Architecture

Georgia Birks: Tell us a bit about yourself and what the original house was like.
Tamsin Cull: Brisbane has been my home-town since I was at university. I went away for a few years for postgraduate study and work but otherwise I’ve lived in my home in Annerley since 2007 – I’ve always loved the house and the area.
The original house was a very small cottage, which had been added to in the 1960s with a “handyman”-style extension. It had a tiny little window out to the garden from the kitchen. I knew that I wanted to change that, to make the transition into the garden as easy as possible.
GB: When did you decide to engage an architect?
TC: In 2018 I decided that I wanted to do the renovation. At first, I thought the logical thing to do was to raise the house. I spoke with some building designers who would do that, but there wasn’t a lot of conversation about how my family lived and how we engaged with the space. I left those conversations not feeling totally convinced. I was also very conscious of cost. The reality is that any building project these days is probably more expensive than you think it’s going to be. I wanted an architect who could work within the parameters of my budget. I did some further research and spoke to a friend of mine who recommended Nicholas and Zuzana. When I met with Nicholas and Zuzana, I immediately felt like we had a good rapport: their approach was to not intervene with the house more than they needed to and they were very interested in my ideas.
GB: What was your brief to Zuzana and Nicholas?
TC: My brief was to connect the interior spaces to the garden in order to generate more space. I knew the house wasn’t going to be really big, so it needed rooms that were versatile and able to grow as my family grew. The windows in these cottages on small inner-city blocks are often aligned with those of the neighbours, so I wanted privacy, but I didn’t want to be completely shut off from the street, either. I still wanted to feel connected to the neighbourhood.
GB: You mentioned that budget was an important part of your brief. How did you maintain a budget that worked for you?
TC: Going for quality over quantity. It really was about not trying to make things any bigger than they needed to be. This then allowed me to spend on quality finishes: because I only have one bathroom, I was able to use little Italian floor tiles. That wouldn’t have been possible if I had wanted three bathrooms.
GB: Connecting the interior spaces to the garden is a strong design driver in your brief and led you to collaborate with a landscape designer. What was that process like?
TC: It was probably halfway through the design process that I said to Nicholas and Zuzana that I really wanted to think about the garden as part of the whole project. I wanted the garden to be in harmony with the house. A friend of mine had just finished a renovation and she had worked with Jonathan Kopinski for the landscape design of her house. When I mentioned this to Nicholas and Zuzana, they laughed and said “he’s a good friend of ours and that’s a great idea.” Jonathan and I shared ideas and he came back with this beautiful design, which was about extending the architectural plan itself. Jonathan and I then spent a whole week planting the garden together, as I was determined to complete the landscape before moving the family in – I didn’t want to bring children and a dog into a big dirt pit.
GB: What are your highlights from the architectural process?
TC: I would certainly say [Zuzana and Nicholas] were pretty amazing in terms of how responsive they were to my suggestions. I love their aesthetic but they were quite encouraging of my ideas, particularly about colour. The conversations were respectful and it wasn’t a case of, “this is what you should do because I’m the architect.” However, occasionally they would politely say, “actually I think it should be this way …” That’s how you know you’ve got a good relationship.
GB: Was working with an architect what you expected?
TC: I would say it’s given me an enormous respect and appreciation for what architects do. There is so much more to it than I had ever realized. The way they think about light, spaces and the integration of new and old was absolutely worth it. Also, there was a drawing for everything. The builders were very complimentary when they talked about Zuzana and Nicholas’s documentation.
GB: What advice would you give to someone thinking about using an architect, and would you do it again?
TC: I would definitely do it again. I would advise people to think about the aesthetic you’re after and investigate the architect’s completed projects. You need to find someone you have a real affinity with in that regard. What is equally important is finding someone that you can imagine yourself having a really good working relationship with.
GB: You did a lot of research to find the right architect. Would you recommend this process for those looking to engage an architect?
TC: Yes. You want to actually like the person because you’re going to have a lot to do with them – you could be working together for a couple of years. It’s funny, I would liken my relationship with my architects to being a little bit like my relationship with my obstetrician [laughs]. You just see so much of them because you are preparing for a big life event!
For more, read the review of Annerley House.
Tamsin Cull and Zuzana and Nicholas Architects will be speaking about Annerley House at the Our Houses even in Brisbane, part of the Asia Pacific Architecture Festival. Book tickets here. More

