Mount Gambier’s new state-of-the-art Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre has been recognised at the 2023 SA Architecture Awards.

The awards were held in Adelaide on Friday evening, with the Monarto Safari Park Visitor Centre taking out the top honour.

Eco-tourism, hospitality and community recreation hubs featured strongly among the winners announced by the Australian Institute of Architects (SA).

The Awards for Public Architecture (SA) were presented to DesignInc for the Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre.

Judges described Wulanda as a flexible hub for aquatic, fitness, conferences, local community groups and large-scale events.

“The design celebrates the community with residents’ input and prioritises local materials and labour and was also recognised with a Commendation for Sustainable Architecture (SA),” the judges said.

“This is the second year in a row that a Mount Gambier project has received accolades (with the Mount Gambier Regional Airport receiving top accolades in 2022), a reflection of the community’s investment in quality design.”

Wulanda also received mentions in the

SA Architecture Awards Director Anne Taylor said many of the projects entered were designed and built amidst the challenges of the pandemic which limited collaboration and uncertainty about how the end users of projects would resume pre-COVID behaviours.

“As projects moved into construction a new set of challenges emerged as supply chain issues with building materials required architects to use creative means to continue to pursue excellence,” she said.

“Despite these obstacles, the overwhelming feedback from clients was the experience of working with an architect exceeded their expectations.

“Tonight’s winners chart the achievements and direction of architecture and design in South Australia and celebrate the best of our profession.”

Winners will now progress to the National Architecture Awards, to be announced at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra on Tuesday, October 31.