Architecture

The Adelaide city skyline will soon be transformed, following the recent planning approval of the city’s new tallest tower, a 37-storey skyscraper.
A proposal to establish a 183-metre-tall skyscraper, dubbed Keystone Tower, was approved by the State Planning Commission on 24 July 2024. The current holder of the tallest tower title in Adelaide, Frome Central Tower One, on Frome Street, stands at 138-metres-tall.
A development application for the $400-million Keystone Tower was lodged by the Freemasons Hall Trust for the site in October 2023. The approved building will be located behind the heritage-listed Freemasons Grand Lodge at 254 North Terrace. The 1927 grand lodge will remain on the site, with approximately 80 percent of the building to be retained and the Great Hall at the rear to be demolished.

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Designed by Walter Brooke and Bara Consulting Group, the mixed-use tower includes a 240-room hotel, office spaces, hospitality offerings, a business lounge, a function area, a pool, an observatory with 360-degree views of the city, and a wellness centre.
The applicant is also considering locating a new Adelaide Museum of South Australia’s History in the building, which would occupy the first five levels. Plans for the museum have not yet been filed.

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The lead consultant on the Keystone Tower project, Michael Baragwanath, said the planning approval is a testament to the comprehensive design approach, highlighting the consideration of Adelaide’s urban context during the planning and design phases.
“We are committed to creating a building that is both a modern marvel and a respectful nod to Adelaide’s heritage for all South Australians,” Baragwanath said.
“This project promises not only to enhance Adelaide’s urban landscape but also to set a precedent for future developments in terms of pushing the envelope. We are listening to stakeholders to deliver a project that everyone can be proud of […] We hope that the Keystone Tower development is seen as a shining example of modern urban development done right.”
The project completion date is planned for late 2026 to coincide with the 100 year anniversary of the Freemasons Grand Lodge. More

A design scheme featuring six buildings and an outdoor plaza has emerged as the winner of a design excellence competition, with the proposal now set to be built in the Sydney suburb of Five Dock.
The design competition invited architecture and design practices to submit concepts for a new residential and mixed-used precinct on Parramatta Road named Kings Bay Village. The proposed project seeks the renewal of an underutilised former industrial area into an activated and livable community with increased housing options, including affordable housing.
Competition participants were required to extend on a precinct masterplan that was developed by Canada Bay Council in 2021.

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Sydney architecture practice Turner was named the winner of the competition, in conjunction with Arcadia Landscape Architecture. The jury commented that the winning proposal is one that clearly delineates different zones for different purposes.
“The scheme expresses a clear idea about differentiated character and activation across the precinct in the land use, plot size, and street front. From finer grain, active retail and public domain in the west, there is a clear and rational transition to the quieter residential and service zones to the east,” the jury said.
“The calmness of the William Street park is established by its design as a simple ‘village green’ to counter-balance the extensive paved areas throughout the site and locality.”
The winning scheme includes six buildings with 890 dwellings; 14,700 square metres of commercial and retail offerings, and 6,500 square metres of public open space, including a large new public park at the corner of William Street and Queens Road.
Turner directors James McCarthy and Dan Szwaj said the public domain will prioritise pedestrian movement and flow through the introduction of new streets, laneways and green corridors that link to Parramatta River.
“The precinct will be inviting and highly permeable, creating links through and across the wider precinct,” McCarthy said. “The architecture speaks to the rich history of the industrial and warehousing uses in the area, and takes inspiration from the vernacular of the local brick facades, fenestration, and roof profiles.” More

A State Significant Development Application proposing the establishment of two residential buildings and an ancillary building on an urban infill site in North Sydney has been lodged.
The residential precinct, dubbed East Walker Street, has been proposed for a site spanning 173-179 Walker Street and 11-17 Hampden Street. Designed by Rothelowman, the project aims to establish a new urban neighbourhood where connection to landscape is celebrated and a sense of community is fostered.
The application proposes the introduction of a 12-storey residential building with 78 affordable housing apartments; a 30-storey residential building with 161 market housing apartments; a 4-storey building for associated services, communal recreation space and ancillary services, and five levels of shared basement including 294 car parks and 263 bicycle spaces.

