Evelyn Reynolds

AJC Architects have been named the winners of an invited City of Sydney Design Excellence Competition for affordable housing buildings in Alexandria, with the winning scheme revealing buildings broken up into “intimate neighbourhoods.”
AJC Architects was one of three architecture practices invited to participate in the design competition, alongside SJB and Embece. The project, developed by City West, proposes the delivery of 246 affordable apartments across eight buildings of seven to 12 storeys at a corner site on Botany Road.
The winning practice used a multi-core design strategy to break up the building massing into a series of connected “neighbourhoods.” These neighbourhoods enable natural light and ventilation to be drawn through the building into rooms often unable to access these elements.

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The design of the facades responds to the robust masonry forms located within the urban context. Image:

Virtual Ideas

The facade will respond to the robust masonry forms located within the urban context, while activated street frontages have been proposed through the establishment of retail offerings.
One third of the site, about 2,400 square metres, will be dedicated to communal shared space. Occupants from each neighbourhood will be encouraged to interact through a series of connected, shared landscapes. Landscape design has been undertaken by Peter Ireland, with shared landscapes recognising the Traditional Custodians of the land – the Gadi, Merooberah and Kamay clans – by incorporating a selection of materials and plants that will reference the wetlands and sand dunes, which previously existed in the area.
Two-storey entry lobbies provide additional spaces for socialisation, along with visual connections to the internal gardens and streetscape.

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The design prioritises natural light and ventilation. Image:

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AJC studio lead Lee Collard said the practice used findings from their own studies to inform the design. “We’ve been developing and refining the multi-core model as part of this project, along principles from our Urban Backyard study, which, combined will deliver outstanding amenity, and also help cultivate community among residents,” Collard said.
“The multi-core breaks down the development into more relatable communities. In this scheme, it’s up to a maximum of four apartments per floor, which gives it a neighbourly feel. That’s well below the Apartment Design Guide (ADG) stipulation of 8–12 per floor (maximum) for optimal harmony among residents. The multi-core design also provides opportunities for windows where typical apartments wouldn’t have – kitchens, bathrooms, laundries, etc, and we’ve been prototyping the model to solve access issues sometimes associated with multi-core buildings.”
Work on the development application process will begin in early 2024. More

Robin Boyd Foundation has launched an online collection of works and artefacts that catalogue the seminal architect’s connection to Japan. The Robin Boyd and Japan collection expands on recent exhibition at the Walsh Street House. Boyd visited Japan in the 1960s and later held the position of exhibition architect at the Australian Pavilion during the […] More

The New South Wales Independent Planning Commission has approved a proposal to construction a $113 million, 34-storey build-to-rent tower in Parramatta designed b Rothelowman. Proposal was submitted to the NSW planning department for assessment in April 2023. City of Parramatta objected to the proposal, which led to it being assessed by the Independent Planning Commission. […] More

From groovy chairs and kettles to an exhibition of emerging First Nations artists, we’ve rounded up a series of events to inspire you this month. MPavilion Chair Commissions MPavilion Chair Commissions is on display at the recently opened Powerhouse Castle Hill by Lahznimmo Architects. Image: Rory Gardiner Ten MPavilion Chair Commissions have been generously donated […] More

Peter Elliott Architecture and Urban Design have been appointed to design the refurbishment of the historic South Melbourne Town Hall into a performance venue for the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM).
The $65 million project will create a new 150-seat theatre, a 350-seat main hall, new foyer bar and lounge, commercial kitchen and a public terrace. The revitalised town hall will be able to host events such as stand-up comedy, string quartets, local school concerts, speech nights, weddings and special occasions.

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The proposed revitalisation of South Melbourne Town Hall by Peter Elliott Architecture and Urban Design. Image:

Tilt Projects and Pause Paradiso

“ANAM’s reoccupation of the South Melbourne Town Hall is a rare legacy project: the building has great presence, character and historic significance. It can become a special place for ANAM – a home for making music and engaging with a wide audience. It will also be a destination venue and engine room for creative activity that will enrich the life of the local community and of Victoria,” said architect Peter Elliott.
“We are working closely with Aunty Gail and Aunty Julieanne of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation to acknowledge the importance of First Nations history of the site in our design. The stories and cultural knowledge shared by the Aunties, have informed our way of envisioning how audiences might gather together in intimate surroundings, to enjoy music, dance and culture, as well as in more conventional formats.”

