Evelyn Reynolds

The site of the 135-year-old Robur Tea House building in Melbourne’s Southbank is one step closer to being redeveloped into a mixed-use precinct after Heritage Victoria granted a permit for seven interconnected buildings on the site.
The proposal, designed by Norwegian architecture firm Snøhetta and Aspect Studios, features seven linked buildings ranging from three to thirty storeys surrounding the tea house at 28 Clarendon Street. The heritage permit also approves the partial demolition and adaptation of the 1887 tea house, previously occupied by the Fergus and Mitchell Robur Tea House.
The developer, Monno, submitted its first proposal for the site in 2022, which Heritage Victoria later rejected in May 2023. Following feedback, Monno revised the proposal and resubmitted to Heritage Victoria with adjustments relating to the feedback that was received upon the initial rejection.
In its approval of the revised plans, Heritage Victoria said the suite of conservation works, including the reconstruction and revealing of significant heritage details, would result in “a positive heritage outcome.” At the same time, the development would contribute to greater economic use of the tea house.
“Refusal of the permit application would substantially impact the reasonable and economic use of the place. The design, materiality and detailing of the proposed development is of high architectural quality. The proposed setbacks would allow for the Robur Tea Building to sit proudly in the streetscape and retain some landmark qualities.”
Under the plans, the tea house facade would be retained, and the exteriors of any new buildings would be sympathetic to the character of the original structure.
The mixed-use precinct comprises a hotel, a hotel lobby, dining and retail offerings, and office spaces. Pedestrian walkways will be established within the precinct, creating better connections to the buildings and a new garden forecourt, as well as the nearby Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre and the Yarra River promenade.
Construction is anticipated to begin in 2025. More

The Australian Institute of Architects is seeking expressions of interest for creative director(s) to lead Australia’s exhibition at the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale.
Curated by Italian architect and engineer Carlo Ratti, the biennale will be themed “Intelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collective.”
“The title Intelligens is linked to the modern term “intelligence,” but it also evokes a wider set of associated meanings,” Carlo Ratti said of the theme. “In fact, the final syllable, “gens” is Latin for “people”. A new, fictional root emerges, suggesting a future of intelligence that is inclusive, multiple, and imaginative beyond today’s limiting focus on AI.”
The Institute is seeking an inspiring and bold exhibition to be delivered by an individual or partnership with their nominated team.
“Given the timeframe for delivery, while not essential, it is anticipated they may be building upon existing research or projects as a springboard to create a compelling, bold and theme-relevant exhibition for Venice,” the Institute said.
The creative director(s) will be selected by a curatorial committee comprising Claire McCaughan (director of Custom Mad and cofounder of Archrival), Kate Goodwin (independent curator and writer, and adjunct professor at the University of Sydney), Maggie Edmond (principal of Edmond and Corrigan and Australian Institute of Architects 2003 Gold Medallist), Michael Jasper (professor at the University of Canberra), Ivan Ling (Hogg and Lamb and member of the Emerging Architects and Graduates Network), Jane Cassidy (national president of the Institute), and Cameron Bruhn (CEO of the Institute).
“The 2025 Venice Biennale Curatorial Committee’s vision is to tell a rich and engaging story, showcase original ideas and describe the depth of our architectural expertise. It also provides the opportunity to promote the value of architecture nationally within Australia,” Cassidy said.
Applicants must have prior relevant curatorial experience, detailed knowledge of contemporary architecture in Australia and internationally, and experience working with the media and stakeholders. At least one member of the creative director team must be a financial member of the Institute.
Applications close 7 August 2024. The winning team will be notified in September. The winning team will be paid an honorarium of $30,000.
For more information and to submit an application, see the Australian Institute of Architects website. More

The Queensland government has announced the winners of the 2024 Minister’s Award for Urban Design.
The award recognises contemporary Queensland urban design projects of the highest quality.
Heritage Lanes by Woods Bagot and Aspect Studios with Mirvac was selected a winner of the Minister’s Award. The jury congratulated project team for “creating a distinctly Queensland urban experience […] that is truly subtropical in nature and a living demonstration of what it means to be connect to place through a highly porous ground plane.”
Nicholas Street Precinct won both Minister’s Award for Urban Design and the Movement and Place Award. The jury praised it “as an example of best practices in urban design.”

