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Victorian students undertaking a master’s degree in architecture will soon be able to apply for a new annual scholarship initiative, giving one candidate the opportunity to refine their architectural hand-drawing skills through an overseas educational program. Under the 2024 program, the successful applicant will be granted an amount in excess of $10,000, enabling them to […] More
The Design Institute of Australia has revealed the recipients of its highly sought-after Designers Australia Awards 2023, as well as announced its Graduate of the Year Award.
Out of 230 awards nominations from around the country, eighty-six were shortlisted in this year Designers Australia Awards, resulting in three recipients earning category awards, one designer earning the President’s Award and 32 designers receiving Merit Awards.
Jurors appointed to judge the three awards categories Place, Use and Interact, included Jam Factory’s CEO Brian Parkes; The Fulcrum Agency co-founder Emma Williamson; multicultural artist Grace Lilian Lee; Gene Bawden, communication designer and Head of Department (Design) at Monash University, Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture; and Australian Tapestry Workshop’s CEO Sophie Travers.
Coinciding with the Designers Australia Awards is the Madeline Lester Excellence Award. Part of the Graduates of the Year Awards program, the Madeline Lester Excellence Award is intended to give recognition to an emerging designer with exciting prospects. This year, one designer from a pool of 163 candidates has been honoured with the prestigious accolade.
Place
Tonkin Zulaikha Greer for Campbell House, Private Offices.
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Campbell House by Tonkin Zulaikha Greer. Image:
Cieran Murphy
The jury commended this project for “presenting an exemplary and sensitive response to adaptive reuse, integrating contemporary design within heritage contexts. By extending landscape and natural light into the building (and integrating furniture elements into the garden), the threshold is blurred between inside and outside, whilst a legible interior is retained through spatial simplicity.”
Use
Design Health Collab for Palm – Breathing new life into asthma treatment
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Design Health Collab for Palm – Breathing new life into asthma treatment Image: Supplied
The jurors applauded the design team for the relevance and “timeliness of this project,” which comes at a time when access to clinical support and management “is under increased pressure.” Judges praised the project’s ability to support individuals to self-manage and administer medication accurately and efficiently. Jurors further commended the design team for their ability to develop in-house prototyping of components during the pandemic, resulting in an exceptional customization and production model for tailored healthcare solutions.
Interact
Deepend Group for Reach-out — PeerChat.
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Deepend Group for Reach-out — PeerChat Image: Supplied
The project received praise from the jurors for its ability to connect young people with clinical mental health services through peer support, promoting early intervention between youths. “At a time when our wellbeing and mental health services are under increased pressure, this project demonstrates how inclusive, unbiased and timely peer support can reduce distress, increase mental health knowledge, enhance wellbeing through connection, and improve accessibility for vulnerable communities.”
President’s Award
Andrew Rogers, ARID
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Andrew Rogers, president of ARID. Image: Supplied
Principal of ARID, Andrew Rogers has more than 25 years experience in product and industrial design and commercialisation. He is a multi-award-winning designer who has facilitated the development of more than 300 products. Awarded a DIA Fellowship in 2013, Rogers has been actively involved in championing Australian design and supporting Australian designers for many years. Throughout his prolific career, he has served as a Good Design Ambassador, an advisor for the Australia China Business Council, and as an Australian Liaison Officer to China for International Council of Societies of Industrial Designers (now World Design Organization).
The jury applauded Rogers’ design abilities, as well as his ongoing commitment to promoting the profession, commenting that he has demonstrated first-hand just how good design can be used to make positive and lasting changes within society.
“ARID design continues to be recognised for their timely and necessary products developed for a range of clients across the areas of architectural, medical, educational, electronic, household and commercial products. Key recent projects recognised by the DIA and other awards programs include the Embarr Argus Bush Fire Protection System, Enseal Wine Packaging and Entrust technology system and The Ned’s Head FDA Approved Face Shields, just to name a few.
Madeline Lester Excellence Award
Sandra Srun from the University of New South Wales.
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Portrait of Sandra Srun. Image: Supplied More
The Victorian government will introduce planning reforms that removes restrictions on granny flats across the state. From December 2023, granny flats under 60 square metres will no longer require a planning permit for properties larger than 300 square metres with no floor or environmental overlays. Under the current planning rules, granny flats are termed “moveable […] More
The Northcote Aquatic and Recreation Centre has opened after a $63.5 million redevelopment, designed by Warren and Mahoney.
