The newly built Lakeside Visitor Centre at Puffing Billy Railway was awarded the highest honour at the 2022 International Architecture Awards in Chicago on Wednesday 10 August.
The state-of-the-art centre has taken out the prestigious global award for Best New International Architecture for 2022 – announced by the Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.
The Victorian Government invested $12.7 million in the Lakeside Visitor Centre; visited by thousands each year and a part of Puffing Billy Railway.
Designed by TERROIR Architects, the Lakeside Visitor Centre celebrates the rich history of the century-old heritage steam railway through a collection of steam-era artefacts and an immersive multimedia experience.
Since it’s opening in December 2021 the centre has drawn more people to the heart of the Dandenong Ranges and boasts a range of dining options featuring seasonal local produce, as well as a hi-tech function space to host workshops, conferences, events and school excursions.
Puffing Billy Railway CEO Peter Abbott said the organisation is “honoured” to receive the award for Best New International Architecture.
“This accolade not only celebrates the creation of our world-class visitor centre, but also helps put Puffing Billy on the global stage,” Mr Abbott said.
The International Architecture Awards are one of the oldest and most prestigious distinguished global building awards program that honours new and cutting-edge design worldwide.
An international jury of distinguished designers selected over 150 submissions from a shortlist of over 650 projects.
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos said Puffing Billy draws thousands of visitors a year to Victoria, and will now be made better with a “state-of-the-art” Visitor Centre drawing even more visitors to the Dandenong Ranges.
“We’re proud to have backed this development, which has supported jobs growth and businesses across the region,” Mr Dimopolous said.
Member for Monbulk James Merlino said the Lakeside Visitor Centre assured Puffing Billy has the “world-class facilities it needs to continue to be a significant tourism drawcard for the region into the future”.
