Wilson Architects

Wilson Architects is one of Australia's oldest continuous architectural practices.^[1] The firm specialises in the design of educational and laboratory spaces and facilities and for more than 50 years a key feature of the firm's designs has been the integration of landscape with architecture. The current managing director of Wilson Architects is Hamilton B. Wilson, great grandson of the firm's founder, Alexander Brown Wilson.

History

Alexander Brown Wilson, the fifth son of a merchant was born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1857. In 1864 his family emigrated to Brisbane where the young Alex's flair as an artist attracted attention when some of his watercolour drawings were exhibited at Brisbane's School of Arts in 1873. Two years later he joined the Buildings Branch of the Queensland Department of Public Works where he was mentored by Colonial Architect F.D.G Stanley. When Stanley commenced a private practice Wilson joined him soon after in 1882 as principal draftsman. Wilson established his own Brisbane architectural practice two years later where he was joined by his architect-engineer son, Ronald Martin Wilson in 1920. After Alexander Wilson's retirement in 1928, Ronald Wilson continued the practice until 1955 and the Wilson design dynasty was ensured when he too was joined by his son, Blair M. Wilson, a University of Queensland graduate and father of current managing director Hamilton B. Wilson.

Notable projects

Brisbane Grammar School's Lilley Centre

Named after Sir Charles Lilley, the founding father of 146-year-old Brisbane Grammar School, this $26 million library and teaching facility was in 2011 internationally acknowledged as an exemplary educational facility by the OECD Centre for Effective Learning Environments.^[2] Prominently positioned on a clifftop to give it a visible and assertive connection to the city of Brisbane, the Lilley Centre features technologically enhanced learning spaces with cutting edge audiovisual resources. These include a contemporary forum space, student computer rooms, library facilities and a teaching laboratory that facilitates research into classroom learning.^[3]

Recent Awards

• 2016 Australian Institute of Architects Regional Commendation, Educational Architecture – All Hallows’ School, Mary’s Place ^[4]
• 2015 Master Builders Gold Coast Regional Award for Project of the Year – Griffith Business School^[5]
• 2015 Master Builders Gold Coast Regional Award for Education over $5million – Griffith Business School^[5]
• 2015 National Trust Awards – Silver Award for Agency Conservation – Redcliffe Fire Station Redevelopment^[6]
• 2015 Australian Institute of Architects (South Australia Chapter) Derrick Kendrick Award for Sustainable Architecture – UniSA Jeffrey Smart Building (Wilson Architects as Learning & Library Consultant)^[7]
• 2015 Australian Institute of Architects (South Australia Chapter) Award for Educational Architecture – UniSA Jeffrey Smart Building (Wilson Architects as Learning & Library Consultant)^[7]
• 2014 CEFPI International Winner – Project of Distinction – James Cook University Education Central (in collaboration with Architects North)^[8]
• 2014 CEFPI Winner Category 2 – New Construction Major Facility – James Cook University Education Central (in collaboration with Architects North)^[9]
• 2014 Australian Institute of Architects Queensland Award for Public Architecture – James Cook University Education Central (in collaboration with Architects North)^[10]
• 2014 Australian Institute of Architects North Queensland Awards – Walter & Oliver Tunbridge Award for Building of the Year – James Cook University Education Central (in collaboration with Architects North)^[11]
• 2014 Australian Institute of Architects North Queensland Regional Commendation for Public Architecture – James Cook University Education Central (in collaboration with Architects North)^[11]
• 2014 Australian Institute of Architects Brisbane Regional Commendation for Public Architecture – Centre for Advanced Imaging (John Wardle Architects + Wilson Architects in Association)^[12]
• 2014 Australian Institute of Architects Queensland Commendation for Public Architecture – University of Queensland Michie Building Extension^[10]
• 2014 Australian Institute of Architects Brisbane Regional Commendation for Public Architecture – University of Queensland Michie Building Extension^[12]
• 2013 Premier’s Awards for Excellence in Public Service Delivery – Highly Commended for Growing and Developing Queensland's future – Translational Research Institute & BioPharmaceuticals Australia (Wilson Architects + Donovan Hill Architects in Association) ^[13]
• 2013 Australian Institute of Architects National Architecture Award Public Architecture – Translational Research Institute (Wilson Architects + Donovan Hill Architects in Association) ^[14]
• 2013 Australian Institute of Architects National Architecture Award Interior Architecture – Translational Research Institute (Wilson Architects + Donovan Hill Architects in Association)^[14]
• 2013 Australian Institute of Architects FDG Stanley Award for Public Architecture – Translational Research Institute (Wilson Architects + Donovan Hill Architects in Association)^[15]
• 2013 Australian Institute of Architects GHM Addison Award for Interior Architecture – Translational Research Institute (Wilson Architects + Donovan Hill Architects in Association)^[15]
• 2013 Australian Institute of Architects QLD State Commendation for Sustainable Architecture – Translational Research Institute (Wilson Architects + Donovan Hill Architects in Association) ^[15]
• Architecture of Australia

References

External links

• Wilson Architects papers, 1883-1966. Wilson Architects Collection, UQFL112, Fryer Library, The University of Queensland Library.