Cairns Convention Centre
This project was won in a selected design competition for a 2,400 seat convention centre and a 7,000m² exhibition centre, to be constructed in two phases. The competition brief also required a master planning concept for the riverside urban renewal area located at one end of the Centre.
An undulating curved roof was developed as a means of terminating the riverside redevelopment. This curve is achieved using a folded plate structure enabling the roof geometry to change from an orthogonal form to a fan-shape. Unlike previous public buildings, the structure is formed from a combination of steel and laminated plantation timber, producing a more crafted architecture that responds to environmental issues.
The Stage 2 Exhibition Centre, was designed as an exhibition centre/basketball stadium with retractable seating, allowing clear span exhibition space or seating for 5,800.
The Cairns Convention Centre has been ranked in the top ten international meetings venues in the work in a survey undertaken by North America's leading meetings industry publishing company.