Victorian Minister for Planning Richard Wynne has released updated plans for the Preston Market Precinct with new protection overlays for the fresh food market and stronger height limits on new builds following an eight-week community consultation period.
In May 2021, the Victorian Government released draft plans for community consultation, which saw a total of 386 written submissions made to the planning authority.
Retaining neighbourhood character and maximizing access to light were among the top priorities identified from community feedback that have heavily influenced the latest iteration of precinct plans.
These recommendations have led to a reduction in building heights and in the number of homes in the precinct, enabling a more open and light-filled space.
The Victorian Planning Authority forecasts that Preston’s population will double in size to 68,000 people by 2041. “We expect 4,500 to 6,000 new residents will call the precinct home with a minimum of 2,200 extra dwellings,” the VPA’s May 2021 community brochure stated.
In the original plan, buildings in the centre of the precinct were designed to reach up to 16 storeys, and up to 20 storeys near Murray Road, to accomodate new homes and workplaces.
“Planning for sustainable growth in the precinct while protecting the neighbourhood’s unique character is essential to tackle urban sprawl and housing affordability for Victoria’s growing population,” the update for the precinct plans read.
“We’ve listened to the community and updated the draft plan in line with their feedback around neighbourhood character, open space and sunlight,” Minister Wynne said.
Strong protections for the 51-year-old market have been retained, with the existing fruit and vegetable shed to remain in its current location, and its character safeguarded by a heritage overlay.
The 5.1-hectare precinct will include the market, new housing, jobs, and infrastructure to support the growing community. This also includes public open spaces, walking and cycle paths, and improved public transport access.
Objectives for the precinct include a thriving fresh food market; a diversity of land use and amenity; culturally diverse character and adaptable community spaces; a sustainable, liveable and accessible precinct; and flexible and efficient parking and access.
The new draft plan will be considered by the Projects Standing Advisory Committee and will be subject to further community consultation.
For more information visit the Victorian Planning Authority website. More

The New South Wales chapters of the Australian Institute of Architects and the Institute of Landscape Australia have voiced their disappointment in the NSW government’s decision to revoke planning reform intended to deliver sustainable development.
Minister for Planning and Homes Anthony Roberts announced that he would be “discontinuiting” the Minister’s Planning Principles in order to prioritize the delivery of new homes and housing affordability.
Released in December 2021, the Minister’s Planning Principles comprised a state-wide plan for sustainable development in New South Wales. The nine principles outlined in the plan included initiatives aimed at improving planning systems, developing greater resilience, strengthening biodiversity and conservation efforts, and designing for better quality of life.
Roberts justified the backflip by stating that the government had to retain its focus on delivering a pipeline of housing supply and affordability.
“The premier has given me a very clear priority – delivering more homes and our principles must help me deliver on that priority,” Roberts said. “I want to work with our stakeholders on ways to boost the supply and affordability so as we do that I have discontinued the Minister’s Planning Principles.”
President of the Australian Institute of Architects NSW chapter Laura Cockburn has deemed the decision unwise, as a move that will effectively sideline sensible principles protecting land use and risk management.
“In the midst of our current flood and housing crises, why would a government choose to remove planning principles aimed at disaster resilience, and delivering affordable housing?” said Cockburn. “This is a short-sighted decision that could have enduring negative impacts.”
Cockburn said she had been hopeful the change in planning regulation would not impact the efforts to design places to meet the needs of the community under the State Environmental Planning Policies (SEPP).
She added that constant change from government would only undermine its mission by unsettling the investor confidence in affordable housing that the backflip is intending to secure.
The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects has also expressed its concern with the decision, with NSW chapter president Tanya Wood stating it “defied logic” to remove the nine planning principles.
“These principles were aimed at creating healthy, green, liveable places across NSW,” said Wood. “To remove these ideals lacks common sense and indicates a concerning approach to future state planning.” More

Australia’s only Pritzker Prize laureate Glenn Murcutt and two-time recipient of the Australian Institute of Architects’ Sulman Medal for Public Architecture Angelo Candalepas have been appointed to design a mixed-use project for Sydney developer Central Element. Located at 271 Elizabeth Street, the project will deliver 53 residences along with ground-floor retail. The site is currently […] More

Architect, educator and social activist Diébédo Francis Kéré has been awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize for 2022.
The Pritzker Prize is awarded to a living architect or architects whose built work combines the qualities of talent, vision and commitment to the built environment. The prize is awarded each year and is referred to as the profession’s highest honour.
Kéré is the 51st laureate and the first African to win the prestigious award since its inception in 1979.
The Burkina Faso-born architect currently resides in Berlin and has a repertoire of built works spanning schools, housing, health facilities, civic buildings and public squares across eight countries in Africa.
His work has expanded to include structures in Denmark, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
The 2022 jury describes his body of work as demonstrating the “power of materiality rooted in place,” making use of locally sourced materials that respond to the natural climate.

View gallery

Gando Primary School. Image:

Erik-Jan Owerkerk

Kéré first garnered international respect for his work on a primary school in his home village of Gando, completed in 2001. Kéré used indigenous clay fortified with cement to form bricks with bioclimatic thermal mass, retaining cool air inside while allowing heat to escape through the brick ceiling.
Kéré was the first in his community to attend school. tThe overcrowded, dark and poorly ventilated classroom of Tenkodogo lead then seven-year-old to vow to one day make schools better for his community.
Today, Kéré said he strives to change the paradigm, making quality facilities available to all – not only the wealthy.