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The proposed revitalisation of South Melbourne Town Hall by Peter Elliott Architecture and Urban Design. Image:

Tilt Projects and Pause Paradiso

South Melbourne Town Hall originally opened in 1879, and was designed by architect Charles Webb after winning an architectural competition. The design was inspired by Melbourne’s St Paul’s Cathedral, the Windsor Hotel and Royal Arcade.
ANAM first became a tenant of the hall in 1997, following council amalgamations in the mid 1990s, that made South Melbourne Town Hall redundant. In 2020, the building was declared unsafe, leading to evacuation of all tenants.
In 2021 ANAM developed a proposal to revitalise the hall, which the City of Port Phillip endorsed. The academy will contribute $50 million in government and philanthropic funding to the project, with the council contributing $15 million.
ANAM has received funding from the Commonwealth government and is discussions with the Victorian government and philanthropic community.
The project is anticipated to be complete in 2026. More

A disability support services organisation in Sydney’s north-west has received council approval for the $35 million redevelopment of its community hub, designed by Plus Architecture.
The proposal will incorporate three heritage buildings on the site of McCall Gardens Community Foundation in Box Hill, and create an inclusive, accessible and wellbeing focused centre.
A redevelopment proposal was first submitted in 2021, before an amended proposal was submitted to Hills Shire Council in 2023.
Plus Architecture said its updated design will become a “community beacon.”

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The proposed new McCall Community Hub by Plus Architecture. Image: Atchain

“The backbone of the updated DA is about creating a new way forward of providing care for people with special needs, through better integration with the local community and finding ways to overcome stigma through design,” said Plus Architecture principal Gabriel Duque.
“We went through the process of essentially re-establishing the aspirational and the functional briefing requirements of the Hub, trying to ensure that we stayed within the original footprint of the original DA while celebrating the site assets and fine-tuning the design to be more accessible, and inserting more opportunities where people are able to come together.”

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The proposed new McCall Community Hub by Plus Architecture. Image: Atchain

McCall Gardens was established in the early 1950s after parents of children with disabilities joined together to create a place to live. When the facility opened in 1958, it was the first of its kind in New South Wales.
The revitalised community hub will include a sensory garden, user-friendly landscaping, a cafe, multipurpose rooms for community use, play facilities for families and children, and a swimming pool.
The design will incorporate textures, sounds, tactile features, improved wayfinding, curved walls and sensitive lighting design.
“With over 1.3 million people living with disability in NSW, it is critical that services and facilities provided across our communities afford all people the dignity, respect and inclusivity they deserve. At McCall, we recognise the inherent value and potential of all people. We understand that ‘people with disabilities’ are ‘disabled’ not by their impairments, but by the barriers and limitations put forward by society,” said McCall CEO Belinda Colombrita.
“The McCall Community Hub is part of our fight for greater inclusivity and equity. It aims to bring the community together and celebrate a sense of place. It turns what was a very ‘inward’ community environment into an ‘outward’ and inviting gesture – ensuring that the McCall Community Hub can enjoy an enduring legacy and serve the community for many years to come,” Colombrita said.
Construction set to begin in May 2024 and is anticipated to be complete in October 2025. More

The City of Melville Council in south Perth has endorsed plans for a new Library and Cultural Centre designed by Christou Design Group.
The $60-million project will be the largest and most significant cultural development for the municipality.
The 5,080-square-metres facility will be a vibrant and innovative hub of arts, culture, literature, learning, housing the city’s main library, gallery and exhibition spaces, a municipal museum, museum collections, an outdoor civic space, dedicated creative learning spaces, community meeting rooms, basement parking, and other core services. It is designed to be a six-star rated building.

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The proposed City of Melville Library and Cultural Centre, designed by Christou Design Group. Image:

Courtesy City of Melville Council

“From music and poetry to art and theatre, the people of Melville and beyond are heavily invested in our city as a cultural hub,” said mayor of Melville Katy Mair. “This once-in-a-generation project will see central Melville transformed into a vibrant civic and community hub – a place where people can connect, learn, enjoy, and celebrate their identity.”
The council described the project as “substantial reimagining that will anchor the heart of Melville.” The project will replace the existing Civic Square Library, and will be situated adjacent to the the proposed the $792-million redevelopment of Westfield Booragoon.
““The City also boasts the state’s second-highest library visitation with over 500,000 users interacting annually,” Mair continued. “The endorsement of the Library and Cultural Centre is incredibly significant for Melville and one that addresses an important community need.”
Th Library and Cultural Centre is expected to begin construction in 2025. More

The Victorian government has released maps of 10 established suburbs that have been identified as having potential to accommodate more homes.
The proposed 10 new Activity Centres in Broadmeadows, Camberwell Junction, Chadstone, Epping, Frankston, Moorabbin, Niddrie (Keilor Road), North Essendon, Preston (High Street), and Ringwood, can deliver an estimated 60,000 homes through a review of building heights and design requirements, and changes to existing rules.
In a communique, the government stated, “These initial 10 suburban centres were chosen for their potential to accommodate more homes while ensuring access to vital amenities such as train stations, tram services, town centres, job opportunities, and public services.”
“Building more homes up, not just out, in established suburbs is one of many initiatives outlined in the Housing Statement, which is creating the conditions needed for 800,000 new homes to be built over the next decade to improve housing and rental affordability.”
The Victorian Housing Statement includes a target for 70 percent of new homes to be built in established suburbs.
The government seeking feedback on its suburban housing plan which will also guide investment in community facilities, public spaces and parks.
“We want to hear from communities on how best we can accommodate more housing choice, while ensuring their suburbs maintain their liveability,” said planning minister Sonya Kilkenny. More