Evelyn Reynolds

A housing proposal comprising more than 300 new build-to-rent-to-own apartments has been approved for development in Coburg, Naarm/Melbourne.
The building will be located in a lively and highly activated part of Coburg, on a site spanning 511-537 Sydney Road. It will accommodate 326 apartments with one-, two- and three-bedroom dwelling options.
Designed by Jackson Clements Burrows (JCB), the building is perched above a podium, which then separates at the centre to create a two-tower structure with a breezeway between. Adopting a two-tower and breezeway massing arrangement allowed the designers to increase the natural light and ventilation entering the building core. Additionally, it enabled the introduction of a communal green spine between the towers.

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In its design statement, JCB noted that the project responds to contemporary societal obstacles. “The development responds to the challenges of: obtaining home ownership, apartment livability, prioritising tenant longevity, communal living, public transport accessibility, and neighbourhood placemaking within a densifying Melbourne.”

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The project seeks to foster community relationships and neighbourly interactions through the creation of communal spaces and the activation of the ground level. Some of the features that contribute to this sense of community include 156 car parking spaces; 562 resident bicycle spaces; commercial offices with frontages to Sydney Street; a cafe at street level, and amenities for residents such as a bike workshop; laundry facilities; multipurpose pavilions, and a rooftop social area with barbecue.
Landscape architecture and urban design practice Mala was engaged for the landscaping design. The green spine is a key landscaping feature, comprising two pavilions; plantings, trees and raised planter beds; “foodcube” garden beds; a covered walkway connecting the towers; a play area with a simple play structure; timber bench seats, and a central concrete pathway.
The project will target a NatHERS rating of at least 7.5-stars.
The development application, lodged by property developer Assemble, was fast-tracked for approval through the Victoria government’s new streamlined planning process. Assemble has developed similar housing projects, such as 38 Albermarle Street, designed by Fieldwork. More

A collection of elegantly designed and beautifully crafted furniture and lighting hand-picked by the Houses team.
Horizonte bed by Marcio Kogan for Minotti

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The Horizonte bed exhibits the formal simplicity and detailed polish that define the work of Marcio Kogan of Studio MK27. Designed for Italian furniture brand Minotti’s 75th year, Horizonte fuses strong horizontal profiles with upholstered details in leather or fabric. Visit website
Tondo freestanding mirror

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Tondo is one of two designs to have stemmed from a recent collaboration between furniture brand Domo and multidisciplinary design studio Biasol. The freestanding mirror, which features a powdercoated steel frame, is a statement piece for the bedroom or dressing room. Visit website
Table Lamp by Studio Haos

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Designed by Lisbon-based Studio Haos, the humbly named Table Lamp adds a warm, ambient glow to a residential space. Stainless steel, glass and plywood come together in a robust and elemental design that is at once subtle and solid. Visit website
Asymmetry chair by Pierre Yovanovitch

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The Asymmetry seating collection’s carved, faceted design and subtle asymmetry exude an understated elegance that is a signature aesthetic for French designer Pierre Yovanovitch. Available in Australia at Criteria with a range of upholstery options. Visit website
Me and You by Volker Haug and Flack Studio

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Interior and industrial design ideas coalesce in this collaboration between lighting designer Volker Haug and interior designer David Flack. The Melbourne duo has produced Me and You, a collection of 13 lighting designs featuring linear silhouettes and punchy perforations. Visit website More

The Vivid Emerging Designer Awards is Australia’s longest running competition for emerging designers, and has unearthed talents such as Adam Markowitz, Lab De Stu, Annie Paxton and Dean Norton.
“This year’s Vivid finalists have set a new benchmark with their focus on social responsibility, adaptive re-use, and sustainable practices. Their designs reflect a thoughtful approach to longevity and the use of sustainable materials. It’s inspiring to see such dedication to these themes from the next generation of Australia’s furniture, lighting, and object designers,” said Vivid curator Daniel Dalla Riva of Latitude Group, who curate the awards.

