Evelyn Reynolds

Inner-city Brisbane may undergo a dramatic vertical transformation, with Aria Property Group’s recent application to Brisbane City Council for a three-tower development in the heart of South Brisbane. Designed by national firm Bates Smart with local practice Richards and Spence, the submission revises an application for three 12-storey towers by the architects in 2022, which itself revised a single 17-storey tower proposal (approved in February 2023) from earlier that year.
In their submitted town planning report, the applicants note that consultation with the council over the last three years has resulted “in significant improvements, efficiencies and community benefits” to the previously-submitted scheme. The outcome includes 678 apartments across three towers (24 , 40 and 50 storeys), a hotel and a mixed-use commercial podium.

View gallery

At almost 7,300 square metres, the wholly-owned site at 164 Melbourne Street has been progressively consolidated by Aria Property Group and is now the largest parcel situated in the suburb’s prominent east-west corridor linking the CBD to West End. The site’s edges on Manning, Melbourne and Edmonstone Streets are bookended by two locally-listed heritage places at either corner: the former Bond’s Sweets Factory designed by architect and engineer Oliver Coleman, and completed in 1951; and Malouf’s fruit shop and residence, built by resident Salem Malouf in 1913. The iconic Skyneedle, a relic from Brisbane’s Expo ’88, is located adjacent to the site.
Within this context, the proposal seeks to restore the site’s two heritage buildings – refitting these with food and beverage tenancies – while locating small-scale high street retail along the site’s 90 metre frontage to Melbourne Street. A network of publicly accessible arcades and laneways – which includes a “dry route” between unflooded evacuation points in times of flooding ­– are envisioned to connect the retail and dining precinct across the site.

View gallery

Director of Richards and Spence Ingrid Richards noted, “The contemporary brick facade of the podium provides a flexible framework that engages with the diverse heritage buildings and contributes to the ‘repair’ of Melbourne Street. This deliberately ‘loose fit’ architectural approach aligns with the fine-grain character of the precinct’s surroundings, drawing reference from nearby Fish Lane.”
The proposal’s 3,650 square metres of public space includes a 1,600-square-metre ground level park with north-facing aspect. Having tested a four-tower option for the site, the applicants elected to pursue the park, whose void above “serves as a light-well that allows natural light and air into the site resulting in outcomes that far exceed those which would otherwise be possible,” the report reads.

View gallery

Topping off over 6,000 square metres of commercial space, a large gym on the second level of the podium is intended to form an anchor to smaller retail tenancies within the site’s arcades. Above, the project will deliver 345 apartments within two east towers fronting Manning Street. The third tower, located on the south and facing onto Edmonstone Street, comprises 333 apartments and a 216-room hotel from levels four to 11 that, according to the report, “will serve the city during the Olympic Games and leave a lasting legacy for tourism beyond.”
The residential towers each host a series of communal recreation spaces and rooftop amenities, including a suite of pools, private and shared dining spaces, hot and cold spas, saunas, a gym, half court, multi-purpose room, cinema and treatment areas.

View gallery

Architecturally, the 24-storey tower retains characteristics of the approved 17-storey scheme but stands in contrast to the language of the new 40-storey and 50-storey towers. The articulation of these building facades respond to access to views and the varying privacy needs of the building’s floor plates with a progression from single, to double, to triple height.
Director at Bates Smart Mathieu Le Sueur commented, “We’ve designed the three residential towers to read at two scales: the skyline scale and the human scale. Their varied heights, rooftops and facades give them unique identities on Brisbane’s skyline.”
“We’ve also used the facade geometries and layers to integrate smart features that leverage the climate. These include landscape planters, passive self-shading and generous apartment balconies – elements that allow residents to maximise an indoor/outdoor lifestyle,” Le Sueur noted. More

