Architecture

A 13-storey high-rise approved for development in Sydney’s CBD is slated to become the tallest commercial mass timber building in New South Wales.

Designed by architecture and urban design practice Tzannes for property developer NGI Investments, the building has been approved for 4–6 York Street, opposite Wynyard Park and next to 341 George Street, the heritage-listed former Bank of New South Wales. The site currently serves as a parking lot for the George Street building.

The weight of the building was a significant consideration during the design process. The structure needed to be lightweight as the site is located above subterranean railway tunnels. Tzannes’s approach for addressing has involved transferring the load from the building’s western side to a central core using a hybrid concrete and steel structure. This system then supports 12 timber commercial floors, with 11 levels rising above the load transfer structure and one suspended below. According to a communique issued by Tzannes, “all timber and steel elements will be crafted for future disassembly and reuse.”

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The communique stated that facade materials and dimensions were selected to “respect and respond to the architectural language” of the neighbouring former bank. A concrete portion on the lower levels of the facade is intended to mirror the granite base of the heritage bank. Additionally, a double-height terrace establishes a visual connection to the historic building.

The project marks the design firm’s third application of timber construction in a commercial building, following International House Sydney and Daramu House. International House, completed in 2017, is recognised as Australia’s first engineered timber commercial building. More

The 2025 World Architecture Festival (WAF) will be hosted by the United States for the first time in the festival’s 18-year history.
Set to take place in Miami, the theme for the 2025 festival is Hearts and Minds. As such, the festival will feature an events program that explores “the interplay of architecture and design as a product of the mind and as an appeal to the senses and emotions,” stated WAF in a release.
Singapore was selected as the host nation for the 2023 and 2024 editions of the festival where several Australian practices received awards and commendations. Past winners include Darlington Public School by FJC, which was awarded the 2024 World Building of the Year, and Parramatta Aquatic Centre by Grimshaw and Andrew Burges Architects with McGregor Coxall, which earned the top gong in the 2024 Sport category. Additionally, SJB was a triple winner at the 2023 festival for 19 Waterloo Street and a temporary installation titled Eucalyptusdom.
The 2025 edition will be held at Miami Beach Convention Centre across 12–14 November.
Projects can now be entered into any of the 45 WAF and Inside awards categories until 25 April. The shortlist will be announced in July 2025 on the WAF website.
To view the full list of 2024 winners, visit day one here and day two here. More

Craft Victoria’s annual Fresh! exhibition is now showing, with seven graduates of contemporary craft and design being showcased. At the exhibition opening on 6 February, with five prizes, including the InteriorsAu Emerging Maker Prize were announced.
The program, which began in 1993, celebrates recent Victorian graduates working across textiles, cceramics, glass, metal and other mediums. The graduates are chosen by a panel and culminates in their work being shown at Craft Victoria’s Melbourne gallery.
This year, seven graduates have been selected:

Yueyun Chen – textiles
Lucinda Johnson-Cornes (Pitjantjatjara) – textiles
Afra Kullu – ceramics, glass
Qianxun Li – metal, paper
Dee Robinson – metal, painting
Indigo Stuart – textiles
Lachlan Vasic – metal

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Five prizes were given out at the opening:
InteriorsAu Emerging Maker PrizeThis annual prize recognises outstanding emerging talent from the exhibitors of Craft’s Fresh! exhibitors. A profile of the winner is published via architectureau.com.Awarded to Lachlan Vasic
The Amaeah Foundation AwardSelected by the Amaeah Foundation for emerging talent. Prize of $2,000.Awarded to Qianxun Li
Wardle Craft PrizeSelected by partners John Wardle and Meaghan Dwyer. Prize of $1,000, Awarded to Dee Robinson
The Future Leaders AwardsA philanthropic initiative promoting leadership, achievement and potential among young Australians, selected by Dr Helen Sykes AM. Prize of $1,000. Awarded to Lachlan Vasic
The Lemon & Friends Award of ExcellenceThis award recognises curious and experimental bodies of work and is selected by James Lemon. Prize of $1,000. Awarded to Lucinda Johnson-Cornes
The 2025 Fresh! exhibition is on show until 8 March 2025. More

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has announced that Japanese architecture firm SANAA will receive the Royal Gold Medal 2025 for architecture, with their design for Naala Badu in Sydney applauded in the accompanying citation.
SANAA, the collaborative practice of Japanese architects Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa, has championed sustainable and user-centred design for more than three decades, stated a communique released by RIBA. Their projects often feature simple, minimalistic facades with complex interiors disguised within. Additionally, they are often distinguished by the skilful harnessing of light to create “an ethereal quality,” stated the release.

