Evelyn Reynolds

The Victorian and federal governments have together unveiled designs for the redevelopment of Carlton’s public housing towers at 20 Elgin Street and 141 Nicholson Street – the first pair of 44 towers to be replaced across the city.
Designed by Architectus, the new Carlton Housing Towers will replace the suburb’s 60-year-old, 17-storey red brick public housing towers developed by the Victorian Housing Commission in the 1960s.
According to a joint statement from the Victorian premier and the federal minister for housing and homelessness, “The redevelopment will deliver hundreds more homes for families and boost housing stock at the currently unoccupied site by 26 percent – delivering 248 social homes equipped with private balconies in two buildings spanning 16 and 18 storeys.”
Residents were relocated from the towers in 2022 following a sewerage system failure. According to the statement, the buildings “were built to significantly outdated design standards. They’re reaching the end of their useful lives, and no longer fit for modern living – particularly for young families and Victorians living with a disability.”

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Premier Jacinta Allan commented, “I want families to have decent homes because I want kids to have decent lives. Every Victorian deserves a home near the people they love, close to transport, jobs and services.”
The design process included consultation with renters through a dedicated community committee. In response to residents’ feedback, the designs were modified to include four-bedroom and five-bedroom apartments to accommodate larger households.
Oliver Mayger, Architectus principal and living sector leader noted, “Our priority is to listen to the lived experience of public housing renters, staff, and the community to ensure we design a site that meets the needs of the people who will live there for generations to come. From the very first sketch, we have worked together to design equitable, modern, and sustainable housing that renters and the community can feel immensely proud of.”
According to the joint government statement, the new apartments are energy efficient, and maximise natural light and ventilation. They “include improved accessibility, reverse-cycle heating and cooling, ceiling fans, a laundry in each apartment, double-glazed windows and modern kitchens.” Apartments are set to achieve 5 Star Greenstar and 7 Star NatHERS ratings.

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Clare O’Neil, federal minister for housing and homelessness said, “Every single one of these homes in Carlton will become a modern, energy-efficient and accessible place for people to call home.”
The renovated site will also accommodate community spaces, a kitchen garden, communal terrace and shared spaces that link to Station Street Park.
Set to be the state’s biggest urban renewal project, the redevelopment of Melbourne’s housing commission towers has been met with widespread discussion, investigation, contention and frustration at the government’s lack of evidence to support their decision.

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Victorian minister for housing Harriet Shing argued, “The towers no longer meet modern standards of living – particularly for families with kids, and Victorians living with a disability. And so while others try to block, we’ll continue to build more homes across Victoria that are bright, modern, secure, connected and accessible.”
The state and federal governments assert that the overarching redevelopment project will see an increase in the state’s social housing by at least 10 percent.
Early demolition works at the Carlton site have already started, with the towers slated for demolition early next year and construction anticipated for completion by 2028.
According to Homes Victoria, the next towers scheduled for redevelopment by 2031 are 20 Racecourse Road, Flemington; 12 Holland Court, Flemington; and 33 Alfred Street, North Melbourne. More

Plans for an approved 15-storey development adjacent to the heritage-listed Shafston House on Brisbane’s River in Kangaroo Point have been recently resubmitted to Brisbane City Council. Originally designed by Rothelowman Architects and approved in March 2023, the newly submitted 25-storey proposal has been developed by Kerry Hill Architects (KHA).
Orchestrated by developer Burgundy Group, the original proposal at 23 Castlebar Street included 37 apartments within a tower directly adjacent to the 1851 Shafston House residence, whose design has been shaped by contributions from Queensland Colonial Architect FDG Stanley (1880s) and Robin Dods (circa 1904). Downslope from the residence, two low-scale river homes were planned to be constructed in front of the historic 1919 Wards Building.

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KHA’s proposal, submitted by Verso Development Group, seeks to increase the number of apartments within the tower to 48. It includes two “river homes” within the approved location and seeks conversion of the Old Postal Depot into a single “guest house.”
According to the submitted documents, “The design process has utilised a carefully curated ‘whole of site’ master plan approach, to suitably integrate and celebrate heritage features within the contemporary built form landscape.” Historic buildings on the site are intended to be repurposed as “communal space for residents,” with the Wards Building serving as a gym and wellness facility, and the Orderlies Building accommodating a residents’ lounge.