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The housing precinct also includes several communal zones, such as work from home spaces; lounge and dining areas; a pool and spa; a gym; outdoor seating and dining; community rooms; a playground; a cellar, and entrance lobbies.
The practice said in its design statement that the concept seeks to “re-establish a sense of connection to place” by referencing and reinterpretating natural and historical aspects of the site and by creating a facade that is complementary in colour and material palette to the surrounding built context.
To establish a connection to place, the design team has proposed the integration of natural timbers and sandstone at ground level to echo the materiality of the surrounding built environment. The building podiums further reference concepts of site by incorporating patterns and textures inspired by the leaves of endemic angophra trees.
Indigenous language and symbols are repeated throughout the precinct to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land and assist with wayfinding.
The application is on exhibition until 1 August. More

The University of Sydney has appointed Claire Zimmerman as the second Penelope Seidler Visiting Professor in Architectural History.
The visiting professor program, funded through a $1 million donation, aims to bring international scholars to the university to conduct research and discussions on the history of architecture.
Zimmerman is director of the PhD program at the University of Toronto’s John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design. She will also be the Robert A.M. Stern Visiting Professor at Columbia University later in 2024. Her work focuses on the “protocols of modernisation and modernity” in architecture and the built environment.
“I am honoured and delighted to be returning to Sydney as the Penelope Visiting Professor at the University of Sydney,” Zimmerman said.
“I hope to build on my previous experience in Australia, and to engage in a robust exchange of ideas about built environments and their histories with colleagues, staff, students and interested citizens of Australia. I am excited to be with you again.”
Zimmerman was a collaborator of the late Jean-Louis Cohen, the inaugural Penelope Seidler Visiting Professor, who passed away in 2023. Her three-week program will include an event to discuss the book she and Cohen collaborated on called Detroit–Moscow–Detroit, as well as a public lecture on Albert Kahn. More

A housing proposal comprising more than 300 new build-to-rent-to-own apartments has been approved for development in Coburg, Naarm/Melbourne.
The building will be located in a lively and highly activated part of Coburg, on a site spanning 511-537 Sydney Road. It will accommodate 326 apartments with one-, two- and three-bedroom dwelling options.
Designed by Jackson Clements Burrows (JCB), the building is perched above a podium, which then separates at the centre to create a two-tower structure with a breezeway between. Adopting a two-tower and breezeway massing arrangement allowed the designers to increase the natural light and ventilation entering the building core. Additionally, it enabled the introduction of a communal green spine between the towers.

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In its design statement, JCB noted that the project responds to contemporary societal obstacles. “The development responds to the challenges of: obtaining home ownership, apartment livability, prioritising tenant longevity, communal living, public transport accessibility, and neighbourhood placemaking within a densifying Melbourne.”

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The project seeks to foster community relationships and neighbourly interactions through the creation of communal spaces and the activation of the ground level. Some of the features that contribute to this sense of community include 156 car parking spaces; 562 resident bicycle spaces; commercial offices with frontages to Sydney Street; a cafe at street level, and amenities for residents such as a bike workshop; laundry facilities; multipurpose pavilions, and a rooftop social area with barbecue.
Landscape architecture and urban design practice Mala was engaged for the landscaping design. The green spine is a key landscaping feature, comprising two pavilions; plantings, trees and raised planter beds; “foodcube” garden beds; a covered walkway connecting the towers; a play area with a simple play structure; timber bench seats, and a central concrete pathway.
The project will target a NatHERS rating of at least 7.5-stars.
The development application, lodged by property developer Assemble, was fast-tracked for approval through the Victoria government’s new streamlined planning process. Assemble has developed similar housing projects, such as 38 Albermarle Street, designed by Fieldwork. More

A collection of elegantly designed and beautifully crafted furniture and lighting hand-picked by the Houses team.
Horizonte bed by Marcio Kogan for Minotti

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The Horizonte bed exhibits the formal simplicity and detailed polish that define the work of Marcio Kogan of Studio MK27. Designed for Italian furniture brand Minotti’s 75th year, Horizonte fuses strong horizontal profiles with upholstered details in leather or fabric. Visit website
Tondo freestanding mirror

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Tondo is one of two designs to have stemmed from a recent collaboration between furniture brand Domo and multidisciplinary design studio Biasol. The freestanding mirror, which features a powdercoated steel frame, is a statement piece for the bedroom or dressing room. Visit website
Table Lamp by Studio Haos

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Designed by Lisbon-based Studio Haos, the humbly named Table Lamp adds a warm, ambient glow to a residential space. Stainless steel, glass and plywood come together in a robust and elemental design that is at once subtle and solid. Visit website
Asymmetry chair by Pierre Yovanovitch

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The Asymmetry seating collection’s carved, faceted design and subtle asymmetry exude an understated elegance that is a signature aesthetic for French designer Pierre Yovanovitch. Available in Australia at Criteria with a range of upholstery options. Visit website
Me and You by Volker Haug and Flack Studio

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Interior and industrial design ideas coalesce in this collaboration between lighting designer Volker Haug and interior designer David Flack. The Melbourne duo has produced Me and You, a collection of 13 lighting designs featuring linear silhouettes and punchy perforations. Visit website More

The Vivid Emerging Designer Awards is Australia’s longest running competition for emerging designers, and has unearthed talents such as Adam Markowitz, Lab De Stu, Annie Paxton and Dean Norton.
“This year’s Vivid finalists have set a new benchmark with their focus on social responsibility, adaptive re-use, and sustainable practices. Their designs reflect a thoughtful approach to longevity and the use of sustainable materials. It’s inspiring to see such dedication to these themes from the next generation of Australia’s furniture, lighting, and object designers,” said Vivid curator Daniel Dalla Riva of Latitude Group, who curate the awards.

