Evelyn Reynolds

A series of new buildings on the edge of Hyde Park will “reinvigorate a significant piece of Sydney’s streetscape,” according to a development application.
The proposal for 201 Elizabeth Street, for which FJMT has produced a reference design, calls for several distinct volumes around an existing 40-storey modernist tower. The northern volume extends out to the Park, Elizabeth and Castlereagh street boundaries and rises to 45 metres at the street frontage, re-establishing a historic street wall.
FJMT explains in planning documents that, by the 1930s, Elizabeth Street had developed a clearly defined character of low (average five-storey) and high (9-10 storey) street walls with only the lantern of the original T&G building at 201 Elizabeth Street rising above. Most of the buildings along this elevation were stone, brick or rendered masonry “which brought warmth and Sydney specific context to Hyde Park.”
This consistent street wall was broken when the T&G building was demolished in 1975, replaced with the tower that stands in its place today.
Designed by Kann, Finch and Partners and completed in 1979, the tower had a forecourt that “[broke] the strong corner definition with negative space.” A low building occupied by a Starbucks café now occupies that space.
“The intersection at Park Street and Elizabeth Street defines the city’s edge and entry point along Park Street,” states FJMT.
“The form at this corner re-establishes the historical street wall at this crucial point at the city’s edge.”
In addition to the northern volume, on top of which is a smaller volume set back eight metres from the street, the development application calls for a lower volume capturing the existing tower lobby and extending to the Southern boundary and Elizabeth Street, and a southern volume aligning with 227 Elizabeth Street’s podium and preserving view lines to St Georges Church.
The existing tower, which is not heritage listed, will be retained. The proposal would add 11,059 square metres of ground floor area, with the ground plane activated by retail tenancies and office space above.
“Sunken retail voids will be replaced by street hugging buildings activating Park and Elizabeth Streets and providing pedestrian connections between new and existing transport nodes,” state the architects.
“Active frontages have been provided along Park, Elizabeth and Castlereagh Streets with a through site link connecting Castlereagh and Elizabeth Streets.”
The development application now before the City of Sydney is for the building envelope only. A design competition will be held to arrive at the final design. More

Victoria’s planning and housing minister Richard Wynne has announced the winners of a student competition seeking exemplary apartment designs that would be replicable across Melbourne’s middle suburbs.
The competition was run concurrently with a corresponding industry competition.
Students were encouraged demonstrate how to rethink housing in Melbourne’s established suburbs.
“The Future Homes student competition initiative really envisaged what the homes of tomorrow would look like,” Wynne said at the announcement of the student winners.
“Over 80 built environment students have created homes that were of incredibly high quality, innovative, liveable and met the standards of a growing population and a more diverse range of households.”
“While the industry competition obviously had strict requirements that needed to be met, the students were less constrained in their requirements and that allowed them a lot of creativity in what was designed and this has been met on every measure.”
All three winning design teams were from the University of Melbourne.
The first prize was awarded to Lauren Ho, Madeleine Archer and Ben Thorp for their submission Commhaus. They proposed a cooperative model with a participatory design process that would create several clusters of diverse households with shared, centrally located courtyards within each cluster. The apartments would also have flexible spaces that would adapt to the changing lifestyles of the residents over time.

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Commhaus by Lauren Ho, Madeleine Archer and Ben Thorp, University of Melbourne.

Second prize was awarded to Neuman Chow. His scheme proposes an urban village of three large family home blocks linked by a communal, open corridor. The scheme also includes shared kitchens between apartments as well as kitchen-less social housing apartments, and a range of communal areas on the site.

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Cohesion Loop by Neuman Chow, University of Melbourne.

Leyuan Yu’s scheme Digi-balance won third prize with a scheme that aims to create homes for a generation that is increasingly spending more time connected to technology. The proposal includes a communal area at the centre of the development with on site gym, cafe, and grocery store.

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Digi-Balance by Leyuan Yu, University of Melbourne.

