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The Tasmanian government announced that it will build a new $750 million multi-purpose stadium at Hobart’s Regatta Point as part of its ten-year strategic stadium plan. The stadium is contingent on the island state achieving an AFL license, and will be designed to AFL specifications, while also accommodating the A-League (soccer). A new stadium was […] More
The Surf Coast Shire Council in Victoria’s west has approved concept plans and business case for development of a “four-in-one” cultural centre.
The proposed Surf Coast Cultural Centre will be located at 77 Beach Road in Torquay. The council owned site is currently home to Surf Coast Art Space, Torquay Visitor Information Centre and Australian National Surfing Museum with the Torquay Library in a neighbouring building.
The new building will accommodate all four community facilities in one, which will be developed over two stages.
The concept design for the project has been produced by Williams Ross Architects. A spokesperson for the council said the appointment of an architect for the detailed design phase is subject to a future tender process.
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Concept design design for Surf Coast Cultural Centre by Williams Ross Architects.
Stage one of the project will consist of new building that will house an expansion of Australian National Surfing Museum, Torquay Library and Torquay Visitor Information Centre, which will adjoin the existing arts space. In the second stage, the arts space will be redeveloped into a Multi Arts Centre with a 250-seat theatre, gallery, artist-in-residence studio and backstage areas for performers.
The design of the building will incorporate elements that reflect the Wadawurrung Aboriginal cultural, visual, environmental heritage.
“Many members of the arts community, surf industry and users of the current buildings shared with us what they think are the needs for this facility and this has very much informed the concept design we have now,” said Surf Coast mayor Libby Stapleton.
“We will continue to seek their advice as we progress to detailed stages of planning and design.
“We are particularly excited by the prospect of creating a purpose-built space enabling us to better display the 12,000 items from our Australian National Surfing Museum. Our collection is recognised as being of national and international significance and illustrates such a vivid and important part of our story on the Surf Coast.”
The council has committed $8.06 million for the first stage and is seeking an additional $28.8 million through state and federal grants and philanthropic contributions.
Stage one of the project is anticipated to be delivered in 2024 while stage two is anticipated for 2030. More
Construction has begun on the $225 million upgrade to Docklands Stadium in Melbourne designed by Grimshaw and Smartform.
The project is set to improve connectivity between Docklands and the CBD, as well as enhance accessibility for visitors.
A primary feature of the redevelopment will be a new plaza, dubbed Town Square, on the southern side of the stadium at gates one to three, which will create a year-round, all-weather public space for sports fans to gather, as well as accommodate community events and markets.
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The proposed Town Square in the redeveloped Docklands Stadium designed by Grimshaw and Smartform.
On the eastern side of the stadium, at gate five which faces the city, the existing stadium walls will be partially removed to create a new entry, dubbed City Edge, with an enhanced concourse space that will integrate ticketing, merchandising and food and beverage outlets.
The opening up of the eastern edge will create a better connection between the stadium and city.
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Upgrade to the southern entrance of Docklands Stadium designed by Grimshaw and Smartform.
Other stadium upgrades include the refurbishment of existing function rooms to make them more versatile for events, change room upgrades with increased disability access, the refurbishment of facilities fro professional women’s sport, a multi-faith room and a sensory room which will provide a quiet space for children and adults with autism, dementia, PTSD or other similar conditions.
“These upgrades will provide a vibrant hub for the Docklands community and will attract more visitors to Melbourne’s waterfront,” said minister for tourism, sports and major events Martin Pakula.
Docklands Stadium opened in 2000 and was originally designed by Populous in association with Bligh Lobb Sports Architecture and Daryl Jackson. The upgrade is due to be complete in 2023. More
The City of Swan in Perth’s north-east is seeking up to 10 design professionals to form a new Design Review Panel. The panel will provide expert advice and recommendations on the architecture, urban design, landscape architecture and sustainability of certain planning proposals. The council is looking for expressions of interest from qualified professionals in architecture, […] More
Redevelopment of 33 Alfred Street designed by JPW. The redevelopment and refurbishment of Sydney’s first skyscraper will soon begin after its owner AMP Capital appointed a contractor for the project. Designed by Johnson Pilton Walker, the redevelopment of 33 Alfred Street in Sydney’s Circular Quay will be the most comprehensive upgrade since the building was […] More
The $207 million redevelopment of Sydney’s Walsh Bay Arts Precinct is now complete, after Pier 2/3 has been fully transformed.