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The 2025 RIBA Honours Committee was chaired by RIBA president Muyiwa Oki, who was joined by Lesley Lokko, Bjarke Ingels and Sadie Morgan.
The committee praised the practice for shaping “a universal language of architecture that resonates with people everywhere.” They added, by balancing boldness with sensitivity to the local environment, their works “demonstrate that architecture can be both functional and profoundly elegant, offering a sense of calm amidst an increasingly complex and chaotic world.”
Specific projects regarded highly in the committee’s citation included the New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York City, the Rolex Learning Centre in Lausaunne and the Naala Badu extension to the NSW Art Gallery in Sydney.
President of RIBA Muyiwa Oki said SANAA’s designs demonstrate that architecture can balance functionality with profound elegance. “True pioneers in the field, their unwavering commitment to sustainable, user-centred design has quietly blazed a trail for others, setting an inspiring standard for the future of our built environment,” said Oki.
“Showing remarkable clarity and consistency over the decades, their work serves as a lasting testament to the transformative power of architecture – to inspire joy, create a sense of belonging, and connect us to the environments we inhabit.”

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Upon receiving the medal, Sejima and Nishizawa stated they were honoured. “We have always believed that architecture can transform and repair environments, helping us to relate to our surroundings, nature and each other. Throughout our careers we have tried to make spaces that bring people together, inviting them to imagine new ways of living and learning collectively,” said the duo.
“Architecture is always teamwork, and we are very grateful to everyone that has given us opportunities to develop these ideas over the years, and to all those people that have worked tirelessly with us to realise them. This is a very happy moment for us, thank you.”
The 2024 RIBA Gold Medal recipient was Ghanaian-Scottish architect, educator, author, racial advocate and curator Lesley Lokko.

The Royal Gold Medal 2025 will be presented to Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa in London on 1 May 2025. More

The jury for the 2025 Houses Awards has been revealed, comprising a group of award-winning architecture and design professionals, all with extensive experience in residential architecture.
This year’s program comprises 10 awards categories, including Australian House of the Year, New House under 200 m², New House over 200 m², House Alteration and Addition under 200 m², House Alteration and Addition over 200 m², Apartment or Unit, Sustainability, House in a Heritage Context, Emerging Architecture Practice, and the newly introduced Small Projects category.
John Ellway is an architect and the founder of the Brisbane-based firm, John Ellway Architect. He has built a remarkable portfolio of award-winning homes, including the Terrarium House, which received the Eleanor Cullis-Hill Award from the Australian Institute of Architects at the 2019 National Architecture Awards, the Elina Mottram Award at state level and the House Alteration and Addition under 200 m2 category at the 2018 Houses Awards. His project Three House was honoured as the Australian House of the Year at the 2021 Houses Awards. In 2022, his practice won another Houses Award in the House Alteration and Addition under 200 m2 category for the project Cascade House.

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Polly Harbison is the principal of Polly Harbison Design, a Sydney-based practice founded in 2003. Harbison’s firm has garnered significant acclaim in various awards and has been widely featured both internationally and locally. Notably, her project Pearl Beach House received the Australian Institute of Architects National Award and the NSW Wilkinson Award in 2021. Balmoral House, a collaborative project between Harbison and architect Clinton Murray, won the award for Residential – Houses (New) at the Australian Institute of Architects 2015 National Architecture Awards. In addition to her practice, Harbison has been on several architectural awards juries, including the Australian Institute of Architects 2022 NSW Architecture Awards.
Dimmity Walker is a director of Spaceagency Architects. Walker is skilled at managing client interface and delivery across a diverse range of complex architectural projects, resulting in an extensive portfolio of state and national award-winning projects. An active and engaged member of the profession, Dimmity has served on numerous design juries for state architecture awards and various national architectural design prizes. In 2023, she was named a fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects.
John Wardle is an internationally recognised architect and the founding partner of Wardle. He has developed a design process that incorporates and expands upon the ideas and themes present in a site’s topography, landscape, history and context. The work of Wardle has been celebrated in the publication of two monographs: Volume – John Wardle Architects (2008) and This Building Likes Me (2016), both published by Thames and Hudson. The practice has won coveted national and international awards for education, residential, public and civic design. John was honoured in 2020 with the Gold Medal, the Australian Institute of Architects’ highest individual distinction.
Chairing the jury will be Alexa Kempton who is the editor of Houses magazine. She has more than 20 years’ experience in architecture and design media, and has been part of the editorial team at Architecture Media for 10 years. Alexa is a former editor of ArchitectureAu and managing editor of Architecture Australia.
Pippa Soccio, the senior research scientist in building monitoring at CSIRO, will be the sustainability advisor while Louise Honman, an architect and built heritage specialist, will be the heritage advisor.
Entries close 14 March 2025. To enter, visit the Houses Awards website.
Houses Awards are organised by Architecture Media, supported by Artedomus, Blum, Brickworks, James Hardie, Roca, Fulgor Milano, Architectural Window Systems, The Heritage Council of Victoria and Latitude. More

