Evelyn Reynolds

Ligne Roset is celebrating Togo’s 50th anniversary with style and colour. To mark the occasion, the French furniture company has introduced a striking limited edition Togo fabric, La Toile du Peintre by Pierre Frey, available only until the end of 2023.The painterly design puts a playful spin on the classic Togo design by interpreting the colourful work of artist Heather Chontos.For half a century, the Togo sofa has been the epitome of relaxation with its recognizable slouchy, low-slung lines and quilted exterior.Designer Michel Duceroy said he was inspired by “a tube of toothpaste folded back on itself… and closed at both ends.”Moulded from three different types of polyurethane foam, Togo eliminated the need for springs, base, feet and armrests and instead sat low to the ground while hugging the body. It was a revolutionary and breathtaking concept that shook the design world and even led to Ducaroy receiving the René-Gabriel Prize, France’s most prestigious design award, in 1973.Originally designed to meet the practical need of providing a comfortable spot for afternoon siestas and lazy evenings, the sofa quickly evolved beyond that to become an iconic piece, synonymous with having style.Togo remains one of Ligne Roset’s best-selling lines to this day.Every individual piece in the Togo collection is still crafted by hand in the original factories in Briord, a village in the Bugey region of France.Togo adapts to its environment, blending effortlessly with a traditional or contemporary interior, depending on the quilted cover chosen, whether its leather for an earthy look, glamorous velvets for an elegant feel, retro-inspired corduroy pastels for a splash of colour and hardy neutral-coloured materials for everyday living.The seating collection comprises the Togo Fireside chair, Togo Footstool, Togo Corner Seat, Togo Small Settee, Togo Medium Settee and Togo Large Settee Without Arms, all of which are exclusively available to order in Australia at DOMO.To find out more, visit www.domo.com.au More

A “kinetic portal,” big verandah, tent and “bronze veil” were just some of the design concepts that could have become the next installation of the National Gallery of Victoria’s 2023 Architecture Commission.
In a year when the gallery is exhibiting its landmark Triennial exhibition, the gallery opted to take a different route in procuring its annual architecture commissions. Instead of the usual open and anonymous competition, the gallery chose 10 emerging architecture practices, some of which had previously participated in the competitions, to submit designs that respond to themes of the 2023 Triennial: magic, matter and memory.
“We wanted practices that had the capacity to engage with something more critical or cultural,” explained Ewan McEoin, the NGV’s senior curator of contemporary art, design and architecture, “so people who have a research element to their practice or have illustrated the potential to do something that was beyond just a commercial project. And we were looking for a diverse group of people.
“And we were looking for a global perspective on something – that might be more of a local perspective on something that’s a global issue or something that’s more broadly resonant.”

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“Simply Irresistible” by Studiobird/Simona. Image:

Courtesy of Studiobird/Simona

A number of the submissions responded to the theme of memory: Taylor and Hinds, with Dr Lois Peeler’s scheme “What We Know, Is What We Remember,” proposes a circular field of murnongs that is “memory materialised” and enveloped by a bronze mesh; Supermanoeuvre’s “YIMBY (Yes! In My (Our) Backyard)” aims to build active and collective urban memories through a “shared” backyard; Studiobird/Simona’s “Simply Irresistible” is conceived as “a portal to another realm enmeshed in our memory of architecture.”
With Zena Cumpston’s scheme “Everpresent,” Youssofzay Hart reimagines the tents that once occupied the site of the NGV in the 1850s.
Similarly, Office Mi—Ji’s “Temporary Memory” also reimagines part of the NGV through its reinterpretation of the gallery’s first permanent exhibition space: the McArthur Gallery at the State Library of Victoria.
Spresser and Peter Besley’s “Remembrance of Things Past” responds to both memory and matter with its grid of charred staves that reference colonialism, climate crisis, consumerism and burning practices of First Nations peoples.

