Evelyn Reynolds

Four Australian designs have been selected from an international design competition hosted by Airbnb, turning 100 of the whackiest design concepts into realities. Under its $10 million OMG! fund, each successful applicant will receive up to USD $100,000 (around AUD $144,000) to realise their design.
Among the successful Australian designs, one submission was created by a brother-and-sister design team, comprising the founder of a tiny house provider and a University of Melbourne architecture and design student.
Matt Decarne created Elsewhere Pods as a luxury eco-tourism accommodation provider using stylish, customisable pods. The design, led by architecture student Natalie Decarne, takes the modern and minimalist aesthetic and modular structure of the Elsewhere Pods, and “supercharges” it in a cantilevered glass structure designed for Daylesford in Victoria.
“Kangaroom”, as it has been titled, connects occupants seamlessly with the outdoor environment, employing the concept of a “reverse zoo”, enabling visitors to observe local kangaroos in their natural habitat.

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“Kangaroom” floating pod designed by brother-and-sister duo Matt and Natalie Decarne.

Other winning concepts by Australian entrants included a luxury bubble on top of a mountain, an eco-igloo dome situated in a rainforest, and a salvaged Boeing 737 reimagined as a lodging.
Airbnb launched the competition in June, calling on the imaginations of architects, designers and DIYers to conjure up visions for the next homes in its OMG! category of weird and wonderful stays.
The competition received tens of thousands of entries from around the world, from which 100 designs were selected from 23 countries. The competition ran for one month and applications were reviewed by a judging panel including Australian architect Koichi Takada.
The winning ideas stood out for their “unique and inspiring design, sustainable consideration, and novel ways of offering immersive guest experience,” a spokesperson for Airbnb said. More

Held at the International Convention and Exhibition Centre in Sydney from 20 to 22 October 2022, Design Show Australia presented more than 100 exhibitor stands and a full program of speaker sessions across three stages. Here, we pick some of our stand highlights from the 2022 Sydney show.
Snelling
This multidisciplinary lighting, furniture and objects studio based in New Zealand presented an intimate “cave” of their creations. Shaped by Bec Snelling’s formal training as a fine artist and her years of experience as a designer, the sculptural yet functional pieces literally glistened and shined on the stand. The result was a space that felt like an art gallery rather than an exhibition stand.

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Design Show Australia at the International Convention and Exhibition Centre Sydney. Image:

Courtesy of National Media

Nau
At the Nau lounge from Cult Design, Adam Goodrum’s new Lincoln sofa was on show alongside the new Nest Monochrome tables and Furl coat stand. Also on show were the Nami Dining Table and Sia Chair by Tom Fereday and the the Jolly pendant light by Kate Stokes. Styled among an understated backdrop of layered sheer curtains from Kvadrat Maharam, the stand felt like a beautiful residential setting.
Sugi
While tiny, this stand had big impact. Lined with Sugi’s Japanese cedar in different finishes, it gave the impression of a peaceful Japanese cabin – a huge feat in a busy trade show. The simple, authentic design by New Zealand-based Scott Fitzsimons Studio was a favourite of mine, and really captured the honest material, which is available from Japanese Timber Australia. And it smelled good too!
Australia’s Next Top Designer
Shining a spotlight on emerging designers and makers, Australia’s Next Top Designer’s Showcase presented an array of original and exciting products and concepts shaping the future of design. Some favourites of mine were the Channel Lamp by Anonymous Design Haus, the glass sculptures by Sasa Barnes, and the Shaved Timber vessels by Bolaji Teniola. The next gen of designers are certainly ones to watch.

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Design Show Australia at the International Convention and Exhibition Centre Sydney.