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The tower facade is designed with full-height stacked sliding screens to balcony perimeters, which are designed to filter sunlight when open and mitigate direct sunlight when closed.
Designed by PWP Landscape Architecture, the proposed landscape plan is centred around a pool within the historic lawn at the site’s centre. Revegetation is planned around the west of the site. In the tower, a subtropical planting scheme is proposed within planters, small gardens and vertical green walls.

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KHA noted that the design will not only deliver “additional supply and diversity in the Brisbane housing market,” but will create several community benefits. These include heritage revitalisation of the Shafston House site, delivery of a portion of the Brisbane riverwalk infrastructure and increased recreational amenities, “with greater activation of the lawn and open spaces across the estate, and the establishment of a private marina on the site to further encourage the use of the Brisbane river.”
The application can be viewed online. More

A new house in Melbourne and a renovated home in Perth have taken out accolades in Dezeen’s 2024 awards. The global design and architecture website announced the 15 architecture award recipients and nine interior award winners from a shortlist of projects from across the world. The two awarded Australian projects were successful in the architecture category.
Winning Urban House of the Year, Northcote House by LLDS was lauded by the jury for its reinvention of “the townhouse concept with innocative design and sustainability.”
“The project harmonises diverse materials, striking a balance between sculptural and functional elements,” they noted. “Its interior spaces are beautifully designed to enhance natural light and comfort.”
In Perth, Grotto Studio’s Shadow House won House Renovation of the Year. A charred timber-clad extension to an existing worker’s cottage, the jury commented, “This project beautifully contrasts the existing building with new elements, showcasing a rich character through warm, reclaimed materials such as burned wood.”

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“The design respects the historic home while introducing contemporary features, creating a harmonious blend of past and present,” they said.
The Dezeen Awards recognise architecture, interiors, design and sustainability projects, as well as the studios and individual designers producing outstanding work around the world. More

The NSW chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects has celebrated the recipients of the state’s suite of prizes, honours and fellowships at their 2024 NSW Prizes and Honours event, held on 22 November at the Intercontinental in Sydney.
The annual end-of-year celebration recognises individuals and practices who have contributed significantly to the field of architecture and wider built environment through academia, literature, practice, reconciliation and advocacy.
The NSW chapter president Elizabeth Carpenter congratulated everyone who received recognition. “While our society is going through a deeply complex and challenging time of upheaval, our built environment and its architecture can offer support, shelter and safety. Architecture is the very thing that binds together community, making the impact of well designed spaces paramount,” Carpenter said.
This year, the highest honour – the President’s Prize – was awarded to two individuals.
Dr Caroline Butler-Bowdon, the NSW state librarian and a published author in architecture and urban history, was awarded the President’s Prize in recognition of her 20 years of leadership experience in public institutions, including Sydney Living Museums (the Historic Houses Trust) and the Art Gallery of NSW.
Carpenter said Butler-Bowdon’s career has been dedicated to connecting citizens and visitors to special places, culture and heritage through a broad range of statewide public engagement programs. She added, “Through Caroline’s wealth of experience in placemaking and public spaces, she continues to champion the importance of libraries as civic spaces.”
Chris Thomas was also posthumously awarded the President’s Prize in recognition of his significant contributions to Public Architecture and Public Domain. National president-elect and immediate past NSW chapter president Adam Haddow said Chris was instrumental in helping instil an appreciation for quality design outcomes – championing design excellence across a portfolio of architecture, landscape architecture and public art. “He showed a deep understanding of the importance of delivering exceptional and site responsive projects for the community. […] His work has had a significant and lasting impact on the quality of Sydney’s public domain and the day-to-day lives of many,” Haddow commented.
The Australian Institute of Architects NSW Chapter Prizes and Honours were granted to over 40 practitioners and organisations.
The overall winners list is as follows:
President’s Prize
Dr Caroline Butler-Bowdon of the State Library of NSW
Chris Thomas, formerly of the City of Sydney

