Architecture

Based in regional NSW, the Northern Rivers Performing Arts (NORPA) organisation has unveiled plans for a new facility in the historic heart of Lismore. The design aims to create a new cultural hub for performing arts within a historic timber factory, known as The Joinery.
Since losing their previous base at the town’s city hall in the region’s 2022 floods, NORPA has worked with Sydney-based architect Chrofi to develop a vision for the new facility. The initiative seeks to transform the 3,000-square-metre timber factory into a flood-resistant and flexible community space.

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Director at Chrofi John Choi commented, “The Joinery project is an opportunity to embrace creativity and innovation in flood resilience. Rather than resisting the elements, we see this as a chance to work with them – designing spaces that not only provide shelter during flood events but also invite and engage the Lismore arts community.”
Chrofi maintain that the heart of the vision is the existing building itself, whose “bones and fabric hold a beauty that makes it an inspiring backdrop for creative expression,” said Choi. Adapting the current fabric, their renovation proposal includes new elements that allow the free passage of floodwater and debris, along with robust and hard-wearing materials that can withstand inundation – the objective being to maximise the building’s capacity to dry out quickly.

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Inside, the project is designed to host large, versatile spaces supporting live performances, workshops and rehearsal spaces for professional artists. According to a media communique from NORPA, “The Joinery can accommodate multiple resident companies and also attract national and international visiting artists.”
NORPA’s artistic director Julian Louis shared, “This is much more than a building; it’s a commitment to our region, fuelling new opportunities for the role of the arts in disaster recovery and forging partnerships beyond the arts – with community, social and commercial organisations. Our long-term vision involves adapting it into a contemporary cultural facility that is nationally recognised and reflects the bold creativity of our region.”

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“The Joinery location places us at the heart of town, directly contributing to its energy and economy,” explained NORPA executive director Libby Lincoln. “This new home for NORPA will be a creative catalyst for the region’s many artists, for First Nations perspectives and for community-driven projects that celebrate the region’s unique identity and collective healing journey.”
NORPA are currently seeking funding to purchase the Hampton and Larsson timber factory site in order to realise the vision. According to a communique from the organisation, NORPA believes the project represents “a powerful precedent for how the arts can drive community renewal in the face of climate disasters.” More

Sydney architect and former City of Sydney councillor HY William Chan has been awarded the 2024 Obel Award Teaching Fellowship, an international award that recognises architectural contributions to social and ecological development.
The Obel Award Teaching Fellowship, created by the Henrik F. Obel Foundation in Denmark, celebrates forward-thinking practitioners who are redefining architecture’s role in society.
The fellowship will enable Chan to join the School of Architecture at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) in 2025. There, he will lead postgraduate design studios that encourage students to “balance long-term public needs with evidence-based aspirations in creating civic projects that serve the public interest,” the foundation noted in its winners announcement.
In 2021, Chan was elected to the City of Sydney as the youngest-ever councillor in the council’s 180-year history. During his tenure, he contributed to policymaking and provided guidance on significant urban renewal, infrastructure and social housing projects across Sydney. In 2022, he was elected as chair of the City of Sydney’s Local Pedestrian, Cycling and Traffic Committee and deputy chair of the Transport, Heritage, Environment and Planning Committee.
In 2024, Chan ran for a second term on council; however, was not re-elected.
The foundation lauded Chan’s skill in merging architectural expertise with civic leadership, stating that his contributions to city-making aligned with the 2024 fellowship theme: Seminal Solutions to the Challenges Facing Cities.
Chan stated that he views the fellowship as an opportunity to democratise city-making.
“Urban development in Australia has traditionally been shaped by systems that exclude marginalised voices. I am passionate about working with emerging designers to make these processes more inclusive, ensuring that younger and more diverse people have a meaningful role in shaping the future of our cities,” he said.
The executive director of the Obel Award, Jesper Eis Eriksen, said the foundation looks forward to supporting HY William Chan as he shares his expertise and passion for sustainable city-making with the UTS School of Architecture student cohort.
“The Obel Award and its supporting programmes are dedicated to addressing the challenges of our built environment by contributing new ideas and knowledge. Sharing this with the next generation of changemakers is what the teaching fellowship programme is all about.”
Alongside Chan, Sandhya Naidu Janardhan of India and Dele Adeyemo of Africa also received the fellowship. Janardhan will join the School of Environment and Architecture at the University of Mumbai, while Adeyemo will join the Department of Architecture and the Centre for Housing and Sustainable Development at the University of Lagos. More

