Evelyn Reynolds

Cox Architecture and NH Architecture have been engaged to design a $900-million redevelopment of the Victoria Gardens shopping centre precinct in Melbourne’s inner-eastern suburb of Richmond.
Plans to transform the 20-year-old shopping centre include the creation of a “sustainable urban village” with a vision to “unite Victoria Gardens with Richmond’s evolving urban environment,” a spokesperson for Victoria Gardens said.
The revamped precinct will include active street frontages, a fresh food market, civic plazas and open-air laneways to create a welcoming and vibrant community space. The added commercial and residential space will also address the fringe suburb’s rapidly growing population and nascent tech industry scene.
A developer partnership comprising Salta Properties and Vicinity Parnters, which co-own Victoria Gardens Shopping Centre, purchased the site, encompassing two plots, in 2019.
The developers are now seeking the necessary planning approvals for the redevelopment from the Victorian government for a mixed-use precinct with over 45,000 square metres of retail and commercial space; 9,750 square metres of public outdoor space; and residential buildings for 1,679 new homes comprising one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments.

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New Plaza Image:

Cox Architects and NH Architecture

Most buildings will range from six to 12 storeys, consistent with the urban landscape, with some as tall as 17. Up to ten percent of the residential capacity will be reserved for affordable housing.
The site, bound by Victoria Street, River Boulevard, and Burnley and Doonside streets, will cover 5.2 hectares of real estate. From the site, Cox and NH Architecture will devise two main precincts forming their masterplan.
The Doonside precinct, south of the existing shopping centre, will include the fresh food market hall among its 12,000 square metres of retail and commercial floorspace. Residential buildings within this precinct will provide 839 new homes and 3,500 square metres of accessible open space.
The River Boulevard precinct, which connects the east of Victoria Gardens to the Yarra River corridor, will feature 6,200 square metres of public open space; 840 new dwellings across a cluster of residential buildings; 6,700 square metres of retail space; and 26,000 square metres of commercial office space and a 110-place childcare centre.

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Corner of Doonside and David St Image:

Cox Architects and NH Architecture

The developers said the proposal reflects a long-term strategy to transform the site into a sustainable urban village, addressing evolving consumer preferences to live work and play closer to home, with an amenity-rich precinct addressing lifestyle, residential, commercial and social amenity.
As part of the overhaul, the architects will also restore historic pub, The Royal Studley Hotel, built in 1891, which has fallen into disrepair.
Pending approval, construction of the first stage of the redevelopment will commence in late 2024. Victoria Gardens will remain open through construction, and the design team said it would engage the local community throughout the process. More

The redevelopment Powerhouse Ultimo has received concept planning consent from the New South Wales minister for planning.
A first stage concept proposal prepared by John Wardle Architects and Aspect Studios was submitted to the department in June 2022 for assessment.
Since then, an architectural competition was held and a design by Architectus, Durbach Block Jaggers Architects, Tyrrell Studio, Youssofzay and Hart, Akira Isogawa, Yerrabingin, Finding Infinity and Arup was chosen as the winner in December 2022.

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Winning design for the Powerhouse Ultimo renewal by Architectus, Durbach Block Jaggers Architects, Tyrrell Studio, Youssofzay and Hart, Akira Isogawa, Yerrabingin, Finding Infinity and Arup. Image:

Courtesy of Powerhouse Museum

“Planning consent allows us to move into the next important phase of the project and to get on with the job of reinvigorating one of Australia’s most revered museums, securing its future for many generations to come,” said Powerhouse Trust president Peter Collins.
“The winning design team developed a visionary scheme that features expanded museum spaces, while honouring and connecting the multiple layers of history across the Powerhouse site.”
The renewal project will deliver expanded and refurbished exhibition spaces for Powerhouse Museum’s collection of more than 500,000 objects.
Powerhouse chief executive Lisa Havilah added the design will feature improved connections to Sydney CBD, offering with greater public amenity while supporting the museum’s existing arts and science programs.
“The design features a new public square that will connect the museum to The Goods Line and surrounding precincts, increasing public open space, while the Harris Street frontage will be revitalised with creative industry studios to support museum programs and access to the museum’s library and archives,” said Havilah.
The design team will continue to develop the design ahead of a second stage detailed state significant development application. The community is invited to submit feedback until 10 March 2023. More

