Evelyn Reynolds

Designs for a new 17-storey, build-to-rent tower in Abbotsford have been released, with the project targeting the title of Melbourne’s tallest residential mass timber building.
Build-to-rent group Model released the designs for the proposed $120 million high-rise, which would be sited adjacent to the Victoria Park Railway Station at 276 Johnston Street. If approved, the building would accommodate 200 dwellings – 10 percent of which would be allocated to affordable housing – across a ground floor area of 13,000 square metres.
The project required collaboration from a diverse team of partners, including architects Fraser and Partners, sustainability consultants Hip V. Hype, structural and timber engineers BG&E, urban planners from Urbis, as well as quantity surveyors and carbon planners from Slattery. Feasibility testing was undertaken by Model and its partners over a period of six months before designs were released.
According to Model, the design approach was driven by “decarbonisation at scale,” with the project aiming to achieve a 50 percent reduction in embodied carbon compared to standard developments of a similar scale. Additionally, it aims to be entirely powered by renewable energy and to operate at net-zero emissions. The project is targeting Passive House certification, a 6 Star Green Star rating and a NatHERS rating of 9 stars.
The proposal has been submitted for planning approval via the state government’s Development Facilitation Pathway rather than through the City of Yarra. More

A provocation by 2024 Gold Medallist Philip Thalis at the upcoming ArchitectureAu Asks event challenges experts to consider the reciprocal relationship between architecture and the city context, and how it impacts the quality of urban life today.
The ArchitectureAu Asks event programme originates from an editorial series of the same name, where experts from various sectors of the built environment are presented with a question concerning current and critical issues faced by industry.
The inaugural event features a provocation from Philip Thalis, who has asked invited participants to address the question: “how can architects champion public interest?”
Speakers to offer their perspectives include Isabelle Toland of Aileen Sage Architects; Bradley Kerr of Winsor Kerr; Susan Phillips of Phillips Pilkington Architects; Eloise Atkinson of Deicke Richards; Trent Woods of Officer Woods Architects; James Legge of Six Degrees Architects; Ali Bounds of BVN; Jasmine Placentino of Parabolica, and Mat Hinds of Taylor and Hinds.
In their responses, participants will explore the “publicness” of public buildings, the engagement of our commercial spaces with the surrounding streets, and discuss future possibilities for public and affordable housing.
The event make its debut the day after the 2024 National Architecture Awards in Adelaide on Friday 8 November at the Adelaide Convention Centre. Attendees can earn 3.5 formal CPD points. To find out more about the event, visit here.
ArchitectureAu Asks is a Design Speaks program organised by Architecture Media (publisher of ArchitectureAu) and supported by premium partner Bondor. More

Design renders for the revitalised $150.3 million Perth Concert Hall have been jointly unveiled by the Western Australian and federal governments more than four years after the redevelopment was first announced.
The 2020 Perth City Deal revealed plans for a $52.4 million redevelopment of the 1973 heritage-listed brutalist structure, originally designed by Howlett and Bailey Architects. The deal outlined that construction was expected to be complete in 2022. However, it was only in March 2022 that the design team was appointed – a team comprising With Architecture Studio and OMA.
Further updates regarding the project’s progression were shared in March 2023, when the WA government revealed it would contribute an extra $97.6 million towards the redevelopment, nearly tripling the overall funding specified in the Perth City Deal.
Newly released plans state the building is now expected to be completed at the end of 2027, ready for opening in early 2028.

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The redevelopment will involve restoring the heritage-listed concert hall’s architectural integrity while simultaneously preserving its acoustics and distinctive features. Under the plans, the seating, lighting, and backstage facilities would be updated, new rehearsal and events spaces would be inserted within the building fabric, the foyer would be refurbished, and the southern and northern forecourts would be transformed. The development will also seek to improve venue accessibility through the remodelling of the auditorium entry, lifts and stairs and the relocation of the box office.
Based on the detailed design statement, the level two foyer will be extended to include new bar and social gathering spaces for use during intermissions and between performances. Upon completion, the building will serve as a permanent home for the West Australian Symphony Orchestra.

