Architecture

The NSW government has revealed updated designs for the redevelopment of the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, which will double the treatment spaces in the emergency department, and increase bed capacity in intensive care by 30 percent.
Architects Jacobs, Bates Smart, and Neeson Murcutt and Neille have been engaged to design a bright, contemporary design for a new 15-storey tower that will connect with the existing hospital campus, located in Camperdown, Sydney. Bates Smart and Neeson Murcutt and Neille won a design excellence competition for the project in September 2022.
Along with the new 15-storey building, the masterplan includes the three-storey extension to an existing services building to the east of the campus; a two-storey vertical expansion over the RPA building 89; and the internal refurbishment of existing services including the emergency department.
The last major redevelopment to the hospital was undertaken from 1998 to 2004, since which the hospital has experienced significant rise in requirements in patient volume and complexity.

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Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, view from Nurses Courtyard looking at eastern facade. Image:

By Jacobs, Bates Smart, Neeson Murcutt and Neille.

The NSW government announced a $750-million investment for the redevelopment in 2019. Health minister Brad Hazzard said this would be the most significant redevelopment in the hospital’s 140-year history.
“The redevelopment will deliver more state-of-the-art operating theatre space including a hybrid theatre to facilitate complex surgeries, double the recovery space, as well as deliver a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit with 30 per cent more capacity,” said Hazzard.
The architects’ design concept aspires to provide benefits for wayfinding, place-making, heritage, and clinical planning, built around five key projects: the northern arrival; the eastern wing; eastern extension; central courtyard; and Missenden Road forecourt.
The northern arrival will feature a significantly enhanced entry for the hospital with improved vehicle and pedestrian access, upgrading connection between the northern arrival plaza and the primary hospital circulation.
The eastern wing will feature a “subtle bend” to maximise views while retaining significant trees, while accommodating a broad and flexible range of operations. The three storey eastern extension above Building 89 will form a key part of the acute building podium, increasing theatre capacity and future-proofing for a public bridge connection to the Susan Wakil Building at the University of Sydney.

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Royal Prince Alfred Hospital new central courtyard. Image:

By Jacobs, Bates Smart, Neeson Murcutt and Neille.

A new central courtyard will maximize intuitive wayfinding with clear and visible pathways, identified by tessellated flooring. The Missenden Road forecourt will provide a new canopy to mediate between the public domain and provide access into the emergency department.
Early enabling works are underway alongside planning and design phases of the new expansion. The main works construction contract is expected to be awarded in late 2023.
The designs for this state significant development are currently on exhibition, with submissions closing 1 March 2023. More

RMIT University and Alastair Swayn Foundation have launched a new fellowship at the American Academy in Rome for mid-career architects, landscape architects and design professionals. ASF-RMIT Architecture Affiliated Fellowship will enable a chosen participant to spend eight weeks in residence at the American Academy, supporting their growth and development and advancing their practice. “This fellowship […] More

Cox Architecture and NH Architecture have been engaged to design a $900-million redevelopment of the Victoria Gardens shopping centre precinct in Melbourne’s inner-eastern suburb of Richmond.
Plans to transform the 20-year-old shopping centre include the creation of a “sustainable urban village” with a vision to “unite Victoria Gardens with Richmond’s evolving urban environment,” a spokesperson for Victoria Gardens said.
The revamped precinct will include active street frontages, a fresh food market, civic plazas and open-air laneways to create a welcoming and vibrant community space. The added commercial and residential space will also address the fringe suburb’s rapidly growing population and nascent tech industry scene.
A developer partnership comprising Salta Properties and Vicinity Parnters, which co-own Victoria Gardens Shopping Centre, purchased the site, encompassing two plots, in 2019.
The developers are now seeking the necessary planning approvals for the redevelopment from the Victorian government for a mixed-use precinct with over 45,000 square metres of retail and commercial space; 9,750 square metres of public outdoor space; and residential buildings for 1,679 new homes comprising one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments.

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New Plaza Image:

Cox Architects and NH Architecture

Most buildings will range from six to 12 storeys, consistent with the urban landscape, with some as tall as 17. Up to ten percent of the residential capacity will be reserved for affordable housing.
The site, bound by Victoria Street, River Boulevard, and Burnley and Doonside streets, will cover 5.2 hectares of real estate. From the site, Cox and NH Architecture will devise two main precincts forming their masterplan.
The Doonside precinct, south of the existing shopping centre, will include the fresh food market hall among its 12,000 square metres of retail and commercial floorspace. Residential buildings within this precinct will provide 839 new homes and 3,500 square metres of accessible open space.
The River Boulevard precinct, which connects the east of Victoria Gardens to the Yarra River corridor, will feature 6,200 square metres of public open space; 840 new dwellings across a cluster of residential buildings; 6,700 square metres of retail space; and 26,000 square metres of commercial office space and a 110-place childcare centre.