NSW minister for Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek has supported a bid from Andrew Charlton, federal member for Parramatta, to recognise three colonial-era homesteads as national heritage.
According to the minister, Elizabeth Farm, Experiment Farm and Hambledon Cottage help “tell the story of Australia’s colonial history – from land use and farming to agriculture and architecture.”
Located at Clay Cliff Creek, Experiment Farm is the site of Australia’s first convict land grant, given to James Ruse in 1789. Ruse farmed the land and produced the colony’s first wheat harvest. The site’s bungalow remains surrounded by a large garden.
Originally built in 1793 for John and Elizabeth Macarthur, Elizabeth Farm stands as Australia’s oldest surviving homestead. The building was expanded over four decades, though still retains much of its core structure. The Georgian-style Hambledon Cottage, built in 1824, is also associated with the Macarthurs.

View gallery

The three historic sites have been added to the National Heritage Finalised Priority Assessment List for community consultation and assessment from the Australian Heritage Council.
Last month, the Paramatta Female Factory and Institutions Precinct moved a step closer to securing World Heritage status after a preliminary request was sent to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) World Heritage Centre in Paris.
Charlton commented, “Parramatta is growing fast, but our heritage is what grounds us. I’m dedicated to working with the government and community to secure National Heritage status, so our kids and grandkids can enjoy and learn from these treasures for years to come.” More

A major redevelopment of Penrith Stadium, 55km west of Sydney’s CBD, has been greenlit by the NSW government’s Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure. According to a communique from Infrastructure NSW, the new Populous-designed stadium is “set to become a superior entertainment venue, improving the experience for fans and spectators.”
The new venue will completely overhaul the city’s existing stadium “with better seats and sightlines in new grandstands, more food outlets, amenities and recreation space, new scoreboards and ribbon boards, sound systems and lighting,” the release reads.

View gallery

As part of the upgrade, the ground capacity will be increased from 22,500 to approximately 25,000 attendees with space for an additional 5,000 people during concerts, which the venue will host up to ten times per year. The stadium’s existing east and west grandstands will be replaced with larger, steeper seating, which includes a 300 percent increase in accessible seating places. According to the release, the new grandstands are expected to deliver “premium views … boosting energy, sound and excitement for fans, teams and players.”
The venue’s bathrooms will see an 85 percent increase in accessible toilets and a substantial increase in women’s toilets. Upgraded player amenities, especially those for women, are intended to support the growth of women’s sport.
Populous director Al Baxter commented that the firm’s design creates “a venue that will promote and support the continued growth of sports within the Western Sydney community.”
“It will provide an exceptional visitor experience for sporting events, concerts and live entertainment,” Baxter said.
Elsewhere in the precinct, new open spaces, multipurpose courts and improved landscaping will provide greater shade for entertainment and community use. While the central pitch and community greenspace on the north and south hills will remain, the training field to the west of the stadium will be remodelled into a warm-up field with community infrastructure and landscaping.

View gallery

The project has been ongoing since 2022, with its concept first unveiled in January 2024 and its State Significant Development application on public exhibition from May to June. Feedback in response to submissions was addressed in August.
A building contract is expected to be awarded shortly, with work scheduled to begin early 2025. Completion is slated for 2026. More