Tim Ross’s “Rosso 88” live show
Comedian and ABC TV presenter Tim Ross is hosting a new live show, Rosso 88: a “hilarious romp” through his favourite moments of recent history, reflecting on Australian culture through late-20th century Australiana and iconography, from the everyday to the extraordinary. Ross will be playing Canberra’s Birch Building at ANU on 2 March; in Adelaide at the Samstag Gallery on 3 May; and in Melbourne’s Crigan House by architect Alan Powell from 27–30 April. More here.

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Hugh Buhrich House II in Castlecrag Image:

John Gollings

Perth Design Week
Perth Design Week is a dedicated public festival celebrating and showcasing good design in Perth. This program of exhibitions, talks and tours will take place over one week across different venues around the city.
See an exhibition by John Gollings, Neil Durbach and Stephen Varady showcasing the Hugh Buhrich House II, prepared in the wake of its 50th anniversary. Or hear from Perth’s award winning architects on the topic of sustainable home design. The Perth Unbuilt exhibition will showcase a selection of unrealised designs created by prominent Perth architecture studios. Perth Design Week runs from 23 March to ­­­­30 March. More here.

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MTalks Future Homes: Melbourne’s Liveable Apartments. Image:

Illustration by Board Grove Architects

MTalks: Future Homes – Melbourne’s Liveable Apartments
Presented by the Office of the Victorian Government Architect with Andrew Mackenzie (Uro Publications), this talk examines the Victorian government’s Future Homes initiative for family-friendly homes that enable ageing in place. Th initiative incorporates high-quality, liveable, and sustainable design principles into housing models that will be rolled out through pilot councils across Melbourne. Exemplar designs by four architecture firms – appointed through a competition launched in 2020 – are now released for public consideration and available for public purchase now. On Tuesday 28 March. More here.

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WPI Older Women’s Housing Project by Studio Bright. Image:

Rory Gardiner

No House Style at Melbourne Now
See six houses by Austin Maynard, Baracco and Wright, Clare Cousins Architects, Edition Office, Kennedy Nolan, and Studio Bright exhibited alongisde works by 12 furniture, lighting and object designers. The 2023 edition of the National Gallery of Victoria’s large-scale exhibition also includes works by more than 200 Victorian-based artists, designers, studios and firms whose practices shape the state’s cultural landscape in the past decade. Melbourene Now will be exhibited across all levels of The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia from 24 March 2023. More here.

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Anthony Burke, professor of architecture at the University of Technology Sydney. Image:

Vanessa Low

Learning Curve: Encountering art in extraordinary places
Join professor of architecture and Restoration Australia host Anthony Burke for an exploration of the spaces beyond the traditional art gallery in which one can experience art today. From the streets of London to a Second World War bunker and the fields of rural New Zealand, this five-week Learning Curve lecture series will consider the new contexts for art – including reclaimed and found spaces, informal and temporary spaces, and outdoor environments – and the artists who embrace these unusual, and sometimes extreme, sites. Fridays and Saturdays, 24 February to 25 March. More here. More

From iconic mid-century brands Fritz Hansen and Zanotta, to contemporary Australian makers Didier and Coco Flip, Cult champions fresh thinking and timeless ranges that hold court as forever pieces in both commercial and residential spaces.
Through its own brand Nau, Cult works with local designers and manufacturers to support and advocate for contemporary Australian design. Collaborating with the likes of Adam Goodrum, Adam Cornish, Kate Stokes and Tom Fereday, Nau celebrates quality craftsmanship and honest materiality, presenting enduring collections that express a uniquely Australian vernacular.
As one of Australia’s leading design retailers, with recent growth across retail, e-commerce and contract sectors, Cult is set to expand its team in 2023. Cult’s most significant appointment is the promotion of Jeffry Tsang to general manager. Following 15 years working across a range of departments and leadership roles at Cult, this new role will see Jeffry lead all departments in Australia.
“The growth that Cult has seen over the years has certainly been significant – from one showroom in Sydney servicing the contract market to seven showrooms across three countries,” said Tsang. “Backed by a strong team and forged by Richard [Munao], we now cover a lot of ground, which has its inherent challenges but is also a source of great potential for the business.”