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Corner of Doonside and David St Image:

Cox Architects and NH Architecture

The developers said the proposal reflects a long-term strategy to transform the site into a sustainable urban village, addressing evolving consumer preferences to live work and play closer to home, with an amenity-rich precinct addressing lifestyle, residential, commercial and social amenity.
As part of the overhaul, the architects will also restore historic pub, The Royal Studley Hotel, built in 1891, which has fallen into disrepair.
Pending approval, construction of the first stage of the redevelopment will commence in late 2024. Victoria Gardens will remain open through construction, and the design team said it would engage the local community throughout the process. More

The redevelopment Powerhouse Ultimo has received concept planning consent from the New South Wales minister for planning.
A first stage concept proposal prepared by John Wardle Architects and Aspect Studios was submitted to the department in June 2022 for assessment.
Since then, an architectural competition was held and a design by Architectus, Durbach Block Jaggers Architects, Tyrrell Studio, Youssofzay and Hart, Akira Isogawa, Yerrabingin, Finding Infinity and Arup was chosen as the winner in December 2022.

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Winning design for the Powerhouse Ultimo renewal by Architectus, Durbach Block Jaggers Architects, Tyrrell Studio, Youssofzay and Hart, Akira Isogawa, Yerrabingin, Finding Infinity and Arup. Image:

Courtesy of Powerhouse Museum

“Planning consent allows us to move into the next important phase of the project and to get on with the job of reinvigorating one of Australia’s most revered museums, securing its future for many generations to come,” said Powerhouse Trust president Peter Collins.
“The winning design team developed a visionary scheme that features expanded museum spaces, while honouring and connecting the multiple layers of history across the Powerhouse site.”
The renewal project will deliver expanded and refurbished exhibition spaces for Powerhouse Museum’s collection of more than 500,000 objects.
Powerhouse chief executive Lisa Havilah added the design will feature improved connections to Sydney CBD, offering with greater public amenity while supporting the museum’s existing arts and science programs.
“The design features a new public square that will connect the museum to The Goods Line and surrounding precincts, increasing public open space, while the Harris Street frontage will be revitalised with creative industry studios to support museum programs and access to the museum’s library and archives,” said Havilah.
The design team will continue to develop the design ahead of a second stage detailed state significant development application. The community is invited to submit feedback until 10 March 2023. More

Tim Ross’s “Rosso 88” live show
Comedian and ABC TV presenter Tim Ross is hosting a new live show, Rosso 88: a “hilarious romp” through his favourite moments of recent history, reflecting on Australian culture through late-20th century Australiana and iconography, from the everyday to the extraordinary. Ross will be playing Canberra’s Birch Building at ANU on 2 March; in Adelaide at the Samstag Gallery on 3 May; and in Melbourne’s Crigan House by architect Alan Powell from 27–30 April. More here.

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Hugh Buhrich House II in Castlecrag Image:

John Gollings

Perth Design Week
Perth Design Week is a dedicated public festival celebrating and showcasing good design in Perth. This program of exhibitions, talks and tours will take place over one week across different venues around the city.
See an exhibition by John Gollings, Neil Durbach and Stephen Varady showcasing the Hugh Buhrich House II, prepared in the wake of its 50th anniversary. Or hear from Perth’s award winning architects on the topic of sustainable home design. The Perth Unbuilt exhibition will showcase a selection of unrealised designs created by prominent Perth architecture studios. Perth Design Week runs from 23 March to ­­­­30 March. More here.

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MTalks Future Homes: Melbourne’s Liveable Apartments. Image:

Illustration by Board Grove Architects

MTalks: Future Homes – Melbourne’s Liveable Apartments
Presented by the Office of the Victorian Government Architect with Andrew Mackenzie (Uro Publications), this talk examines the Victorian government’s Future Homes initiative for family-friendly homes that enable ageing in place. Th initiative incorporates high-quality, liveable, and sustainable design principles into housing models that will be rolled out through pilot councils across Melbourne. Exemplar designs by four architecture firms – appointed through a competition launched in 2020 – are now released for public consideration and available for public purchase now. On Tuesday 28 March. More here.

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WPI Older Women’s Housing Project by Studio Bright. Image:

Rory Gardiner

No House Style at Melbourne Now
See six houses by Austin Maynard, Baracco and Wright, Clare Cousins Architects, Edition Office, Kennedy Nolan, and Studio Bright exhibited alongisde works by 12 furniture, lighting and object designers. The 2023 edition of the National Gallery of Victoria’s large-scale exhibition also includes works by more than 200 Victorian-based artists, designers, studios and firms whose practices shape the state’s cultural landscape in the past decade. Melbourene Now will be exhibited across all levels of The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia from 24 March 2023. More here.

