Open House Melbourne is seeking proposals for tours, events, talks, workshops and creative programs for the the return of the Open House Weekend in July. This year’s theme is Built / Unbuilt. The organizers say the theme “celebrates the contribution and impact of good design in our built environment yet also explores the city and […] More
Entries are open for the 2022 National Trust (NSW) Heritage Awards. Now in its 28th year, the awards program recognizes projects, initiatives and individuals that demonstrate excellence in the conservation, protection, and interpretation of Aboriginal, built, natural and cultural heritage. Architect and heritage specialist Matt Devine will again be chair of the jury for 2022. […] More
Six apartment buildings designed by four architecture practices will be built in a former industrial lot in Waterloo, Sydney under a development proposal submitted to the City of Sydney.
The development at 903-921 Bourke Street was subject to two separate design competitions in 2019, with Bates Smart and Richard and Spence selected for one part of the site (Sub-Precinct D1) and MHNDU and Fieldwork selected for the other (Sub-Precinct D2).
The six buildings will be grouped around a central plaza and two heritage buildings, the Valve House and the Pump House. Arcadia is the landscape architect for the wider development.
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Sub-Precinct D2 by MHNDU and Fieldwork.
Bates Smart has designed the complex’s tallest building, a 20-storey tower containing 147 apartments, along with the adjacent “plaza building,” a six-storey building with 26 apartments and ground-floor retail, while Richard and Spence has designed two six-storey buildings, Young Street North, with 21 apartments, and Young Street South, with 32 apartments and retail tenancies.
MHNDU and Fieldwork have designed their two buildings collaboratively. The 12-storey Bourke Street North will house 122 apartments and the six-storey Bourke Street South will house 28, and both will have ground-floor retail.
In planning documents, Richard and Spence and Bates Smart note that each of the new buildings has a role in shaping and defining new public places.
“The stepped tower with family friendly terraces addresses the park,” a design statement reads. “The quirky 6-storey plaza building defines the heritage square, with clear reference to the industrial brick buildings of the past. Two boutique apartment buildings face Young Street, integrated with soft landscaping, stairs, entries, and places to gather. A highly textured and layered landscape binds the buildings and spaces together.”
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Young Street South by Richards and Spence.
MHNDU and Fieldwork’s two buildings are defined by their use of red brick, referencing the Interwar Free Classical architecture of the Pump House.
“At ground, this material expression increases in detail with expressed brick courses, textured glass and a terracotta coloured dado,” the firms state. “The sweeping curves of the generous retail offering continue up the brick podium to the tower – a pigmented concrete form, lighter than the base and smoothed as if by running water.”
Of the 376 units across the development, at least 5 percent will be designated as affordable and 15 percent will be adaptable allowing for residents to age in place.
The $218 million development application is on exhibit until 28 February. More
Hames Sharley has appointed Gavin Kain as director and cross-portfolio design lead.
“Gavin’s appointment signifies a new era of growth and further evolution for Hames Sharley,” said Caillin Howard, managing director. “He will help lead the team as we continue to innovate, explore new markets, and further expand our national presence.”
Kain said that time spent teaching abroad and completing several projects across Australia, New Zealand, and several other major cities worldwide have taught him the importance of place, context, and the subtle differences that impact design.
“Understanding and exploring the social, environmental, historical and geographic, and economic context of place excites me,” he said. “As does the idea that, as designers, we are here to help – to make life better. The big issues – social challenges, environmentalism, equity – are central to our work.”
Kain has been involved with the Christchurch Blueprint project, the Adelaide Convention Centre, New Zealand International Convention Centre and CoEx Dubai. He was government advisor for the ICC Sydney project.
He said it is an exciting time to be an architect and urbanist, given the growing appreciation of the role cities and buildings are playing both environmentally and socially.
“COVID has seen many aspects of our lives that were taken for granted reconsidered,” he said. “We see pop-up bike paths in the Sydney CBD, large numbers of people moving to new centres, and the nature of retail and work endlessly debated.