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Reconciliation Prize
Award
Bangawarra
Commendation
Professor Brenda L Croft – Naabámi (thou will/shall see): Barangaroo (army of me)
David Lindner Prize
Aiden Morris of Chrofi
Marion Mahony Griffin Prize
Annabel Lahz of Lahznimmo Architects
Adrian Ashton Prize
Award
Penny Craswell – The New Sustainable House
Commendations
David Meagher – No Space Like Home
Karen McCartney – Architecture: 50 Years of Shaping How We Live
Best In Practice
Medium-Large Practice Award
Fitzpatrick and Partners
Small Practice Award
Studio Prineas
Life Fellows
Chirstine Vadasz
Jean Rice
Margaret Pertykowski
Tasman Storey
William Morrison
Honorary Fellows
Prof. Anthony Burke
Prof. Philip Oldfield
Fellows
Andrew Scott of Panov Scott
Anita Panov of Panov Scott
Ashley Dunn of Dunn Hillam
Carol Marra of Marra and Yeh
Chris Major of Welsh Major
Craig Burns of BVN
David Kaunitz of Kaunitz Yeung
Emili Fox of Architectus
Emily Wombwell of SJB Architects
Felicity Stewart of Stewart Architecture
Hannah Tribe of Tribe Studio
Jennifer McMaster of Trias
Jo Bastian of Bastian Architecture
Ka Wai Yeung of Kaunitz Yeung
Ksenia Totoeva of Tonkin Zulaikha Greer
Lee Hillam of Dunn Hillam
Prof. Michael Chapman of Western Sydney University
Ninotschka Titchokosvsky
Phoebe Glanville of Alleanza Architecture
Qianyi Lim of Sibling Architecture
Adam Haddow of SJB Architects
Tiffany Liew of Andrew Burns Architects
Tina Tziallas of Tziallas Architects
Susan O’Neill of Land and Environment Court of NSW More

ARM Architecture has won a competitive tender process to develop a masterplan for a major capital works project at De La Salle College in the Melbourne suburb of Malvern.
The competitive tender process was conducted by the college itself, a Catholic Boys school that provides education to years 5–12 students, in consultation with Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MCAS). The brief outlined a need to revitalise and add new facilities to the existing campuses occupied by the school – Tiverton and Kinnoull – to meet anticipated student growth.
The project will be the single largest capital works project carried out by the college in almost half a century. A key feature of the masterplan will be a new performing arts centre on the college’s Tiverton campus. The overarching masterplan will also accommodate additional educational facilities, alongside renovated existing buildings.
ARM director Jesse Judd said school projects play an important role in enriching students’ educational experience, as well as help shape the futures of young people.
“We are genuinely excited to be working with the college to create a masterplan that addresses current needs and anticipates future growth,” he said. “Our commitment is that the masterplan and identified projects not only meet educational and functional needs but also reflect and enhance De La Salle’s unique Catholic identity, supporting lifelong learning, faith and community involvement.”
The first phase of the project will involve the development of a masterplan for all three school campuses, followed by the design and implementation stages. The masterplan process is due to be complete before the end of 2024. More

The City of Darwin has unveiled a proposal for a $150 million new civic centre, designed by CA Architects. Located on the southern point of the city’s peninsula, the new building is intended to replace the city’s existing hub, which has been in service for over 50 years.
Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis commented, “The new civic centre features a larger library with an expanded footprint, meeting rooms and function spaces that can be booked by the community, new council chambers, space for a cafe and an improved customer service centre.”
In order for the current building and library to remain open throughout construction, the new civic centre is proposed to be constructed on the car park site adjacent to the existing building. Ten floors of the new 20-storey tower will accommodate City of Darwin offices, with two floors dedicated to customer service, the new library, a new function space with capacity for 300 attendees, council chambers, public meeting rooms and community space. The remaining ten floors are designated commercial office space and include 10,000 square metres of net lettable area.
Located within the entry courtyard of the current civic centre, Galamarrma, the Tree of Knowledge, will be retained and protected throughout the new building’s construction. Being significant to both the Larrakia people and the culturally diverse Darwin community, the historic Banyan tree will be given prominence within the new community plaza design. The design of this plaza is aimed at transforming the entire precinct and enhancing the connection through to the nearby Civic Park.
In order to accommodate tourists and locals alike, the new building will also include a five-level contained carpark with approximately 400 car parking spaces for residents, workers and visitors.
According to a media communique from the City of Darwin, the council undertook an extensive community and stakeholder engagement process in February 2022 with Rossi Architects in order to develop the new civic centre’s functional design brief.
Following an expressions of interest period in December 2023, local contractor DCOH has been selected to deliver the new civic centre. An application for development consent is soon to be lodged, with construction expected to commence in the 2025 dry season. The project is scheduled to be complete in 2028. More