Three commendations were also awarded to teams from Monash University, the University of Melbourne and Swinburne University of Technology.
The competition was judged by jury chair Stefan Preuss (associate Victorian government architect), Kerstin Thompson (director, Kerstin Thompson Architects), Rob McGauran (director, MGS Architects), Jane Homewood (executive director planning and services, Department of Land, Water and Planning), Tom Alves (head of development, Australian Housing and Urban Development Institute), and Rob Pradolin (founder/director, Housing All Australians).
The Future Homes student competition was run by IBA Melbourne in partnership with The Department of Environment Land Water and Planning and the Office of the Victorian Government Architect.
An exhibition of the industry and student entries to the competition is on display at Melbourne School of Design until 24 May.
The Victorian government will create a demonstration project of 12 public housing apartments at a site in Braybrook to a design by Lian, which is one of the winners of the industry competition. More

Penelope Seidler has been awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Sydney in recognition of her “outstanding contribution to the field of architecture, the arts and the wider community.”
Seidler completed a Bachelor of Architecture at the University of Sydney – after first enrolling in philosophy, history and anthropology. The university ranked her as one of its most notable architecture alumni.
“For over five decades, Ms Penelope Seidler AM has played a crucial role in not only the sphere of architecture, but also in the fields of arts, culture and education in both Australia and internationally,” said University of Sydney vice-chancellor Stephen Garton.
“She has left an indelible mark. Her knowledge and advocacy has helped pave the way for crucial change and she has been an inspirational mentor and role model, particularly for women.”
Seidler registered as an architect in 1964, joining the office of Harry Seidler and Associates that year. As wife and business partner to the late Harry Seidler, “she has played a significant role in the operation of the practice while also defining herself as a key figure in the cultural sector,” the university said in a statement.
She remains the director of Harry Seidler and Associates, a position she has held since 1966. She is directly responsible for commissioning artists for the firm’s projects.
“Ms Seidler’s ambition and passion have defined her role within the field of architecture and cemented her as a leader of art and architecture in Sydney and internationally,” said the university. “Together with her late husband, she pioneered the integration of modernist art and architecture in Australia. The works of her architectural practice have demonstrated how the principles of modern architecture and urbanism and the values of rational design and innovative engineering can come together with an extraordinary business acumen to create some of the most internationally significant buildings in Australia, including Australia Square.”
The university also praised Seidler’ “lifelong dedication to the cultural sector as a patron, advocate and philanthropist.”
She has held positions on arts boards and councils including the National Gallery of Australia, the Museum of Contemporary Art, New York’s Museum of Modern Art and the Venice Biennale.
She is a current member of the National Gallery of Australia Foundation.
In 2015, Seidler pledged $750,000 towards the establishment of the Chau Chak Wing Museum at the University of Sydney and in 2018 she made a further $1 million donation to the university to establish the Penelope Visiting Professor in Architectural History professorship.
Honorary degrees are awarded to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the wider community or who have achieved exceptional academic or creative excellence. More

Pulpo Cactus lamp
The sculptural forms of cactuses growing in Mexico inspired this lamp by Mickaël Koska for Pulpo. The cylindrical pyrex glass capsules, handcrafted in France, come in various colours and sizes, and can be grouped together in different combinations of three and five.
domo.com.au

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No. 1 rug by Cappelen Dimyr

No. 1 rug
The No. 1 rug by Cappelen Dimyr, a creative collective based in Copenhagen, is a decorative statement piece that can be wall-hung or used as a floor rug. Hand-knotted in natural, unbleached wool, No. 1 features alternating high- and low-pile arcs in a bohemian pattern.
tigmitrading.com

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Terra watering can by Snøhetta

Terra watering can
Inspired by the undulating waves and reflective qualities of water, the Terra watering can by Snøhetta for Georg Jensen is part of a new collection of plant accessories. The age-old tool has been reinvented with a distinctive, beautifully rounded form in stainless steel.
snohetta.com

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Arrange desktop series by Big-Game

Arrange desktop series
Designed by Switzerland’s Big-Game, the Arrange desktop series has values of sustainability at its core. The configurable trays are made from 100 percent recycled – and recyclable – plastic, with a lid in either anodized aluminium or cork.
muuto.com

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Wool Check throw by Paul Smith and Maharam

Wool Check throw
A collaboration between Paul Smith and Maharam, the Wool Check throw, woven in the United Kingdom, features expansive colour blocking and a pure wool construction. Its lofty, felted surface is the result of an intricate finishing process.
kvadratmaharam.com

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Circular Logic rug collection by Gavin Harris

Circular Logic rug collection
A study in the humble circle and its capacity to connect, repel or overlap, the Circular Logic rug collection by Australian designer Gavin Harris comprises four designs that can be custom sized and coloured to suit any space. Each rug is hand-tufted in New Zealand wool.
designerrugs.com.au

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Bricks cutting and serving boards by Dinesen

Dinesen homewares
Danish family-owned brand Dinesen, known for creating bespoke wooden planks for interiors, has launched a new collection of homewares and furniture designed to promote wellbeing. Among the new pieces are Bricks (pictured), which can be used as cutting or serving boards.
dinesen.com

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Chubby vase by Wang and Söderström