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The Judge’s Choice Award went to Amy Vidler for a range of entries, including the Ripple wall light and Mozzarella table lamp. Her lighting pieces are sumptuous and engaging, and meticulously crafted.
“I love the language of Amy’s work – she clearly has a fine eye for what makes a well-balanced, highly crafted object,” said Cassie Hansen, Vivid judge and editor of InteriorsAu. “I can see a bright future for this designer and can’t wait to see what else she produces.”
Winners were also named across categories of furniture, light, object and concepts, as well as for the Colour Award, and Authentic Design Alliance Award of Merit.

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“The designs of the finalists this year share a sense of optimism, playfulness, and experimentation. Even the most conceptual pieces showcased an impressive level of design resolution and attention to detail, far exceeding expectations for early-career designers. These emerging talents are undoubtedly on a path to long and successful careers,” said Dalla Riva.
Joining Hansen on the jury were: Anne-Maree Sergeant (Authentic Design Alliance), Andrea Lucena-Orr (Dulux), Georgina Greenland (Design Institute of Australia), Annie Paxton (Annie Paxton Studio), Sean Oldfield (Laminex), Lucy Bishop (Redacted), Suzanne McNeice (Circa) and Filip Bjazevic (Latitude Group).
The winners are:
Judges Choice
Amy Vidler for Ripple and Mozzarella
Colour AwardWinner: Six Sticks by Kaspian Kan
Commendations: Cheeky by Maryam MoghadamPixel Arches by Eamon Riley
Furniture DesignWinner: Ballast by Jess Humpston
Commendations: ELLE by Dirk du ToitCasper by Marty Whittle
Lighting DesignWinner: Mozzarella by Amy Vidler
Commendations:ETER by Haoqi HongSix Sticks by Kaspian KanRipple by Amy Vidler
Object DesignWinner: Fjall Juicer by Fraser Greenfield & Oliver Alexander
Commendations: Sorbet by Sze YekLotus Incense Holder by Mark LillyDovetail Floor Vase by George Davies
Concept DesignWinner: Helio Lamp by Grant Capriotti
Commendations://SHIFT// by Kaspian KanWishing Box by Eliza RadfordRope Lounger by Carl Broesen
Student DesignWinner: Helio Lamp by Grant Capriotti
Commendations:ETER by Haoqi HongSorbet by Sze Yek
Authentic Design Alliance (ADA) Award Of MeritWinner: Jess Humpston for Ballast and A Table For One
Commendation: Amy Vidler for Ripple and Mozzarella
To see all the finalists’ work, head to the Decor and Design website. More

City of Sydney councillors have unanimously voted in support of the development of two new towers in central Sydney, set to become the tallest in the city.
In a council committee meeting on 22 July, property developer Lendlease presented plans for a precinct covering a 6,737 square metre area across 1–25 O’Connell Street and 8-16 Spring Street. The O’Connell precinct features a 309-metre-tall, 72-storey commercial and retail tower. The proposed building will also match the height of the spire tip of the Tower Eye, Sydney’s tallest structure.
The planned O’Connell Street Precinct site contains six existing office and retail buildings, including a building known as 1 O’Connell Street and three heritage-listed buildings: the former Rofe Chambers, the former Orient building and the former Chatsworth House. The proposed project would retain the 1 O’Connell Street building and the facades of the Orient building and Chatsworth House. It will also preserve and adaptively reuse the former Rofe Chambers.
An indicative design for the precinct has been completed by Matthew Pullinger Architect and Stewart Architecture, however, final designs will be subject to a design competition. These indicative plans include a shared logistics hub with loading dock spaces and a through-site link to improve pedestrian access between O’Connell and Spring streets.
During the meeting, a second proposal regarding the development of a 3,288 square metre area spanning 56-60 Pitt Street to 3 Spring Street was also supported by council. This proposal, filed by property developer Dexus, included a 310-metre-tall, 70-storey commercial and retail tower, a new public plaza, a retail activated through-site link connecting Pitt Street to Spring and Gresham streets and a shared logistics hub with a loading dock and car parking. The plaza will be dedicated to public use with plantings and artworks to be integrated throughout the space.
An indicative design for the Pitt Street development has been completed by FJC Studio, with final designs also subject to a design competition.
Both proposals will target a 6-star green star rating and net-zero targets.
During the meeting, City of Sydney director of city planning, development and transport Graham Jahn emphasised that both proposals align with population growth, job demand and sustainability targets. “We need to be able to deliver on future workplaces that meet sustainability targets,” Jahn said. More

