Architecture

The second instalment of the annual ArchitectureAu Asks symposium, to be held at the Shine Dome in Canberra on Friday 7 November, features a provocation on the future of design competitions from Sydney architect and director of Durbach Block Jaggers Camilla Block.
Block’s provocation asks leading practitioners from across Australia to consider the current state of the architectural competition system, noting that while competitions can be powerful vehicles for experimentation and the creation of exceptional architecture, many architects today find themselves grappling with opaque processes, disingenuous briefs, limited budgets, onerous deliverables and little protection against intellectual theft – all for projects that may never be realised.
Respondents will explore what needs to change to ensure fairness, transparency and value in the competition process, and what an ideal future for architectural competitions might look like.
Speakers to offer their insight include Australian Institute of Architects Gold Medallists John Wardle of Wardle (Melbourne), Kerry Clare of Clare Design (Gold Coast) and Phil Harris of Troppo Architects (Adelaide), alongside Bradley Mapiva Brown of Bagariin Ngunnawal Cultural Consulting (Canberra), Felicity Stewart of Stewart Architecture (Canberra and Sydney), Kevin Lloyd of Hassell (Sydney), Patrick Kosky of Kerry Hill Architects (Perth), and Sue Dugdale of Susan Dugdale and Associates (Alice Springs).
The ArchitectureAu Asks symposium is presented alongside a series of significant events that showcase excellence and innovation in Australian architecture. These include the Institute’s National Architecture Awards ceremony at the National Gallery of Australia on the evening of Thursday 6 November, and the free-to-attend 2025 Griffin Lecture, presented by Gold Medallist Gregory Burgess and moderated by Shaneen Fantin, held immediately after the ArchitectureAu Asks symposium.
Concurrent with these events, the Canberra Museum and Gallery is hosting a series of talks and tours related to the Taglietti: Life In Design exhibition, which explores the work of architect and Gold Medallist Enrico Taglietti.
ArchitectureAu Asks attendees can earn 3.5 formal CPD points. To find out more about the event and opportunity to purchase a ticket bundle with the National Architecture Awards, visit here.
ArchitectureAu Asks is a Design Speaks program organised by Architecture Media and supported by premium partners Bondor Metecno and Planned Cover, and hotel partner Ovolo Nishi. More

An award-winning townhouse by the late Sydney architect Ken Woolley is under consideration for listing on the New South Wales State Heritage Register. Known as Woolley Townhouse or Paddington House, the 1980 home at 8A Cooper St, Paddington, served as the home of Ken Woolley and his wife Virginia Braden Woolley for seven years.
According to the Heritage Council of NSW, the townhouse is the last of three residences Woolley designed for himself, and “is an early demonstration of his capacity to combine postmodern characteristics with Sydney School design.”
In a Revisited article of the house for Houses magazine in 2020, Peter Salhani described the project as a testing ground for Woolley’s new ideas around urban living, and also a homage to Virginia’s love of music due to its grand-piano-shaped form. At the time it was built, the building was recognised as the best new house in NSW, winning the Wilkinson Award for Residential Architecture in 1983.

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Along with alterations from a previous custodian, Milenko Mijuskovic of Studio Redux, the home has seen recent alterations and additions, including a basement-level bar and an outdoor terrace designed by Casey Brown Architecture, though the Heritage Council of NSW notes that “much of this work is in line with the original design intent of Ken Woolley.”
The matter of the home’s state heritage significance has been ongoing since 2021, when the building was nominated by Woollahra Municipal Council after being identified as a potential item of state significance in a 2005 heritage study by Clive Lucas, Stapleton and Partners. The dwelling was first identified by the council as an item of high local significance within the Paddington Heritage Conservation Area in 2004.