Chubby vase
Hay has launched an array of curvaceous homewares by Wang and Söderström, including the Chubby vase (pictured). Artful and organically shaped, the pieces are 3D-printed before being moulded in porcelain and stoneware at a ceramic factory.
hayshop.com.au

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Aeyre homewares by Reliquia Collective

Aeyre homewares
Cult jewellery label Reliquia Collective has launched its first venture into homewares, Aeyre, with the aim of nurturing comfortable, beautiful and inspiring living spaces. The collection includes organic incense, candles, colourful resin pieces and glassware.
reliquiacollective.com

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Octaevo paper vase by Jaime Hayon

Octaevo paper vase
Artist–designer Jaime Hayon has reimagined the iconic paper vase of Barcelona-based design firm Octaevo using his signature line illustrations. Inspired by ancient Greek and Roman mythology, the artworks feature blue and white shades with bold gold accents.
octaevo.com

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Riihitie plant pot by Aino Aalto

Riihitie plant pot
Originally created by Aino Aalto for the terrace of the home she and Alvar built on Helsinki’s Riihitie Road, the handmade Artek Riihitie plant pot embodies the Aaltos’ shared belief that even the smallest details are worthy of our time and attention.
anibou.com.au

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Como Mirror by Beatrix Rowe

Como mirror
Created by interior designer Beatrix Rowe, the Como mirror from Grazia and Co. can be hung vertically or horizontally, its hooks adorned or left empty to show off their sculptural form. It is available in a powdercoated metal frame, or brass in natural or bronze finish.
graziaandco.com.au
Find more residential products at selector.com and productnews.com.au More

PaperWall, the newest addition to the Elton Group collection, is a wood fibre based paper surface that replicates the patterning, grain and texture of timber and other materials with impressive realism. Among the finishes are a wide range of oak looks – from pale oak to charcoal oak – a Shou Sugi Ban finish, corten […] More

Fifteen emerging architects from New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania have been named on the Australian Institute of Architects’ Dulux Study Tour shortlist. From this list, five will be selected by the jury for the prize, which will be touring Australia for the first time in 2021. The prize is open to architects and […] More

A Woods Bagot-designed office building will form a key part of the Perth City Link precinct – an area that will reconnect Perth CBD and Northbridge.
The 14-storey King Street Campus building will occupy Lot 10, one of the parcels of land released by Development WA as part of the precinct transformation.
Perth City Link is an area of 13.5 hectares freed up by the sinking of the railway lines and bus station. It includes Yagan Square by Lyons Architecture with Iredale Pedersen Hook and Aspect Studios and a future Edith Cowan University campus.
Woods Bagot’s design is inspired by a historic lake and river ecosystem that was an important part of the Mooro people’s land, drawing on the river cliffs of that ancient ecology.
“The carving of the eastern and northern facades is where we see this most prominently,” the architects state in planning documents.
“The facades are broken up to create overhangs, under-hangs, stone faces, glimpses of timber and concrete-like materials, and planted landscapes.
“The voids on the eastern facade are generous and pull deeply into the floorplate.”
The building will accommodate 26,350 square metres of office floorspace, as well as food, beverage and retail tenancies fronting King and Roe streets, and a “wellness centre” and end-of-trip facilities for office workers fronting Jilli Path.

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King Street Campus by Woods Bagot.

The main pedestrian access will be via a prominent, staired entry on King Street, oriented towards primary pedestrian flows from the Perth Busport and Perth Railway Station.
Designs were presented to Development WA’s design review panel on 3 March 2021. The panel praised the high levels of street activation and said the development was “on the correct path to achieving design excellence.” It did, however, raise concerns about the large expanses of limestone cladding at the lower levels, which could create a “harsh environment” before the landscaping matures.
In response, the design team said that the carved “cliff” under the plaza-level “outcrops” was one of the key design features.
“This carved component forms a solid foundation to the building, without impacting transparency. It also forms an aesthetically pleasing feature to screen the car-parking levels. The carved plane becomes a backdrop to the retail tenancies – allowing their fit-out to float in front of the double-height wall at the back of the tenancies.”
The design will be refined in consultation with the anchor tenant, who has not yet been revealed. The landscape architect is Plan E.
Public comments on the proposal are open until 6 May. More

Construction has begun on a mammoth commercial development in Melbourne’s CBD designed by Cox Architecture and Gensler. Victorian treasurer Tim Pallas and Melbourne mayor Sally Capp turned the first sod for the $1.5 billion project at a ceremony on 21 April, touting construction jobs and economic stimulus. The two-tower project will accommodate 84,000 square metres […] More