The German government is conducting a single-stage design competition for a new chancellery and residence at its Australian embassy in Canberra.
The German embassy is located on the corner of Empire Circuit and Turrana Road and is currently occupied by a series of buildings constructed in 1958. The existing chancellery will be demolished to make way for a new building, which the existing residence will also be renovated.
The German government seeks a design that will represent the Federal Republic of Germany in Australia, as well as fulfil the functional requirements of a chancellery and residence.
The existing chancellery building is required to be in use until the completion of the new chancellery and residence.
The competition brief calls for high quality architecture and design of open spaces that take into account climatic conditions. The German government has a a climate policy target of achieving almost climate-neutral building stock by 2045, and as such they require the new buildings to be low-tech and achieve six-star Green Star rating.
Applications close 25 September 2024. Entrants will be provided documents for the competition in January 2025. Designs and models to be submitted in April 2025. The jury will meet in July and an exhibition of competition pieces will be held in Berlin in August 2025.
For more information and to submit, click here. More

Sydney Opera House is seeking expressions of interest for built environment experts to join its Design Advisory Panel and Conservation Council.
The two groups provide specialist advice on the principles that underpin decision-making on conservation and heritage-related issues, as well as the implementation of the Conservation Management Plan, Utzon Design Principles, Heritage Action Plan and other key documents.
The Conservation Council was established in 1996 while the Design Advisory Panel was formed in 2010. Since then, the two groups have contributed a series of renewal works leading up to the 50th anniversary of the opera house, including the renewal of the Concert Hall.
Members of both groups will be appointed for a three-year term. Applicants are required to have a minimum of 15 years experience and Design Advisory Panel members will also need to be registered with the NSW Architects Registration Board.
Expressions of interest for the Design Advisory Panel and Conservation Council can be submitted on the Sydney Opera House website. More

The Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale, located outside Perth, has unveiled concept designs for a new visitor centre inspired by the shape of jarrah tree leaves.
The proposed Jarrahdale Trails Centre on Millars Road will serve as the gateway to the trails. The centre will be used as a sheltered area for trail users to plan their trek, rest and learn about the surrounding walks, parklands and nature reserves.
The motivation behind establishing the new centre is to assist the town in becoming a renowned trail destination, with plans envisioning the building as “an attraction in its own right” that can be seen from the main road. The preferred site for the centre is a parcel of land next to an accommodation park – a strategic position that aligns with the goal of increasing visitation.
Preliminary concept designs have been completed by S2 Architects. The concept design report states the building will be multipurpose, containing a flexible exhibition and function area, a visitor information and administration zone, a commercial tenancy, and the possibility of a semi-outdoor gallery. The centre will adopt an inclusive and accessible plan to accommodate diverse visitor groups – from school groups, hikers and locals to tourists and mountain bikers.

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The proposed siting will allow for a split level or two-storey facility. The building will be responsive to its site, stepping down the terrain with entry at grade at both levels. The roof form references the shape of leaves, allowing natural light and ventilation to filter through the gaps between the leaves. The material palette includes concrete, copper patina, jarrah and weathered steel, complemented by a colour scheme of terracotta, eucalypt, mid-grey and dark grey.
According to the design report, the project will be developed in three stages. Stage one will involve the development of half the building, including the exhibition and function area, the visitor information and check in zone, a grassed play space and a covered terrace and outdoor dining area. Stage two will mirrors the shape of the first half of the building and will involve the inclusion of a commercial offering and kitchen. The final stage will include the addition of an amphitheatre, research areas and additional offices.
Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale councillors have unanimously agreed to use the concept plan to seek funding. More