Regional Development Victoria will soon be seeking public feedback on a concept design for the proposed Twelve Apostles Visitor Experience Centre – part of a $108.15 million project to redevelop the a section of Victoria’s Great Ocean Road, home to the popular tourism destination. The visitor centre is intended to be a gateway to the […] More
Following its enforced closure after damage inflicted by severe hailstorms in January 2020, the Shine Dome, orignally designed by Roy Grounds, has been restored and is reopen.
In 2020, a catastrophic hailstorm dented the copper roof tiles and smashed several skylights, exposing the scientific archives to the elements. Significant works have taken place to restore the heritage-listed building to its former glory, including recladding the signature copper roof, which has been redesigned to deliver greater energy efficiency.
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The bright copper sheathing is intended to oxidise and gather a green-brown patina over time. Image:
Martin Ollman for the Australian Academy of Science.
As per the original construction, the concrete roof of the dome is sheathed in copper, under which is a layer of vermiculite that serves to insulate the interiors from outside temperatures. During the restoration, a second layer of copper was applied over the original, with a new waterproof material placed between the two layers. The new dual layer will create a ventilated roof, with airflow between the copper sheets providing insulation and improving the building’s energy efficiency. The bright copper sheathing is intended to oxidise and gather a green-brown patina over time.
Built in 1958 for the Australian Academy of Science, the Shine Dome quickly became a Canberra landmark of architectural and historical significance. It has received numerous awards and various recognition, including being named one of only seven projects the Australian Institute of Architects has nominated to the World Register of Significant Twentieth Century Architecture.
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Copper shingles being attached to Shine Dome, circa 1958. Image:
Courtesy of the Australian Academy of Science.
Australian Academy of Science chief executive Anna-Maria Arabia said that when the Shine Dome was first built, its design was described as “unconventional and futuristic”, creating significant challenges for the architects and engineers that still applied in the 21st century restoration.
A 100-year time capsule was placed inside the roof of the Shine Dome before the completion of the restoration, containing messages from the academy fellows to the scientists of the future, as well as newspaper headlines from 2020, a printout of the SARS-CoV-2 virus genome, and landmark academy reports on the issues faced in our contemporary time. More
State significant development approval has been granted to the new Lang Walker AO Medical Research Building in Western Sydney. Designed by a BVN-led team, the $47.5 million medical education and research facility will consist of a “series of twisted boxes” that break down the mass of the five-storey building to create an “undulating form”. The […] More
The NSW government is inviting Australian architects to participate in a “city-shaping opportunity” to reimagine the revered Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo. Registrations of interest have opened in a national design competition for the $450–500 million project. A concept proposal prepared by John Wardle Architects and Aspect Studio provides a first glimpse at what proponents are […] More
The WA government has released the final designs for the $40 million redevelopment of a TAFE campus in Perth’s northern suburbs. A new three-storey training facility designed by Hassell will replace 22 tired modular classrooms originally built in the 1970s for North Metropolitan TAFE’s Balga campus. The new facility will be used to deliver training […] More
A $180 million office tower in Perth’s City Link Precinct has received approval from DevelopmentWA after plans were submitted late last year. Designed by Architectus, the 27-storey tower will be a commercial space at 580 Wellington Street, designed with a careful balance of context and scale as a “commercial building in harmony with the city […] More
The Swayn Gallery of Australian Design is inviting expressions of interest (EOI) for the creative director for the inaugural showcase Light Colour and Humanity: The Legacy of Alastair Swayn. Alastair Swayn was a Canberran architect who was dedicated to furthering the direction and impact of architecture and design across Australia. Swayn was instrumental in establishing […] More
Airbnb is calling on the imaginations of architects and designers to conjure up visions for the next homes in its weird and wonderful category of accommodation listings.
The OMG! category covers unusual and idiosyncratic stays in wild and spectacular locations.
For one month, Airbnb is taking submissions from existing and aspiring designers and architects from around the globe, offering USD $10 million to turn 100 of the craziest ideas into real stays.
The competition has grown exponentially from a previous iteration in 2020, when it was limited to 10 ideas.
Ideas will be judged for their originality, feasibility, sustainability and the experience the proposed space will provide guests. Applications will be reviewed by a judging panel of boundary-pushing design authorities, including Australian architect Koichi Takada, fashion icon Iris Apfel, Airbnb vice-president of experiential creative product Bruce Vaughn and superhost Kristie Wolfe.
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A Bruny Island hideaway by Maguire and Devine Architects was among the most wishlisted unique Airbnb listings in Australia in 2021. Image:
Rob Maver
Designers with the best ideas will receiving USD $100,000 (around A$144,000) to make their ideas come to life.
The competition arises from a growing trend for flexible living that has emergedin the past two years. According to an Airbnb spokesperson, guests are craving more unexpected spaces that “become the destinations themselves”.
More than 30,000 unique listings across the world were added to Airbnb last year and the OMG! category has one of the highest rates of engagement among guests browsing the site.
Australia is a celebrated travel destination for picturesque views and groundbreaking architecture, and previous local favourites for the OMG! category have included a secret treehouse in the Blue Mountains a hideaway on Bruny Island.
The competition will run from 23 June to 23 July. Click here to submit an application, or to read more on rules and eligibility, view the Official Rules document. More