The project involved a redevelopment of the existing facility, originally constructed in 1968 While the 10-lane outdoor 50-metre pool and eight-lane 25-metre indoor pool were retained and upgraded in line with the original character of the facility, a new internal warm water pool was added and multi-purpose spaces were improved to service a wider range of health and well-being activities.
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The level two gym overlooks the outdoor pool. Image:
Tom Roe
The interior features a learn-to-swim pool, a warm-water pool for rehabiliation and exercise with integrated spa, a kids aquatic play area with water slides and a steam and sauna room. Change rooms have been designed to be inclusive with spaces for females, males, gender neutral individuals, families, school groups and people of all abilities.
“The renewal of the Northcote Aquatic and Recreation Centre is part of Council’s plan to expand opportunities for participation and social connection through sport, physical activity and other leisure activities,” said City of Darebin mayor Julie Williams.
Fitness and wellness spaces overlook the outdoor pool and comprise an 800 square metre fitness centre, multi-use areas for group exercise and pilates classes, and consult rooms for allied health professionals.
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The Warren and Mahoney-designed Northcote Aquatic and Recreation Centre has officially opened. Image:
Tom Roe
In designing the centre, Warren and Mahoney had the objective of minimizing the carbon footprint during construction, achieved through careful material selection and integration of energy efficient systems. A large rooftop solar array disperses energy throughout the building, while timber details offer sustainability benefits and a visually pleasing aesthetic.
According to the architects, the critical challenge involved creating a facility that was sympathetic to the local and largely residential surrounding context. A challenge that was met by using materials such as brick and timber, in combination with “breaking down the overall ‘visual mass’ of the project through the careful modulation of facade and roof elements.”
To celebrate the opening, the public was given the opportunity to walk through the centre on November 12, resulting in 4,500 people attending to get a peek of the rejuvenated facility. “It’s a beautiful facility, and we are thrilled the whole community within Darebin [Council] and beyond can now create new memories here,” said Anthony Lawrence, CEO of Clublinks which manages Northcote Aquatic and Recreation Centre for Darebin Council. More
Entries are now open for the 2024 Australian Urban Design Awards, the annual program established in 1996 to celebrate exceptional homegrown urban design projects.
Created by former prime minister Paul Keating’s Urban Design Taskforce, the awards have highlighted the critical role of good urban design for more than 25 years. The scope of the awards is wide-ranging, attracting entries for not only built projects, but also initiatives and publications that make significant social contributions to cities and towns.
There are four awards categories, including: Built Projects – City and Regional Scale, recognizing completed built projects at a town, suburb, city or region scale; Built Projects – Local and Neighbourhood Scale, acknowledging completed built projects at a site, local or neighbourhood echelon; Leadership, Advocacy and Research – City and Regional Scale, celebrating proposed projects and ideas that could facilitate, guide or promote urban design excellence at a national, state, territory, regional or city scale; and Leadership, Advocacy and Research – Local and Neighbourhood Scale, applauding proposed projects and concepts that could facilitate, guide or promote urban design excellence at a site, local or neighbourhood level.
Cox Architecture, Six Degrees Architects, Architectus, Oculus Landscape Architecture and Urban Design, Aspect Studios, and SBLA Studio were among the winners of the most recent awards, last presented in 2022.
The Australian Urban Design Awards are co-convened by the Planning Institute of Australia, the Australian Institute of Architects and the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects.
Entries will be accepted until Friday 2 February 2024. Submissions can be made via the Urban Design Awards website. Awards and commendations will be revealed at a presentation at Canberra’s Parliament House on 18 March 2024. More
Plans for the construction of Australia’s first “circularity centre” have been released with Bega in New South Wales set to become the home of circular innovation.
Designed by Cox Architecture, the facility will operate as a discovery and educational centre, a tourism destination and the headquarters for circular economy research and advancement. Plans state the hub will “showcase local products, programs, technology use and community history, connecting the past to the future.”