View gallery

Gando Primary School Image:

Erik-Jan Owerkerk

“Everyone deserves quality, everyone deserves luxury, and everyone deserves comfort. We are interlinked and concerns in climate, democracy and scarcity are concerns for us all,” he said.
His work in primary and secondary schools has been heralded for its sensitivity to environment and locality-specific sustainability considerations.
“Francis Kéré, he has served as a singular beacon in architecture,” the jurors said in their citation. “He has shown us how architecture today can reflect and serve needs, including the aesthetic needs, of peoples throughout the world.”
For more information visit the Pritzker Architecture Prize website. More

Australia’s leading and largest design event is back and bigger than ever, with an 11-day program running from 17 to 27 of March featuring over 300 events across the spectrum of design disciplines.
The 2022 schedule has been informed by the pillars of “civic good” and “making good,” under the umbrella theme of “design the world you want.” The concept of civic good implores participants to consider their responsibilities beyond personal interest and encourages them to strive for collective betterment. Making good explores impact of design beyond function and aesthetic and considers the social and environmental consequences of the built world.
Responding to these themes, the line-up includes a rich and diverse selection of zero footprint repurposing, interplanetary housing solutions, biophilic design principles, and First Nations knowledge and thinking.
A network of hubs will be activated around the city, including Collingwood Yards, MPavillion, Scienceworks and the NGV. As well, Castlemaine and Ballarat have been added to the list of regional destinations hosting design events and exhibitions.
Find ArchitectureAU’s selection of 10 of the festival’s architectural highlights below.
AA Prize for Unbuilt Work 2022
17 March to 26 March, RMIT Design Hub
Presented by Architecture Australia and ArchitectureAU.com, the 2022 AA Prize for Unbuilt Work showcases 40 shortlisted entries for compelling works in their conceptual stage. The exhibition rewards provocative ideas, inventive thinking and conceptual rigour in a selection of works that have not yet been realised. This award aspires to promote debate, generate ideas and address the challenges faced by the world today.

View gallery

3D Printed Mars Habitat by Hassell Studio. Image:

Hassell Studio

Design Beyond Earth: Opening Night
25 March, Scienceworks
Presented by Scienceworks in collaboration with Hassell, this exhibition ponders how humans might live beyond earth, and how architects and designers can research and develop future habitat in space. It will consider interplanetary solutions to sustainable housing and to tackle rapid population growth. Opening night of the Scienceworks Hub includes a presentation by Hassell’s head of design Xavier De Kestelier and computational design lead Jonathan Irawan, sharing their current projects and collaborations with NASA and the European Space Agency envisioning new forms of human habitation in space.
Festival of Publicness at University of Melbourne
26 March, University Plaza, University of Melbourne
This day-long program of talks, workshop and music is hosted by the Melbourne School of Design in collaboration with the university’s museums and collections. It will explore the theme of publicness in architecture as both a statement of being in a public space and as a useful thread bringing together various disciplines connected with the public realm: art, architecture, landscape, urbanism, Country, and place.
Good Design – is Excellent for Local Government
25 March, MPavillion
The Office of the Victorian Government Architect (OVGA) will lead a discussion with participants from three city councils – City of Ballarat, City of Greater Geelong and City of Casey – which are some of the fastest growing and most diverse urban areas with some of Victoria’s most well-preserved heritage. Victorian government architect Jill Garner will guide a conversation with key local government design leaders to identify how they are supporting good design, design thinking and creative city strategies.

View gallery

Buhrich HouseII, Castlecrag. Image:

John Gollings

The 50th anniversary of the Hugh Buhrich House in Castlecrag
17 March to 23 March, Brickworks Design Studio
This year will mark the 50th anniversary of the completion of the Hugh Buhrich House II in Castlecrag, which has been described as the “finest modern house in Australia.” Brickworks Design Studio will recreate a 1991 exhibition and catalogue to showcase the innovation and spectacle of this house, presented in conversation with architect Stephen Varady, co-creator of the original exhibition Neil Durbach, and photographer John Gollings.
Victorian Architecture Awards – Exhibition of Entries
17 March to 26 March, Melbourne School of Design
The Australian Institute of Architects’ Awards program showcases recent work by Victorian architects from residential through to education, that respond to the urban and public realm. The exhibition will feature a series of photographs extracted from the entries in the 2022 Victorian Architecture Awards, giving the public an opportunity to view the works as judging takes place.
Circularity in the Built Environment
22 March, Great Hall, NGV International
Presented in partnership with the NGV and Sustainability Victoria and moderated by Caroline Pidcock, this panel will consider what the circular economy can bring to the built environment. From regenerative practice to design for dismantling, this session will explore how integrating circular design principles into construction and demolition projects can lead to a better world.