Brisbane-based architect and director of Five Mile Radius Clare Kennedy has won the 2024 Dunbar Fellowship – established as a result of a bequest left by late architect Jennifer Taylor – for her research into circular design practices.
Kennedy, whose practice has long championed the use of sustainable local materials in construction, will use the fellowship to investigate sustainable design methodologies in Thailand, Indonesia and China. Her research will focus on material efficiency, community engagement and regenerative practices.
During the research phase, Kennedy will work with studios such as Sher Maker in Thailand and Ibuku in Indonesia to gather insights on how sustainable design can be effectively applied in both commercial and community environments.
A communique released by the Queensland chapter stated that Kennedy’s proposal stood out due to its “potential to address one of architecture’s most pressing challenges: transitioning from resource-intensive models to sustainable, closed-loop systems.”
Queensland chapter executive director Anna Svensdotter said the proposal exemplified the kind of forward-thinking innovation that the Dunbar Fellowship was established to support. “Her [Kennedy’s] ability to connect international insights with local application aligns perfectly with the vision of the late Adjunct Professor Jennifer Taylor,” said Svensdotter.
“Clare’s work highlights the importance of learning from global best practices to inspire local innovation. This research has the potential to position Australian architecture as a leader in sustainable design.”
The research findings will culminate in an educational program, a public lecture, an academic publication and a toolkit to help architects adopt circular practices.
Expressing her gratitude, Clare said, “The fellowship is a perfect opportunity to explore how ingrained practices of reuse and resourcefulness can shape new frameworks for Australian architecture. At Five Mile Radius, we focus on how local, frugal approaches to material sourcing can be applied across all scales of construction. I’m excited to bring this research into practice through future collaborations that embed circular thinking into the Australian industry.”
The Dunbar Fellowship is awarded annually by the Queensland chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects. The fellowship enables the successful candidate to either undertake a program of study and/or research in Asia or the islands of the south Pacific Ocean; complete a one-year (minimum) course of study at an approved university leading to a further academic qualification, or undertake a one-year (minimum) structured program of research in an approved subject. More

Entries can now be submitted for the Australian Urban Design Awards 2025, with this year’s awards program comprising all new categories.
This year, submissions can be made across four categories, including Built Outcomes, Strategic Design and Policy, Research and Advocacy, and Urban Design Champions. For each of the four categories, the jury will award up to three projects or individuals.
The Built Outcomes category recognises outstanding work of city-building that exemplifies an urban design project as a catalyst, improving what exists, and anticipating and guiding what might come. The Strategic Design and Policy category honours outstanding work of strategic design or policy that will transform the performance of an urban place and improve the quality of life of the community.
The Research and Advocacy category recognises outstanding work in urban design research or advocacy that has broad applicability, and will improve the performance and quality of life in Australia’s urban communities.
The Urban Design Champions category recognises individuals who have made a measurable impact on the design and performance of our cities, working collaboratively to improve the quality of life of our communities. Some examples of an Urban Design Champion may be: a political champion, a community champion, a journalist, a public servant, an urban activist, a developer, an urban practitioner or an emerging urbanist.
Among the 2024 winners were George Street, Sydney by City of Sydney, and Transforming Southbank Boulevard by City of Melbourne with TCL and Mike Hewson.
Entries close 10 February 2025. To enter or find out more about the program, visit the Australian Urban Design Awards website. More

The Australian Institute of Architects’ Queensland chapter has announced the winners of the 2024 Philip Y. Bisset Planning (Architecture) Scholarship. Maitri Gohel and Lucinda O’Neill have each received $15,000 in grant funding to support their international research into their chosen interests.
According to a media communique from the Australian Institute of Architects, the pair have “demonstrated exceptional insight into issues critical to Queensland’s built environment.”

View gallery

As a current graduate of architecture at Hassell, Gohel’s work across a range of sectors informs her passion for adaptive reuse and regenerative design. Gohel’s project investigates the widespread uptake of adaptive reuse in European architecture as compared to Australia, focusing on how Circular Economy principles and urban regeneration contribute to sustainable design.
“By exploring how these practices and policies can be adapted to the Queensland context, I aim to identify opportunities for systematic change in design,” said Gohel. The jury appreciated Gohel’s ability to connect policy reform with practical solutions, ensuring her research delivers actionable outcomes.
O’Neill’s research focuses on materials that address issues of sustainability, affordability and energy efficiency, such as hempcrete and waste-derived bricks. Her proposed research program includes partaking in a six-day workshop in Turin, Italy, followed by four weeks of investigation into innovative material applications in Italy and Belgium.
“My research will explore the role of advanced materials in shaping sustainable architectural practices,” said Lucinda. “I aim to understand how materials can address barriers in implementation, such as public perception, legislation, and industry practices.”
By applying her findings to Queensland’s construction industry, O’Neill hopes to offer solutions to the challenges posed by material shortages, cost escalation and the pressing need for climate-conscious design.
Anna Svensdotter, executive director of the Institute’s Queensland chapter, observed that “Maitri and Lucinda’s work addresses critical challenges, such as sustainability, affordability and construction innovation, offering insights that will benefit our state as we prepare for the 2032 Olympics and beyond.”
“The challenges faced by today’s students demand more than academic rigour – they require additional resources to allow our future professionals to thrive and lead in an increasingly complex world,” she added.
The Philip Y. Bisset Planning (Architecture) Scholarship was established in 2016 through a bequest left to the Institute by the late Philip Y. Bisset. The scholarship enables final-year Master of Architecture students to gain global perspectives from architectural study overseas and encourages them to bring their findings back to Queensland. More