Artichoke Lounge
What type of proud editor would I be if I didn’t mention our very own Artichoke Lounge? Designed by Lisa at Freehand Design Studio with product from the Nau collection from Cult Design, the stand presented the perfect opportunity to lounge around, get some work done and pick up a free magazine in the process – all while being surrounded by Adam Goodrum’s Chameleon table, his Don, Molloy, Softply and Mega Tulip chairs and Tom Fereday’s Sia chair. More

Former prime minister Paul Keating and NSW premier Dominic Perrottet joined forces for a press conference in which both launched a “misguided and completely unwarranted attack” on the Australian Institute of Architects’ NSW chapter, labelling it “fruitcakes.”
The press conference was held on 20 October to announce height and floor space limits to development at Central Barangaroo, following the latest modification (9) that seeks to increase the gross floor area and approved building envelopes.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said, “Today, we provide certainty to Infrastructure NSW in relation to development here, ensuring that it is in keeping with this local area. Ultimately, by preserving the public amenity and public space, we ensure that Barangaroo is there for the people of NSW, not for vested interests.
“By restricting the floor space limit, we’ll ensure better public space, less shadowing, and ultimately […] better sightlines from Observatory Hill down to Central Barangaroo.”
Former prime minister Paul Keating said Barangaroo is a “world ranking outcome” and slammed the Australian Institute of Architects for its continued advocacy for due process and public benefit.
He also criticised Hill Thalis Architecture and Urban Projects’ competition-winning proposal for Barangaroo. “That dull proposal issued by Philip Thalis […] was basically keeping the concrete wharf and grass with a few buildings down one end and we’re supposed to say, ‘Oh, fantastic’. It was a piece of rubbish, that’s why it got ignored,” Keating said.
Keating was a member of the jury that unanimously awarded the competition to the Hill Thalis-led team.

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The original competition winning proposal by Hill Thalis Architecture + Urban Projects, Paul Berkemeier Architect and Jane Irwin Landscape Architects.

“If you need kitchen amendments, or another odd toilet off the corridor, Philip Thalis is your person.”
Keating praised the Wilkinson Eyre-designed Crown casino tower as “probably the most beautiful in Australia, easily. And at 75 storeys it’s one of the most important on its kind in the world.
“[But] we’re supposed to join with those fruitcakes at the NSW Institute of Architects to say, ‘Oh no, this is shocking, we can’t have that.’
“What really gives them horrors at the Institute of Architects is that the public love this place. The public are down here all the time. You know that public, just those ordinary people, what do they matter? They’re not members of the Institute.”
Perrottet also added, “I agree with the former prime minister. The Institute of Architects have no idea.”

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Photo of the Crown Sydney Tower taken from Observatory Park by Xer0_onPC, licensed under CC-BY-SA-4.0

The Australian Institute of Architects hit back at the politicians for “twisting tales.”
In a statement the Institute said it “will continue to advocate for design-centred planning to benefit the entire community rather than a select few.”
“We represent our members and the community to ensure planning processes are robust, equitable and transparent,” said national president Shannon Battisson.
The Institute also told its member that it has written a letter to the premier demanding an apology for the “distasteful, derogatory and false remarks that have, of course, caused outrage among many of our members.”
“The facts of the matter are that at no time in recent months has the NSW Chapter made derogatory comments on the Wilkinson Eyre tower, or on the design elements of the Barangaroo site project itself,” wrote Battisson and NSW president Laura Cockburn. “The Institute does not negatively pass judgement on the work of members of our profession. It is our role, however, to point out government process discrepancies and failures which impact our profession and the general public, and this has been the case historically with the Barangaroo site.” More

Melbourne Polytechnic’s Collingwood campus is undergoing a $40-million revitalization, designed by Tectura Architects. The redevelopment will include the refurbishment and modernization of the existing multi-storey building, to include new teaching and learning spaces, collaboration and library spaces, and front-of-house and student services. Upgrades to the precinct will also include the construction of an entirely new […] More

Architeam has announced the finalists for its 2022 awards, marking its 15th awards year since its inception.
Architeam is a membership association for Australian architects in small, medium and emerging practices. With 1,000 members nationally, the association has been supporting young and small-scale practices for 30 years.
The awards were open to all association members around Australia and included categories for new residential projects; residential alterations and additions; commercial, community and public architecture; unbuilt projects; and awards for innovation and contribution.
This year’s jury comprised chair Adam Newman of NWMN Architects, Fiona Dunin of FMD, Rory Hyde from Melbourne School of Design, Amy Muir of Muir Architecture, Jenni Officer of Officer Woods, Will Fung of CO-AP Architects, and Anthony Gill of practice his of the same name.
Winners will be announced on Friday 18 November to coincide with Architeam’s 30th anniversary.

