Architecture

Construction is underway for Western Sydney University’s newest vertical city campus in the Bankstown CBD, designed by Lyons.
The first sod was turned for the $340 million Bankstown City campus on 12 October. The campus will reach 19 storeys and accommodate 10,000 students and 700 staff, with facilities for the teaching of health, education, manufacturing and IT students.
“Like the Parramatta City and Liverpool City campuses, the Bankstown City campus will offer highly-accessible, technology-rich teaching and research facilities, and will provide our students with the opportunity to engage in work-integrated learning and collaborative research partnerships,” said vice chancellor Barney Glover.

“The campus will bring students into the town centre, connecting them with local business and industry and embedding the University in the economic, social and civic life of Bankstown.”

The tower will appear as four distinct, stacked forms that are further articulated by a number of terraces and balconies that feature landscaped spaces. Aspect Studios is the landscape architect for the project.
The campus is scheduled to open in the second half of 2022.

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The Design Institute of Australia has announced the winners of the 2020 Graduate of the Year Awards, a program that celebrates and supports exceptional designers from around Australia in the early stages of their careers.
The overall winner, who takes home the Madeline Lester Award, is Nicole Gemlitski, a graduate of Bachelor of Industrial Design (Honours), RMIT University.
The jury praised Gemlitski for her “well resolved research and practical design solutions that not only fill a void in the market, but also consider wellbeing at the centre of their approach.”

Her final project, titled Alite, is a wireless wearble device for nurses that beeps or vibrates distinctly alerting them to the different requirements for each patient in the delivery of chemotherapy. The jury called it an “elegant solution” with the potential to impact and improve critical care management and treatment.

Eight awards were given at the national level this year, along with 25 at state level, and 5 branch winners. A jury made up of 72 members assessed 148 nominated students from 21 institutions across Australia.
“The judges had high expectations and were really looking to be impressed by this year’s GOTYA candidates,” said jury chair and DIA national president Gavin Campbell.
“We were wanting to get excited and experience an enthusiasm and passion that only comes from a student that immerses themselves into design with a full commitment to design understanding, design resolution, design aesthetic and, importantly, design originality.”
The national winners are:
Madeline Lester Award
Nicole Gemlitski – Bachelor of Industrial Design (Honours), RMIT University, nominated by Juliette Anich
Australian Interior Design Graduate Of The Year
Winner
Ben Burrows – Bachelor of Design (Hons)(Interior Design), Queensland University of Technology, nominated by Natalie Wright
Honourable mention
Jessica Love – Bachelor of Design (Interior Architecture) (Honours), Swinburne University of Technology
Australian Interior Decoration Design Graduate Of The Year
Winner
Melissa Donnan – Associate Degree of Interior Decoration and Design, RMIT University, nominated by Dellwyn Apted
Australian Furniture Design Graduate Of The Year
Winner
Louis McGowan – Associate Degree in Design (Furniture), RMIT University, nominated by Julian Pratt
Australian Textile Design Graduate Of The Year
Caroline Pattle – Bachelor of Arts, Textile Design, RMIT University, nominated by Rebecca Van Amber
Australian Industrial / Product Design Graduate Of The Year
Winner
Nicole Gemlitski – Bachelor of Industrial Design (Honours), RMIT University, nominated by Juliette Ainch
Honourable mention
Vincent Tsang – Bachelor of Design in Product Design, University of Technology, Sydney
Australian Visual Communications Design Graduate of the Year
Winner
Jaz Baker – Bachelor of Graphic Design and Bachelor of Photography, Curtin University, nominated by Jo Li Tay
Honourable mention
Rachele Andrews – Bachelor of Design (Interior Architecture) (Honours), Griffith University
Australian Fashion Design Graduate Of The Year
Winner
Reginia Anzela – Bachelor of Design Arts, Fashion and Costume Design, LCI Melbourne, nominated by Donna O’Neill
Honourable mention
Ellen Watson – Bachelor of Fashion Design, TAFE NSW Ultimo
Australian Jewellery Design Graduate Of The Year
Winner
Hoazhe Harris Wang – Bachelor of Design (Honours), UNSW Australia, nominated by Trent Jansen
Honourable mention
Jacqueline Nguyen – Advanced Diploma of Jewellery and Object Design, Melbourne Polytechnic
To see all the winners, head here. More

A new installation at the University of Sydney is telling stories from Gamilaraay Country, revealing the importance of native grasses in food production.
The act of grinding grains with water to make bread can be dated back 30,000 years ago in the lands now known as Australia, with archaeologists finding evidence of grinding stones from that time in Cuddie Springs. This suggests that Aboriginal peoples were the world’s first bakers, pre-dating the ancient Egyptians experiments with bread by around 12,000 years.