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In a summary paper last year, the Heritage Council of NSW recommended to Minister for Heritage Penny Sharpe that the Woolley Townhouse be considered for state heritage listing. The state’s independent planning commission has been tasked with reviewing the proposal and receiving public submissions before the minister makes a final decision on the listing.
Further details on the listing and process for public submissions, which are open until Wednesday 10 September 2025, can be found online. More

A development application has been lodged for a major $1 billion mixed-use precinct on a mostly vacant site adjacent to the Toowong Village shopping centre and the suburb’s train station, four kilometres south-west of Brisbane’s CBD. Named “Toowong Central,” the tri-tower proposal includes a retail podium and series of ground floor plazas.
Working in partnership with Cottee Parker Architects and PWP Landscape Architecture, Kerry Hill Architects (KHA) has led the architectural design of the project since winning an international design competition for their concept against competitors United Network Studio (UN Studio) and Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) in 2024.
According to a report from planning consultant Urbis, KHA’s competition “concept design presented an activated and connected ground plane with generous public realm that crafted a vision for living, working and enjoying at the site … [and] has since been developed further, in response to further feedback from both council and the community.”

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The proposed scheme comprises three slender residential towers ranging 49 to 58 storeys in height – the tallest reaching 225 metres above ground level – comprising 1,031 apartments, 92 of which are designated as short-stay serviced units. These are arranged around a central plaza, which forms the heart of a network of public spaces and walkways that lead through and around retail and commercial tenancies within the mixed-use podium.
“A specific focus in the design is unlocking and maximising the ground plane for public open space, while co-locating much-needed housing supply with lifestyle amenities to support the growing inner-city population,” Urbis’s report notes.

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At the centre of the precinct, the circular plaza is envisaged as a flexible space for interactive water play, informal gathering and night markets. In addition, the scheme addresses each of the site’s three frontages with smaller public forecourts, along with integration of the former Carver and Co. building – a local heritage place – as part of the project’s retail offering.
Drawing inspiration from the leafy suburban surrounds, each of the three towers is vertically articulated with elevated subtropical sky gardens. The emphasis on urban greening extends to the landscaped podium, which includes a series of pools, wellness facilities and multifunctional spaces.

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In respect of the proposal’s scale, Urbis’s report notes that the design responds directly to the existing and future site context, along with its proximity to the CBD and Brisbane River.
“The concept design process was driven by a bold vision of revitalising and reawakening the heart of Toowong through the creation of an iconic and memorable precinct on the site to enhance the area’s appeal and serve as a catalyst for planned improvements in the surrounds,” the report reads.
With the height of the proposal being more than double what’s permitted under the neighbourhood plan – and exceeds previous 25-storey approvals, such as Nettleton Tribe’s design for The Aviary – the application is impact assessable and open to public submissions.
The proposal can be viewed online. More

Parlour has launched the second edition of its Guides to Equitable Practice, updating the first edition from 2015 to further address pay inequities in architecture.
Parlour co-founder and director Justine Clark today joined host Georgia Birks on episode three of the Design Speaks Weekly podcast to explore the significance of the updated guides and the role of data in driving accountability and transparency across the profession.

In 2015, 11 guides were released, addressing a range of common issues in the architecture profession and outlining strategies for creating more equitable workplaces. The topics included pay equity, leadership, long hours, part-time work, recruitment, mentoring, career progression, negotiation, career breaks and registration.
Updated versions of these guides are now being gradually re-released. The first, Pay Equity and Pay Gaps, provides a comprehensive overview of gender pay gaps, pay equity, and practical recommendations for addressing both in the workplace.
Design Speaks Weekly is presented in partnership with the Australian Institute of Architects and with support from Lysaght. A fresh episode will be delivered every Tuesday. You can listen to it on major podcast apps, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and Pocket Casts.
To access the Parlour Guides to Equitable Practice, visit the Parlour website. More

