Artedomus has launched a new collection – the second iteration in Artedomus’s New Volumes Collection series – bringing together talent from a diverse group of Australian designers and creators. Collection 02 is an eight-piece collection that challenges our preconceptions of a product we’re readily familiar with: terracotta. The inaugural volume in the series, launched in […] More
The Australian Institute of Architects has revealed the shortlisted proposals for Australia’s exhibition at the 2023 Venice Architecture Biennale.
Themed “Laboratory of the Future,” the Biennale, curated by Lesley Lokko, challenges participating countries to focus on the dual imperatives of decolonization and decarbonization.
From 17 expressions of interest, the Institute’s Venice Biennale committee has chosen three that will progress to the next stage of the selection process:
Extreme Ex – Kathi Holt, Tim Hill, James Murray, Lindy Johnson, Jay Younger, Peter Jacobsen and Leah Lang
This scheme proposes to highlight the innovative work of architects, scientists and design practitioners in response to Australia’s “extreme” conditions.
“Extreme Ex will showcase Australian design responses to extreme events, land practices, socio-environmental challenges from both contemporary practice and an Indigenous perspective simultaneously,” the creative team said.
Palimpsest – Jessica Spresser, Peter Besley, Georgia Birks and Rory Gardiner
Palimpsest explores the idea that the “laboratory of the future is to build on/with/in what is already there.”
“Australian cities urgently need a compelling language of reuse,” the creative team said. “The idea of palimpsest inherently refutes the blank page, Tabula Rasa, Terra Nullis. It recognizes the pre-existence and equal status of others. It reminds current authors: ‘you too will one day be over-written’. As a mode of practice it represents a shift: build now understanding others will build over, in, with and around you.”
Unsettling Queenstown – Anthony Coupe, Julian Worrall, Ali Gumillya Baker, Emily Paech and Sarah Rhodes
This exhibition proposal explores ideas of decolonization and decarbonization, coupled with regeneration and revitalization.
Taking the example of Queenstown in Tasmania, emblematic of a settler town “built on resource extraction and labour exploitation” with similar examples found all over the world, the exhibition ponders the post-colonial future of these towns.
The creative team explained, “How these possible futures may be shaped in decolonizing ways mobilising collective memory, environmental sustainability and historical justice is the crux of the exhibition.”
The three shortlisted teams will now progress to the interview stage. The winner will be announced in October. More
Two proposed pedestrian and cycle bridges will provide a new gateway into the Perth CBD, spanning across the Derbal Yerrigan (Swan River) from the eastern banks of Point Fraser, over Heirisson Island to Victoria Park foreshore.
The six-metre-wide, cable-stayed bridges will provide new, safer access for many commuters, with an estimated 1,400 cyclists and 1,900 pedestrians expected to use the bridges daily. The bridges will also feature dedicated rest points, enabling moments of pause for path users.
WSP were appointed to undertake architectural and engineering design while Hassell were appointed for the urban design and landscape architecture of the project. “These are WSP’s first cable-stayed bridges in WA, and these society-shaping projects play a key role in helping us benefit communities both today and for years to come,” said Shereen Mikhail, WSP’s Project Director.
Hassell principal Anthony Brookfield said the urban design and landscape architecture is intended to make the commuter journey an “immersive and engaging experience”, telling the stories that acknowledge the significance of the Derbal Yerrigan to the Whadjuk Nyoongar community.
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Renders of the proposed Causeway Pedestrian and Cyclist bridges in Perth. Image:
Causeway Link Alliance
“As a major gateway into and out of the city, this is a great opportunity to transform the journey across the Derbal Yerrigan into one of cultural learning where we acknowledge the history and First Nation’s people who played a significant role as providers and carers for Country,” said Brookfield. “The creation of a revitalized landscape within the context of the new bridges will incorporate these stories.”
The design has been developed with key stakeholders including local governments, Traditional Owners and specialist groups, taking into consideration path user requirements, local developments on either side of the bridges, future maritime height allowances and the needs of existing river users.
The causeway bridges are a Mainroads Western Australia initiative, first announced in 2020 as part of the state’s Building for Tomorrow economic recovery program.
The project is funded under the Perth City Deal, jointly funded by the Australian and Western Australian governments ($50 million each) and the City of Perth.
Construction of the bridges will begin later in 2022 with an estimated completion date in 2024. More
Hobart Airport is set to double in size according to designs by Cox Architecture in a draft masterplan released on 11 August. Hobart Airport chief executive Norris Carter said the masterplan outlines the airport’s vision and strategy objectives for the next 20 years as the major gateway and key economic hub for the state. Woods […] More
FJMT Studio has been appointed project architect on for a new fit-out of Barangaroo Cutaway – part of the NSW government’s redevelopment for the Sydney Harbour foreshore. Located below the eastern end of Barangaroo Reserve, the Cutaway is a cultural venue with a 6,500-square-metre footprint on the harbour waterfront. Carved out beneath an artificial hill, […] More
The Australian Institute of Architects is taking expressions of interest for the role of creative director for the 2023 National Architecture Conference. Held since 2005, the national conference is a professional development event hosted annually for around 1,000 delegates. The 2023 conference will be held on the Gold Coast and will follow the theme “Precedent”, […] More
A Sydney theatre is set for major redevelopment after receiving a multi-million-dollar donation. To be designed by Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects, the redevelopment of SBW Stables Theatre in Sydney’s Kings Cross, home to the Griffin Theatre Company, will see a 44 percent increase in audience capacity, as well as upgrades to dressing rooms, rehearsal spaces […] More
A 135-year-old warehouse in Melbourne’s Southbank will be partially demolished in $100 million proposal to transform it into a mixed use precinct.
Norwegian architecture practice Snøhetta has designed the revamp of the site at 28 Clarendon Street, home to historic former Fergus and Mitchell Robur Tea House.
The Robur Tea House was built in 1887 and is today a persisting example of 19th century architecture and one of the few remaining traces of the industrial establishments that dominated Southbank until the late 20th century.
According to the application, the heritage building will be partially demolished to accommodate the construction of two new buildings on the site – the north building will be between three to six storeys while the south building will be 25 storeys. The $100 million will create a mixed-use precinct comprising a residential hotel, office and retail spaces, and a basement carpark.
Most of the ground floor would be occupied by retail, food and beverage tenancies and a lobby for the hotel. Revamped walkways will provide better connection for pedestrians from Clarendon Street with the addition of an adjacent garden forecourt.
The architects said the facade of the original building would be preserved and maintained, and new materials would be designed to match the existing architecture.
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Plans have been submitted to partially demolish the Robur Tea House to create a new mixed-use building in Southbank. Image: Snøhetta
The heritage-listed red brick warehouse has been recognised as a hallmark of innovation as one of the oldest examples of steel beam floors in Victoria.
In the 1880s, the Robur Tea House was erected on a “swampy site”, according to Heritage Victoria, and original engineer John Grainger devised a system of 450 ironbark piles and concrete rafts to support the six-storey structure. For many years, the Tea House was one of the tallest buildings outside the CBD.
A previous permit application for a 24-storey development on the site, submitted in 2017 by developer RJ International, was rejected by Heritage Victoria on the grounds that the new development would have “substantial detrimental impact” on the Tea House.
A City of Melbourne planners report recommended that a planning permit be granted for the proposal. Councillors will consider the proposal at a meeting on 16 August. A separate permit application is required by Heritage Victoria. More
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