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The project integrates climate responsive features such as passive cooling, solar energy and recycled water. It also enhances natural systems with extensive green spaces and native plantings, as well as promotes biodiversity and mitigates urban heat.
“The thoughtful design promotes flexibility and adaptability in how the space can be used and curated, supporting efficient day to day operation as well as a venue for markets and major community events,” said the jury.
The final award, the Malcolm Middleton Award for Outstanding Liveable Design went to Mari-Mari-Ba – Affordable Housing by Deicke Richards with EDGE Consulting Engineers, JHA, ACOR, Place Design Group, Stantec, Coastline Certification and Litoria Environmental with the Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works.

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“[This] project is an example of a challenging project brief on a sensitive site – one with a long history of cultural engagement – and all within a tight public housing budget,” said the jury.
Nominations for the 2025 awards will open in March 2025.
The winners and commendations are:
2024 Minister’s Award for Urban Design
Winners
Heritage Lanes – Woods Bagot and Aspect Studios with Mirvac
Nicholas Street Precinct – Ipswich City Council, Buchan Group, Vee Design, Bornhorst and Ward, WSP, Strategic Spaces, Savills, Ranbury, RLB and Hutchinson Group with Ipswich City Council
Commendations
Rockhampton Museum of Art – Conrad Gargett, Clare Design (Lead Design Architects) and Brian Hooper Architect with Rockhampton Regional Council
Mount Isa Masterplan and Centennial Place – Tract Consultants, Bligh Tanner, SJM Hydraulics, Multitech Solutions, C-Change and Peddle Thorp with Mount Isa City Council
Brisbane Green Factor – Brisbane City Council
Urban Change Readiness Index – Studio THI
2024 Malcolm Middleton Award for Outstanding Liveable Design
Winner
Mari-Mari-Ba – Affordable Housing – Deicke Richards with EDGE Consulting Engineers, JHA, ACOR, Place Design Group, Stantec, Coastline Certification & Litoria Environmental with the Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works
Commendation
Turner Avenue Homes – Push, David Pennisi, Bligh Tanner & Place Design Group with Eurocom Projects
2024 Movement and Place Award
Winner
Nicholas Street Precinct – Ipswich City Council, Buchan Group, Vee Design, Bornhorst and Ward, WSP, Strategic Spaces, Savills, Ranbury, RLB and Hutchinson Group with Ipswich City Council
Commendation
Hanlon Park / Bur’uda Waterway Rejuvenation – Brisbane City Council, Epoca Constructions, and Tract (in collaboration with Belinda Smith, UAP, Core Consultants, Littoria, Webb, EDAW / AECOM, Norman Creek Catchment Coordinating Committee) More

The proposed $70 million AFL High Performance Centre in Tasmania’s Rosny faces an uncertain future with an ongoing elector poll allowing City of Clarence residents to vote on whether the proposed sites should remain parklands or be repurposed as football training grounds.

In May 2023, the Tasmanian government signed a deal with the AFL to create a Tasmanian AFL and AFLW Club, set to join the leagues and start competing in 2028. According to Tasmania Infrastructure, the AFL High Performance Centre will be the teams’ training base and will “play an important role in setting the club up for success from the outset.”

Populous was appointed to design the centre, while Rosny Parklands and Charles Hand Park were selected as the preferred sites. The main training ground has been proposed for the southern end of the Rosny Parklands, with a second oval to be built at Charles Hand Park.

In July 2024, a $200,000 elector poll was opened, providing community members the opportunity to vote on whether the sites should remain publicly owned parklands. The poll was launched after a petition opposing the development site, containing more than 1,000 signatures, was lodged with the Clarence City Council. The poll will remain open until 8 August 2024.

Concurrently, the state government is seeking tenders for surveying services to determine the scope of work required on the proposed sites.

If approved, the grounds will be used for community recreation, as well as elite athlete training. The final design is expected to comprise a full-sized oval, grass training spaces, a 9,000 square metre building, indoor training amenities, areas for strength and conditioning, locker rooms, medical facilities, administrative offices, parking, and community accessibility.

Tasmania Infrastructure anticipates that the facility will be ready to use in 2026. More

