Architecture

The Victorian government has unveiled designs for a $900 million hospital project in Melton, 50 kilometres west of Melbourne. Designed by Designinc and Architectus Conrad Gargett, the project is touted by the government as Victoria’s first all-electric hospital.
Located close to Cobblebank Station, the hospital is situated to cater for the growing communities in Melton, Caroline Springs, Rockbank, Bacchus Marsh and Gisborne. Minister for the Department of Health Infrastructure Mary-Anne Thomas noted, “Melbourne’s west is one of the fastest growing regions in the country and it is critical that families moving to the area can rely on 24-hour […] health care right on their doorstep.”

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Along with a forthcoming public hospital in Footscray, designed by Cox Architecture and Billard Leece Partnership, and an existing hospital in Sunshine, by Lyons, the new Melton Hospital is expected to relieve pressure from Melbourne’s busier hospitals.
In partnership with the Victorian Health Building Authority and Western Health, a consortium comprising investors, facilities managers and Lendlease as builder are set to deliver the project. In a combined statement, Designinc director Darryl Suttie and Architectus Conrad Gargett principal Sannah McColl commented, “The new Melton Hospital is officially underway, and once completed, will have the capacity to treat 130,000 patients each year and see almost 60,000 patients in the emergency department.”
According to the government’s media release, the new hospital “will include a 24-hour emergency department, at least 274 beds, an intensive care unit, maternity and neonatal services, mental health services, radiology services, outpatient care, and teaching, training and research spaces.”

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Architectus’ website notes that the design draws inspiration from local landscape and ecosystems, encompassing themes of healing, learning and living. Natural light, access to nature and outdoor spaces are key aspects of the project, according to the government’s release.
The project is on track for completion in 2029. Suttie and McColl said, “We’re looking forward to working alongside all project partners to deliver this brand new hospital for the people of Melbourne’s west.” More

The Victorian government has announced revisions to the Small Lot Housing Code, enabling new homes on lots less than 100 square metres to be built without a planning permit if they adhere to specific design standards.
The pre-existing 2019 amendment to the code allowed homes on blocks less than 300 square metres to be built without a permit if design standards were met. In a communique, the state government noted that the decision to revise the code with a new set of standards for smaller lots was influenced by industry feedback that indicated increasing demand for greater housing diversity.
Victorian minister for planning Sonya Kilkenny said, “While the large, detached family home continues to be popular in Melbourne’s new suburbs, we’re seeing more demand for smaller homes and these changes will give Victorians more choice.”
The Small Lot Housing Code applies to residential and mixed-use Precinct Structure Plans in Melbourne’s Urban Growth Zone, as well as special purpose zones in Cardinia, Casey, Hume, Melton, Mitchell, Whittlesea, and Wyndham, Geelong, Ballarat, Baw Baw, Cardinia and Knox.
Other modifications to the code include updated design standards for homes situated on lots under 300 square metres. These new standards target larger balconies, more street-facing windows, more tree plantings and the removal of the requirement for a double garage.
According to the state government communique, “The updated code allows for more greenspace, smarter housing designs and homes up to four-storeys. […] These updates aim to increase housing diversity and affordability, making it easier for smaller families and single-person households to find homes that meet their needs.”
Developers can begin using the new code immediately, while the existing code will remain in effect until the end of 2026. More

Sydney Opera House is accepting expressions of interest for a First Nations heritage expert to join its Conservation Council.
The ten-member Conservation Council – established in 1996 – provides specialist conservation and heritage advice to the Opera House Trust. The prescribed advice is guided by the Opera House’s Conservation Management Plan, Utzon Design Principles, Heritage Action Plan and other relevant principles. The council also monitors implementation of heritage and conservation matters, including policies, plans and heritage values.
According to the position advertisement, the council’s organisational strategy for 2024–2026 highlights an objective that “First Nations voices and culture play a vital role in shaping the opera house and its future – being at the forefront of the continuation of the cultural care, truth telling and storytelling about this place.”
Sydney Opera House acting CEO Kya Blondin said the council “is committed to First Nations voices and culture being central to our [the Sydney Opera House’s] identity and future.”
To be eligible for the position, candidates must have experience in First Nations heritage management and conservation, demonstrated knowledge of NSW and Commonwealth heritage frameworks, and a proven track record of providing advice on a similar committee or panel.
The council has a maximum of 10 members, consisting of an Opera House trustee, who is chair of the council; three members of the Opera House executive team; a representative of NSW government heritage; a representative of NSW government planning; the NSW Government Architect or their nominee; an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person with suitable experience in First Nations heritage or conservation issues; and other specialists with recognised expertise in some or all of the following areas: architecture, heritage and conservation, design, engineering or performing arts.
The membership term is three years, with extensions for further terms at the discretion of the Sydney Opera House Trust. The council holds at least three formal meetings per year, however members may be asked to attend additional sessions to review time-sensitive matters.
A typical council meeting may cover planning and heritage approvals, Design Advisory Panel activities, Conservation Management implementation, interpretation strategies, collections management, building and maintenance projects, as well as precinct events and activations.
The expression of interest portal closes on 6 January 2025. To find out more, visit the NSW government website. More