Federal heritage approval has been granted to Gurrowa Place – a major new mixed-use housing development sited at the southern edge of the Queen Victoria Market (QVM), which will be delivered by the City of Melbourne in partnership with Lendlease and Scape.
The latest federal approval for the project is in addition to planning approvals from state and local government, as well as state heritage support, received in early 2024. Concept designs from the project’s design team – comprising NH Architecture, Kerstin Thompson Architects, 3XN Australia, Searle x Waldron Architecture, Openwork, McGregor Coxall, Lovell Chen and Urbis – were first unveiled in 2023.
The $1.7 billion Gurrowa Place project involves the construction of two new apartment towers, a student accommodation tower and a low-rise civic building across a 3.2-hectare site bordered by Franklin, Queen and Peel streets, just north of Melbourne’s CBD.
According to a media release from Lendlease, the project is slated to deliver approximately 1,150 student residences by Scape and 622 build-to-rent apartments with 79 affordable homes across two of the site’s residential buildings. As part of the federal heritage approval, Lendlease has proposed an amendment to the third building within the project’s approved masterplan, which would enable approximately 507 build-to-rent apartments and 55 affordable homes.
“In total, this could see more than 2,200 new build-to-rent apartments and student accommodation beds delivered, including more than 130 affordable homes, located close to public transport connections and Melbourne’s medical, education and research precincts,” the communique from Lendlease states.
Minister for Housing Clare O’Neil welcomed the announcement, adding, “We have too many regulations standing in the path of builders that is serving no purpose other than to delay and create more expensive housing. If we’re going to build more homes, which is exactly what our government is trying to do, then that’s going to have to change.”
Plans for the precinct also include a 1.8-hectare public park called Market Square on the site of the historic Old Melbourne Cemetery – now used as the market’s open-air car park. The proposal features new basement car parking with 220 spaces for visitors and traders, along with the restoration and conversion of the heritage-listed Franklin Street stores into hospitality and retail outlets facing north to the park.
Minister for the Environment and Water Murray Watt said that conditions attached to the development consent are designed to preserve the heritage of the QVM while delivering more homes for Victorians.
“Through thoughtful design, this project will provide new and much-needed housing while ensuring this Melbourne icon can be enjoyed for many years to come,” Watt said. “This project will offer modern facilities to make the market more accessible and appealing to traders, customers and tourists alike.”

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Lord Mayor of Melbourne Nick Reece commented that Gurrowa Place is the biggest mixed-use development in the city’s history.
“This development will also make a major dent in the housing crisis – delivering new homes, including affordable housing which the city desperately needs,” he noted. “Lendlease and the City of Melbourne can now confidently move forward with groundbreaking plans to transform the precinct.”
According to the council, the project’s heritage consent allows it to progress to construction following relevant authority and permit approvals. Site works are expected to commence next year with the project to be completed in several stages. More

The City of Sydney is inviting public feedback on a future vision for Victoria Barracks in Paddington, noting that the 15-hectare site could provide opportunities for housing, cultural activities or other community use.
Located on Oxford Street, Victoria Barracks remains an active military site, with many of its original buildings still in use. The barracks were designed by lieutenant colonel George Barney to replace the original military facilities in George Street, which had become unsuitable due to Sydney’s growing population and increasing commercial activity. Barney’s original design combined British military architecture with local materials, such as sandstone. Construction began on the South Head Road (now Oxford Street) site in 1841; however, more buildings were added over time in response to changing operational needs.
In 2023, the council stated that the federal government conducted an audit of Australian Defence Force (ADF) land – including the Victoria Barracks – to assess whether military-owned sites still met defence needs. However, according to the council, the audit’s recommendations were not made public.
“We’re developing guiding principles for how the Victoria Barracks site could be used if divested by the ADF,” said the council. “If adopted by council, these principles will guide our efforts to ensure any future redevelopment of Victoria Barracks meets community needs and aligns with City of Sydney goals.
“We invite you to tell us what you’d like to see and do at Victoria Barracks,” they said.

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The council has confirmed that the vision and principles will reflect the site’s significant heritage value and will be shaped by community priorities. They noted that a key consideration in feedback should be how to fund the ongoing maintenance of the site’s historic buildings and landscape, whether through government investment or compatible commercial uses.
According to the council, the site “could offer new opportunities for housing, improved access to green space, cultural activities, and other uses.”
To have your say, visit the City of Sydney website. The draft vision and principles will be reported to the City of Sydney in late 2025. More

Adelaide Airport is set to undergo major upgrades to meet growing passenger demand, including an expansion of the international and domestic terminal.
The airport serves as South Australia’s principal passenger airport, accommodating both domestic and international travel from a single terminal. A series of upgrades aimed at increasing the airport’s capacity, improving spatial functionality and delivering a more efficient travel experience have commenced as part of an overarching $600 million development called Project Flight.
Managing director of Adelaide Airport Brenton Cox said, “Passenger numbers are at record levels, and we are planning for that airline connectivity to continue to grow – so we are also continuing to deliver the infrastructure required to accommodate that growth.”
As part of the program of works, the northern end of the terminal will be expanded by 10,000 square metres, the southern end of the terminal by more than 5,500 square metres and the check-in hall by more than 1,500 square metres.