Melissa Ivelja, a recent Master of Architecture graduate from the University of Melbourne, has been awarded the 2024 NATSPEC Student Prize for a proposal that investigates the use of oyster shells as a sustainable construction material.
The competition challenged Australian students to propose innovative and compelling ways of applying new or existing materials, products or systems in design and construction.
The judges were unanimous in awarding this year’s prize to Ivelja for her proposal titled Shellshocked, which examines the potential of using oyster shell by-product across a range of material applications in construction.
The jury – comprising Anthony Burke, Rebecca Moore, Kathlyn Loseby and Tony Kemeny – commended Ivelja for her creative reclaimed shells, including as gravel, concrete aggregate and terrazzo, or as whole-shell decorative downpipes. These application ideas were demonstrated in an accompanying scheme called the Point Lonsdale Oyster Pavilion and several material prototypes.
In her proposal, Ivelja stated that mollusc shells have become a major global pollutant, with “an estimated 10 million tonnes” discarded each year, “most of which end up in landfill.” She added that oyster shells were historically used in construction but have mostly disappeared from contemporary building practices, despite their promise as “a low-embodied-energy material.”
The jury commented that Ivelja’s proposal not only demonstrated “imagination in application,” but was “exceptionally researched and well communicated.”
Adele Mancini, Matthew Sabransky, Dominic Randall, Luke McKee of Deakin University were commended for a proposal that explored the use of disposable vapes as a building material.
NATSPEC Student Prize-winners were awarded AUD $8,000 and commended entries received $1,500. More

This issue’s round-up features a collection of pieces that marry art with utility.
Camada daybed from Fisch Designs
Finding a balance between nostalgically retro and starkly futuristic, the Camada daybed by Australian brand Fisch Designs is crafted using recycled materials and responsible production practices. Featuring a unique stacked base, the name comes from the Portuguese word for “layer.” Visit website.
Willie Weston × Kate Constantine wallpaper
Kate Constantine, proud Gadigal woman of the Eora nation, has partnered with Willie Weston to design a range of textiles and wallpapers. Three designs featuring soft, calming tones focus on the saltwater lands of Kate’s people, referencing traditional adornment practices, native coastal flora and the ocean. Visit website.

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Circle | Square stool by Davidov Architects
The winning design for Melbourne’s MPavilion 10 Chair Commission is now available for purchase. Inspired by the geometric architecture of Tadao Ando’s MPavilion, the design rejects ornamentation, instead focusing on the natural materiality of timber and precision of form. Visit website.

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Modular Plus collection from Goux Studio
Goux Studio’s modular shelving reimagines traditional wall-mounted designs. Plus-shaped aluminium pegs hold spans of solid maple or white oak timber, allowing for long runs or vertical stacking. Their sturdy construction makes them ideal for storing books, records and art. Visit website.

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Kelly Wearstler’s mono-points collection
Perfect for spaces requiring subtle illumination or fill lighting, Kelly Wearstler’s mono-points collection of LED sconces offers slimline profiles and focuses on minimalist beauty. The range comprises elegant, geometric forms crafted from sleek metal, frosted glass and alabaster stone. Visit website.

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Fem bowl from Normann Copenhagen
Named after the Danish word for five, the Fem bowl from Norman Copenhagen features a pentagon-shaped form sitting on top of a star-shaped base. The handcrafted piece is both decorative and functional, with a mirror-polished stainless steel finish that captures intriguing geometric reflections. Visit website.

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Central Sydney Property, a joint venture between developer Billbergia and Metrics Credit Partners, has announced their plans to transform a 6,000-square-metre site in Sydney’s CBD. The two new 80-storey towers, which are expected to be under construction from 2026, will be among the tallest in the city’s skyline once complete.
Located in the city’s Midtown, the amalgamated site includes eight individual lots across Castlereagh, Pitt and Liverpool Streets. Under the new plans, it will host two new 80-storey mixed-use towers, delivering 600 residences and hotel accommodation alongside a retail podium.

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FJC Studio were awarded the project following their success in an international design competition for the site, held in 2018. They are joined by Trias Studio, Aileen Sage and Polly Harbison Design for the design of the podium.
According to FJC Studio, the architectural design of the towers reflects Sydney’s urban character, with a network of pedestrian laneways and public spaces activating the ground plane. The pedestrian laneways will lead to a new civic square, which will integrate outdoor seating, landscaping and public art.
“Our design proposal has a distinctive and forward-looking form but is also restrained, elegant and reinforces the geometry, urban structure and maturity of Sydney,” commented design director at FJC Studio, Richard Francis-Jones.
“Fundamental to the urban character of the design is the fine grain orthogonal structure of the public domain and streetscape. The small footprint tower forms nestle into a network of through-site links and intimate public spaces addressed and activated by a variety of low scale buildings – a city in microcosm.”
In the towers above, apartments are organised in a range of one-, two- and three-bedroom configurations, alongside penthouses with unobstructed views spanning from Hyde Park to the harbour and over Sydney Heads to the east.
Subject to relevant approvals, demolition is anticipated to commence next year. More

