Evelyn Reynolds

The winner of a design competition, which tasked architects with reimagining a portion of the historic Pentridge Village precinct in Melbourne’s Coburg, has been announced.
The winning concept, a preliminary masterplan by DKO Architecture, envisions the 19,000 square metre site – home to the 1851 Pentridge Prison – as a $1.2 billion mixed-use precinct. The design features an activated public realm, community spaces, retail tenancies and multi-residential buildings.
The portion nominated for redevelopment is bordered by Pentridge Boulevard, Urquhart Street, Warden’s Walk and Stockdale Avenue. The state significant site contains several heritage assets that would be preserved as part of the project, such as Ned Kelly’s grave site, the original F Division building made from bluestone and a historic mural by First Nations artist Ronald Bull.

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Property developer and competition organiser Salvo engaged a panel of internal and independent consultants to assess competition entries. The jury deemed the winning practice’s proposal a “carefully considered design response.”
Salvo managing partner James Maitland commended DKO for demonstrating “a deep understanding of the site and surrounding precinct which has critical heritage, planning and design considerations and a distinct neighbourhood character.” “We’re delighted with their preliminary ideas that are responsive to the significance of the heritage assets in terms of their preservation and adaptive reuse, and ensuring highly liveable residential outcomes combined with activated, open public spaces,” he said.

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Design director at DKO Jesse Linardi said the project site is rich in heritage, strong in presence and unique in character. “Key principles underpinning our exploratory design response considered the heritage, program and liveability of the precinct, with activated, open spaces that are demographically and contextually driven and provides a diverse tapestry of urban experiences for residents, the community and visitors alike,” he said.
The precinct is currently occupied by multiple properties that are subject to different planning regulations. The Pentridge Village Masterplan 2008 allows for mixed-use development, including retail, community spaces and multi-residential buildings, with permits in place for approximately 650 apartments.
Adjoining the site on the northern part of the overall precinct is an established retail and residential hub including hotel, cinema, shopping mall, restaurants, cafes, apartments and townhouses.
“We see this site as a significant opportunity to provide additional housing in a well-serviced location within 7.5km of the CBD,” Maitland said.
If approved, the project is anticipated to span a period of more than five years, from initial consultation to completion. It will require extensive consultation with Merri-bek City Council, state government planning authorities, Heritage Victoria and the surrounding community. More

March Studio: Making Architecture, Material and Process
March Studio is a bit of a paradox in my mind. Firstly, you have this very serious studio which has, for the better part of two decades, outputted some of the best retail, residential and hospitality interiors this country has to offer – we’re talking Aesop stores here and overseas, Gazi and Press Club restaurants, the much-replicated Baker D Chirico fitout in Carlton, Hotel Hotel in Canberra, Jackalope Hotel and Sneakerboy stores.
But then ­– and here’s where the paradox comes in – you have Rodney Eggleston running the studio, one of the most unserious, playful and humorous architects I’ve ever had to put up with (and I did have to put up with him for two days and one night when we sat on the Eat Drink Design Awards jury together in 2022, and then hosted the awards together – it was a bloody slog). It’s a nice little footnote then to read Rodney’s thoughts on humour and humility in architecture on page 112 of March Studio: Making Architecture, Material and Process, a new book from Thames and Hudson – perhaps not a subject matter you or I consider often, but naturally Rodney does. Alongside partner Anne-Laure Cavigneaux (who I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting yet, hello Anne-Laure if you’re reading this), Rodney has built a studio which is not just prolific and ambitious, but dedicated to investigation, testing and prototyping – not an easy feat in the fast-paced, budget-conscious world we live in. It’s a great book, a real reminder of the breadth and excellence of March Studio’s work.
Sammy side table from Alor and James Walsh

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Alor Studio and Melbourne designer James Walsh have teamed up to create a chunky little side table called Sammy. Highlighting the beauty of solid American oak, walnut and ash, and with large, curved legs and sweeping details, Sammy showcases FSC-certified timber without the price tag that usually comes with it. I’d personally love this little number by my sofa, with a stack of good design books atop.
Puddle Table by Daniel Boddam

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I first met Daniel Boddam in 2016 when the architect had just finished his first furniture collection called Monument. I interviewed him for a story for Houses magazine and we gasbagged about the collection and his honeymoon in Rome and the Pantheon, which provided the inspiration for pieces in that collection.
Since then he’s released eight more collections, most recently Circular, a collaboration with artist Jessie French. My favourite of the collection is the Puddle Table, which encases algae artworks in glass and sets them within a curvilinear shroud of recycled aluminium, creating the illusion of water puddles. The pieces are designed to nest together, with an elliptical side table that cantilevers over the coffee table. From Pantheon to puddles, Boddam’s journey through furniture design continues to delight.
Colourscape lights by Hothaus

