Nicholas Street Precinct has been recognised as an exemplar of best practice in urban design at the Queensland Government Minister’s Award for Urban Design, winning both the Minister’s Urban Design Award and Movement & Place Category Award.

The awards highlight the critical role of good urban design in shaping Queensland, and how collaborative relationships can lead to the successful development of the built environment.

Since 2016, Buchan has been working closely with Ipswich City Council, Nicholas Street Precinct team and the wider community to realise the City’s vision for the redevelopment of Ipswich, including Tulmur Place, Ipswich City Council Administration Building, the Ipswich Central Library and Australia’s first standalone Children’s Library, and Nicholas Street dining, retail and entertainment precinct.

“Forming the connective tissue between the city and the river, the revitalisation of Ipswich has focused on enriched public amenity, and the creation of social, cultural and community connection,” Phil Schoutrop, Principal and Precinct Sector Lead Buchan said. “From concept through to built form, the Nicholas Street Precinct showcases what can be achieved through good design and collaboration.”

2024 Minister’s Award for Urban Design – Winner

As the largest transformation of Ipswich’s city heart in three decades, the Nicholas Street Precinct is a testament to the transformative impact of thoughtful, collaborative planning, creating a vibrant and inclusive hub for the community.

As an example of best practices in urban design, it addresses climate responsiveness, local culture and community needs, while remaining resilient and welcoming for future generations.

The project integrates climate-responsive features like passive cooling, solar energy and recycled water, ensuring its adaptability to climate change. Drawing inspiration from Ipswich’s heritage, Tulmur Place and other public spaces reflect local character and culture, while the project enhances natural systems with extensive green spaces and native plantings, promoting biodiversity and mitigating urban heat.

Well-defined, connected streets and spaces foster pedestrian-friendly environments, while diverse development forms support social interaction and economic vitality of the mixed-use precinct.

The jury congratulates Ipswich City Council for its vision and leadership in taking on the role as property developer in creating a world-class transformation of Ipswich CBD.

2024 Movement and Place Award – Winner

An ambitious vision realised through perseverance, persistence, and thoughtful planning. The ground plane of this complex urban project has been thoughtfully reimagined to balance many competing demands, so that movement and place objectives are achieved to the benefit of the whole. It reintroduces riding, cars, and other modes through a shared zone right in the heart of the city.

A previously underutilised space is transformed from a windswept mall into a vibrant community heart. A mix of old and new uses have been established and upscaled to boost vitality and enable the quantum and quality of public realm to be supercharged.

Place and movement work together to revitalise, activate and link places. The thoughtful design promotes flexibility and adaptability in how the space can be used and curated, supporting efficient day to day operation as well as a venue for markets and major community events.

The project is an excellent example of collaborative delivery led by a local government in consultation with multiple government and private sector stakeholders delivering exemplar outcomes that benefit businesses, visitors, and residents alike.

Congratulations to our client and project team – Ipswich City Council, Buchan, Vee Design, Bornhorst + Ward, WSP, Strategic Spaces, Savills, Ranbury, RLB & Hutchinson with Ipswich City Council.

Pictured L to R – Leah Lang (Chair), Queensland Government Architect; The Honourable Meaghan Scanlon MP, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Planning and Minister for Public Works; Greg Cochrane, Associate, Buchan; James Hepburn, Precinct Director, Nicholas Street Precinct; David Hatherly, Vee design, Director; and Fiona McDougall, Senior Project Manager – Retail Development, Nicholas Street Precinct.