The Western Australian Minister for Heritage David Templeman has announced the inclusion of Iwanoff House on the State Register of Heritage Places.
The highly regarded Iwanoff House, located in the Floreat suburb of Perth, served as both the family residence and the creative studio of Bulgarian-born architect Iwan Iwanoff. The studio is positioned on the ground floor, while the residence hovers as a single level above.
According to a state government communique, the 1967 residence is an early example of the late architect’s unconventional design approach, which was heavily influenced by European design. Constructed with concrete besser blocks, expansive glass panels and inbuilt furniture, the house has undergone some modifications over the years while retaining Iwanoff’s unique architectural features and geometric design.

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The Iwanoff House was featured in the Houses Revisited series. Author of the piece, Fleur Watson, stated that “Iwanoff brought a distinctly European Modernist sensibility to his interpretation of suburban living: essentially an apartment with a balcony over “the shop” – or in this case, the architect studio.”
“He balanced the house within the site by connecting the expansive rear native garden to the street via the carport void, located directly within the fabric of the building. This allowed direct visual access (now altered).”
Minister Templeman stated that Iwanoff House reflects a unique chapter in architectural heritage for Western Australia. “This house demonstrates Iwanoff’s visionary design principles, highlights the creative contributions of an innovative architect and tells the broader story of how post-war migrants helped shape the cultural and social fabric of our state,” he said.
“By including Iwanoff House on the State Register, we are ensuring the protection of this house and preserving its story for future generations to appreciate and draw inspiration from.” More

The Commonwealth Association of Architects (CAA) has announced the launch of a survey aimed at capturing the perspectives, aspirations and challenges of young architects and architecture students across the Commonwealth.
As the architectural profession faces unprecedented global challenges – ranging from climate change to rapid urbanisation – the survey hopes to capture the insights of young practitioners and students to drive positive change. The initiative is intended to serve as a platform for young voices to be heard, ensuring that their contributions inform policies and programs, and strengthen the profession across Commonwealth nations.
In the words of Sydney-based youth representative of the CAA Hugo Chan, “The future belongs to the next generation of professionals. By engaging young architects and students in meaningful dialogue, we can foster an inclusive, forward-thinking profession that responds effectively to the evolving needs of our communities and those we design for. This survey represents a key step in amplifying youth perspectives and integrating their insights into decision-making processes.”
The survey is open to all young architects, architecture students and emerging professionals aged 18–35 from Commonwealth countries. Findings from the survey will be compiled into a report that will be shared with industry leaders, policymakers and academic institutions in late 2025.
Access the survey online until 30 June 2025. More

Seven eminent Australian designers have become the latest inductees into the Design Institute of Australia’s (DIA) Hall of Fame. All inductees have produced exceptional work and made notable contributions to the Australian design industry within their respective fields. It is the highest form of recognition for design leaders across the profession, and this year it encompasses industrial, interior, and graphic design disciplines.
DIA president Ryan Russell said, “Today’s announcement is a testament to the enduring power of design. For over 25 years, the DIA Hall of Fame has showcased designers who shape our world. These inductees inspire us all and remind us of design’s transformative power.”
This year’s inductees, who join more than 130 other recipients since the program’s inception in 1996, will be inducted at a ceremony on 20 February in Melbourne.
The seven inductees are:
Kirsti Simpson, interior designer

