Designing WOMEN
Words | Shaneen Fantin
Images | Stella Adams Photography
Have you ever admired the space and
the view at Bluewater, relaxed in the
outdoor spaces at Wharf 1 or Munro
Martin Parklands, moved seamlessly
through the Cairns Base Hospital,
or appreciated the design of the new
classroom or library at your child’s
school? Have you ever thought about
these places and considered the light,
the colour, the space and materials,
and how the view is captured? If you
have noticed these spaces and their
qualities, then you should thank one of
the many female architects in Cairns
who are smashing glass ceilings in
their field.
Australia’s reputation for quality
architecture and design, like gourmet
food, is growing rapidly around the
world. Australia is currently dominating
the World Architecture Awards with 30
entries being shortlisted from a total of
43, and public interest in architecture
is rising. There is also a new television
series Australia by Design which
started in July and presents viewers
with real projects of different types
WOMEN DIRECTORS OF CAIRNS
ARCHITECTURE FIRMS:
1 Nicole Ewing | NEArchitecture
PROJECTS: Assisted Total Project Group
on the School of Arts, Upolu House
(Clifton Beach), and Leonard House
(Kewarra Beach).
ENJOYS: AFL and making furniture.
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2 Alanna Coburn | Coburn Architecture
PROJECTS: The Bluewater (Bar and
Function Centre), Cairns Private Hospital
Redevelopment, and St Monica’s College
Redevelopment.
ENJOYS: mountain biking, playing piano
and writing.
3 Belinda Allwood | POD (People
Oriented Design)
PROJECTS: Synapse Supported
Accommodation project (Manunda),
The Big Small House (Palm Cove) and
Toomelah Multipurpose Facility (NSW).
ENJOYS: Belinda is studying a Master of
Landscape Architecture, enjoys walking
her dog and making fine furniture.
4 Nancy Lau | Nancy Lau Architect
PROJECTS: Nancy has worked extensively
with Indigenous people on projects in
Queensland and the Northern Territory,
including applying her design skills and
reinterpreting them to indigenous welfare
reform service delivery programs.
ENJOYS: Photography & Tennis (In 2006,
Nancy unintentionally debuted with an
official Australian tennis ranking of 468.)
5 Julianne Field | Julianne McAlloon
Architects
PROJECTS: The Australian Armour and
Artillery Museum, Trinity Beach State
School, Senior Learning Centre and
a range of award winning residences
including the O’Shea House, and The
Peak House.
ENJOYS: art, trekking, mentoring,
reading and cooking.
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