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The centre is set to open in early 2026. Image:
Cox Architecture
The project is an initiative of the Regional Circularity Cooperative, a membership organization with support from a range of businesses including Bega Cheese, the University of Wollongong, Bega Valley Shire Council, as well as industry bodies, such as Meat and Livestock Australia, Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, and Landcare and Aboriginal Land Councils. The group aims to make the Bega Valley “the most circular region in Australia by 2030.”
“The Bega Valley is the perfect location to prove the concept of the circular economy because it is a natural water catchment and has relevant industries thriving in the district – tourism, agriculture, aquaculture and Australian food producer, Bega Cheese – and a strong resilient community who are open to change,” the University of Wollongong said in a statement.
Comprising a visitors’ centre, a local providore, agriculture technology and business innovation hub, the Centre of Circularity aspires to be the “home of circular economy” education in Australia.
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The centre will educate visitors on circular economies, sustainability, technology, and capabilities of the region as the home of circularity. Image:
Cox Architecture
The facility will embody the theme of circularity through the use of recycled, repurposed and locally sourced materials, as well as through targeting sustainability and low energy ratings. It will also incorporate First Nations culture and history into the design.
The objectives of the establishment include educating visitors on circular economies, technology, sustainability, agriculture, land management, water use, food production and business innovation; demonstrating the capabilities and potential of Bega Valley as an epicentre of circularity; establishing the region as a model for other regions and organizations to follow suit; and attract domestic and international tourism to the area.
The NSW government has allocated $14 million to the $19 million National Circularity Centre (NCC), while the Bega Group has committed to contributing the remaining $5 million, as well as provide land for the construction of the site.
The centre is set to open in early 2026. More
Linear collection
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Linear collection by Coco Flip. Image: Supplied
Coco Flip, a Melbourne-based furniture and lighting design studio, presented its Linear collection at Melbourne Design Week 2023. Created in collaboration with Melbourne’s last remaining pleating factory, Linear lights combine pleated linen with reclaimed timber. Visit website
Manta Pilti credenza
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The Manta Pilti (dry sand) series tells the story of an increasingly arid landscape in remote South Australia Image:
Fiona Susanto
The result of a cross-cultural design collaboration between Tanya Singer and Trent Jansen, the Manta Pilti (dry sand) series tells the story of an increasingly arid landscape in remote South Australia, expressed through detailed timber carvings. Visit website
Salt Pig
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Salt Pig by Henry Holland Studio. Image: Supplied
The Henry Holland range of Salt Pigs are hand-built from earthenware clay. Designed to sit proudly on the kitchen counter, these retro-inspired vessels are available in a selection of marbled colourways and hold a generous amount of sea salt, herbs or spices. Visit website
Haze sideboard
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Haze sideboard by Ferm Living. Image: Supplied
Constructed from reeded glass and powder- coated steel, the Haze sideboard from Ferm Living is both a storage solution and an elegant display cabinet. Its sleek metal frame blends with a range of interior styles, and its glass doors blur the cupboard’s contents. Visit website
Overlay rug collection
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Overlay rug collection by Danielah Martinez. Image:
Pete Daly
Designed by Danielah Martinez, Overlay balances playful shapes with plush layers in a modern collection of geometric rugs. Carefully hand-tufted in India from New Zealand wool, Overlay is designed for long- lasting comfort. Visit website
Crafted Collection
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Crafted Collection by Made By Morgen. Image: Supplied
Made by Morgen’s Crafted Collection features a range of bespoke furniture including beds, tables, seating and storage. The pieces highlight the simplicity of Scandinavian design, combining traditional Danish cord weaving techniques with the beauty of natural timber. Visit website
Vero dining table
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The Vero dining table by Arte Brotto has been designed to age gracefully. Image: Supplied
Italian furniture brand Arte Brotto, available from Domo, is a family-owned company that has been implementing traditional making techniques for more than 50 years. Crafted from FSC-certified wood, the Vero dining table and L21S chair celebrate the natural beauty of solid walnut. Visit website More
The ABC has announced it will be the home of a new Grand Designs television series to be released in 2024, featuring two new hosts and a fresh direction. Grand Designs Transformations will concentrate on renovations rather than new builds, unlike its Foxtel predecessor Grand Designs Australia, which wrapped up in early 2023 after 11 […] More
