Architecture

Deco Australia’s aluminium cladding system, DecoClad, has met the requirements of Australian Standard AS 4284, confirming its compliance with the weatherproofing provisions of the National Construction Code (NCC).
The test, carried out by independent testing agency Azuma Design, evaluated the performance of the system under simulated extreme weather conditions. A full facade assembly, including DecoClad boards, accessories, and a window unit, was mounted in a purpose-built test rig and subjected to structural loading and water penetration trials. These included static and dynamic pressure water penetration tests ranging from 750 Pa to 1500 Pa, as well as simulated cyclonic wind loads of up to 2500 Pa – equivalent to wind speeds of approximately 160 kilometres per hour.The testing followed verification methods outlined in Section F3V1 of the NCC. It assessed the system’s ability to prevent water ingress and maintain structural integrity under significant environmental stress, such as wind-driven rain and pressure differentials.
“Passing this weatherproof testing demonstrates that our DecoClad aluminium cladding not only delivers modern, architectural appeal but also provides the safety and durability today’s building facades demand,” said Richard Hamber, General Manager at Deco Australia.“It also provides designers, architects and builders peace of mind that they are specifying and building with a cladding product that fully complies to the National Construction Code.”The results support DecoClad’s suitability for use in applications where weatherproofing and code compliance are critical performance factors in facade design. More

The second instalment of Tasmania Makes 25, held between 1 June and 21 September, features works from celebrated Tasmanian designers, such as Craig Ashton, Travis Bell, Geoff Farquhar, Benjamin Grieve-Johnson, Elliot Hall, Sharon O’Donnell and Stuart Williams. The exhibition will showcase a variety of design disciplines, including furniture, ceramics, jewellery, textiles and object design.

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Micro: Macro, presented until 29 June, explores the role of models in creating meaning and understanding. The Sydney-based exhibition showcases a series of models from a diverse range of disciplines, including architecture, engineering, science, mathematics, medicine and art. Models have been considered a valuable educational tool since the late-nineteenth century. Early models of wax, papier-mâché, glass, iron and brass are now appreciated as works of art in and of themselves, but also as records of the time. With advancements in technology, the role of models has evolved, taking on new forms via modern processes such as 3D printing and AI. The models featured as part of the exhibition vary in format, material and intention.

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For the third iteration of By/Product – an exhibition series that challenges artists to repurpose discarded materials into collectable furniture, art and craft – Locki Humphrey presents Oxide, a collection of works constructed from the remnants of industrial manufacturing, including discarded steel and textile waste. Among the exhibition’s inventive highlights is the use of prickly pear – a cactus species known for its invasive spread across Australia – as a sustainable leather alternative for furniture upholstery. This Melbourne-based exhibition runs until 14 June.

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Parlour Lab 37 delves into the potential of upcycling waste in the built environment. Sofia Colabella and Kate Skillington – both architects and lecturers within the University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning – will unpack how innovative design methods and prototyping can transform surplus and waste materials into sustainable building solutions. The pair will highlight their current research project, titled [RE]Maker, which explores turning wetsuit surplus materials into architectural design solutions. This one-hour online event, hosted by Parlour as part of their Lab series, will be held on 13 June. More

The Alastair Swayn Foundation has announced it is now accepting applications for its 2025 grants program, with successful applicants to be awarded funding for design-related research.
The 2025 grants program opens on 3 June, with three funding streams available: International Research Grant, Australian Design Grants and Design Audio Grants. Individuals, groups and organisations can apply for any of the streams until 3 July.
The International Research Grant, which awards $20,000, supports successful candidates to undertake international research that strengthens the dialogue between Australian and global design practice. The Australian Design Grants will allocate $10,000 to recipients to conduct architecture and design research that tackles key challenges or opportunities across Australia’s designed and built environments. Design Audio Grants will award $8,000 to content creators for the production of design and architecture focused podcasts, radio series or open lecture recordings.
Simon Robinson, a previous International Research Grant recipient and the director of the not-for-profit multidisciplinary design and research practice Office, explored public housing renewal through a global lens.
“Through this grant, I was able to visit and catalogue 19 international examples of successfully refurbished multi-residential buildings. The grant has allowed us to broaden the discourse around public housing renewal, ensuring that global precedents inform local decision-making. I hope this research contributes to more sustainable and community-focused approaches to housing policy in Australia,” said Robinson.
“I am incredibly thankful to the Alastair Swayn Foundation for making this work possible and for fostering critical conversations across design, policy, and social impact.”
For full details or to apply, visit the Alastair Swayn Foundation website. More