The Walsh Bay finger wharves was used as wool stores as well as a departure point for World War Two soldiers. Pier 2/3 was the last undeveloped pier in the precinct, while the others had been adapted into a hotel, apartments and homes for theatre and dance companies.
Tonkin Zulaikha Greer were appointed by the NSW government in 2016, to reimagine the Pier 2/3 as performance venues for Bell Shakespeare, the Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP) and the Australian Chamber Orchestra (ACO), as well as refurbish Wharf 4/5 (completed in December 2020), which was already home to the Sydney Dance Company (SDC), Gondwanna Choirs and Bangarra Dance Theatre.
Tonkin Zulaikha Greer designed the new precinct to retain what director Peter Tonkin called “that raw industrial sense of the timber cathedral” – while fulfilling demanding briefs for multiple cultural institutions’ long-term homes.
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Walsh Bay Arts Precinct Pier 2/3 by Tonkin Zulaikha Greer. Image:
Brett Boardman
To achieve acoustic separation within the historic structures, Tonkin Zulaikha Greer inserted boxes into the spaces, to let each institution control its own acoustics. Mirrors on the outside of the boxes reflect the light from the bay and create the illusion that the boxes aren’t there. Additional changes include large sections of raised roof to accommodate lighting and sound equipment and retractable seating to create flexible performance spaces.
“It’s fabulous,” Tonkin said. “You can walk around directly on the water, and yet you’ve got these amazing high-quality performance companies doing their stuff. […] Not only is there this synergy of all these companies working, but you can get a little glimpse of it.”
New South Wales Minister for Infrastructure Rob Stokes anticipates the precinct, which is now home to nine performing arts organizations, will reopen in time for Sydney’s 23rd Biennale in March, drawing locals and international visitors to the CBD.
“It’s [an] amazing achievement to have a public arts and cultural hub right on Sydney’s famous waterfront with new state-of-the art facilities, while still having its iconic heritage preserved,” Stokes said. More
A 17-storey tower in East Perth that would provide housing and wrap-around support for people who have experienced chronic homelessness has been recommended for approval.
Designed by Gresley Abas, the East Perth Common Grounds development would feature terracotta brickwork and glazed arches at its base, with hit-and-miss brickwork above reflecting the historical masonry context of the area. Operable perforated aluminium screens included up the full height of the tower would provide privacy and sun protection while visually tying the built form together.
Proposed for the northwest corner of the Wellington and Hill streets intersection, on a vacant site owned by the state government, the tower would deliver 112 apartments along with communal areas, on-site support services and five commercial tenancies. Based on the Common Ground model initiated in New York in the early 1990s, the development would be part of a “housing first” approach, where homeless people are placed in housing as a priority and then provided with comprehensive support services.
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East Perth Common Grounds by Gresley Abas.
The Department of Communities facility will include a 24-hour concierge/security service and will also be wrap-around support services addressing the residents’ needs relating to health, mental health, substance misuse, trauma and other issues.
The development is supported by the City of Perth and its Design Advisory Committee, while the Department of Transport has objected to the proposal on the basis that it doesn’t include sufficient bicycle parking and end-of-trip facilities.
A number of property owners in the area have also objected to the proposal, with many of them citing concerns over the height of the tower as well as “anti-social behaviour” that might be associated with the development, and the impact on property prices. However, the proponent noted that the impact on property values is a not a valid planning consideration.
In its report to the Perth Local Development Assessment Panel, which will consider the development on 1 March, the Western Australian Planning Commission notes that the proposal is “a purposeful development that will address issues of homelessness and social housing needs.” The commission is recommending that the assessment panel approves the tower.
In January 2022, Gresley Abas were appointed to design a second Common Ground facility in Mandurah, which will include 50 self-contained apartments as well as on-site support facilities. More
The Australian Institute of Architects has announced a star-studded speaker line-up for its Lost Opportunities symposium that includes half a dozen Pritzker laureates and several Australian Gold Medal winners. Scheduled for 18–20 March in Melbourne, Lost Opportunities will look at projects that were significant for their architects, but which were never built. “In any successful […] More
