Architecture

A design consortium comprising Plus Architecture, Architecture And, and Chrofi has won a design excellence competition that invited architects to convert a former shopping centre site on the NSW Central Coast into an activated residential precinct.
The winning scheme includes 650 dwellings across five new towers, 5,000 square metres of ground-level retail and commercial space, landscaped public areas and pedestrian walkways to connect the site with Kibble Park. Clear wayfinding will help pedestrians navigate not only the hub’s buildings and activated open spaces, but also the city and transport links beyond.
In a collaborative effort, Chrofi lead the design of the civic plaza, ground plane and tower one; Plus Architecture designed residential towers two and three, ground-level public spaces and full-plan coherence; Architecture And designed residential towers four and five; and Arcadia provided landscape consultancy services across the masterplan.
Director of Plus Architecture Amit Julka emphasised the value of having team members with varied perspectives, expertise and experiences on a project of this size and scale. “The result of deep collaboration, our proposal seeks to reflect the way cities naturally accrete over time, with many hands shaping the output and expression of the buildings,” Julka said.
Architecture And founder and principal Andrew Burns echoed this sentiment, saying the collaboration resulted in a “diverse architectural expression in form, geometry and material – to create a real piece of city, in dialogue with the dramatic Rumbalara escarpment to the perimeter of the site.”
The design intent is expressed at three scales: city, neighbourhood and home. City-wise, the aim is to increase urban quality by creating a useful place that appeals for generations. The neighbourhood goal is to foster a community where residents feel a sense of belonging to place and to each other. Finally, all homes are intended to provide customised, resource-efficient living spaces that connect with nature.
Sustainability is prioritised in the buildings through the integration of passive heating and cooling features, biophilic green roofs and solar power. Externally, native planting selections seek to minimise the heat island effect.
The next phase of the project will see the submission of a State Significant Development Application (SSDA). If approved, the proposed Gosford Alive precinct will be constructed on a 1.4-hectare site in Gosford’s city centre.
Urbis managed this design excellence competition on behalf of Universal Property Group, and the jury was chaired by Government Architect NSW. More

Hobart City Council has unanimously approved a development proposal to establish a 12-storey office building in Liverpool Street and a “pocket park” for public use.
A development application for the project was lodged in early 2024.
The building features a tower and two-podium arrangement. Designed by Gray Puksand, the facade comprises tinted concrete and red brick for the podiums, and brushed metal for the tower.
The new office building will accommodate more than 15,000 square metres of working spaces and a basement-level car park. The ground floor will include entry spaces, change rooms and bicycle storage, a potential retail tenancy and a cafe. Landscaped rooftop terraces will be positioned across levels three and four.
Director of Techne Invest (the property developer behind the project) Matt O’Halloran said the office project is “much-needed” in the growing city of Hobart.
“We’re delighted that HCC [Hobart City Council] has endorsed our vision,” O’Halloran said. “The approach to planning and design has been open and collaborative with Council and it will deliver a terrific architectural addition to the city.”
The development will include the introduction of a new pedestrian link above the Hobart rivulet and a new “pocket park.”
A building that currently exists on the corner site would be demolished as part of the development. More

The National Capital Authority invites public consultation on the design, materiality and location of two Licht Architecture-designed floating saunas proposed for Canberra’s Lake Burley Griffin.
A potential site has been nominated between Yarralumla Beach and Blue Gum Point, off Alexandrina Drive. The setting would encourage visitors to fully experience hot-and-cold therapy by moving between the heated saunas and comparatively cool lake.
Works listed in the approval application comprise changing rooms, two 4.2-metre-tall sauna structures, a gathering space, a 78.8 square metre floating pontoon, and a 10.5 metre raised gangway connecting the saunas to land. If approved, the project would be constructed in approximately four weeks.
The proposed gable-roofed form and black-and-white colour scheme would resemble that of Derby Floating Sauna, which was also designed by Licht Architecture, in north-east lutruwita/Tasmania. That sauna received a National Commendation for Small Project Architecture in the 2021 Australian Institute of Architects’ National Awards.
The National Capital Authority is seeking feedback on the proposal until Friday 23 August 2024. More

