Evelyn Reynolds

Aria Property Group and Koichi Takada Architects have resubmitted their Urban Forest project in South Brisbane for development approval. First submitted in 2020, the developer’s initial application for a 30-storey tower was subsequently reduced to 20 storeys to gain council approval, however the downsized scheme was unable to be realised at the time due to increased construction costs and market conditions.
In order to meet recent housing demand, local council and state government recently implemented a Temporary Local Planning Instrument in the Kulrilpa area, reducing the site’s previous limitations around building height and carparking. The mechanism has enabled Aria to submit the new 30-storey design for the site at 23–25 Glenelg Street.

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By countering the urban heat island effect with a lush urban landscape, the reimagined project hopes to set a new standard for environmental sustainability in Australia. Koichi Takada, principal of Koichi Takada Architects, commented, “When designing Urban Forest, it was our ambition to make it one of the greenest residential projects in the world. We want to inspire a competitive shift from the tallest buildings to the greenest.”
According to a statement from the developer, the proposal responds to nearby Musgrave Park by incorporating 827 trees and 27,000 plants to “create a thriving urban forest.” The building’s landscaping footprint covers 200 percent of the site area with 251 plant species.
The proposal also features a public park under the building, echoing Aria’s nearby Fish Lane development. Spanning 1,350 square metres of area, this park will include a stage, outdoor classrooms, amphitheatre and event space. At its centre, a privately-managed information centre will provide education on the biodiversity, design and maintenance of the building and its landscape.

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According to Aria design manager Simon Maurice, the team’s approach has been “to celebrate Brisbane’s subtropical climate and bring the traditional backyard experience into each apartment.” By oversizing balconies and ensuring cross-ventilation to apartments, the proposal hopes to set a new benchmark for Brisbane City Council’s Buildings that Breathe guidelines.
Aria development director Michael Hurley expressed his enthusiasm about contributing to Brisbane’s housing supply while also setting a precedent for sustainable architecture worldwide.
“As we lead towards the 2032 Olympics, Brisbane should be embracing more green and sustainable towers that will put our city on an international standing,” Hurley said. “In time, we want Brisbane to be mentioned in the same breath as Singapore as a global leader in green buildings and sustainability.” More

Walker Corporation have recently lodged a development application for twin towers within Maroochydore city centre on Brisbane’s Sunshine Coast. Titled, “SOL,” the design by Plus Architecture comprises two 19-storey residential buildings above a podium of ground floor retail spaces and two levels of commercial offices.
Walker Corporation’s managing director and chief executive officer David Gallant noted the project’s site is strategically positioned to boost the region’s housing supply, with billions of dollars being invested to create a purpose-built CBD. “SOL will bring 251 […] apartments and townhouses to the Maroochydore City Centre next door to jobs, restaurants, cafes and future transport links, all within walking distance of the beach,” he said.
Of the 251 dwellings, the proposal includes a variety of residential typologies, including shoptop units, townhouses, and one-, two-, three- and four-bed apartments. According to the architect’s design excellence statement, this mix is intended to accommodate diverse lifestyles and family structures.

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In its form, the project draws inspiration from the undulating landscapes and waterways of the Sunshine Coast, employing sculptural tower shapes that are oriented to maximise ocean, river and hinterland views. Deep slab projections and permeable balustrades have been designed to amplify natural light and airflow while creating strategic shading.
Chrisney Formosa, principal at Plus Architecture, reflected, “An appreciation of the Sunshine Coast’s natural beauty is at the heart of our design for SOL. We’ve crafted spaces that not only harmonise with the subtropical climate but also foster a deep connection between residents and their environment. From the thoughtful integration of public and private realms to the innovative amenities, every aspect of SOL is designed to elevate the urban living experience in Maroochydore.”