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Anthony Burke, professor of architecture at the University of Technology Sydney. Image:

Vanessa Low

Learning Curve: Encountering art in extraordinary places
Join professor of architecture and Restoration Australia host Anthony Burke for an exploration of the spaces beyond the traditional art gallery in which one can experience art today. From the streets of London to a Second World War bunker and the fields of rural New Zealand, this five-week Learning Curve lecture series will consider the new contexts for art – including reclaimed and found spaces, informal and temporary spaces, and outdoor environments – and the artists who embrace these unusual, and sometimes extreme, sites. Fridays and Saturdays, 24 February to 25 March. More here. More

From iconic mid-century brands Fritz Hansen and Zanotta, to contemporary Australian makers Didier and Coco Flip, Cult champions fresh thinking and timeless ranges that hold court as forever pieces in both commercial and residential spaces.
Through its own brand Nau, Cult works with local designers and manufacturers to support and advocate for contemporary Australian design. Collaborating with the likes of Adam Goodrum, Adam Cornish, Kate Stokes and Tom Fereday, Nau celebrates quality craftsmanship and honest materiality, presenting enduring collections that express a uniquely Australian vernacular.
As one of Australia’s leading design retailers, with recent growth across retail, e-commerce and contract sectors, Cult is set to expand its team in 2023. Cult’s most significant appointment is the promotion of Jeffry Tsang to general manager. Following 15 years working across a range of departments and leadership roles at Cult, this new role will see Jeffry lead all departments in Australia.
“The growth that Cult has seen over the years has certainly been significant – from one showroom in Sydney servicing the contract market to seven showrooms across three countries,” said Tsang. “Backed by a strong team and forged by Richard [Munao], we now cover a lot of ground, which has its inherent challenges but is also a source of great potential for the business.”

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The PH5 Pendant (1958) by Poul Henningsen features in the Cult Design Icons exhibition. Image: Supplied

Danish design brand HAY recently partnered with Cult to open its flagship Melbourne store, after launching HAY Sydney together in 2015. Richard Munao, Cult founder and director, shares, “2022 was a significant year for Cult. With the opening of Cult Singapore and HAY Melbourne, we now operate five showrooms across the Asia-Pacific region, plus two mono-brand HAY stores,” he said.
“Our strategy is deeply rooted in authentic design, puts the client at the heart of everything we do and is brought to life by our people. Our strategic focus is on increasing awareness of the Cult brand, elevating the experience for our clients and pushing the boundaries in sustainability.”
Cult’s commitment to sustainable practice is rooted in the belief that one of the best strategies for sustainable living is to make and buy things that last. “Cultivated” is Cult’s in-house sustainability program that provides buy-back, refurbishment and recycling services for authentic designer furniture. The team works with local manufacturers and craftspeople to sensitively restore original design pieces, minimising waste and ensuring object longevity.
Cult will celebrate its milestone 25-year anniversary with an exhibition titled “Cult Design Icons”. On show from 17 February to 1 March 2023 at a gallery space adjoining the Cult flagship showroom in Sydney’s Chippendale, this group exhibition will showcase 25 iconic furniture and lighting designs curated by 25 leading Australian designers and creatives. More

Western Australia’s first large-scale mass-engineered timber building has been completed at Murdoch University’s South Street campus in Perth.
Designed by Lyons in collaboration with Officer Woods, The Fulcrum Agency, Silver Thomas Hanley and Aspect Studios, the building is located at the heart of campus and will become the university’s academic core, providing space for up to 60 percent of its learning and teaching requirements.
Building 360 is named Boola Katitjin, which means “lots of learning” in Noongar.
“The name Boola Katijin was given by Dr Richard Walley, who has a long association with Murdoch. The Beeliar Wetlands around the University have been a place of learning for thousands of years, and we are proud to be adapting to the future of education to continue this tradition,” said Murdoch vice-chancellor and professor Andrew Deeks.

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The northern events plaza at Boola Katitjin (Building 360) by Lyons in collaboration with Officer Woods, The Fulcrum Agency, Silver Thomas Hanley and Aspect Studios. Image:

Courtesy Murdoch University

The long, rectilinear building is oriented north–south, with the “creative warehouse model” inspiring a highly flexible and adaptable grid along its 180-metre spine.
The building accommodates 21 large, flat-floor format teaching and learning spaces; areas for informal peer-to-peer learning; workspaces for staff; technology labs; immersive industry collaboration facilities, including augmented reality and artificial intelligence studios; innovative research and industry engagement spaces; three food and beverage outlets and a student services centre.
The building is made from laminated timber beams and columns, cross-laminated timber floor panels and concrete supports. The predominantly timber construction contributes to the environmental sustainability of the building. In addition, the rooftop solar array is capable of producing more than 60 percent of building’s operational energy requirements.
“It reflects the University’s commitment to sustainability – with Boola Katitjin designed to achieve the internationally recognized 6-star Green Star rating through a range of features including solar panels, stormwater harvesting, active design features and native landscaping,” Deeks said. More

Construction has begun on a social housing project in Melbourne’s West Footscray. Footscray Lions Cooperative Village, which was designed by Tandem Design Studio, will be located on the site of the existing Footscray Lions Elderly Citizens Village. The project will create 49 one- and two-bedroom apartments for women aged over 55 in need of affordable […] More