The Australian Institute of Architects has launched a voluntary and anonymous national survey for its members, inviting them to share their experiences and views about the use of artificial intelligence in architecture practice.
The survey is commissioned by the National Practice Committee and its Design and Technology Working Group. Its purpose is to collate more evidence about the impacts of artificial intelligence (AI) in Australian architecture practices and the profession’s strategic responses to the emergence of AI.
The survey findings will be used to guide the institute on the kinds of support to provide members, including continuing professional development and other advocacy.
The survey portal will close on Friday 16 August 2024. To find out more, visit the website. More

Design Declares officially launched on July 29 in Sydney, with designers, design studios, agencies and institutions declaring and actively addressing the climate and ecological emergency that threatens our world.
At launch, Design Declares had 58 signatories in Australia – including Frost, Koskela, Good Design Australia and Mek Studio – and 930 worldwide.
“Research shows that 80% of all climate-related challenges today are rooted in the design phase of products. Our mission is to reverse this trend and harness our collective power to effect real environmental change,” said Ben Rennie, chairperson of Design Declares Australia.
“Our immediate goal is to mobilise the Australian design community to sign the declaration and follow the ‘8 Steps of Emergency.’ In the long term, we aspire to influence governmental policies by demonstrating that superficial approaches to climate issues are insufficient. We aim to rally support for substantial, actionable measures addressing the rising ocean level threat and other urgent environmental challenges,” adds Rennie.
“By acknowledging that we are in a climate emergency and committing to action, we are taking steps towards meaningful change. It’s time for designers and design studios to sign the declaration of this crucial movement,” added Nicola Rennie, operations director.
Design Declares welcomes participation from individuals and studios involved in various design sectors, including industrial, digital, graphic, communication, and service design. Signatories can access the Design Declares toolkit, a curated collection of resources designed to equip designers with the knowledge and tools to implement sustainable and regenerative practices. It includes guidelines, best practices, and case studies, providing a practical roadmap for designers committed to making a positive environmental impact.
You can sign the declaration here. More

The Southern Grampians Shire Council has issued a tender inviting Australian and international architects to design the New Hamilton Gallery in Hamilton, regional Victoria.
The project has been advocated for by community groups for more than a decade. In July 2024, the council endorsed the proposal to build the New Hamilton Gallery on the site of the current Hamilton Gallery, which houses a collection of more than 9,000 artworks.
The existing gallery, built in 1961, is no longer fit for purpose due to insufficient display space for exhibitions; storage limitations; climate control issues, and limited space for community activities.
The council partnered with the University of Melbourne, Melbourne School of Design academics, deputy dean Professor Alan Pert, and associate professor Rory Hyde, to consult with the community and develop the tender brief.
“We see this project as an opportunity for Hamilton to be a national leader in regional art galleries. To create something which is truly exciting, inclusive and ambitious,” said Rory Hyde.
The tender invites architects to respond to local identity, civic life, creative pathways, the collection, the natural environment and First Nations culture and connections with the region.
Gallery director Joshua White said the original gallery was built and opened due to the community’s efforts. “The new gallery project is no different and has had remarkable support during its decade long journey. […] Now our nationally significant collection, which has been donated and gifted by the public, will have a building to match.”
The council has allocated funding in their recent budget for the gallery design.
The tender portal will close on Monday 19 August 2024. To find out more about the tender, visit the Hamilton Gallery website. More

A design team led by Billard Leece Partnership has unveiled its initial concept designs for the Queensland Cancer Centre in Brisbane, a new healthcare facility where individuals can access cancer treatment and care.
The new cancer centre will be co-located with the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in Herston. Billard Leece Partnership (BLP) was appointed as the lead architect for the initial design phase of the project, working in collaboration with Lendlease and LCI Consultants for Health Infrastructure Queensland, Queensland Health.