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The development will be assessed by Economic Development Queensland. Pending development approval, construction is anticipated to start on site mid-2025. More

The University of Tasmania has opened the final and largest building of their new campus in Launceston. The $97 million Willis Street building, built by Fairbrother and designed by Wardle, is the final piece of the puzzle in the university’s relocation from Newport to Inveresk, which has been ongoing since 2017 with an original masterplan by McBride Charles Ryan.
Vice-chancellor Professor Rufus Black commented that the $304 million new campus development at Inveresk, known as the Northern Transformation Program, has been the culmination of a decade of planning, collaboration and partnership between the university, the community and all three levels of government, representing a deep commitment to regional education.
Wardle, who was engaged with Aspect Studios to prepare an urban design framework for the site in 2019, also designed the campus’s award-winning Inveresk Library and River’s Edge building, along with modifications to the relocated Riawunna Centre. The newly completed Willis Street building, located on the east side of the river, connects to the main campus via the laykila/North Esk pedestrian and cycle bridge.
Known as The Shed, the building hosts the university’s health, medicine and science faculties across two wings that are joined by a central courtyard-like atrium. The building’s name and the orientation of the wings honours the two railway sheds that previously occupied the site into the mid-1900s.

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Wardle’s design includes simulation facilities for nursing students, a sensory lab for food science testing and several scientific research laboratories and clinics. According to Wardle partner James Loder, the building’s form departs from the uniform envelopes of surrounding industrial buildings by crafting openings that reveal “innovative demonstrations of contemporary learning and research environments to the wider urban environment.”
Inside, the building also creates spaces for community by accommodating health education programs for children and older adults, professional development workshops, sports science testing and wellbeing initiatives. It includes fully accessible changing facilities available for public use, a parenting room and a café.
Black noted that “as well as providing facilities equal to any in the nation for students and staff, The Shed will serve families, children, the community, the city and the region that shaped it. That is what this building, and our overall presence at Inveresk, is all about.”
Alongside community, sustainability is also at the core of The Shed, which employs structural Tasmanian timber, recyclable materials and finishes, and energy efficient building services. According to a statement from the University of Tasmania, The Shed has 35 percent less embodied carbon than similar projects and has set nation-leading benchmarks in low carbon building.
According to Loader, “The Shed is a building that consciously celebrates the endeavour of its inhabitants while establishing continuity with its context. It does this by foregrounding environmental responsibility and expanding the repertoire of industrial building types to promote the growth of a place-based university that is committed to forging deep and interdependent relationships between region, city, precinct and campus.”
With the final part of the campus now complete, 2025 will see the university’s entire cohort of students and staff based at Launceston’s Inveresk campus. More

The 2024 Australian Timber Design Awards have been announced with 15 projects receiving awards, including one in the United States.
The awards promote and encourage outstanding timber design in the built environment professions.
The aim of the awards is to develop a timber design ethos through the encouragement and showcasing of superlative timber design in a variety of applications.
The Timber Design Awards are open to builders, designers, architects, engineers and landscapers or anyone involved in the design or building of structures that feature timber. A Rising Star Award is available to students and entrants aged 35 and under.
Australian Timber Design Award 2024
Embassy of Australia in Washington, D.C. – Bates Smart
Residential Class 1 – New Buildings
Taroona House – Candour and Archier
Residential Class 1 – Alteration or Addition
Verandah Terraces – Phorm Architecture and Design
Fitout – Residential
Northcote House – LLDS
Commercial Building
T3 Collingwood – Jackson Clements Burrows Architects
Public Building
Michael Kirby Building (Macquarie University Law School) – Hassell Studio
Fitout – Commercial and Public
Embassy of Australia, Washington DC – Bates Smart
Furniture and Joinery
Holocene House – Cplusc Architects and Builders
Standalone Structure
Fernery at Ballarat Botanic Gardens – Balance Architecture and Interior Design
Sustainability
Berninneit Cultural and Community Centre – Jackson Clements Burrows Architects
Rising Star
River House – Sarah Shearman, Brother Nature Design
International Projects
Embassy of Australia, Washington DC – Bates Smart
People’s Choice
Michael Kirby Building (Macquarie University Law School) – Hassell Studio
Australian Certified Timber
Irrawaddy – Incidental Architecture
Recycled Timber
First Steps Count Child and Community Centre – Austin McFarland Architects More

The City of Sydney is inviting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, architects and creatives to reimagine a narrow terrace in Redfern into a living museum.
Built in the 1880s, the terrace located at the intersection of Caroline and Hugo streets originally served as both a shop and a residence. It later became a dressing room and storage area for the adjacent sawmill before eventually becoming unoccupied. Today, the vacant building features a “Welcome to Redfern” mural, which was created by Reko Rennie alongside young, local Aboriginal artists in 2013.