Entries are now open for the 2025 Holdmark Innovation Award, an annual accolade that recognises innovation and excellence in the built environment.
Now in its third year, the award will be presented to one exemplary Australian-designed project completed in 2024 that demonstrates forward-thinking solutions to challenges faced by Australia’s urban environments. A prize of $10,000 will be awarded to the winning project.
Buildings, built structures or a key component in a structure’s design or construction can be entered. Innovation may be demonstrated through the application of emerging technologies, regenerative practices, pioneering research or sustainable construction methods.
The jury comprises Sydney Design Week curator Keinton Butler; director of design excellence at Government Architect NSW Olivia Hyde; Professor Greg Morrison, School of Engineering, Design and Built Environment at Western Sydney University; chief operating officer of Holdmark Property Group Kevin Nassif, and co-director of Youssofzay Hart Belqis Youssofzay.
Previously awarded projects include Phive in Parramatta Square by Design Inc. with Lacoste and Stevenson, and Manuelle Gautrand Architecture, which received an award in 2023. Additionally, Wilam Ngarrang Retrofit by Kennedy Nolan with Finding Infinity was honoured with the award in 2024. Phive was selected as the winner for its “ingenious rooftop design” and effective passive climate strategies while Wilam Ngarrang Retrofit was recognised for “its delivery of an energy-efficient space with both social and sustainability agendas at its core.”
Director of architecture at Kennedy Nolan Michael Macleod said, “Innovative projects can only have significant impact if people hear about them. We found the Holdmark Innovation Award to be a unique opportunity,” said Macleod.
The Holdmark Innovation Award program is presented by Powerhouse in partnership with Sydney Design Week principal partner Holdmark Property Group. Applications can be made until 30 June 2025. The award will be presented to the successful recipient at the annual Sydney Design Week event in September 2025. For more information, visit the Powerhouse website. More

The ACT Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects has welcomed draft reforms released by the state government to increase the supply and diversity of housing within the territory’s existing urban footprint. The proposed policies target zoning changes within existing Canberra suburbs to unlock available land and enable more low-rise, “missing middle” housing types across the city.
According to a communique from the state government, the focus of the Missing Middle Reforms is to facilitate the construction of 30,000 new homes by 2030, yet the release noted that “the reforms go beyond simply building more homes. The aim is to create more diverse housing options that blend seamlessly into Canberra’s suburbs.”
In addition to the zoning changes, the ACT government is working with experts from the local design and construction industry to develop a Missing Middle Housing Design Guide, which will provide guidance on the design of multi-occupancy houses on a block, townhouses, terrace homes and low-rise apartments that respect the local neighbourhood character.
Architect and director of DNA Architects Rob Henry has been consulting with the ACT government on the Missing Middle Housing Reforms on behalf of the Institute.
“Providing high-quality, social and affordable housing is essential to building an inclusive and equitable city,” Henry said. “By ensuring housing solutions are well-designed, sustainable, and integrated into diverse neighbourhoods, the ACT can meet the needs of vulnerable populations and low-income residents.”
“Architects are already working to create designs that prioritise energy efficiency, adaptability and liveability, enhancing the long-term value and social outcomes of housing projects while supporting broader housing affordability goals,” he continued.
The state government is inviting feedback on the proposed reforms until 3 July.
The Institute has welcomed the consultation put forward by the ACT government. They intend to review the proposed guides and amendments to ensure they address the short-term demand for missing middle housing types as well as future urban expansion.
“The recognition of place is paramount to building communities, not just houses,” said Henry. “To ensure long-term growth and mobility, the ACT must preserve and expand public transport corridors, including future extensions of the light rail network.”
Canberrans can have their say on the reforms online. More

Updated plans for the third and final stage of the Melbourne Jam Factory precinct redevelopment have been lodged.
Built in 1858, the Jam Factory was first established as a brewery, later becoming a factory for producing preserves and jams, before eventually evolving to become a retail and cinema precinct in the 1990s. Now, the factory site is set to be transformed once again into a mixed-use hub with retail, residential, accommodation and hospitality offerings.
American-born international architectural practice Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM) alongside local architects Buchan were engaged to design the precinct, in conjunction with Gurner’s in-house architect and interior design business Gurner Design House. Townshend Landscape Architects was appointed to design the landscape.
According to a communique, the latest proposal substitutes the previously approved box-style commercial tower fronting Chapel Street with “sculptural fluted towers.” Additionally, the allocation of 600 residences has increased to 800 dwellings. As a result of these changes, the estimated cost of the project has increased to $3.75 billion, up from the earlier estimate of $2.75 billion.

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The precinct will additionally accommodate 20,000 squares metres of retail, commercial and hospitality spaces; a reimagined Village Cinemas; two hotels; a 1,600-square-metre, north-facing public piazza; and a through-site link that leads visitors past retail and dining offerings.
The heritage facade along Chapel Street will be restored and the heritage chimney will be reconstructed as part of the project.
Construction has already commenced on the project, with demolition works underway. Once complete, the total area of the Jam Factory precinct will match the size of the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), covering an area of 20,000 square metres. More

The 2025 Rigg Design Prize, Australia’s most prestigious contemporary design award, will open on 19 September, showcasing the nation’s emerging design talent. Marking a significant shift, the tenth edition focuses exclusively on 35 outstanding Australian designers under the age of 35, working across ceramics, glass, furniture, woodwork, metalwork, textiles, lighting, and contemporary jewellery.
Traditionally awarded to established and mid-career practitioners, this year’s prize highlights fresh voices and innovative approaches within Australia’s design landscape. The participants will debut new works at the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), offering visitors an intimate look into their creative processes, ideas and motivations.
Selected from across Australia, the 35 finalists who were invited by the NGV to compete for the $40,000 Prize are:

Patrick Adeney (VIC, Furniture)
Kartika Laili Ahmad (WA, Lighting)
Ella Badu (VIC, Jewellery)
Walter Brooks (NT, Object Design)
Dalissa Brown (NT, Ceramics)
Andrew Carvolth (SA, Furniture)
Nicola Charlesworth & Kim Stanek – Object Density (NSW, Furniture)
Samantha Dennis (TAS, Jewellery)
Carly Tarkari Dodd (SA, Jewellery)
Hamish Donaldson (VIC, Glass)
Jack Fearon – FEARON (QLD, Furniture)
Olive Gill-Hille (WA, Furniture)
Marcel Hoogstad Hay (SA, Glass)
Katherine Hubble (VIC, Jewellery)
Jay Jermyn (QLD, Lighting)
Nicolette Johnson (QLD, Ceramics)
Zaiba Khan (VIC, Jewellery)
Lavinia Ketchell (QLD, Object Design)
Claudia Lau (VIC, Ceramics)
Nicole Lawrence (VIC, Furniture)
Julian Leigh May (VIC, Furniture)
Alfred Lowe (SA, Ceramics)
Marlo Lyda (NSW, Lighting)
Claire Markwick-Smith (SA, Furniture)
Simone Namunjdja (NT, Object Design)
Nathan Nhan (ACT, Ceramics)
Annie Paxton (VIC, Furniture)
Douglas Powell – Duzi Objects (WA, Furniture)
Amy Seo & Shahar Cohen – Second Edition (NSW, Furniture)
Emma Shepherd – Sundance Studio (VIC, Weaving)
Shahn Stewart – Alchemy Orange (VIC, Object Design)
Dalton Stewart (VIC, Furniture)
Georgie Szymanski (VIC, Furniture)
Kohl Tyler (VIC, Ceramics)
Isaac Williams (TAS, Furniture)

NGV director Tony Ellwood AM said: “The 2025 Rigg Design Prize turns the focus to the early-career designers of our country and gives them a career-defining platform to share their work with a wide audience. This prize is an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the outstanding creative achievements of our early career designers and will show an incredible breadth of skill and ability from a group who are on the rise in their careers and professional practice.” More

Brisbane Open House (BOH) has announced its full program for this year’s event, which will be held over the weekend of 19–20 July. According to a release from BOH, the 2025 program is the most expansive in five years, more than doubling last year’s offering with 91 buildings on show for attendees.
The line-up includes a range of buildings, structures, places and spaces across Greater Brisbane, including private homes, which also return to the program for the first time in five years.
BOH has partnered with the Australian Institute of Architects to open the doors to ten architect-designed residences, offering visitors insights into contemporary, modernist and sustainable house designs.

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In the city’s north, Blok Stafford Heights by Blok Modular and Vokes and Peters will be open for ticketed tours, as will Floating Gable House by Phorm Architecture and Design. Towards Mt Coot-tha in the west, both Birdwood by Peter Besley, and House of Birdwood by Marc and Co will host guided tours, also to be booked in advance. John Ellway Architect’s Twin Houses is also open for pre-booked tours on the southside of the city.
New additions to the 2025 program include first-time access to Riviere, designed by Bates Smart; Bradbury Park Play Scape, designed by Alcorn Middleton; Milton House; and the Morningside School of Arts and St Laurence’s College.

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Behind-the-scenes access will also be granted to Brisbane Airport as it celebrates 100 years. Likewise, a limited number of visitors will have the rare opportunity to descend 30 metres underground at the Roma Street Cross River Rail Station cavern.
“This is a landmark year for Brisbane Open House, not just in the scale of what we’re offering, but in the depth of experience we’re creating for locals and visitors alike,” said BOH chair Malcolm Middleton.
Returning favourites include Newstead House, Roma Street Fire Station, Brisbane Arcade, ABC Brisbane, Centenary Pool and Government House. The program will also feature guided walks, live music, dance performances, film screenings and the BOH photography competition.
In addition to building tours, the 2025 program includes a series of twilight events including a heritage talk, a guided walk through Kurilpa with local design advocates and a fast-paced presentation night at Arup’s new studio. A panel conversation exploring the living legacy of Torbreck will include Stuart Vokes of Vokes and Peters and Leah Gallagher of Kin Architects, who have each renovated apartments in the iconic building. Both of Kin’s renovations will be open for pre-booked tours.

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Brisbane councillor and deputy chair for City Planning and Suburban Renewal Penny Wolff said that the weekend-long program presents a unique opportunity to bring people into the places that define the city’s character — and to celebrate the work of the people who shape it.
“Whether you’re visiting a heritage-listed landmark or stepping inside a building you’ve walked past a hundred times, this event deepens your connection to place. It’s a chance for locals and visitors to understand Brisbane’s design legacy, and the values that continue to shape our future.”
The full program is now accessible on the Brisbane Open House website. Tickets will be released on Saturday 5 July. More