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The existing venue was the first concert hall to be constructed in Australia after World War II. It is internationally renowned for its acoustics. In 2016, the concert hall earned the Australian Institute of Architects National Award for Enduring Architecture.
Western Australian Minister for Culture and Arts David Templeman said the rejuvenation is much-needed to extend the life of the beloved venue. “The works are vital to safeguard the future of the iconic Perth Concert Hall building for artistic groups, performers and audiences,” he said.
In January 2023, the building celebrated its fiftieth anniversary. Federal Member for Perth, Patrick Gorman, stated that for more than fifty years, the Perth Concert Hall has offered both national and international artists a platform to showcase their talents. “This investment in Perth’s performing arts will pay itself back multiple times over because investing in the arts benefits our entire community,” he said.

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All levels of government are funding the project. The state government has contributed $134.3 million, the Australian government has allocated $12 million, and the City of Perth has committed $4 million.
Construction is scheduled to commence in early 2025. More

The Tasmanian government has announced the design of a new hotel at 41–55 Paterson Street in Launceston, Tasmania. Developed by Creative Property Holdings, the project team includes architect Telha Clarke and Skyscape as project manager.
Nearby schemes, including the proposed hotel at 4–6 Boland Street – also designed by Telha Clarke and approved for development by the City of Launceston in 2021 – and two interconnected hotels on 116–128 Cimitiere Street – designed by Scanlan Architects and approved in 2020 – have yet to be realised.
Tasmanian premier and Minister for Tourism and Hospitality Jeremy Rockliff commented that this new Paterson Street hotel would create local jobs and “further cement Tasmania’s reputation as a year-round tourist destination.” According to Rockliff, the project is part of an ambition to strengthen the diversity of offerings in regional Tasmania.
The proposal at Paterson Street is envisioned as a design hotel precinct, comprising a 190-room, five-star hotel, business and education facilities and 400 square metres of street-fronting hospitality spaces. According to the developers, “the hotel will be thoughtfully curated to offer guests an immersive experience, where they can retreat, recharge, and find inspiration in both the hotel’s unique architecture and the captivating natural and built environments of Launceston and the broader northern region.”
Tim Clarke, co-director of Telha Clarke, described the design’s intent to mediate “between the city’s need for a contemporary architectural landmark and the community’s strong affinity to maintain the historical character of Launceston.”
“The inspiration for the design came from the natural formations of rock and sculptural walkways along the Launceston Gorge. These organic forms have been rethought and transformed in a way that also responds to the existing, rectilinear rhythm of Paterson Street,” said Clarke.

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Given the fallout of similar hotel proposals, the Paterson Street hotel project is eagerly anticipated to improve local amenity and opportunity through the creation of new jobs.
Managing director of Creative Property Holdings Chris Billing observed that “over the past seven years, Launceston has significantly trailed behind Hobart in terms of new high-quality hotel rooms, adding only one-fifth of the new rooms that Hobart has introduced … With major events set to grow, including more AFL and VFL content, it’s important Launceston has the accommodation and choice of designer amenity, to meet the demand.”
Creative Property Holdings have outlined their intention to submit their development application to council in coming months and, subject to approval, begin construction in the latter half of 2025. More

Victorian students undertaking a master’s degree in architecture can now apply for the inaugural Sinclair-Nelson Drawing Scholarship, providing one annual candidate the opportunity to refine their architectural hand-drawing skills through an overseas educational program.
The successful applicant will receive a sum of $10,000, which will be allocated toward undertaking a course of study abroad.
The scholarship, established by the Australian Institute of Architects, was developed from an exhibition curated by architects Bob Sinclair and Roger Nelson, which showcased hand-drawn architectural illustrations by Jon Clements, Kerstin Thompson, Emma Jackson and John Wardle. The grant aims to draw greater attention to the value of the art form.
The scholarship is funded from the proceeds of the sale of works from at the exhibition.
Students in the process of completing an architecture master’s degree at an accredited Victorian university will be eligible to apply.
Entries close on 4 October 2024. To find out more, visit the website. More

This month’s lineup of cultural events includes a discussion on how to design a home for individuals with ADHD and an exhibition that charts the practice of renowned Kamilaroi artist Reko Rennie.

A walkable design festival in the heart of Fremantle, Western Australia, featuring more than 50 design-related events. Michael Patroni and Dimmity Walker, the principals of Fremantle architecture firm Spaceagency, will participate in a discussion as part of a Conversation Series. Graduate architect Austin Nichols and occupational therapist Isabelle Nash will also be participating in the series, contemplating how to design a house for someone who has ADHD. The week-long festival will be held between 18–25 October.