The Alastair Swayn Foundation has announced the winners of its 2024 round one grants program, with the successful candidates awarded funding for design-related research.
The 2024 round one program opened on 1 March 2024 with two funding streams available: Design Thinking Grants and Design Strategy Grants. Entries were assessed by a panel comprising our Edwina Jans, Graeme Dix, Gay Williamson, Sanda Loschke and Tiffany Liew, alongside jury chair Neil Hobbs.
The successful applicants of the Design Thinking Grant were awarded $5,000 to undertake a research project in architecture, landscape architecture, industrial design, heritage preservation and restoration, adaptive re-use of architecture or product design, and designing for accessibility. The Design Strategy Grant provided $10,000 to successful entries, enabling them to conduct research on significant challenges within the fields of architecture and design in Australia.
The foundation has also revealed the 2024 round two grants program will open on Friday 2 August. Round two will offer opportunities to apply for an International Research Grant of $15,000 and Design Audio Grants of $8,000 until 30 August 2024.
The 2024 round one category winners are:
Design Strategy
Linda Carroli – Design strategy for Indigenous Art Centres as workplaces: decent work and sustainable livelihoods by design
Claire Brophy, Nicole Vickery, Abigail Winter, Jane Turner and Margaret MacAndrew – Making Memories Visible: Design for Meaningful Engagement in Residential Aged Care
Guillermo Fernandez-Abascal and Charles Curtin – A survey of recent prefabricated dwellings in Australia
QUT and Heather McKinnon – Flooded and Wasted: Promoting Circular Economy Principles into Post-disaster Cleanup
Jacqui Alexander and Cameron Murray – Strategies for implementing alternative land tenure and use models in Australia to address the housing crisis
Design Thinking
Kirsten Day, Andrew Martel, Jenna Cohen and Dalton Bruyns – Empower by Design: Enabling Innovative Inclusion of People with Disability in Design
Therese Keogh – The Spoil Grounds: Waste architectures in infrastructures of extraction
For more information about the grants, visit the website. More

The City of Perth has unveiled concept designs for a waterfront precinct on Perth’s Swan river that will transform the area into a “world-class city park.”
Designed by Hassell, the park will combine elements of nature, biodiversity and culture.
“One of Perth’s greatest assets is its natural environment, and we want the stunning Swan River to be a magnificent river park destination for locals and visitors alike,” said Perth lord mayor Basil Zempilas.
The concepts are part of a Riverfront Masterplan announced as part of the City of Perth’s 2024-25 budget.

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Perth’s riverfront has been the subject of more than 200 masterplans since 1883 – many of them never realised. They were the subject of a 2016 exhibition, which coincided with the completion of Elizabeth Quay.
“The Masterplan will build on Elizabeth Quay and see the river’s potential come to life by setting a vision for a world-class city park,” Zempilas said.
The Riverfront Masterplan is one of a number of capital works announced by the council in the budget. Other projects include sustainability improvements to the Supreme Court Gardens, a sports and recreation hub in East Perth, and the revitalisation of Russell Square and an upgrade to James Street.
The city will also fund a new study, titled Towards 2036, which will build on the previous urban design work of Danish architect Jahn Gehl from 1994 to 2009. The new study will make recommendations for further improvements to Perth’s public spaces, particularly in the central city.

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“James Street and the adjacent Russell Square are at the heart of our Northbridge entertainment district but are in need of some upgrades. We’re planning for future improvements to the streetscape along James Street, as well as enhancing Russell Square for further use by the community and outdoor festival-style events,” Zempilas said.“We’re also upgrading Supreme Court Gardens to ensure this prime location can be used for events all year round. Improvements we’re planning will benefit the local community and visitors to our city at all times, not only when the gardens are being used for events.”
The draft masterplan will be presented to the City of Perth in the coming weeks, after which it will be available for public consultation. More

The Adelaide Festival Centre is set to have its theatre interiors updated, the latest in a series of works carried out at the 50-year-old venue and its surrounds.
The South Australian government has committed $35 million to interior theatre works, which will include the installation of new seating in all three threatres, new lighting in foyers and auditoriums and the refurbishment of stage flooring in the Dunstan Playhouse and the Space Theatre.
The plans follow the state government’s announcement in January 2024 that the centre’s Western Plaza would undergo a $35 million transformation designed by Cox Architecture. Other venue upgrades include the Adelaide Festival Centre building renewal by Hassell, and the redesign of Festival Plaza and Station Road by ARM Architecture, in collaboration with TCL and Aspect Studios.
The centre, originally designed by John Morphett of Hassell and Partners, first opened in June 1973. It was the first performing arts theatre to open in Australia, opening three months before the Sydney Opera House. The Adelaide Festival Centre was recently awarded the John Cheesman Award for Enduring Architecture at the 2023 Australian Institute of Architects’ South Australian Chapter awards.
The venue, located on Kind William Road, attracts more than one million visitors to its theatres each year.
The combined upgrades to the interiors and the Western Plaza will necessitate the temporary closure of the Adelaide Festival centre’s three theatres. The Dunstan Playhouse and the Space Theatre will close in July 2025, while the Festival Theatre will close in August 2025. Reopening is scheduled for early 2026. The Western Plaza works will also commence in 2025. More