“It is a pivotal moment for the profession and I’m deeply humbled and excited for the incredible opportunity to collaborate with the talented people across Hames Sharley’s studios.” More
The Queensland government has released designs for a half-kilometre pedestrian and cycle bridge that will link the new underground Cross River Rail Boggo Road station with nearby transport connections and education and healthcare facilities.
Designed by Hassell, the cable stay bridge will be approximately 480 metres long, with the cable stay spire reaching around 45 metres high.
The main deck will be up to 6.25 metres wide and 20 metres above the ground. Key features will include lifts on the eastern and western sides, dedicated cycling and pedestrian paths, seating and rest stops, shade and planting at both ends and rail corridor security mesh.
The bridge will link Boggo Road station with Park Road train station, the South East Busway, the Boggo Road health, science and education precinct, the new Princess Alexandra Hospital precinct and a new high school at Dutton Park.
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Cross River Rail Boggo Road station concept design by Hassell.
Queensland transport minister Mark Bailey said, “This bridge will be a unifier for the local community as it soars over the railway junction and will make active travel safer, quicker and easier for local workers, residents and students.
“It will provide faster and more convenient walking and cycling connections, forms an extension of the local cycle network and improved connectivity to the PA Hospital bus station and the new underground Boggo Road rail station.
“Crossing over both freight and passenger train lines, the bridge will be a feat of engineering and a standout signature element for an area that currently divides the community.”
The government is asking the community to suggest a nemae for the new bridge through the Cross River Rail website.
“The bridge could be named after somebody local, who has a track record of service and creating community connections, even someone linked to health, science and education or take a name that honours local First Nations culture,” said local MP Joe Kelly.
Construction on the bridge is scheduled for March and is expected to take around 18 months, depending on weather conditions. More
TAFE NSW has announced a new First Nations Interior Design Scholarship, which will support Indigenous students in the Bachelor of Interior Design at TAFE NSW Design Centre Enmore.
The scholarship will be open to one student each year, starting from 2022 through to 2024, and will cover the full fees for the degree as well as educational support throughout each successful applicant’s studies.
Richard Cass, head of Creative and Design Ideation at TAFE NSW, said the scholarships would be awarded on the basis of study and career potential – including career goals, motivation and creative portfolio.
“The Bachelor of Interior Design allows students to develop practical design skills and learn the theory needed to equip them with a sound understanding of design best practice, both in Australia and internationally,” he said.
“TAFE NSW will ensure that scholarship recipients receive academic support through progressive review and solutions with head teachers, teachers and the Aboriginal Education and Engagement Team.
“TAFE NSW Design Centre Enmore is a purpose-built design studio where students are able to immerse themselves in design. It’s the perfect place to build design skills and get a head start in the booming interior design industry.”
The scholarship is supported by furniture company Stylecraft. Anthony Collins, Stylecraft’s managing director, said the scholarship presented an exciting opportunity for aspiring Indigenous designers.
“Stylecraft has committed to the scholarship program for three years,” he said. “By 2024, three students will be in the Interior Design stream completing the scholarship program. We will also work with TAFE NSW to identify any internship or mentoring opportunities for scholarship recipients within Stylecraft or industry partners and clients.”
“The ultimate aim of the program is to encourage participation by Indigenous Australians in the Interior Design profession, and we look forward to contributing to the students’ design journey,” he said. More
Fender Katsalidis has designed six apartment buildings of between seven and eleven storeys for Pennant Hills Road in Carlingford, north east of Parramatta. Lined up along a steep incline, the buildings will be arranged around a central village forecourt, with public pedestrian paths running between buildings and leading to a future light rail connection. The […] More
Two complementary apartment towers designed by Rothelowman will be built in Brisbane’s West End, under a planning proposal submitted to council. Known as Tower 4 and Tower 5a, the towers will both reach to 20-storeys. Tower 5a, which will be built first, will have 95 apartments while its twin will have 110. According to Rothelowman’s […] More