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Light Scoop House by Molecule Studio. Image:

Tom Ross

Residential New Award
Residential (new) awards were divided into three subcategories: new builds up to $1 million, and new builds over $1 million. Finalists in this category were recognised for their “creativity and innovation”, as well as their responses to site and budget.
Finalists for new residential up to $1 million are:
Jan Juc Studio – Eldridge Anderson Architects
Canning Street – Foomann Architects
Light Scoop House ­– Molecule Studio
Burnley – Sonelo Architects
Finalists for new residential over $1 million are:
Bellbird House – Bower Architecture and Interiors
West Bend House – MRTN Architects
Beach Slice – Steffen Welsch Architects
Bermagui Beach House – Winter Architecture

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Periscope House by Architecture Architecture. Image:

Tom Ross

Residential Alterations and Additions Award
Finalists for Residential Alteration and Additions awards have been broken down into three subcategories by budget: alterations and additions up to $500,000, between $500,000 and $1 million, and over $1 million.
Finalists for residential alterations and additions up to $500,000 are as follows:
Hawthorn I – Agius Scorpo Architects
Mischa’s Place – Circle Studio Architects
Pergola Extension – Krisna Cheung Architects
Arthur – Oscar Sainsbury Architects
Finalists for residential alterations and additions between $500,000 and $1 million are:
Periscope – Architecture Architecture
Weather House – Mihaly Slocombe Architects
Northcote House – Mitsuori Architects
Ponds – WOWOWA
Finalists for residential alterations and additions over $1 million are:
Wakanui Trail House – Ben Callery Architects
Higham Road House – Philip Stejskal Architecture
Carlton North Residence – Project 12 Architecture

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Spring Bay Mill by Gilby and Brewin Architecture. Image:

Adam Gibson

Commercial, Community and Public Award
The award for Commercial, Community and Public architecture could include multi-residential projects over $2 million, offices, hospitality venues, retail shops, community centres, places of worship, showrooms, architectural studios, warehouses and more. The finalists for this category are as follows:
Spring Bay Mill – Gilby and Brewin Architecture
Cowes Primary School New Gymnasium – Project 12 Architecture
Butcher Shop Convert – Tsai Design
Hampton Park Secondary College Senior Learning Centre – WOWOWA
Unbuilt Award
Entries for the Unbuilt Award should reflect unrestrained conceptual ideas, not-yet-realized architectural projects, or designs in other mediums based on architectural principles. This year, there were no finalists for the Unbuilt category: only a winner, which will be announced at the awards night in November.
Innovation and Contribution Award
The Innovation and Contribution Award recognizes contribution and/or innovation to architecture beyond the design and production of buildings. Awards in this category should contribute to industry discourse and can take the form of a blog, publication, organised tour or broadcast. An architectural building may also be awarded in this category if it exemplifies a high contribution to the industry and promotes the profession by provoking discussion or public interest. Finalists for this category are as follows:
Black Diasporas ­– Culture as Creative
Lost Lands Found Fence – Public Realm Lab
Voting for the People’s Choice Award are still open until 27 October More

A $3 billion “city shaping” commercial precinct has been approved for Sydney’s CBD. Central Place Sydney will comprise two towers of 35 and 37 storeys designed by Fender Katsalidis and SOM, and an eight storey “Connector” building designed by Edition Office. The project will contribute to the NSW government’s vision to transform a 24-hectare area […] More

Disability service provider Rocky Bay has released concept designs for a new health and community hub on its recently acquired Belmont site. Hames Sharley’s Perth studio was selected as the preferred design team following a competitive tender process. Rocky Bay managing director Michael Tait said the proposal demonstrated a strong understanding of the organization’s requirements […] More