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Melbourne glassblowers Amanda Dziedzic and Laurel Kohut have teamed up to create Hothaus Glass and it’s crystal clear this debut lighting collection is hot (ahem, sorry). The Colourscape series of wall lights is an homage to the stunning, ever-changing hues of the Australian sky.
“With HausLights, we wanted to push the boundaries of traditional glassmaking while infusing our designs with a modern touch,” said Dziedzic. “Our lights are not just about functionality—they’re about creating an experience that transforms and enhances your surroundings.”
This new collection is a real glass act (okay, I’m done).
Lunetta collection by Sally Caroline

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Melbourne-based interior designer Sally Caroline has ventured into furniture design with the launch of SC Collection. The Lunetta collection of stools is described as “humble in silhouette but confident in colour” and draws inspiration from the charming hotel terraces of the Amalfi Coast which Sally names as her most cherished travel destination. Elegant arched motifs brace the stool’s steel frame, finished with a delicate link detail that adds subtle embellishment. It’s the perfect place to perch while sipping an Aperol Spritz (try saying that ten times fast). More

On 21 August 2024, leaders of the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA), USA National Council of Architect Registration Boards (NCARB) and New Zealand Registered Architects Board (NZRAB) agreed on a new Mutual Recognition Agreement at an event in Wellington, New Zealand.
The new agreement revises an existing Mutual Recognition Agreement with the United States, improving access to international practice by removing the requirement to hold one of the three national passports, expanding eligibility requirements and streamlining data laws.
One of the key benefits of the new agreement is that architects no longer need to work the previously mandated 6,000 hours (approximately three years) after registering to apply, meaning that newly registered architects are able to participate. As AACA president Dr Giorgio Marfella pointed out, “This new agreement further strengthens opportunities for sharing know-how and creativity, providing easier processes of exchange and recognition for architects at all levels of experience.”
In Australia, New Zealand and most US states there are no additional examinations beyond local registration and successful completion of the Mutual Recognition Agreement. While some US states may have additional requirements, it is expected that the new changes will boost the number of US states participating in the agreement.
Speaking of agreements already in place between Australia and the United Kingdom, Singapore, Japan, Canada, and New Zealand, AACA chief executive officer Kathlyn Loseby commented that the “mutual recognition programs are helping local architects to go global. We’ve already seen the success of our United Kingdom agreement, with more architects moving both ways across borders.”
Registered architects will be able to apply for fast-tracked recognition of their qualifications from 6 November 2024. More

Renewal SA has invited community consultation on indicative concept designs for transforming the former Adelaide Bus Station site on Franklin Street into a mixed-use precinct.
Under the draft plans, the former bus station site would be redeveloped into a 200-suite hotel, a build-to-rent development, market housing for sale, and commercial and retail tenancies. The plans indicate the mixed-use precinct, named Tapangka on Franklin, would supply accommodation to approximately 1,000 people and include 35 percent affordable housing.
Woods Bagot are the architects behind the redevelopment leading the design and masterplanning, with Hip V. Hype operating as the sustainability consultants.
The draft proposal highlights the ambition for the new hub to become Adelaide’s first carbon-neutral precinct. Tapangka on Franklin will target key sustainability objectives relating to energy efficiency, thermal performance, climate resilience and circular economy. The design will also prioritise alternative modes of transportation over driving, such as walking, cycling and public transport.
Key features of the indicative design include an activated public plaza and landscaped open spaces.

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Minister for Planning Nick Champion said the vision behind the project is to establish a “benchmark for sustainable development” in South Australia.
“This development will bring visitors and workers into the precinct and help more people secure housing through affordable sales and rental,” he said. “We are keen to hear from South Australians about what they think of the draft plans and in particular what elements could be incorporated to activate the public spaces.”
The SA government has allocated $1.2 million to upgrade existing public spaces within close proximity to the proposed precinct – on Bowen and Grote streets.
Construction is anticipated to begin in 2026 following the appointment of a project team.
Renewal SA is seeking design feedback on buildings, public spaces, transportation connectivity, and sustainability. Commentary is able to be submitted until 15 September. More

Preliminary design renders for the new $1.2 billion Bundaberg Hospital in Queensland have been released.
The new hospital – to be located in Thabeban, Bundaberg – will accommodate both critical and non-critical healthcare departments, including acute, medical, surgical, and mental health, as well as emergency and clinical support services. The healthcare facility seeks to respond to the current and future medical needs of the region’s growing population.

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In August 2023, Billard Leece Partnership (BLP) was appointed to lead the design of the new hospital, in collaboration with Cox Architecture. The architects are part of the CPB Contractors consortium, which was selected as the preferred bidder for stage one of the development by the Queensland government. The consortium is working alongside Queensland Health (Health Infrastructure Queensland) and Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service.
The six-storey building will not only accommodate spaces for medical treatment but will also incorporate spaces that promote healing and wellbeing, training and education and rehabilitation.
It will house 121 overnight beds; teaching, training and research spaces; a palliative care unit; a children’s ward; maternity birth suites; a staff dining area; a pathology area; allied health unit; a pharmacy, and a rooftop helipad.

