Produced in partnership with Cairns Convention Centre
The state-of-the-art expansion delivers an additional 10,500 sqm of flexible meeting, banquet and exhibition space catering for up to 2,500 delegates.
The new Cairns Convention Centre’s design is focused on improving both the built and natural environment through sustainable principles, passive design and the use of locally sourced renewable materials.
Cairns Convention Centre’s carefully considered sustainable approach takes cues from the adoption of a passive design strategy that uses ambient energy sources instead of purchased energy like electricity or natural gas. These strategies include daylighting, natural ventilation and solar energy. The 130m long façade of the expansion is animated by a sunscreen that responds to the activities inside the Centre and is orientated to respond to the sun’s path. The biophilic design of the Porte Cochere features a green living façade and landscaping with 50 per cent natives planted, supporting local biodiversity.
Renewable and reclaimed timber materials have been sourced from Indigenous communities in Weipa using trees that have been felled in the mining process. The Indigenous community in Weipa reclaimed the trees, allowing Cox Architecture to incorporate them within the Centre’s façade.
Marble and stone were sourced from Chillagoe quarries in Far North Queensland.
The interior design intent contributes to the uniqueness of the Centre through the collaboration with Australian manufacturer Ontera who were selected to develop a bespoke design evocative of the seagrass and the turtle feeding grounds surrounding Cairns.
Located between two World Heritage listed areas, the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics Rainforest, the redevelopment and expansion were carefully considered to ensure they maintained stringent environmental controls. Cairns Convention Centre evokes Tropical North Queensland sensibilities, the Centre is spacious, generous and flexible, yet intimate at the same time.
Find out more about the Cairns Convention Centre expansion