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Planning consultancy firm Urbis have released the findings of their biennial City Leaders Survey, which gathers sentiment key issues from city-shaping bodies across the country.
Now in its second iteration, the survey collected data from over 200 senior executives working within government, business, academia and community-based organisations. Urbis surveyed and conducted interviews with Jen Williams, CEO of Committee for Brisbane; Dale Connor, CEO of Lendlease; Eamon Waterford, CEO of Committee for Sydney; and Matt Collins, CEO of Planning Institute of Australia; among others.
The survey’s insights build upon the 2022 post-pandemic release, which foreshadowed growing concerns around the escalating housing crisis. This year’s survey demonstrates growing pessimism around the ability to rectify the systemic issues that produce cities’ ongoing vulnerabilities.
According to the survey, “In 2024, city leaders are calling for course correction, as declining net sentiment across economic, environmental and social outcomes over the next two years is heightened by pervasive concerns about decreasing housing affordability, rising cost-of-living and sluggish economic growth.”
In comparison with the 2022 survey, housing and population challenges overtook respondents’ concerns for maintaining economic growth and competitiveness, with nine in ten city leaders identifying housing affordability and access as the biggest challenge to overcome. This sentiment was consistent across private and public sectors, however private organisations expressed 50 percent more concern about economic growth and competitiveness, and with it, declining productivity and investment in innovation.

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Leaders also expressed less concern about tackling climate change and sustainable development, showing a shift in priorities towards issues – such as rapid population growth and rising interest rates – that have exacerbated housing supply issues. “Navigating technological disruption” held its position at the bottom of the pile of challenges.
“Despite these exposed vulnerabilities, cities remain where people want to live and where future opportunity lies. Cities globally are at the frontline of navigating disruptions and serve as incubators for new solutions that improve living standards for all – Australia is no different,” the release reads.
James Tuma, managing partner at Urbis, commented, “Our cities are resilient and full of potential. By leveraging data-driven insights, fostering collaboration, and embracing forward-thinking strategies, we can create vibrant, inclusive urban environments. The commitment of city leaders, businesses, and communities gives us confidence that we can build a prosperous future for all.”
The survey can be viewed in full online. More

Powerhouse Parramatta and the Cité Internationale des Arts have jointly announced that entries can now be submitted for the 2025 galang residency, a program that supports Australian-based First Nations creatives to undertake two intensive three-month residencies in Paris.
The galang residency program was established to provide creative practitioners with greater access to connections across industry and individual creative practice through research and the development of new work. Examples of eligible applicants include architects, designers, visual artists, musicians, weavers, poets, dancers and performers, or other creative discipline.
The 2024 program attracted entries from a diverse range of professionals, with Sydney-based Worimi and Biripi guri architect Jack Gillmer, and Yuggera and Biri multidisciplinary artist from Brisbane Jody Rallah both offered residencies.
During his residency, Gillmer investigated the display and treatment of Indigenous artefacts and collections, reckoning with the colonial history of museology and the future of acquiring and exhibiting cultural materials. He also studied a concept of “Global off-Country Keeping Place” for cultural materials undergoing repatriation or lacking an on-Country Keeping Place.
Reflecting on the residency, Gillmer said, “The galang residency provided the rare commodity of time with little distractions, while being supported and surrounded by creativity and space to discover the innovative mindset potential we all have. The opportunity is of endless possibilities that enable residents to realise their superpower to influence their discipline and interests to create change.”
Rallah’s research focused on the application of braille and other tactile language systems in haptic artmaking. She noted, “The residency gifted me access to institutions, industry professionals, different cultures, a broader understanding of systems outside of the Australian continent, and global connections unlike anywhere else. Most of all, the residency gave me the opportunity to learn, experience and connect, and to see what it means to create bridges of language cross-culturally.”
The 2025 galang residency selection panel will comprise head of the Residency Department at Cité Internationale Des Arts Vincent Gonzalvez, Powerhouse adjunct curator Brook Garru Andrew and Powerhouse acting director First Nations Beau James.
Applications are open until 31 January 2025, with successful applicants to be announced in March 2025. For information on application requirements and how to submit, visit the Powerhouse website. More

The winners of the 2024 Western Australian Heritage Awards have been announced, recognising projects that are setting new standards in heritage conservation and adaptive reuse across the state.
The Wearne Hostel in Cottesloe by Griffiths Architects earned the prestigious Gerry Gauntlet Award for Conservation or Adaptive Reuse of a State Registered Place. The hostel, once known as the Ministering Children’s League Convalescent Home, was built in 1897 to provide care to people recovering from illness. The building was originally designed by architect Percy William Harrison in the Federation Queen Anne style and features a Cottesloe limestone facade, intricate verandahs and timbered gables. “Recent conservation efforts have revitalised Wearne Hostel as a vital part of Cottesloe’s heritage, meticulously restoring elements such as the distinctive “pepperpot” roof and weather vane,” commented the jury.