View gallery

Zero Footprint Repurposing warehouse in Collingwood. Image:

Stephanie Neville

Zero Footprint Repurposing
25 March, Revival Projects, Collingwood
Revival Projects has invited the design and construction industry to use a 100-year-old warehouse to store demolished materials as one of the world’s first free repurposing hubs. For one day, the warehouse will be open to tours where visitors can assess the facility and discover how we can revolutionize the industry’s approach to repurposing. Tours will be followed by a talk hosted by Grimshaw Architects and Revival Projects.
MMeets: Blackitecture: The Manifesto
21 March to 23 March, MPavillion
This program features a series of six lectures over three days on subjects relating to how the industry can learn from listening to Traditional Custodians and knowledge holders. From “Answers to the questions you were too afraid to ask,” to “Indigenzing construction,” this series explores how the industry can embed Country, community and culture into its built projects for better outcomes.

View gallery

‘Magical Imperfection’ directed by Scott Calbeck. Image:

Scott Calbeck

MDW Film Festival
19 March to 27 March, various locations
Curated by Richard Sowada, the Melbourne Design Week Film Festival includes a suite of films exploring environments, cities, building and infrastructure, and the people who design and inhabit them. Screening at various locations around the city, there are seven films to choose from exploring the role of architecture in a swathe of different cultures and contexts. From Earth to Sky follows seven diverse Indigenous architects from North America who find common ground in their Indigenous identity. Magical Imperfection provides an account of the life of Canadian architect Raymond Moriyama.
For more information visit the Melbourne Design Week website.
ArchitectureAU is a media partner of Melbourne Design Week. More

Benalla Rural City Council has announced it is accepting tenders from experienced architects to design the Benalla Art Gallery Redevelopment. The Benalla Art Gallery is a public gallery located within the Benalla Botanical Gardens in regional Victoria. Established in 1968, the Benalla Art Gallery was originally designed by Philip Sargeant and Colin Munro and is […] More

In collaboration with the Melbourne School of Design, NH Architecture delivers an exhibition that aspires to provoke discussion around the “publicness” of public buildings.
“There is no/only public architecture” questions the definition of public space. It invites the viewer to consider if there is still such thing as public architecture, given its various non-public funding arrangements, or, just as likely, if there is only public architecture.
“Almost all our public architecture gets delivered through private sector funding, through public-private partnerships – that includes our schools, hospitals, our roads, etc,” said NH Architecture director Hamish Lyon. While on the flip side, a commercial retail centre, could in fact be considered a village given the diversity of tenancies it accommodates and its frequent use by the public.

View gallery

Lyon has explored the notion of permanence and disposability, with legacy projects interspersed with IKEA-style build-it-yourself models of fictional public buildings. Image:

Peter Bennetts

“Publicness is defined not the architect but by the public. If they start to enjoy and engage with the it, it builds its own collective publicness through the community using it,” he said.
Thus, the question around what is public, and who is ‘the public’, have become more pertinent than ever before. “We are postulating and probing the conversation that buildings are now built for public purpose, and good luck if you’re going to try and predict what they are,” said Lyon.
“Over the last two years Melburnians have witnessed the opening night of the ballet on Margaret Court tennis arena, drive-in movies inside the exhibition hall at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre and the world heritage listed Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton […] become a major medical hub for vaccine and COVID-19 testing,” said Lyon.
The exhibition draws from a portfolio of NH Architecture projects spanning 18 years of practice, from public to commercial buildings and everything else in between.

View gallery

NH Architects Director Hamish Lyon (left) and Chair of Architectural Design at Melbourne School of Design Donald Bates. Image:

Peter Bennetts

The buildings exhibited are situated in contexts where the relationship between public and private is particularly porous. Using techniques including photography, model and film, public buildings are dissected into their material and ephemeral parts.
Notions of mass production, occupation and scale are weighed against the intangible qualities of materiality, memory and ownership. Lyon has explored the notion of permanence and disposability, with legacy projects interspersed with IKEA-style build-it-yourself models of fictional public buildings as poignant commentary of the spate of high profile disposal of significant public buildings.
The exhibition is open until Friday 1 April, delivered as part of Melbourne Design Week. Designed for students, practitioners and the general public alike, the exhibition seeks to generate a deeper understanding of the current state of architecture, and to consider what this will mean for the future of architecture.
Lyon will deliver a keynote lecture on 15 March at 7 pm, in the basement theatre at the Melbourne School of Design, and host a public floor talk in the gallery on Saturday 26 March.
For more information on the gallery opening hours, visit the Melbourne School of Design website. More