Architecture

Contemporary Scandinavian design brand Bolia has marked its Australian debut with the unveiling of its first store in Melbourne’s Richmond.
The new store features a creative space called the Design Atelier, where clients can receive personalised guidance on selecting materials, textures and colours for custom and bespoke furniture pieces. Curated mood boards, material samples and lookbooks stored within the Design Atelier provide clients with access to ideas and inspiration and enables them to visualise a space.
Bolia is a Danish design company with a global presence. The company operates 88 stores across 12 countries. Despite its prominent presence, the brand remains dedicated to positioning sustainability at the core of its values and operations. This commitment involves striving for a reduced environmental footprint and embodying the principles of a responsible business. Bolia is committed to creating quality products that last, with the design house offering a 10-year warranty on their pieces – a move they say encourages consumers to “buy less, but better.”

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The new store features a creative space called the Design Atelier, where clients can receive personalised guidance on selecting materials and colours for custom and bespoke furniture pieces. Image: Supplied

Beyond sustainability, the brand prioritises collaboration and designer diversity. “At Bolia, we believe that fresh perspectives pave the way for change, and that creativity thrives on diversity, curiosity, openness, and collaboration. This is why our design collective includes more than 60 talented designers, from 19 countries around the world – all with a shared passion for sustainable ideas and New Scandinavian Design,” said Bolia CEO Lars Lyse Hansen.
Although Bolia is new to the Australian market, the brand already has strong ties to Australian design. Emily Broom, an Australian designer based in Copenhagen, clinched the Bolia Design Award in 2020 for her design, the Zen rug. This successful outcome led to two collaborative design series being produced by Broom and Bolia – both series are now featured as part of the collection.
“We can’t wait to share our passion for timeless, long-lasting design with Australian customers, and to give them a warm welcome to our creative universe,” said Hansen.
Bolia’s collection comprises both indoor and outdoor settings and objects. Their first Australian store is now open at 620 Church St, Richmond. To find out more about the brand and its collection, visit the Bolia website. More

Concept designs for the Australia Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka have been unveiled. The pavilion, designed by Buchan, revolves around the theme Chasing the Sun. The pavilion is inspired by Australia’s many varieties of eucalyptus trees and their flowering blossoms. The design team envisioned the eucalyptus tree as a symbol of the diversity and dynamism […] More

An international ideas competition has launched, inviting emerging architects to reimagine ten blind walls across ten districts in Barcelona, Spain.
The competition, initiated by UNESCO and the International Union of Architects, is the first step in improving the quality of public spaces in Barcelona before the city hosts the World Capital of Architecture event in 2026.
Barcelona City Council, through the Municipal Institute of Urban Landscape and Quality of Life (IMPU), has counted some 6,000 walls with a strong presence in the city’s public spaces. Of these, 348 are permanent and have a surface area of more than 100 square metres.
The competition objective is to enhance the visual appeal of ten permanent blank walls (one from each district) by transforming them into engaging facades. The contest invites architectural proposals that give meaning to walls that stand within exposed public spaces, yet have no outstanding features. Ideas that propose improving urban quality, habitability, sustainability and biodiversity will be seen as favourable.
The outcome of the competition will see the winning proposals implemented on ten permanent walls from each district. Based on current planning regulations, these public-facing walls will not be removed or obscured by other buildings. An approximate budget of €4.5 million will be contributed by the Barcelona City Council for the implementation of proposals.
Submitted proposals will be assessed according to the following criteria:

Urban quality: improving the urban landscape by activating ground floors with new access points, and addressing neglected corners or areas prone to misuse.
Habitability: enhancing the quality of life of residents by opening windows and balconies.
Sustainability: incorporating thermal insulation or other energy efficient strategies to increase comfort and improve the energy performance of buildings.
Biodiversity: introducing more greenery or establishing new habitats to protect fauna.

The competition is aimed at emerging architects, applicants must be under 35 years of age to be eligible. Participants with an architecture degree from any country will be considered.
A winning proposal, a second place and a third place will be announced for each site. The competition has a total prize pool of €52,500 (A$84,547).
Entries can be submitted until 5 August 2024, with winners expected to be announced on 25 September. The aim is for the dividing walls to be unveiled in 2026, as part of the World Capital of Architecture festivities. More

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The National Gallery of Australia in Kamberri/Canberra has announced that five design consortia have been shortlisted in its National Sculpture Garden Design Competition, with each team now progressing to the competition’s final stage. The five shortlisted teams are: CO-AP (NSW): comprising First Nations consultant Bradley Mapiva Brown (Bagariin Ngunnawal Cultural Consulting), landscape architect Johnny Ellice-Flint […] More

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The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City in the United States will soon launch an international architectural competition for the design of the museum’s expansion.
The museum’s collection comprises more than 42,000 art objects, including paintings, photography and sculptures from Asia, North America, Europe and Africa, as well as objects produced by Indigenous Native Americans. The museum also houses a major art research library and the Ford Learning Center.
Evelyn Craft Belger, chair of the museum’s board of trustees, said the competition follows several studies undertaken at the museum by Cooper Robertson, an urban design firm.
“We have spent several years weighing both the needs of the museum and the community and have given careful consideration to a number of studies performed,” Belger said. “Having explored several scenarios, the board wholeheartedly embraces the idea of an architectural competition.”
The museum’s strategic plan emphasises art as its central mission, supported by care for occupants of the museum, a commitment to community, and responsible and ethical actions that will ensure the long-term sustainability of the Nelson-Atkins.
Julián Zugazagoitia, director and CEO of the Nelson-Atkins Museum, said the competition will suit designers who appreciate art and culture, and who have a passion for cultural initiatives.
“At the second stage of the competition, we will be looking for designs that inspire community engagement and attract new audiences through exemplary design that will best position the Nelson-Atkins to serve guests for generations to come.”
Malcolm Reading Consultants (MRC) has been appointed to oversee the competition. The consultancy was also recently engaged to manage the Powerhouse Parramatta Sydney competition.
The competition is expected to launch in the third quarter of 2024. Check the MRC website for updates. More

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