The council is now accepting proposals to transform the terrace’s interior into a space for showcasing and collecting contemporary and archival local materials, as well as storytelling.
Curator Emily McDaniel said the competition will be accepting submissions from First Nations artists, architects, filmmakers and sound designers. “It could be a museum, an artist studio or artwork, and somewhere community can share knowledge and creativity,” she said.

Following occupation in Australia, Redfern became home to many First Nations people. During the Great Depression in the 1930s, extended families began relocating to the area to seek work and make a living. Caroline Street and its vicinity, referred to as The Block, emerged as a vital gathering place for Sydney’s Aboriginal communities.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the conversion of the terrace into a living museum ensures Redfern’s rich history as a hub for First Nations community, culture and activism is told.

“This project is inspired by the pride, courage and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and we hope it will become a landmark where important contemporary and historic Aboriginal stories are shared in a rapidly changing urban environment,” Moore said.
“The City of Sydney is committed to redressing the imbalance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander recognition and perspectives in the public domain by investing in these artworks and places. By acknowledging our shared past, we are laying the groundwork for a future which embraces all Australians, a future based on mutual respect and shared responsibility for this land.”
The Lord Mayor said the terrace transformation would complement plans to upgrade three neighbourhood parks in the area, including the reserve where the building is located.
“As our city grows and more areas are developed, creating inviting places where the local community can come together and socialise is even more important,” she said.
Three shortlisted proposals will be selected from the entry pool. Assessors will look favourably upon proposals that exhibit originality in concept, as well as a strong conceptual approach and methodology. Entries should adhere to Aboriginal consultation and cultural protocols.
Proposals can be submitted until 19 November. Visit the City of Sydney website to find out more about the selection process or Tenderlink to express your interest. More

The 2024 ArchiTeam Awards finalists have been announced, with 33 projects across five categories recognised for their innovation.
Open to ArchiTeam members across Australia, the awards categories for entries include Residential Alterations and Additions; Residential New; Commercial, Community and Public; Unbuilt; and Innovation and Contribution.
Led by Imogen Pullar (Imogen Pullar Architecture) as jury chair, the 2024 jury comprises Matthew Bird (Studio Bird), Kim Bridgland (Edition Office), Laura Harding (Hill Thalis), Lara Maeseele (Tanner Architects), Mark Simpson (Design Office) and Jessica Agoston (Niche Media/ADR).
The winners of this year’s program will be formally announced at the ArchiTeam Awards Opening Night on Thursday, 21 November in Melbourne.
Residential New Award – up to $1.2 million
Forest Road House – Wiesebrock Architecture
Inverloch Beach House – Birthisel Wittingslow Architects
Little More House – MEGA
Life Down a Lane – Tom Robertson Architects
Little Brick House – Ben Callery Architects
Mount Macedon House – Ben Lance Architects

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Residential New Award – above $1.2 million
Dennis House – Olaver Architecture
Gable Park – Weaver and Co Architects
Tea House – Krisna Cheung Architects

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Residential Alterations and Additions – up to $700,000
Austin House – Fowler and Ward
Bob’s Bungalow – Blair Smith Architecture
Brunswick West House – Nardel Architects
House in Lilyfield – Charmaine Pang Architect
Heartbeat House – Mihaly Slocombe Architects
Kirribilli Downsize Apartment – Tsai Design
Little Brick Cottage – Perversi-Brooks Architects
Park St House – Michael Ong Design Office

