Craft’d Grounds, Brisbane’s artisan-focused dining and lifestyle nestled in the heart of the vibrant Albion, has taken out Building of the Year Award at the Australian Institute of Architects regional awards.
Craft’d Grounds’ conversion of an industrial warehouse complex into a vibrant lifestyle and food artisan precinct was the vision behind Marketplace Developments Director James Rennell, and jointly designed with John Flynn of Conrad Gargett Architects. Now the award-winning open-plan space is home to local food and lifestyle makers ‘made for Brisbane’ – including the best in events, craft brewing, fine dining, and artisan food tenants. This includes new hatted-restaurant Herve’s Restaurant and Bar, Collingwood Black, and its special events space The Black Albion as well as Milton Rum Distillery.
“Craft’d Grounds deliberately avoids flashy, modern accents – reusing existing structural steel elements, timber floorboards, repurposed materials and fixtures paying homage to its humble roots – this is what makes it feel unique, honest and warm,” Rennell said.
The Institute’s jury said the joint Marketplace Developments, Conrad Gargett-designed project has helped transform one of Brisbane’s fastestchanging inner-northern suburbs. “This project is a standout example of adaptive reuse; the building’s original use is reimagined whilst a sense of its past identity is maintained by elevating the structure’s existing saw-tooth roof form,” the AIA jury said. “The robust design is evidenced by the building’s diverse occupancy, demonstrating the commercial success of the project.”
John Flynn of Conrad Gargett architects said the resulting design acknowledges and respects the collaborative design process shared between client and architect. Craft’d Grounds, officially titled with the AIA awards’ most prestigious Building of the Year title, will now progress to next month’s state finals. Set inside a collection of warehouses, including a newly transformed 100-year-old timber mill on Collingwood Street, Craft’d Grounds features some of the best local produce and makers ‘made for Brisbane’.
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