” he said.

Mr Kirk said entries in the public architecture and multi-residential housing categories were of particular note in 2018, ‘formidable’ projects diverse in scale, function and complexity.

Launching on World Architecture Day, October 1, the annual People’s Choice Award will once again give members of the public the opportunity to vote for their favourite residential project from the shortlist.

The winners will be announced at the National Architecture Awards ceremony in Melbourne on Thursday 1 November.

For the full shortlist click here