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The PH5 Pendant (1958) by Poul Henningsen features in the Cult Design Icons exhibition. Image: Supplied

Danish design brand HAY recently partnered with Cult to open its flagship Melbourne store, after launching HAY Sydney together in 2015. Richard Munao, Cult founder and director, shares, “2022 was a significant year for Cult. With the opening of Cult Singapore and HAY Melbourne, we now operate five showrooms across the Asia-Pacific region, plus two mono-brand HAY stores,” he said.
“Our strategy is deeply rooted in authentic design, puts the client at the heart of everything we do and is brought to life by our people. Our strategic focus is on increasing awareness of the Cult brand, elevating the experience for our clients and pushing the boundaries in sustainability.”
Cult’s commitment to sustainable practice is rooted in the belief that one of the best strategies for sustainable living is to make and buy things that last. “Cultivated” is Cult’s in-house sustainability program that provides buy-back, refurbishment and recycling services for authentic designer furniture. The team works with local manufacturers and craftspeople to sensitively restore original design pieces, minimising waste and ensuring object longevity.
Cult will celebrate its milestone 25-year anniversary with an exhibition titled “Cult Design Icons”. On show from 17 February to 1 March 2023 at a gallery space adjoining the Cult flagship showroom in Sydney’s Chippendale, this group exhibition will showcase 25 iconic furniture and lighting designs curated by 25 leading Australian designers and creatives. More

Western Australia’s first large-scale mass-engineered timber building has been completed at Murdoch University’s South Street campus in Perth.
Designed by Lyons in collaboration with Officer Woods, The Fulcrum Agency, Silver Thomas Hanley and Aspect Studios, the building is located at the heart of campus and will become the university’s academic core, providing space for up to 60 percent of its learning and teaching requirements.
Building 360 is named Boola Katitjin, which means “lots of learning” in Noongar.
“The name Boola Katijin was given by Dr Richard Walley, who has a long association with Murdoch. The Beeliar Wetlands around the University have been a place of learning for thousands of years, and we are proud to be adapting to the future of education to continue this tradition,” said Murdoch vice-chancellor and professor Andrew Deeks.

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The northern events plaza at Boola Katitjin (Building 360) by Lyons in collaboration with Officer Woods, The Fulcrum Agency, Silver Thomas Hanley and Aspect Studios. Image:

Courtesy Murdoch University

The long, rectilinear building is oriented north–south, with the “creative warehouse model” inspiring a highly flexible and adaptable grid along its 180-metre spine.
The building accommodates 21 large, flat-floor format teaching and learning spaces; areas for informal peer-to-peer learning; workspaces for staff; technology labs; immersive industry collaboration facilities, including augmented reality and artificial intelligence studios; innovative research and industry engagement spaces; three food and beverage outlets and a student services centre.
The building is made from laminated timber beams and columns, cross-laminated timber floor panels and concrete supports. The predominantly timber construction contributes to the environmental sustainability of the building. In addition, the rooftop solar array is capable of producing more than 60 percent of building’s operational energy requirements.
“It reflects the University’s commitment to sustainability – with Boola Katitjin designed to achieve the internationally recognized 6-star Green Star rating through a range of features including solar panels, stormwater harvesting, active design features and native landscaping,” Deeks said. More

Construction has begun on a social housing project in Melbourne’s West Footscray. Footscray Lions Cooperative Village, which was designed by Tandem Design Studio, will be located on the site of the existing Footscray Lions Elderly Citizens Village. The project will create 49 one- and two-bedroom apartments for women aged over 55 in need of affordable […] More

Conrad Gargett and Architectus have announced the two practices will merge later in 2023.
The alliance will extend the national reach for both practices, which have hailed the merger as “an important milestone.”
Conrad Gargett was established in Brisbane in 1890 and is one of Australia’s oldest firms. It merged with Riddel Architecture in 2012 and Ancher Mortlock Woolley in 2013.
The practice has expertise in health, defence, heritage transport, education and research, infrastructure, residential, retail and hospitality.
Today, it has offices in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Townsville, Sydney and Melbourne, as well as a studio in Ethiopia.