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The facility will accommodate a welcoming entrance, day therapy spaces, outpatient and telehealth consult rooms, 150 overnight beds, four operating theatres, and proton therapy treatment areas.
BLP design lead Brad Dorn said establishing the healthcare facility as a place of treatment is only one component of the project. Another aspect is creating an environment that prioritises a holistic approach to health and wellbeing, which will help patients and their loved ones feel as comfortable as possible during treatment.
Extending beyond the physical building, the overarching project vision encompasses a community hub.
“The design takes into account the importance of the public realm and is designed to seamlessly integrate with the urban fabric of the Herston Health Precinct, inviting the community in and fostering a sense of belonging,” Dorn said.
“Critical to the design has been the incorporation of landscaped areas throughout the building for everyone to access, promoting a strong biophilic response for the site.”

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Managing director of BLP Tara Veldman said the project represents not only a structure, but also a commitment to a new era of cancer care in Queensland.
“As lead architects, BLP is proud to be entrusted with the design of QCC, as it plays a pivotal role in Queensland’s healthcare as a beacon of hope and healing,” Veldman said. More

Entries have opened for the 2025 AA Prize for Unbuilt Work, the only prize in Australia that rewards compelling work in its conceptual stages.
Architects, landscape architects, planners, urban designers, interior designers, and students of these disciplines are all eligible to submit their unrealised designs.
A cash prize of $5,000 will be awarded by the jury. The jury for the 2025 prize comprises esteemed industry voices who have been appointed based on their expertise, professional standing and profile.
Camila Block is a director of Durbach Block Jaggers Architects and a life fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects. After graduating from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Architecture in 1991, she then joined Neil Durbach in practice in 1992. In 1998, the pair formed Durbach Block Architects (now Durbach Block Jaggers Architects). In 2014, she received an honorary appointment as adjunct professor from the University of Technology Sydney, Faculty of Design Architecture and Building. She has taught, lectured, exhibited, judged awards and been published both nationally and internationally.
Nic Brunsdon serves as the principal and creative director of Brunsdon Studio and is recognised as one of Australia’s leading architects. In 2015, he was awarded the Australian Institute of Architects Emerging Architect Award, firstly for Western Australia and then nationally. His studio’s projects have received international acclaim at the World Architecture Festival, Houses Awards, Loop Awards and Australian Institute of Architects Awards programs. Brunsdon is also the director of the urban program Spacemarket, which pairs disused spaces with useful people.
Jocelyn Chiew is an architect, landscape architect, urban designer and director of city design at City of Melbourne. As director, Chiew plays a key role in creating and enabling inclusive, sustainable and enduring public places. She additionally leads the city’s Design Excellence Program and is deputy chair of the Melbourne Design Review Panel. She is a fellow of the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects, a member of Gender Equity Victoria’s Put Her Name on It Reference Group and a former state and national councillor at the Australian Institute of Architects.
Michael Mossman is associate dean Indigenous Strategy and Services at the University of Sydney’s School of Architecture, Design and Planning. He is a Kuku Yalanji man from Cairns, who currently lives and works on the Country of the Gadigal People in Sydney. Mossman is a registered architect (non-practising) and First Nations design strategy consultant with over 20 years of professional practice experience who advocates Country and First Nations issues in the architectural profession at educational, practice and policy levels. He was awarded a doctor of philosophy in architecture with his thesis titled: Third Space, Architecture and Indigeneity.
Georgia Birks is associate editor of Architecture Australia, a graduate of architecture and a proud descendant of the Birpai, Dunghutti and Kamilaroi people. Prior to her role as associate editor, she assisted the delivery of a range of projects across Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia. She is a curator for Design Speaks, a member of the Australian Institute of Architects First Nations Advisory Committee and a member of the City of Melbourne’s Design Excellence Advisory Committee.
Entries for the 2025 AA Prize for Unbuilt can be submitted until 23 August 2024.
The shortlist will be published on ArchitectureAU.com on Thursday 21 November 2024.
Awarded schemes will be published on ArchitectureAu.com on Thursday 16 January 2025. They will also be published in the January 2025 issue of Architecture Australia. More