One of the best things about living in Queensland is the weather. You only have to be away for a short while before you are dreaming about the cloudless winter days, the sweet spring breezes and the dramatic summer thunderstorms. One of the other things which makes Queensland special is the nature of our shelters, which are largely influenced by our unique climate. Traditional Queenlander houses were designed specifically for our subtropical climate – identified by wide sweeping verandas, parallel windows on the outside to increases airflow on the inside and were situated on an elevated outlook in order to increase ventilation in the days before air-conditioning. Today, architecture in Queensland still uses many of the same principles to cater to our unique environment and climate. Place Makers is an exhibition that pays tribute to the contemporary architects that shape our residential, commercial and institutional spaces. In a first for Queensland, Place Makers exhibits the work of 22 contemporary Queensland architects who have shown remarkable perception and creative design when it comes to creating urban spaces for our subtropical climate. In a collection of beautiful photographs, scaled models, text explanations and video footage, the exhibition is a wonderful tribute to local architectural talent. See Gabriel Poole’s no-fuss beachside getaway in Sunshine Beach, designed for New York–based artist Tracey Moffatt or watch the touching documentary footage of Rex Addison’s family home in Taringa – a personal story tinged with sadness and strong family connections. Whether your interest is art, design or interiors, this is definitely an exhibition worth seeing.