This history, and the ongoing importance of native grasses in passing down knowledge relating to Country, are explored in the installation Dhuwarr: a celebration of Gomeroi grasses, grains and placemaking.
The design team behind the project comprises Kuku Yalanji man Michael Mossman, senior lecturer and architect at the School of Architecture, Design and Planning; Worimi and Biripi man Jack Gillmer, a graduate of architecture; and Richard Leplastrier, 1999 Gold Medallist and “national living treasure.” The installation includes growing grasses and a miniture scene depiciting the harvesting of grasses with two utes.

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Michael Mossman said the installation aims to create a bridge between Indigenous and non-Indigenous knowledge systems.

“Sharing these storylines with an audience will facilitate exchange of knowledge in contemporary ways, an act influenced by ancient practices that build connections and engender new knowledge for our future generations,” he said.
The research basis for the installation is work being undertaken at the university’s Planting Breeding Institute in Narrabri led by scientist Angela Pattison, which is focused on the production and commercial viability of native Australian grasses and grains.
“Working with Jack and Richard, we have listened to and embraced the qualities of Country and First Nation cultures to enrich a process and produce an amazing new storyline,” said Mossman.
The installation will be on display in the foyer of the university’s F23 Building until 15 November. More

The design of the Powerhouse Museum in Parramatta has inched closer to being finalized after Infrastructure NSW released the Response to Submission report.
The report outlines design developments to the new museum, by Moreau Kusunoki and Genton, which include improvements to the public domain, a reduction of the proposed buildings’ overall footprint, and the inclusion of a new rooftop pavilion.
The setback from the river increases from 22.1 metres to 28.3 metres, which will allow for a more generous public domain on the north side of the building facing the riverfront.

The setback from Phillip Street (at the southern end of the site) will be increased from 8.6 to 13.2 metres. This will provide more space at the streetfront, allowing for a bus drop off at that location. The height of the eastern building has been reduced by one metre.
As a result of the increased setbacks, public circulation spaces within the museum will be reduced. To compensate for the loss, a rooftop pavilion will be added to the eastern building, which will be used as a multi-functional indoor-outdoor space for education, community and event activities.

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Revised design of Powerhouse Parramatta by Moreau Kusunoki and Genton.
Image: Courtesy Powerhouse Museum
The distinctive steel exoskeleton will also be optimised for better interface with the public realm.
“Our design for Powerhouse Parramatta with its latticed structural exoskeleton will create unprecedented curatorial flexibility for the Museum, with seven column-free exhibition spaces to exhibit the extraordinary Powerhouse Collection,” said the design team.
“The lightness and transparency of the structure, along with the in-between spaces created, will connect the visitors to the surrounding landscape and enhance a unique museum experience.”

The new museum will accommodate more than 18,000 square metres of exhibition area across seven spaces, which will provide greater access to the institution’s collections.

The President of the Museum’s Trust, Barney Glover, said,“Powerhouse Parramatta will be a contemporary world-class museum that will provide extraordinary benefits for the communities of Greater Sydney and NSW.”
“The Museum will contribute to the expansion of the visitor and night-time economies of Parramatta while also being a place that importantly reflects the cultural diversity of Sydney.

“The project will transform the riverfront area into an active public domain with improved pedestrian connections and deliver part of the ‘Civic Link’ which connects the heart of the Parramatta CBD to the river.”
The NSW government’s own brief had called for the demolition of two heritage buildings on the site. However, in response to public submissions, these buildings will now be saved. According to the report, St George’s Terrace will now be retained, and an adaptive reuse strategy will be developed for it to become part of the museum in the form of education facilities, commercial or retail uses.

NSW Arts Minister Don Harwin announced that Willow Grove will be dismantled and rebuilt at a new location within Parramatta North.
“The Powerhouse welcomes the NSW Government’s decision to relocate Willow Grove to a location within Parramatta North. This will not only improve access to this much-loved building, but also deliver it in a much better setting,” said Lisa Havilah, chief executive of Powerhouse Museum.
“Powerhouse Parramatta will be a cultural anchor within the Parramatta arts and culture precinct. I am excited by the progress being made on this extraordinary design.”
The response to submissions is currently being assessed by the NSW planning department. More

The preferred bidder has been named to build the $1.5 billion Footscray Hospital, in what the Victorian government is calling the largest ever health infrastructure investment in the state.
Billard Leece Partnership and Cox Architecture will lead the design of the hospital, with the Plenary Health consortium to deliver the project. The consortium comprises Plenary Group as sponsor and investor, Sojitz Corporation as investor, Multiplex as the builder and Honeywell and Compass as the facilities and maintenance managers. It will now enter exclusive negotiations with the state government.

The new Footscray Hospital will be built on the corner of Geelong and Ballarat Roads, opposite Victoria University, on the lands of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Bunurong peoples of the Kulin Nation. It replaces the current hospital on Gordon Street, which opened in 1953.
The hospital will have at least 504 beds and will deliver more outpatient, palliative care and mental health services. Construction will begin immediately upon contract award and the hospital is expected to be completed in 2025.