The Victorian chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects has celebrated the recipients of the state’s suite of prizes, honours and fellowships in their 2024 Victorian Honours, held on 25 November at the State Library of Victoria. The annual event celebrates the important contributions of the Institute’s members across the built environment while advancing the policy and advocacy work of the Institute.
This year, the highest honour – the Victorian President’s Prize – was awarded to Tony Isaacson. Chair of the Board of Directors of the Robin Boyd Foundation and convenor of the Portable Buildings World Heritage Nomination Task Force, Isaacson has also had involvement in the management of the Greg Burgess archive and was formerly a construction company director.
The honour recognises Isaacson’s outstanding contribution to the profession over a long period of time and provides a platform for furthering his advocacy and promotion of architecture in the public realm.
Five new prizes and one scholarship were added to the state’s existing suite of prizes, recognising the important contributions of the chapter’s members across a spectrum of disciplines and advocacy areas within the built environment.
The winners are:
President’s Prize
Tony Isaacson
Robert Caulfield Graduate Research Scholarship
Winner
Tahj Rosmarin and Jimi Connor
Commendation
Hannah Zhu
Sinclair-Nelson Drawing Scholarship
Winner
Mada Aldeeb
Commendation
Sam Wilson
Victorian Student Ideas Prize Winner
Winner
Keane Sheng Khoo
Commendations
Andrew Gallo and Shazia Haidari (team)
Billy Swain and Ishika Thakur (team)
Xin Ze Seah (Sean)
Graduate Prize
Winner
Kim Huang
Commendations
Holly Shannon
Santiago Borda
Enabling Architecture Prize
Angela Roennfeldt
Gender Equity and Diversity Prize
Simona Castricum
Regional Practice Prize
Kim Irons
Social and Affordable Housing Prize
Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation
Sustainability Leadership Prize
Finding Infinity

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This year’s recognised fellows include:
2024 Fellowships
Maria Danos
Karen McWilliam
Jane Williams
Stephanie Bullock
Rosa Coy
Monique Woodward
Sarah Bryant
Mark Austin
Shane Williams
Tony Lee
Peter Woolard
Garry Thompson
Michael Moloney
Paul Katz
Robert Bienvenu
Alan Morton
Koos de Keijzer
Michael Leeton
Davin Smith
Richard Bryant
Virginia Ross
2024 Honorary Fellowships
Dr Fleur Watson
Justine Clark
Ross Harding
2024 Life Fellowships
Karen Alcock
Stuart Harrison
Ann Lau
Kim Irons
Sarah Buckeridge
William ‘Bill’ Henning
Peter Quigley
Bruce Trethowan More

Initial concepts for the Hassell-designed Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport line have been released to the public, showcasing designs that incorporate narratives led by Country.
The new 23-kilometre railway line will accommodate six new metro stations, including (in order) St Marys, Orchard Hills, Luddenham, two stations within the airport site – at the airport business park and airport terminal – and Bradfield.
The Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport proposal received planning approval from both the federal and NSW governments in 2021. The project has been touted by the state government as a strategy for supporting future growth in Western Parkland City. It aims to enhance connectivity for users of the upcoming Western Sydney (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport – expected to be complete in 2026 – linking it to Sydney’s broader public transport network, as well as new residential and employment hubs.

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In addition to the six stations, the project will also involve the establishment of six new precincts, and a maintenance and operations depot.
A communique released by Hassell mentioned that preliminary designs have been guided by Dharug Country narratives. The practice noted that the design “honours the cultural significance of the land it traverses. Stories of the Wianamatta region inform the overarching design concept, ‘carved earth connected to big sky’ — reflecting a landscape where vast skies meet earth and seasonal creeks carve the land.”

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Hassell principal in charge Glenn Scott emphasised the importance of including Country-led narratives in the design. “Our approach goes beyond technical design excellence; we are creating spaces that reflect and respect the cultural heritage of Dharug Country,” said Scott.
“By balancing international expertise with a profound respect for and engagement with Country, the new network will reflect the spirit of Wianamatta, the Cumberland Plain and the broader Western Sydney region.”
“[…] this project exemplifies how thoughtful, research-driven design can respect the past while facilitating a dynamic future.”

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The project commenced construction in late 2022. In June 2024, it was announced that a total of 9.8 kilometers of tunnelling had been completed. The designs currently on exhibition for community feedback include the metro stations at St Marys, Orchard Hills, Luddenham and Bradfield; the stabling and maintenance facility; and the corridor landscape masterplan.
To find out more about the project, visit the Sydney Metro website. More