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Residential Alterations and Additions – between $700,000 and $1.2 million
Hale Street – Philip Stejskal Architecture
Life Cycle – Steffen Welsch Architects
Marianne House – Victoria Merrett Architecture
Silhouette House – Inbetween Architecture
Residential Alterations and Additions – over $1.2 million
Fringe Dweller – Mihaly Slocombe Architects
Skygarden – Architecture Architecture
Commercial, Community and Public Award
Brandon Park Primary School – Architecture Architecture
Centred – Sarah Lake Architects
Mackellar Primary School, Accessible Playground – Architecture Architecture
Milanote Headquarters – Fowler and Ward
Olivine Community Pavilion – Canvas Projects
TinyTails Retreat – MET Architecture
Wangun Amphitheatre – Equity Office
Unbuilt Award
Greens Beach Retreat – Field Office Architecture
Conditions of Comfort – Office of Culture, Technology and Architecture (OCTA)
Take Up Your Cross – Holy Trinity Lutheran Church – Sarah Lake Architects
Innovation and Contribution Award
No finalists More

The South Australian government has proposed updated heritage standards for the Goolwa and Port Adelaide State Heritage Areas, in a move that seeks to protect the historical character of two of the state’s oldest maritime precincts from inappropriate future developments.
Port Adelaide was South Australia’s first port (declared as a port in 1837) and the first local government area to be designated as a State Heritage Area due to its vast collection of colonial buildings – the largest collection in the state. Many of these historical nineteenth century structures supported commercial activities related to the shipping trade.
Goolwa also played a vital role in Australia’s trade history during the mid- to late-1800s, serving as a key port along the Murray River for the transportation of goods to and from Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.
The state government is currently revising the existing Guidelines for Development across 17 State Heritage Areas, introducing a new heritage standard for each area. If the revisions receive approval, they will be used to evaluate planning and development applications referred to the heritage minister. The approved standards will also be shared with property owners to offer guidance on permissible modifications and additions to buildings.
Michael Queale, the principal heritage architect for the Department for Environment and Water, said State Heritage Areas serve to protect and celebrate places that hold historical, cultural or natural significance, as well as demostrate the evolution of the state.
“Property owners can use the heritage standard for advice when they submit a development application. It covers what is acceptable for new buildings or changes like fences, pergolas, sheds, adding rainwater tanks, or any development that might affect heritage values,” he said.
“The proposed heritage standard will not change any regulated development application fees, nor does it change the heritage listing status of properties within the State Heritage Area. These properties will continue to be protected.”
The consultation portal for changes related to the Goolwa and Port Adelaide State Heritage Areas is open until 22 November. To have your say, visit the website. More

The City of Subiaco in Perth is inviting expressions of interest from multidisciplinary design teams for the creation of a new building and improved public space in its civic precinct, following the launch of a two-stage procurement process.
Expressions of interest are now open to architecture firms across Australia. Three teams will be shortlisted from the pool of candidates that expressed their interest in the project. Those three teams will then be required to produce concept designs demonstrating their understanding of the project scope, building location and heritage of the civic precinct.
The competition brief involves designing a new council chambers and administration building at 241 Rokeby Road to replace the existing 50-year-old building. The new facility will feature about 150 workplaces, a public lobby that allows for exhibition space, public toilets and a community hub with workshop rooms. Additionally, the landscape design aspect of the brief aims to enhance approximately 13,000 square metres of public space within the precinct, including Rankin Gardens.
Multidisciplinary teams should include both an architect and landscape architect. To qualify, teams must include a lead architect who is a practising architect, architectural company or architectural partnership within Australia, that is eligible to register as an architect in Western Australia, in accordance with the Architects Act 2004 (WA).
A jury of design experts has been selected to assess entries alongside the City of Subiaco council. This jury comprises government architect for Western Australia, Emma Williamson; Emeritus Professor of Architecture, University of Western Australia, Geoffrey London; Professor of Architecture (Urbanism) at RMIT University, Mark Jacques, and director of Shelley Penn Architect, Shelley Penn.
The registration portal is now open and will close on 14 November 2024. Proposals for stage one must be submitted by 21 November. The shortlist for stage one will be revealed on 27 January 2025, while the competition winner will be announced in mid-2025.

Following the announcement of the winner, the detailed design phase of the project will commence, accompanied by a period of community consultation. More