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The proposed site of Australia’s largest hospital project is no longer feasible, the 2024-25 Victorian budget has revealed. The proposal to relocate the Royal Melbourne and Royal Women’s hospitals into one consolidated medical precinct in Arden was announced in 2022, with the masterplan designed by Hassell and McBride Charles Ryan. At the time it was […] More
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has initiated an international open design competition for a new conservation centre in the Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya.
The proposed site for the Maasai Mara Conservation Centre is at Oloololo Gate – the north-eastern section of the reserve.
The project vision is to create an innovative tourist facility that can be used to accommodate education about conservation, the balance of delicate ecosystems, the traditions of the Maasai people, and the natural and cultural significance of the region. The purpose of the centre is to deepen visitors’ knowledge of the profound importance of the Maasai Mara region – as the site where millions of animals journey to during the Great Migration that occurs annually.
The competition brief outlines that the proposed centre should be designed with sustainable principles in mind, using eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient technologies, and renewable energy sources. The design should also be respectful to the Maasai people and the landscape by incorporating features of local culture and heritage and by being sympathetic to the landscape.
The competition will follow the open design process with the first stage seeking anonymous concept designs. Following an assessment of the entries, a shortlist of up to five designs will be selected to proceed to the second phase of the competition.
The competition is being held on behalf of Abercrombie and Kent Philanthropy, the philanthropic arm of travel company Abercrombie and Kent. Cristina Levis, chief executive officer at Abercrombie and Kent Travel Group, said, the new conservation centre is more than just a building; “it’s a symbol of sustainable tourism and environmental stewardship, aiming to protect the Maasai Mara’s natural beauty and cultural legacy. It reflects our vision of a sustainable future through eco-friendly design and education.”
The competition is open internationally to registered architects. Architects should be registered with the Architects Registration Board in the UK, or an equivalent, recognised overseas regulatory authority. Since May 2023, Australia and the UK have had a mutual recognition agreement for architects’ registrations. Collaboration is encouraged between individuals and organisations of different sizes and different areas of expertise.
View the full competition brief and for details on how to register here. The closing date for submission of design proposals is Tuesday 18 June 2024 at 12.00 pm. More
The South Australian and Tasmanian chapters of the Australian Institute of Architects have introduced new presidents. To lead the South Australian chapter will be Kirstie Coultas, in replacement of former president Chris Morley. Coultas has practised as an architect for more than 15 years and has served as a SA Chapter councillor for seven years. […] More
A proposal seeking the development of three towers at two waterfront sites in the Docklands will be presented before the City of Melbourne on 7 May 2024. The towers – to be located at 140 and 160 Harbour Esplanade – form part of a wider proposal aimed at activating the area and improving connections to […] More
A $900 million BVN-designed, mixed-use precinct in Sydney’s Pyrmont has been approved for development by the City of Sydney. The four-building hub, to be known as Fig and Wattle, will be sited at 14-26 Wattle Street – formerly the Saunders Quarry. It will accommodate 237 single and multi-bedroom apartments, a childcare facility, an indoor recreational […] More
Add soothing softness, inviting texture and evocative colour to your home with this collection of finishes for floors and walls. Oakwood from Signature flooring Oakwood from Signature flooring. Image: Supplied Oakwood is a tribute to the colours, textures and forms found in nature. The premium engineered timber boards have organic profiles that evoke the natural […] More
Sydney-based practice C Plus C Architects and Builders has named the second recipient of its professional development program, aimed at providing paid on-the-job experience to architecture students at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). Tiffany Henning, who is embarking on her final year in the Bachelor of Architectural Studies program at UNSW, will join […] More
The NSW government and the Government Architect NSW has introduced a publicly accessible interactive map to showcase well-designed low and mid-rise homes.
Over the past decade, there has been a decline in the development of dual occupancies, townhouses, terraces, manor houses and smaller apartment buildings in Sydney. In addition, a recent NSW Productivity Commission report found that between 2016 and 2021, Sydney lost twice as many people aged 30 to 40 as it gained. While 35,000 individuals within this age bracket relocated to the city, more than 70,000 people moved away.
In response to these issues, the Government Architect NSW has collated more than 100 designs, typologies, styles and layouts from a diverse range of architects to demonstrate that these homes can add value to a neighbourhood, as well as complement the existing heritage and context. These designs are presented in the form of a publicly accessible interactive map.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said terrace houses, townhouses and smaller apartments have a significant role to play in creating housing options for families as we confront the housing crisis.
“Good examples of low and mid-rise housing are already part of Sydney’s past and can be part of Sydney’s future,” he said.
“This interactive website and map shows the community what is already in their backyard and what we want more of. […] A mix of housing types are needed so that there are housing options available for all stages of life.
“Heritage and new homes can coexist. We want to make sure the future homes and apartments across NSW are made for our climate, allow for natural light and look to include community spaces.”
The map will also outline the government’s proposed planning reforms and the objectives of these reforms. To use the map, visit the NSW Government Architect website, and for more information on the proposed housing reforms, including low and mid-rise, visit the NSW Planning Portal. More
