Architecture

March Studio’s proposal for the Outback Museum of Australia has been unanimously chosen the winner of a design competition to create a tourism destination in a remote southwestern Queensland town.
The winning scheme aims to “capture the heart and soul of the outback.” Five circular pavilions, made from rammed red earth will house a variety of gallery spaces, ranging from 95 to 145 square metres. An additional three pavilions will house ticketing and information services, restrooms and a gift shop and snack bar.
The pavilions will be arranged around a central native garden which in turn will have a central circular meeting area for smoking ceremonies. A large-spanning Aramax roof will hover over the pavilions, unifying and shading the entire facility. The roof will also act as water collecting device during rain events, funnelling rainwater to catchments around the native garden. The waterfall effect that it would create references the springs and gorges found throughout the outback.

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The winning design for Outback Museum of Australia by March Studio. Image:

Courtesy Griffith University

The jury said “the character, functionality and chosen materials [of this scheme] are considered to meet the program’s call for an exemplary building, with an innovative but simple and agile design that will stand the test of time.
“The seamless and organic forms, the honesty of the material selection and detailing in addition to the obvious physical connections to the surrounding landscape, ensure human scale and approachability of the built form. The exhibition spaces proposed are considered with development, to present a unique curatorial opportunity.”

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The circular galleries range in size from 95 to 145 square metres. Image:

Courtesy Griffith University

The jury awarded second place to a scheme by Hassell which it described as “an appropriate and achievable proposition [that would create]memorable visitor experience.” However, “concerns were also raised about the extensive use of unshaded concrete.” Third place was awarded to Adhaeream for its sinuous, ground plane of converging paths that contrast with an expressive central vertical landmark element accommodating exhibits and elevated viewing opportunities.” But the jury were concerned it would impact “the functional agility of the museum.”
The Outback Museum of Australia was first proposed in 2021, with a masterplan produced the Griffith University academic Karine Dupre, together with architecture students Majed Abuseif, Ting Ren, Miyuki Suzuki and Sebastian Smith.
The project is a collaboration between Griffith University and Murweh Shire Council. The museum will be built in Charlesville’s existing Top Secret Tourism Precincton the site of a clandestine air base where almost 4,000 US troops were stationed during World War II. More

The National Gallery of Victoria is now taking expressions of interests for participation in the next festival. In its seventh year, Melbourne Design Week will run from Thursday 18 to Sunday 28 May 2023 and invites participants to respond to the theme “Design the world you want”, encouraging the industry to use creative thinking to […] More

The New Zealand Institute of Architects (Te Kāhui Whaihanga) has invited John Wardle to present the Resene Sir Ian Athfield Memorial Lecture – an annual speech given by an industry figurehead who is “challenging orthodoxy and a business-as-usual approach to practice, and life”. Wardle’s career spans 40 years with projects across residential, educational, civic and […] More

SJB and Land and Form Studios have won a design competition for 25-27 Leeds Street, in Rhodes East, part of an area on the Parramatta River waterfront set for rejuvenation.
The project will focus on a connection to the river, with low- to mid-rise buildings to engage with the foreshore park, along with waterfront promenades and green pedestrian links.
SJB and Land and Form’s design was chosen from a line-up of three designs in a competition held by representatives from the City of Canada Bay Council, the NSW government architect and Nation Architects. The winning design features a “biophilic and permeable precinct” that expands on the long-term regeneration of the greater Rhodes area.
“We’re breathing new life into the Parramatta River foreshore to make it greener, more accessible and more attractive,” said John Kinsella, managing director of developer Billbergia. “The project will deliver 6,000 square metres of public open space, including a retail and dining precinct and will open up the waterfront promenade with an interactive river edge for the community to enjoy.”

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The SJB and Land and Form-designed precinct will mark the first stage in the Rhodes East masterplan. Image:

Courtesy of Billbergia

SJB said it has a “long-running connection” with the Rhodes area, completing the first masterplan for its regeneration in 2005. The practice has delivered many mixed-use buildings for Rhodes, most recently, Rhodes Central, which forms the retail centre of the suburb and was the first of three stages in the NSW government’s transformation of Rhodes from an industrial peninsula to a fully regenerated suburb.
The proposal for Leeds Street will embraces the geography of the Paramatta River in the public domain. “The foreshore design represents this transition from natural to urban, creating an iconic destination that looks to restore and enhance important ecological assets and allow people to actively engage with the Parramatta River, setting a high-quality precedent for the Rhodes East Precinct,” said Land and Form director Ro Iyer.
Buildings will be oriented for solar optimisation, with internal-facing courtyard apartments receiving glimpses of the riverfront.
Leeds Street is the first stage in the developer’s Rhodes East masterplan for a low-rise, high-density development that builds on the existing fabric of the region. More

Plans to rejuvenate Adelaide’s David Roche Foundation House Museum could see the private museum transform into a tourism destination and cultural hub. The foundation plans to double the museum’s footprint on Melbourne Street in North Adelaide, with a $16 million project to add on-site accommodation, a restaurant, and a 350-seat auditorium, designed by Williams Burton […] More

A $60 million redevelopment is set to transform a north Hobart suburb into a “vibrant new precinct,” designed by Rothelowman.
The development, to be known as Point B, will be located on a 5.5-hectare site at 115 Cove Hill in Bridgewater, east of the Jordan River. The developer, The Young Group, acquired the site through a competitive state government tender process and has lodged a development application with Brighton council for the construction of a mixed-use industrial precinct in one of Hobart’s most economical disadvantaged areas.
The project draws inspiration from developments like Brisbane’s business park Rivermakers and Sydney’s creative hub Precinct 75. Brighton mayor Leigh Gray said the development had the potential to provide a dynamic economic and social environment for Bridgewater.
The precinct plans include designed warehouses, retail spaces, parks and recreation areas, and hospitality venues, designed to operate seven days a week.