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Ascot Kilns (former Bristile Kilns), Belmont, by Hocking Heritage and Architecture was commended in the Conservation or Adaptive Reuse of a State Registered Place category.
Elsewhere in the awards, Tomich House by Mark Jeavons Architect with Ohlo Studio, and Exchange Hotel, Pinjarra by Hunt Architects jointly received the award for Conservation or Adaptive Reuse of a Local Heritage Place.
Originally designed by architect Iwan Iwanoff in 1971, Tomich House underwent significant yet sensitive restoration works to address structural issues. The jury lauded the project for carefully harmonising “a 1980s extension with Iwanoff’s style, using materials and details sympathetic to his vision.” The project has garnered substantial acclaim this year, having earned the Julius Elischer Award for Interior Architecture at the Australian Institute of Architects 2024 WA Architecture Awards and an award for House in a Heritage Context at the 2024 Houses Awards.

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Hunt Architects were praised by the jury for blending heritage conservation with contemporary design in its restoration of the 1866 Exchange Hotel. After several years of neglect following its closure in 2008, the hotel was purchased by the Shire of Murray in 2012 with the aim to restore the historic building – one of the oldest in the Peel region – to its former glory. The jury applauded the practice for creating a balanced space, as seen in the “preservation of traditional timber and masonry elements, and the addition of modern steel-framed features.”
The other category winners can be viewed online. More

Sydney-based practice Em Be Ce have won an invited design competition for an affordable housing development in Sydney’s Alexandria, with two other practices making submissions. Organised by City West Housing, the project is set to deliver more than 100 units to help alleviate the pressure of the current housing crisis.
City West Housing provides affordable housing via a model in which they build, operate and hold their projects. This approach was appreciated by director of Em Be Ce Chi Melhem, who noted that City West Housing “have a really genuine desire to not only provide affordable housing, but to make sure what they’re providing is building stronger communities, more resilient communities … because they do hold onto their properties, ensuring that they’re doing something that looks great from the start.”
Bearing in mind the perpetuity of City West’s ownership of the site, Em Be Ce’s design seeks to be low maintenance and durable into the future. According to a media communique from the architect, the design “prioritises community, structural efficiency, thoughtful spatial planning, shared outdoor spaces and site-specific architectural responses.”
The building form is situated in response to the site’s prominent corner position, curving in response to existing trees while aiming to ensure the building’s main communal spaces achieve a connection to landscape. Adopting a language of deep masonry blades, the facade is designed to orchestrate views and access to natural light, yet maintain privacy where needed.

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The brick materiality is part of the architect’s broader approach to structural efficiency and durability. Em Be Ce director Ben Green observed, “brick obviously doesn’t need to be repainted. It lasts a very long time. It’s got a kind of a richness of character that comes out of its intrinsic nature that’s quite strong.” The designers were also interested in the relationship of brick to the narrative of the area, Green noting that in this part of Sydney “there were lots of early brickworks, so there’s a bit of a history of brick making in the area,” as also evidenced in the suburb’s industrial heritage. The directors point out that the use of predominantly beige brick hints at the site’s pre-colonial history by referencing the site’s shale and sand dune geology, as well as its unique ecology.
By employing a modular structural grid, and consolidating service cores and circulation, the designers hope to maximise the quantity of housing on offer while creating meaningful private residential and communal areas. The practice has aimed to reduce the number of south-facing apartments to a minimum and has prioritised cross-ventilation throughout. Melhem notes that a 70/30 ratio of solid to void on the facade was employed to help optimise the energy performance of the building.
Within the units, “compact spaces are given natural light, protected from road noise and include notable amenities such as study nooks – again showing that affordability can be achieved without losing internal amenity,” the release reads.
Outside, a central shared garden is intended to maintain multiple points of connection with residential areas. Circulation through the project has been designed with moments of incidental interaction and spontaneous social gathering in mind.

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According to the release, the scheme “does more with less – bringing a distinctive new presence to the city and demonstrating how good design can achieve quality housing for all.”
For Green, “affordable housing is obviously one of the big issues in Australia at the moment, and it’s nice to be able to contribute to it in a tangible way.”
The development application for the proposal is scheduled to be lodged in April 2025. More