The government announced its intention to build the hospital in its 2017 budget.

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Victorian architects will have the opportunity to play a critical role in the post-lockdown re-opening of outdoor dining in Melbourne.
The Australian Institute of Architects is seeking expressions of interest from practices to undertake set-price work for the City of Melbourne in assisting hospitality venues, in various precincts develop a site plans as part of their permit application for outdoor dining.
Outdoor dining will be allowed in Melbourne once the city reaches the third step in the state government’s reopening roadmap, when the average daily number of new COVID-19 cases is less than five. Small and medium businesses can now apply for grants of up to $10,000 to support temporary outdoor dining.

The Institute is aking practices to complete a survey to confirm eligibility. It will provide the information to the City of Melbourne, who will contact practices to undertake procurement of services.

The City of Melbourne is seeking architects/practices who:
Are Pre-Qualified Consultants on the Victorian Government Construction Supplier Register
Have undertaken previous urban design work.
Have undertaken previous hospitality work.
Have undertaken previous work for the City of Melbourne or other local government authorities.
To register an expression of interest, head here.

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A $64 million 18-storey student accommodation development in Redfern designed by Allen Jack and Cottier Architects has been approved, after having its planning assessment fast-tracked by the NSW government.
Weehur Redfern Student Housing, to be built on the land of the on Gadigal people, will provide 488 rooms for students of central Sydney universities.
“This uniquely designed tower will provide high quality housing for students and keep more of our construction workers in jobs, while reflecting Redfern’s indigenous heritage, said planning minister Rob Stokes.

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Weehur Redfern Student Housing by Allen Jack and Cottier Architects.

“The building will include Aboriginal artwork, creative open public spaces, and it’s a just a short hop to Redfern station and many public transport options.”
Allen Jack and Cottier says the building has been designed to be a high-quality managed student residence meeting the need for affordable housing for domestic and international students within the vicinity of the urban campuses of central Sydney.

“The proposal aims to revitalise and enhance the urban and social context of the site to the benefit of both the students and the wider Redfern community acknowledging at all times the importance of Redfern to the Indigenous community,” the architects said in planning documents.
The tower was one of 11 projects to be fast-tracked in the state government’s sixth tranche of fast-tracked projects.

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Japanese architect Kengo Kuma and Australian artist Geoffrey Nees will create an architectural pavilion at the National Gallery of Victoria, as part of the gallery’s second triennial exhibition.
The triennial will include 86 major projects, 34 of which will be major works commissioned by the NGV. The exhibition will feature more than 100 artists, designers and collectives from more than 30 countries.
Kuma and Nees’s timber pavilion will be built using a traditional Japanese technique where interlocking pieces are held together only by tension and gravity.

The interior of the pavilion will feature a tessellated pattern formed of timber pieces harvested from trees that died during the millennium drought at Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens, some of which pre-dated colonial occupation of Australia.
The pavilion’s design responds to a new acquisition for the gallery, Dialogue by South Korean artist Lee Ufan. It is intended to act as a contemplative, sensorial walkway through which visitors would approach the painting.

The triennial exhibition will be divided into four themes: illumination, reflection, conservation, speculation, and the works will explore issues of isolation, representation and race, and speculation of the future.

“The NGV Triennial offers visitors a significant opportunity to explore how we use art to express ourselves, communicate and consider the world as it is, while also asking how we would like it to be,” said NGV director Tony Ellwood. “Artists, designers and architects of the twenty-first century perform a vital role in giving form to our collective imagination, fears and aspirations. We are all living in a world in flux: there has never been a more important moment to celebrate human capability than now.”

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Boudoir Babylon by Adam Nathanial Furman and Sibling Architecture.
Image: courtesy of the architects
Other new commissions include the transformation of the NGV Gallery Kitchen by English architect Adam Nathaniel Furman and Australian studio Sibling Architecture. The project will draw on influences from the boudoir, the salon and the nightclub to create a space with “flamboyant scenography and décor.” It is intended to be an inclusive space that is “especially welcoming to those who may not feel comfortable or safe in the public realm.”
A 15-minute animated short film by Australian born architect Liam Young will depict an alternative urban future in which the world’s population lives densely together as an antidote to the climate crisis.

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Plant City (still) by Liam Young.
Image: Liam Young
And Spanish architect and designer Patricia Urquiola will create her first major furniture installation in Australia, to be located in the NGV’s Great Hall. Recycled Woollen Island will feature a series of large, long ottomans in the form of whimsical giant socks, made with upcycled textile furnishings and handcrafted. The installation is intended to encourage visitors to take their shoes off and lie down to gaze at the famous ceiling in the Great Hall by Leonard French.
The 2020 triennial is the second instalment of the major exhibition. The inaugural edition in 2017 was the most-attended exhibition in the NGV’s history, attracting 1.23 million visitors.
The triennial will be free to visitors and will be open from 19 December 2020 until 18 April 2021. More