As more severe and volatile weather patterns continue to threaten Australia’s crucial infrastructure, Good Design Australia has awarded its ‘Good Design Award of the Year’ – its highest recognition, to engineering and infrastructure advisory firm Aurecon and architects Cox Architecture for their revolutionary new design of the Brisbane Ferry Terminals.
     The terminals – which are now flood-proof – were designed with climate in mind and to withstand the ravages of a flood similar to that of 12 January 2011, when the Brisbane River broke its banks, inundating thousands of homes and livelihoods. 
The terminal’s bold design concept is a significant shift away from previous design conventions, with respect to aesthetics, flood resilience and accessibility. To stimulate innovation, Aurecon pulled together 15 different skills across the maritime, industrial, mechanical and architectural disciplines and employed a design thinking methodology heavily focused on the human experience of users and the people of Brisbane. 
     The Judges commented that the project is: “An excellent example of a multidisciplinary design collaboration that has resulted in a truly innovative and game-changing project. Every detail has been meticulously designed and engineered with the end user in mind. A truly ground-breaking design-innovation with the potential to be adapted and used all over the world.” 
     The technology in the Brisbane Ferry Terminals provides resilience in infrastructure that can be applied to any ferry terminal network and, in particular, to those subject to flooding. The unique flood-resilient design features allow a terminal to be returned to operation shortly after significant flood events. The design ushers in a new generation of terminals, which provide resilience and longevity, even in the face of natural disasters.