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“Remembrance of Things Past” by Spresser and Peter Besley. Image:

Courtesy of Spresser and Peter Besley

Office of Culture, Technology and Architecture’s scheme “Natural Settings” proposes to employ ancient techniques of heating and cooling to support an environment in a constant state of flux.
Another two schemes proposed to create sheltering structures: “Garden with Orange and Green Shade” by GFA2, Supercontext and Dean Cross is conceived as an overscaled domestic verandah affixed to the rear exit of the NGV’s Great Hall, while Five Mile Radius and Julia Watson’s “A Chance to Feel Alive” proposes a linear shelter structure that protects from the evolving climate and draws on Indigenous technologies from around the world.
The ultimate winner was a concept that responds to “matter” by Perth architect Nic Brunsdon in collaboration with Eness: “This is Air,” which captures the ubiquitous eponymous element.
“Air is a universal common link that is [among] the defining features of life,” Brunsdon said. “The air we breathe, this thing that connects us. It can give us life, but it can also harm us.”
Conceived at the tail-end of a pandemic respiratory virus, the concept is, in part, a distillation of the collective anxiety about invisible dangers in the air.
“In a very broad sense, it was trying to find something [that] spoke of the human condition and made the invisible visible,” Brunsdon said.
McEwan said the scheme “unanimously captured everybody’s attention in the jury process.”
“We’re talking about a global realisation that we are all breathing the same air,” he continued. “It was quite philosophical, but also, from my point of view, when we start talking about the air we breathe, we’re talking about our relationship with each other, with ecology, and other species. I think the jury found that quite interesting.
“There was also a lot of dialogue about what do we mean by, ‘Do we breathe the same air?’ Because […] the quality of air the people breathe around the world is significantly different, and mostly different around socio-economic factors.”
“This is Air” will be on display at the National Gallery of Victoria from 3 December 2023.
The competition for the 2024 Architecture Commission will return to an open and anonymous model. The competition will be judged by Cassandra Chilton (associate studio director of Aspect Studios), Ewan McEoin (senior curator of contemporary art, design and architecture at NGV), Georgia Birks (associate editor at Architecture Media, which publishes ArchitectureAU.com), Monique Woodward (director of Wowowa) and Tai Ropiha (director of Chrofi). Register for the competition here. More

The University of Melbourne has released a new estate masterplan for its Parkville campus in central Melbourne.
Principal design consultant Hassell created a long-term vision for the campus that would deliver more than 22,000 square metres of green space, for students, staff and the wider community.
“This landmark initiative represents a pivotal milestone in enhancing the University’s commitment to learning experience and research outcomes,” said Hassell principal Mark Roehrs. “It’s a comprehensive and strategic approach to the estate that balances the re-lifing of its valuable heritage estate with new infrastructure. The University will also enhance its contribution to the city with easier ways to navigate through the University precinct and exciting new green space.”

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A new central park in the heart of University of Melbourne’s Parkville campus. Image:

Hassell and Studio Lux

Hassell’s masterplan is the third in the university’s history. The first was produced by Brian Lewis in 1948 and the second was by Daryl Jackson in 2008.
A key move in the masterplan is to transform Grattan Street, which bisects the historic campus to the north and urban campus to the south, into a green corridor and in turn create a shared central park that would join together South Lawn and University Square.
The university will work in collaboration with the City of Melbourne to create expanded shared spaces, improved shading, bike paths and planting.
Grattan Street would become a major new entry point with proximity to the under-construction Parkville metro station, designed by Hassell, Western Williamson and Partners, and RSHP, as part of the Cross Yarra Partnership joint venture.
“At the heart of this vision is an aspiration to open up the University’s campuses, to make them more accessible for our staff and students and to transform them into shared places that are more welcoming for all communities,” said vice-chancellor Duncan Maskell.
The masterplanning process identified 70 needs across the campus.
It will also create opportunities for the university’s Indigenous staff, students and partners to co-create projects that promote cultural awareness and recognition of cultural heritage.
The south-west corner of the historic campus will also be redeveloped to create an expanded biomedical precinct.