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The overarching design team encompasses Baukultur, Populous, Woods Bagot, Aurecon and TCL. Baukultur and Populous are responsible for the design of the check-in hall, as well as the terminal expansion. Woods Bagot is leading the design of the passenger experience enhancement projects, including new gate lounges, family dining and play spaces, and a sensory room. Aurecon is appointed as lead design consultant on all three apron expansion projects, while TCL is responsible for landscape and playground design.
According to Hayley Packer, a senior associate at Woods Bagot, the project team drew on passenger profile data for the passenger experience enhancement projects. “From the gate lounges to the sensory room, the design has considered a spectrum of user needs, catering for moments of intrigue and delight through to highly functional operational requirements.”   

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Construction on the check-in expansion has commenced. The expansion to the northern end of the terminal is scheduled to begin in early 2026 while the southern-end terminal works are planned for early 2027. Project Flight is anticipated to be complete in mid-2028.  More

The winners of the Australian Institute of Architects’ annual Super Studio student design competition have been revealed today, with a Tasmanian team claiming the overarching national award.
United under the team name “Effort,” Luke Pendergast, Zachary Tregenza and Jacob Tripp were named as the national Super Studio winners for their project False Idols, which envisions architecture as both a product and shaper of collective belief in response to the competition’s theme, “Where nothing moves, everything begins.”
The team claimed the prize following their presentation to the jury, alongside the other state winners, earlier today, following the conceptual design competition which was held over the course of a week earlier this month. This year, the competition theme was shaped by Joel Alcorn and Chloe Middleton from Brisbane-based architecture practice Alcorn Middleton, alongside SONA vice president Senlina Mayer.
According to the creative directors, “The brief this year challenged participants to design for a future where seven black monoliths have appeared – one on each continent. In their presence, new economies, rituals, political systems and psychological behaviours begin to form. These silent masses have irrevocably disrupted the idea of public space. Students must now consider: what new types of civic rituals, services or responses could emerge?”
In the eyes of the jury, the national-award-winning scheme, False Idols, “delivers a dystopically original take on the monolith condition, [and] draws us into its world with immediate clarity and conviction. Its concept is imaginative yet grounded, exploring every aspect of the monolith’s spatial and systemic influence across both Sydney and Hobart. This proposal positions architecture not merely as a product of culture, but as an active participant in shaping it.”
Adopting a dual-city design approach, the project speculates on how divergent cultural and spatial behaviours might arise in response to the monolith’s presence. “Thoughtfully considered across scales, it challenges us to see the monolith not just as an object, but as a catalyst for transformation, narrative and critical reflection within diverse urban contexts,” the jury noted.
The Super Studio competition is run by the Institute’s student body, the Student Organised Network for Architecture (SONA), and is open to SONA members from all year levels across Australia.
The state winners were:
Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory
Fear and Intuition by Barton Taylor – a network of underground labs known as “Hives,” designed around systems of fear, curiosity and intuition.
New South Wales
Eucalyptus Phenomenon by Kien Bui, Edwina Tu and Yen Nhi Nguyen (team name: Radical Frugal) – a public space designed around collective sanctuary for grieving, praying and remembering.
Queensland
Anchored In Time by Michelle Weir, Lujaine Hussain and Reis Azlan (team name: Kinetic) – a response that reimagines the brief, prompting societies to confront and reinterpret their histories in a way that reveals how each culture’s relationship with the past shapes its future.
South Australia
Urbs Aeterna – The Eternal City by Chuyao (Talia) Liu (team name: Arabesque) – a concept that explores the inevitability of societal collapse, framing Rome’s fall as a metaphor for humanity’s cyclical return from constructed order to primordial chaos.
Victoria
Beneath the Weight of Progress by Adalina Galliamova, Pryde Sciascia and Sarah Chen – a reimagining of Manila Bay as a vertical city grown through improvised, parasitic architecture, transforming from a symbol of untapped power into a dense, chaotic and communal structure.
Western Australia
The New Swan River Colony by Bec Mangano – a scheme that uses the monolith’s arrival in Perth as an allegory for colonisation, subverting settler permanence attached to the city’s heritage Federation homes by reimagining them as spaces of collective, improvised living.
For more information visit the Australian Institute of Architects’ website. More