Now in its ninth year, the Tarnanthi Art Fair will be presented entirely online in 2024, offering local and global audiences a chance to connect with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and artworks. This year’s fair brings together thousands of works from more than 50 art centres across Australia. Works including paintings, ceramics, sculpture, woven objects, jewellery, textiles, clothes and homewares are all for sale. The event will run between 18 and 21 October.

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The annual Sydney Craft Week Festival will return this 11–20 October for its eighth instalment. Across ten days, a series of insightful demonstrations, exhibitions, events and conversations will be held – all of which will explore craft as a practice. Exhibiting makers, designers, galleries, shops, guilds, libraries, councils and other organisations have been invited to present works that respond to a topic or issue that perplexes, troubles, inspires or delights them. A diverse range of creative mediums will be on display, including ceramics, metalwork, textiles, and timber objects.

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Rekospective is an immersive exhibition that charts the dynamic practice of renowned Kamilaroi artist, Reko Rennie. More than 100 works will be displayed – some never-before-seen and some internationally recognised – for the largest ever presentation of Rennie’s works. The exhibition resists a conventional chronological sequence, allowing audiences to freely roam the space. This Melbourne-based exhibition will take place between 11 October 2024 and 27 January 2025.

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Following a sold-out inaugural festival in 2023, the Illawarra Festival of Architecture and Design returns to explore new ideas in design and construction. The regional NSW festival will feature a series of house tours, panel discussions and “archibike rides” across the weekend of 26 and 27 October.

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Artemus Group have announced plans to develop the next stage of its Howard Smith Wharves precinct along Brisbane’s riverfront, having submitted a code-assessable development application to Brisbane City Council on 23 September. The proposal overhauls the developer’s previous transformation of the precinct, which commenced on site in 2017 and first opened in November 2018.
Founder and director of Artemus Group Adam Flaskas commented, “We believe this next chapter at Howard Smith Wharves will play a central role in the Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympics, where the river is our stage to showcase Brisbane and Queensland to the world.”
Designed by Little Boat Projects, the proposal includes construction of a nine-storey, 77-room hotel with ground floor retail and a music hall, replacing the existing Felons Barrel Hall. It also involves the insertion of a new pool, bar and dining precinct in the place of the current Rivershed and redevelopment of the single-storey Bougainvillea House event venue into a two-storey building. Improved public access is also addressed in the scheme, which includes two new cliff lifts and riverfront pathways and parklands.

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Project architect Mark Damant said, “This project puts people at its heart. The design is welcoming, comfortable and engaging, creating a space that is truly for everyone.” Damant’s sentiments were reiterated by Artemus Group CEO Luke Fraser, who noted that “as Brisbane grows into a global city, this precinct will set a new standard in design and sustainability. We’re proud to present a vision that will play a pivotal role in shaping Brisbane’s future.”
According to Damant, the design “incorporates subtropical landscape elements, integrating rooftop gardens and facade greenery, while […] initiatives focus on reducing environmental impact and enhancing liveability.” One such effort to reduce packaging waste and traffic movements across the precinct involves the insertion of 12 beverage storage tanks across three locations on the site.

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The proposal qualifies as “expected development” under the Brisbane City Plan 2014. As such, it will be assessed against the city plan’s benchmarks and will not require public notification prior to approval. More

Western Sydney University has announced the recipient of the Frasers Property Australia’s Master of Architecture (Urban Transformation) Scholarship for Women as Amanda Eessa. The $60,00 prize will support Eessa to complete the two-year graduate degree.
Eessa, who grew up and currently lives in Western Sydney, was also recently shortlisted in the student category of the New South Wales Pattern Book Design Competition. Continuing her involvement in local development, Eessa hopes to use the scholarship to focus her interests on public and community architecture, particularly in Sydney’s west.
“I’m leaning towards public infrastructure and amenity that targets lower socio-economic areas. I want to focus on community-based design — designs that speak to various communities. There are lots of spaces that really need some love and good design,” said Eessa.
Frasers Property Australia executive general manager development Emily Wood commented that the scholarship’s aspirations were to ensure “architecture isn’t just male-dominated” nor “seen as a career only available to those from blue chip private school pipelines.”
Brian Falzon, dean of Western Sydney University’s School of Engineering, Design and Built Environment observed that “For women studying architecture at Western, this scholarship has been transformative since its inception in 2020. It not only inspires our students at the School of Engineering, Design, and Built Environment, but also significantly alters the lives of its recipients.”
Eessa is the third recipient of the scholarship, with the 2022 winner Maryann Aziz having graduated in June. More