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An expanded biomedical precinct at University of Melbourne’s Parkville campus. Image:

Hassell and Studio Lux

The university’s Medical Building, Old Microbiology Building, and Old Howard Florey Building will make way for an expanded Parkville Biomedical Precinct.
Several historic buildings will be refurbished, including the Old Engineering Building, Electrical and Electronic Building, and Maths and Stats Building, which will also have an extension to house a new multi-disciplinary learning hub and a science discovery centre.
Melba Hall will be rejuvenated, and the Baldwin Spencer Building will be refurbished to create work spaces for staff from the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning.
“The reimagination of our campus buildings and outdoor areas will make them more accessible, more connected to the environment, and they will be designed with energy efficiency in mind,” Maskell said. More

Melbourne’s Southbank will soon have a new green recreational space, following the announcement of a new park near the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA).
Member for Albert Park Nina Taylor announced a $1.5 million investment for the design and delivery of the park, which will complement new urban gardens in the surrounding area, as well as serve as an accompaniment to the future works to be delivered as part of the Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation.
“Today is just the first step in delivering what will be a fantastic open space for Southbank locals to enjoy,” Taylor said. The space, delivered in partnership with the City of Melbourne, Creative Victoria, and ACCA, will serve as a gathering place for locals and visitors to connect with nature. The park is one of 11 open space projects across Victoria, as part of the state government’s $7.4 million Better Parks and Playgrounds program.
Minister for environment Ingrid Stitt said the introduction of green spaces in metropolitan areas ensures communities still have unique and inclusive open spaces to take pleasure in.

“We’re ensuring Melburnians in urban areas have easy access to quality open space to exercise, relax or just enjoy the outdoors,” she said.

Through the Suburban Parks Program, 87 new and improved public spaces, including parks and dog parks, have been delivered.

Once complete the Suburban Parks Program will create up to 6,500 hectares of new parkland, walking and cycling trails, pocket parks and dog parks – the equivalent of more than 170 Royal Botanic Gardens. More

Billard Leece Partnership (BLP) and Cox Architecture have been appointed as the designers of the new Bundaberg Hospital, a $1.2 billion project that will provide vital health care services to the growing city.
The architects are part of the CPD Contractors consortium, which was selected as the preferred bidder for stage one of the development by the Queensland government.
The six-storey facility will house critical health departments including acute, medical, surgical, and mental health care, as well as emergency and clinical support services, supplemented by essential infrastructure.
BLP managing director, Tara Veldman, said they are thrilled to be involved with the delivery of such an important and beneficial project.
“It is a privilege to contribute to the delivery of the new Bundaberg Hospital, a project that will significantly enhance the Queensland region’s health infrastructure,” she said. “Our shared vision aims to establish a modern, future-proofed health facility that caters to the needs of the Bundaberg community and the wider Wide Bay-Burnett region.”
The design for the new hospital is expected to be completed in early 2024, with construction to follow. More

The Adelaide Aquatic Centre is one step closer to becoming a reality after a development application for the $135 million world-class facility has been submitted.
The application contains updated artist impressions of the design, a planning report that describes the proposed development, as well as several reports and assessments.
The State Commission Assessment Panel (SCAP) is expected to review the application in the upcoming months, with formal consent required prior to beginning construction in North Adelaide’s Pardipardinyilla / Denise Norton Park.
JPE Design Studio and Warren and Mahoney were appointed as the designers of the centre in September 2022.
Replacing the existing structure, the reimagined multi-level facility will offer amenities such as a 25-metre, an eight-lane outdoor pool with a lagoon; dedicated pools for rehabilitation as well as a gym, sauna and steam room facilities; a cafe and play areas.
The new centre will occupy less space than the existing one, returning approximately 1,000 square metres to the Adelaide Park Lands that surround the city.
The building’s design aims to blend in with the natural surroundings and align with National Heritage principles, with clear delineation between the city and the parklands. More

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The City of Melbourne has a draft masterplan for the transformation of the north bank of the Birrarung/Yarra River. The Greenline project, by Aspect Studios and TCL, is set to create a four-kilometre stretch of interconnected promenades, parks and open spaces between Birrarung Marr and the Bolte Bridge in what will become Melbourne’s largest green […] More