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The Judge’s Choice Award went to Amy Vidler for a range of entries, including the Ripple wall light and Mozzarella table lamp. Her lighting pieces are sumptuous and engaging, and meticulously crafted.
“I love the language of Amy’s work – she clearly has a fine eye for what makes a well-balanced, highly crafted object,” said Cassie Hansen, Vivid judge and editor of InteriorsAu. “I can see a bright future for this designer and can’t wait to see what else she produces.”
Winners were also named across categories of furniture, light, object and concepts, as well as for the Colour Award, and Authentic Design Alliance Award of Merit.

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“The designs of the finalists this year share a sense of optimism, playfulness, and experimentation. Even the most conceptual pieces showcased an impressive level of design resolution and attention to detail, far exceeding expectations for early-career designers. These emerging talents are undoubtedly on a path to long and successful careers,” said Dalla Riva.
Joining Hansen on the jury were: Anne-Maree Sergeant (Authentic Design Alliance), Andrea Lucena-Orr (Dulux), Georgina Greenland (Design Institute of Australia), Annie Paxton (Annie Paxton Studio), Sean Oldfield (Laminex), Lucy Bishop (Redacted), Suzanne McNeice (Circa) and Filip Bjazevic (Latitude Group).
The winners are:
Judges Choice
Amy Vidler for Ripple and Mozzarella
Colour AwardWinner: Six Sticks by Kaspian Kan
Commendations: Cheeky by Maryam MoghadamPixel Arches by Eamon Riley
Furniture DesignWinner: Ballast by Jess Humpston
Commendations: ELLE by Dirk du ToitCasper by Marty Whittle
Lighting DesignWinner: Mozzarella by Amy Vidler
Commendations:ETER by Haoqi HongSix Sticks by Kaspian KanRipple by Amy Vidler
Object DesignWinner: Fjall Juicer by Fraser Greenfield & Oliver Alexander
Commendations: Sorbet by Sze YekLotus Incense Holder by Mark LillyDovetail Floor Vase by George Davies
Concept DesignWinner: Helio Lamp by Grant Capriotti
Commendations://SHIFT// by Kaspian KanWishing Box by Eliza RadfordRope Lounger by Carl Broesen
Student DesignWinner: Helio Lamp by Grant Capriotti
Commendations:ETER by Haoqi HongSorbet by Sze Yek
Authentic Design Alliance (ADA) Award Of MeritWinner: Jess Humpston for Ballast and A Table For One
Commendation: Amy Vidler for Ripple and Mozzarella
To see all the finalists’ work, head to the Decor and Design website. More

City of Sydney councillors have unanimously voted in support of the development of two new towers in central Sydney, set to become the tallest in the city.
In a council committee meeting on 22 July, property developer Lendlease presented plans for a precinct covering a 6,737 square metre area across 1–25 O’Connell Street and 8-16 Spring Street. The O’Connell precinct features a 309-metre-tall, 72-storey commercial and retail tower. The proposed building will also match the height of the spire tip of the Tower Eye, Sydney’s tallest structure.
The planned O’Connell Street Precinct site contains six existing office and retail buildings, including a building known as 1 O’Connell Street and three heritage-listed buildings: the former Rofe Chambers, the former Orient building and the former Chatsworth House. The proposed project would retain the 1 O’Connell Street building and the facades of the Orient building and Chatsworth House. It will also preserve and adaptively reuse the former Rofe Chambers.
An indicative design for the precinct has been completed by Matthew Pullinger Architect and Stewart Architecture, however, final designs will be subject to a design competition. These indicative plans include a shared logistics hub with loading dock spaces and a through-site link to improve pedestrian access between O’Connell and Spring streets.
During the meeting, a second proposal regarding the development of a 3,288 square metre area spanning 56-60 Pitt Street to 3 Spring Street was also supported by council. This proposal, filed by property developer Dexus, included a 310-metre-tall, 70-storey commercial and retail tower, a new public plaza, a retail activated through-site link connecting Pitt Street to Spring and Gresham streets and a shared logistics hub with a loading dock and car parking. The plaza will be dedicated to public use with plantings and artworks to be integrated throughout the space.
An indicative design for the Pitt Street development has been completed by FJC Studio, with final designs also subject to a design competition.
Both proposals will target a 6-star green star rating and net-zero targets.
During the meeting, City of Sydney director of city planning, development and transport Graham Jahn emphasised that both proposals align with population growth, job demand and sustainability targets. “We need to be able to deliver on future workplaces that meet sustainability targets,” Jahn said. More