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The National Herbarium of NSW was designed by Architectus, Richard Leplastrier and Craig Burton. Image:

Brett Boardman

Architectus was founded in 2001 through the union of four independent practices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Auckland. It opened offices in Adelaide in 2015 and Perth in 2018.
The practice specializes in builds for aviation, commerce, defence, education, health, living, infrastructure, interiors, rail, urban futures, and the public.
The merger transition is set to take place over the next year. Conrad Gargett managing director Lawrence Toaldo will join Architectus’s board and become the company’s group director of health and defence.
“For 133 years, Conrad Gargett has been evolving and diversifying its offering. Merging with Architectus marks an exciting next chapter for our practice, allowing us to offer both scale and expertise nationally and internationally,” Toaldo said.
“We share with Architectus deep cultural synergies and a closely aligned design philosophy of creating resilient and meaningful places for people that are both poetic and pragmatic.”
Architectus CEO Ray Brown said, “Our merger with Conrad Gargett will accelerate the strong growth we’ve experienced in recent years and broaden our expertise in health, defence, and heritage.
“Our ambition is to become Australia’s leading national architecture and design practice, and our merger with Conrad Gargett will ensure we’re well on track to achieve this.” More

The National Gallery of Victoria’s popular Melbourne Now exhibition will return in 2023 with another survey of contemporary art, design and architecture from the past decade.
“Melbourne Now is a showstopping and dynamic survey of work by more than 200 leading Victorian-based practitioners, offering an exciting and thought-provoking snapshot of the limitless creativity empowering this city and its surrounds,” said NGV director Tony Ellwood. “Ranging from large-scale, never-before-seen commissions through to moments of quiet reflection and contemplation, this exhibition highlights the diverse talents of Victorian artists and designers who are at the forefront of contemporary practice world-wide.”
Victoria’s public and residential architecture will form two key components of the exhibition.
Civic Architecture will exhibit five projects that catalyzed the urban transformation of their surrounding neighbourhoods. The projects include: Geelong Library and Heritage Centre by ARM Architecture, Caulfield to Dandenong Level Crossing Removal by Cox Architecture and Aspect Studios, Town Hall Broadmeadows by Kerstin Thompson Architects, Dandenong Municipal Building and Civic Square by Lyons and Rush Wright Associates, and RMIT New Academic Street by Lyons ith NMBW Architecture Studio, Harrison and White, MvS Architects, Maddison Architects and TCL.
To accompany the projects, Simulaa will make a series of 3D-printed models that depict the street furniture, utilities and objects found where each project is located.

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WPI Older Women’s Housing Project by Studio Bright. Image:

Rory Gardiner

Victoria’s residential architecture will also be exhibited alongside contemporary future design in No House Style. Six houses by Austin Maynard, Baracco and Wright, Clare Cousins Architects, Edition Office, Kennedy Nolan, and Studio Bright will be complemented by the works of 12 furniture, lighting and object designers “to establish a picture of contemporary Melbourne architecture and design that is independent, original, plural and expressive of contemporary issues and values,” the NGV said.
N’arweet Carolyn Briggs and Sarah Lynn Rees’s installation Gathering Space: Ngargee Djeembana will also be displayed at Melbourne Now. Originally exhibited at the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art as part of Who’s Afraid of Public Space?, the installation comprises 55 pieces of construction materials commonly used in public space, Indigenous to Victoria and representative of Country and place. The installation brings together two subjects: First Nations knowledge and design thinking, and the built environment.
Design Wall, part of the 2013 edition of Melbourne Now, will also return with installation of consumer products designed in Melbourne over the past decade, including guitars, ladders, pillows, luggage and motorbikes.
Melbourne Now will be on display from 24 March to 20 August at the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia. Entry is free. More