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Simpson is the studio executive chair and global leader of workplace interiors at Woods Bagot, where she advocates for national and international clients. A specialist in workplace design, she has earned a place on numerous boards, reflecting her groundbreaking career. Simpson holds a bachelor of applied science in built environment from Queensland University of Technology and began her career at Bligh Voller Neild before spending 25 years at Hassell, where she became the first female partner, managing partner and board member. At Woods Bagot, she has led major projects across Australia and Asia. A passionate champion of interior design, Simpson is also an adjunct professor at The University of Queensland and serves on several advisory panels. She was made a Fellow of the Design Institute of Australia in 2017.
Robyn Lindsey, interior designer

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Lindsey is an innovative and inspiring design leader known for challenging design thinking to create authentic, future-focused environments. After studying interior design at RMIT and earning an MBA from Swinburne University, Lindsey worked in architectural practices before joining Geyer Design in 1990, where she became a key partner and led the company’s expansion into Asia. She has mentored many designers and worked with clients across diverse sectors, including retail, corporate, and hospitality. Lindsey has served on industry panels, juries, and facilitated events. In 2020, she received a Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions to design.
Les Mason, graphic designer

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Mason, a pioneering graphic designer and art director, played a key role in Melbourne’s design scene for over thirty years. Born in California in 1924, he studied painting and interior design before transitioning to commercial art. Mason moved to Melbourne in 1961 and joined the advertising agency USP Benson, where his innovative work earned him early recognition, including an award-winning campaign for Shell Australia. In 1962, he opened his own studio, becoming known for his conceptual and formal design approach. He designed the Epicurean magazine from 1966 to 1979 and worked with major Australian companies and government bodies on iconic campaigns. Mason was a member of the Alliance Graphique Internationale and the Type Directors Club of New York. In 1981, he and his partner moved to Perth before relocating to South America, where they focused on fine art. Mason passed away in Istanbul in 2009. His work was included in Phaidon’s Graphic Classics in 2024.
Bruce Hall, industrial designer

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Hall graduated with an associate diploma in industrial design from RMIT in 1963 and was hired by Gordon Bremner at A G Healings in 1961 as a staff industrial designer. He worked on the design of televisions, transistors, and audio cabinets, eventually becoming senior industrial designer in 1967. His record player model 201G ‘Hit Parader’ won a Good Design Label and was featured at Montreal Expo 67. After leaving EMI in 1974, Hall taught at the Melbourne College of Decoration and later at the Hawthorn Institute of Education, where he also specialized in graphic communication and plastic technology.
Steve Martinuzzo, industrial designer

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Martinuzzo is a product design and development expert with over 30 years of experience, focused on creating socially responsible, user-centred products. After graduating from RMIT in 1985, Martinuzzo began his career at Boral Lifts and later joined PA Technology, which transitioned into Invetech. His overseas experience included working on the BP station rejuvenation project with Addisons in London. Martinuzzo co-founded Cobalt Design in 1996, aiming to create world-class product designs, including the iconic “Tarzan Handle” on Melbourne trams. He has lectured at Monash and RMIT, mentored future designers, and served on various industry boards and committees.
Ross Renwick, Graphic artist, writer and founder

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Renwick was a graphic artist, writer, and co-founder of Billy Blue Creative, Billy Blue magazine and the Billy Blue School of Creative Arts. Known for his entrepreneurial spirit, Renwick also ventured into advertising, journalism and publishing. In 1977, he co-founded Billy Blue Creative, using its magazine to promote Australian stories and sell T-shirts with provocative slogans. The magazine launched over 100 editions, giving many aspiring writers a platform. Renwick’s design talent earned him numerous national and international awards. In 1989, he launched a one-year diploma design course to address concerns over the quality of graduates from art schools.
Hugh Whisson, industrial designer

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Whisson was a pioneering figure in South Australian design, founding the state’s first industrial design consultancy in 1961. He played a key role in establishing the South Australian chapter of the DIA, serving as its first president, and later as National DIA President from 1971 to 1973. In the 1950s, Whisson led the Colour and Design Department at Chrysler Australia, contributing to the redesign of models like the Chrysler Desoto and Dodge to suit Australian market needs. In 1960, he established his own consultancy, Hugh J Whisson Design Associates, working with major clients such as Lightburn Industries, Simpson Pope, and David Shearer Pty Ltd. He contributed to the design of the Zeta micro-car and the XP88 self-propelled header, which won the Prince Philip Prize for Industrial Design in 1968. Whisson also patented the Constructa display system, which won an Australian Design Award in 1977. He retired in the late 1970s after more than 20 years of innovation. More