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Warehouses designed by Rothelowman for Point B. precinct in Bridgewater. Image:

Courtesy of The Young Group

The developer said Point B will bring significant benefits for the local community, with plans to first establish industrial operations on the site that would generate employment opportunities. The area will focus on sectors such as manufacturing, food and agribusiness, resources and energy, science and technology, and tourism.
Initial activities will also include laying the foundation for future amenities, anticipated to include a rock climbing centre, a brewery, a distillery, parks and exercise spaces, and restaurant and retail shops.
“This project will be a first in Tasmania and we believe it will be transformational,” a spokesperson for The Young Group said. More

Kevin O’Brien, principal at BVN, has been appointed 2022 Distinguished Visiting Professor Portland State University in Oregon, as part of a project to design an Indigenous centre on campus. O’Brien’s appearance will inaugurate a year-long program centred on the restoration of an on-campus oak savanna landscape and the design and build of a centre for […] More

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has launched civil proceedings against ARM Architecture and its former managing director Anthony (Tony) John Allen for alleged “cartel conduct”.
The competition watchdog alleges the practice attempted to “rig bids for the tender for a building project at Darwin’s Charles Darwin University.”
The $250 million project to create an education and community precinct in Darwin CBD was a central component of the Darwin City Deal, funded by the Australian and Northern Territory governments and the City of Darwin.
ARM Architecture was awarded the contract for principal design services for phase one of the project in May 2019. A tender for second phase principal design services, valued at $2.6 million, was issued in September 2020.
ACCC alleges that former managing director Tony Allen sent emails to would-be competitors requesting them not to submit tenders for the second phase.
Initial court documents submitted by the ACCC reveal that Allen sent emails to Architectus, John Wardle Architects, Denton Corker Marshall, Cox Architecture, Bates Smart, Hassell, Lyons and Woods Bagot.
The email allegedly stated:

“The only reason the remaining phases are being tendered separately is because there is a very complex tri-partite funding arrangement involving the federal, territory and local governments, and the University is bound by terms in this funding agreement that require 2 tender processes for the project. Something to do with so called ‘best value for money’. Most of the CDU people with whom we have been dealing were surprised to learn that this was occurring.
“Our request to you is simple. Please do not submit a tender as we are relying very heavily on continuing with this project to keep our practice alive throughout the remainder of this strange and difficult COVID time. Perhaps this is an issue that we could discuss at a future [Australian Institute of Architects’ Large Practice Forum] meeting.”

The document states that Architectus and John Wardle Architects responded agreeing not to submit tenders.
Capital Insight, project management consultancy on the CBD campus project, then emailed ARM Architecture requesting it to retract its initial email, which the practice did.
ARM Architecture submitted its tender on 5 November 2020. On 9 December, Charles Darwin University issued a letter to ARM Architecture stating that the practice will be excluded from consideration because of the initial email sent by Allen, which was considered to be “anti-competitive conduct, unethical conduct and prima facie evidence of conduct which may constitute collusive tendering.”
The ACCC alleges the conduct contravened section 45AJ of the Competition and Consumer Act of 2010.
“ARM Architecture, through the conduct of Mr Allen, attempted to rig or induce other competitors to agree to rig the tender for principal design consultant services. The ACCC also alleges that Mr Allen attempted to induce other competitors to agree to rig this tender,” ACCC said.
“Cartel conduct is one of the most serious violations of competition law, and attempts to engage in cartel conduct in public procurement have the potential to cause significant detriment to governments, taxpayers, consumers and businesses,” it continued.
A spokesperson from ARM Architecture told ArchitectureAU, “For over twelve months, we have provided our full cooperation to an ACCC investigation into correspondence sent by our former managing director.
“The ACCC has concluded its investigation and decided to commence a civil enforcement proceeding. The ACCC’s claims relate to an isolated incident and in response, we have implemented management and governance changes and enhanced compliance measures.
“As this matter is now before the court, it’s not appropriate for us to comment further about the ACCC’s allegations.”
In November 2021, the ACCC warned public sector agencies to be on the look out for potential bid rigging behaviour in tender processes.
Gina Cass-Gottlieb, ACCC chair, said, “Bid rigging for tenders, whether the tenders take place in the public or private sector, is against the law. This type of cartel conduct increases the costs of tenders for businesses or taxpayers, and has a chilling effect on competition.
“The ACCC will take appropriate enforcement action against this type of conduct, including potential civil or criminal cartel proceedings.
“Professional services firms, including architects, should note that Australia’s cartel laws apply to their businesses as they do in other sectors. Firms competing in these markets must compete fairly and ensure they do not engage in anti-competitive behaviour, including cartel conduct.
“Public sector procurement is a multi-billion-dollar sector. It makes a vital contribution to the Australian economy and the welfare of Australians, who have the right to expect competitive bidding for these projects, resulting in value for money.”
The case will be heard before the Federal Court, Victoria registry, with a hearing date still to be set. More