The design is based on a concept called “Stories of the Land,” which emphasises connections to the natural environment, specifically focusing on water, geology and land. As such, references to the region’s water bodies, flora and fauna, soil and geology have been woven into the design.
Construction is anticipated to commence in 2024. The hospital is expected to be complete in late 2027. More

A Queensland architecture practice has been shortlisted in an international open design competition for a new conservation centre in the Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya.
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) competition attracted more than 100 entries from 32 different countries, however only four will advance to the next stage.
Australian firm Hayman and Charlton Architects have been shortlisted, alongside fellow contenders DCS and Architects (Italy), Studio Moren (UK), and Void Studios (UK).
Entrants were challenged with designing an “innovative and engaging” conservation centre that could be used to facilitate tourist education about conservation in the reserve and the traditions of the Maasai people. The purpose of the centre is to deepen visitors’ knowledge of the significance of the Maasai Mara region – as the site where millions of animals journey to during the Great Migration that occurs annually.

Florence Nyole, who serves as the president of the Architectural Association of Kenya and as a member of the competition jury, said the contest garnered “outstanding architectural talent,” with many submissions capturing both the spirit of place and the Maasai culture.
“The forms, the rich colours and the flow of spaces met the brief with most of them exceeding our expectations. It was a tough session for the jury but the emerging top four showed exemplary solutions that can be taken further to give conservancy a breathtaking centre,” said Nyole.

The shortlisted candidates will receive comprehensive feedback on their proposals to facilitate additional refinement before the final presentation of the scheme and an interview.

The winning practice will be announced in November 2024. More

The Australian Institute of Architects Curatorial Committee for the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale has unveiled its shortlist for the creative director of the Australia Pavilion.
Among 21 entries, four consortia have been selected as finalists. All of the shortlisted teams will now progress to the next stage, where they will prepare and present an extended proposal to the curatorial committee.
The four teams include:

Jessica Spresser and Peter Besley – Redux
Ian Strange, Fleur Watson and Jon Clements – Precarious Actions – The Marked Home
Georgia Birks, Ewan McEoin, Rachel Nolan, Dr Timothy Moore and Ross Harding – A New Normal
Jack Gilmer, Emily McDaniel and Michael Mossman – Home

One winner will be selected to lead Australia’s representation at the 2025 Venice Biennale, the premier international architectural forum. The 2025 biennale has been curated by architect and engineer Carlo Ratti, under the theme “Intelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collective.”
Jane Cassidy, the national president of the Institute and a member of the curatorial committee, said the committee envisions a captivating exhibition that responds to the curatorial theme.

The winning exhibition will be one that not only connects with a global audience, but that also speaks to an Australian demographic to align with any future exhibitions in Australia following the biennale.

“The 2025 Venice Biennale Curatorial Committee’s vision is to tell a rich and engaging story, showcase original ideas and describe the depth of our architectural expertise. It also provides the opportunity to promote the value of architecture nationally within Australia,” Cassidy said.
The selected creative director will be announced in October 2024, while the Australia Exhibition will open to the world on 8 May 2025. More

The Woods Bagot-designed Melbourne Quarter Tower has opened, marking the completion of the third and final commercial tower in the Melbourne Quarter precinct.
Sited across from the Southern Cross Station, the objective behind the precinct is to activate and connect a previously underutilised gap between the CBD grid and Docklands. The Melbourne Quarter Tower (MQT), at 426 feet tall, is the largest of five office and residential towers in the precinct.

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The tower form responds to its context, adopting a concave on one face of the building to echo the curve of Wurundjeri Way. Woods Bagot principal Hazel Porter said the tower’s embrace of Wurundjeri Way responds to one of the primary objectives of the masterplan, which aimed to tie together the built form along Collins Street.
“Maximising the volumetric titles, the tower rises directly over the freeway, returning valuable inner-city space back to the public,” Porter said.

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Internally, the commercial levels of the building, which accommodate offices and workspaces, are approximately 2,000 square metres in size, with the upper floors gradually tapering as the building curves in. The double-height lobby features a verdant vertical wall that contrasts with the neutral tones of the sandstone flooring and timber wall battens. The interior of the topmost level features a sweeping modular timber ceiling that conceals the building’s plant room.
The Melbourne Quarter precinct is among one of the largest mixed-use urban regeneration developments to occur in the city. More than 50 percent of the 2.5 hectare precinct has been dedicated to public open space. At the heart of the hub is a central park, named the Sky Park, which the new buildings revolve around. More