A design team comprising Bates Smart and Turf Design Studio has been named the winner of an invited design competition for a mixed-use high-rise in Rhodes, Sydney.
The proposal from the winning team was selected over submissions from two other teams: Fitzpatrick and Partners and McGregor Coxall, and WMK Architecture with Arcadia.
The winning scheme – named Wallumatta – accommodates 348 residential apartments, 100 aged care living units, retail and hospitality spaces, a fire station, and green spaces at 15–29 Blaxland Road.

View gallery

The proposed building massing comprises plinth, podium and two towers. According to the architects, the design is intended to stand in contrast to the glazed, vertical high-rises that feature prominently within the area. Instead the architects have selected brick for the facade, accented with horizontal masonry bands in reference to the area’s industrial history.
“Wallumatta embraces a distinct identity among its glassy context, opting instead for a more horizontal and grounded expression,” said Bates Smart in its design statement.

View gallery

Under the plans, an existing fire station would be replaced with a new station. This new fire station would be located at the northern corner of the site, integrated within the masonry plinth level. Bates Smart managing director Philip Vivian said, “Architecturally, the fire station uses board marked concrete and steel to create a civic presence and sense of permanence. The fire station anchors the end of a stepped sequence of volumes along Concord Road.”
Also contained within the masonry base are retail and hospitality offerings, and a garden arrival court which faces Blaxland Road and serves as an entrance to both towers.
The design competition was held by Ethos Urban for developer Ecove. More

The Australian government recently met with investors to discuss ways of unlocking more private sector capital in housing, and cleaner and cheaper energy.
According to a media release from the federal government, the discussion prompted a commitment between government, institutional investors and industry in order to address barriers to financing modern methods of construction – and in particular, pre-fabricated housing – at scale.
As part of this commitment, the government will fund a Voluntary Certification Scheme to simplify the process to get prefabricated housing approved under the National Construction Code (NCC).
The federal government is providing funding to the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) to develop the scheme, which will complement their new Prefabricated, Modular and Offsite Construction Handbook.
According to a spokesperson from the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, “The new national voluntary certification scheme will simplify the process by which prefabricated and modular housing manufacturers will be able to demonstrate compliance with the National Construction Code (NCC).”
“Prefab and modular can make a positive impact right across the construction sector – from individual elements like wall panels, floor or ceiling cassettes, modular bathroom, kitchens and laundries, through to fully prefabricated houses,” said the spokesperson.
The spokesperson also commented that prefabrication is valuable in other educational, health and public building classes, noting “every additional use of prefab, in any part of the construction sector, can improve overall productivity and enable the delivery of more new homes.”
According to the release, the roundtable’s participants – investors representing nearly $3 trillion in capital – endorsed the government’s plan to build 1.2 million new homes, vowing to work with the government in helping states and territories to clear barriers preventing construction and deterring new investment.
The spokesperson commented that the Voluntary Certification Scheme will most likely be enabled through the Evidence of Suitability provisions that govern the NCC. The scheme will be developed through 2025 with the first accreditations expected during the first half of 2026. More