TONY Beattie’s love of architecture and design started when he was just a child on his family farm in Pallamallawa. He found aqueducts, tension bridges, and cattle yards very exciting projects to be around.
About 10 years ago following a family tragedy Mr Beattie decided to spend more time in Moree. That’s when he decided to buy the property now known as Yandiah.
“I bought ‘Yandiah’ at that time and began to re-engage with Moree,” Mr Beattie said.
“I could see that lessons learned through study and travel could be applied in the township.”
Mr Beattie started designing Yandiah at the same time he was running an architectural practise in Sydney.
“I was not in a hurry, and wanted the building to have an impact,” he said.
“I felt that the new building needed to form a relationship with neighbours and the two streetscapes.
“Lifting the building off the ground like a Queenslander, made sense to me; a raised structure also complements security, ventilation and views.
“Raising the density was also an important initiative to utilise existing infrastructure properly.
“A shaded garden was also an important element for comfort in the hot climate.”
Yandiah received the Residential Architecture- Multiple Housing award at this years NSW Country Division Architecture Awards and Mr Beattie was absolutely thrilled.
“This award recognises the role of architecture past and present in regional areas. The award will also create an interest and pathway for future architecture in the region that embraces the unique challenges of the climate and community.”
The jury of the architecture awards made comment.
“Beattie Co Architects have produced and elegant and innovative solution for multiple housing with a regional context.
The building form is a successful reinterpretation of the traditional raised dwelling of the tropical Queenslander with a contemporary expression of structure, materiality and colour,” said the jury.
Mr Beattie thanked the jury for their citation.
“They clearly understood the character of the project, and more importantly how responsive architecture can contribute to regional communities with economy and quality,” he said.
Mr Beattie would like to thank Moree Plains Shire Council for supporting the project from start to finish and the local trades people, family, friends and colleagues that contributed to the reinvention of ‘Yandiah’.