The 2025 Dezeen Awards is now accepting entries for its annual awards program. In 2024, eleven Australian architecture and interiors projects made it through to the shortlist and two residential projects won their categories.
Northcote House in Melbourne by LLDS won 2024 Urban House of the Year while Grotto Studio’s Shadow House in Perth was awarded 2024 House Renovation of the Year.
This year, there will be 17 categories across architecture awards and 13 categories across interiors awards. Several new categories have been introduced, including kitchen interiors, bathroom interiors and house extensions.
The early bird deadline for entering is 26 March 2025. In June (date not yet specified), the portal for late entries will close and judging will commence. The longlist will be annnounced in September followed by the shortlist in October. The winners will be revealed in November.
To enter, visit the Dezeen Awards website. View last year’s Australian winners, shortlisted projects and longlisted projects. More

The NSW government has announced the addition of the twelve additional low- and mid-rise designs to the NSW Pattern Book, which is due for release mid-2025. Aimed at families, builders and developers, the Pattern Book will provide a collection of pre-approved, architecturally designed patterns that can be fast-tracked through the planning process.
The newly announced, additional designs will accompany the five winning projects from the professional category of the NSW Housing Pattern Book Design Competition, revealed in November last year.
Of this second wave, six designs for low-rise terraces, semi-detached dual occupancy dwellings and manor houses will be produced alongside six designs for mid-rise residential apartment buildings.
A recent post on a NSW Government Architect (GANSW) social media account noted that “the teams were selected through a competitive tender process, which invited firms registered under the Government Architect’s Strategy and Design Prequalification Scheme, as well as firms well recognised and awarded for their design quality and approach.”
“All selected architects are highly regarded, and have delivered award-winning residential designs that align with GANSW’s vision for well-designed, sustainable housing. The selected architects bring a diverse range of design expertise, ensuring that the final housing patterns are both innovative and practical for a range of users,” the post reads.
The additional low-rise designs will be produced by:

Anthony Gill Architects
Carter Williamson
Saha
Sam Crawford Architects
Sibling Architecture
Studio Johnston

The additional mid-rise designs will be produced by:

Bennett and Trimble
Collins and Turner
MHN Design Union
Nguluway Design Inc
Silvester Fuller
Tonkin Zulaikha Greer

Additionally, Hassell has been commissioned to develop landscape design guidance for the low-rise and mid-rise patterns, for both private and shared open spaces.
According to a release from Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully, the second tranche of designs is intended “to make the delivery of homes in NSW faster, providing more homes for those who need them.”
Housing choice and diversity are also key linchpins of the scheme. Scully commented, “As we see the average household change and evolve, we want to make sure there are homes to suit everyone, and this means more than just single dwellings and high-rise apartments.”
The Minister noted that the NSW Government “want new homes to be built faster, but the Pattern Book will mean those homes are good quality, sustainable and cost-effective.” More

Northern Adelaide is set to receive a new Family Health and Wellbeing Hub by 2027. The project, designed by Studio Nine Architects, aims to deliver care closer to home for residents in Elizabeth Vale and surrounding suburbs, serving the wellbeing needs of one of the state’s fastest-growing communities.
Led by the Women’s and Children’s Hospital (WCH) Foundation, the project recently received $26 million in federal funding from the government’s urban Precincts and Partnerships Program (uPPP). The program is targeted at delivering “multipurpose urban precincts that are place-based, tailored to the local needs and positioned around a shared vision, need or theme,” the government’s website reads.
The multipurpose hub is designed to accommodate a wide range of integrated services, including early parenting programs, perinatal and adolescent mental health support, student-led allied health clinics, and accommodation for new parents adjacent to the Lyell McEwin Hospital.
Studio Nine Architects’ design for the facility is aimed at de-institutionalising traditional healthcare architecture by steering away from conventional clinical aesthetics. According to a statement from the architect, the intent has been to create “a visually porous outcome that invites the community in, with an approachable design that feels welcoming rather than intimidating.”
“The building’s fluid ground plane and seamless indoor-outdoor transition fosters a sense of openness and accessibility, ensuring the facility engages with the street and is comfortable for all to enter,” the release reads.
Curved geometries have been employed with the aim of softening the built form, emphasising the building as a community space rather than as a healthcare facility. Across the site, public spaces such as community lounges, youth areas and indoor playgrounds are designed to encourage flexible, year-round use.
Vegetation plays a dual role in the project, adding both aesthetic and functional value, such as in the building’s green facade. According to the architect, “The integration of greenery supports the project’s broader goal: to be a place where people want to spend time, fostering wellbeing through both design and nature.”

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Throughout, earthy colour tones and extensive landscaping are aimed at conveying the architect’s concept of “re-wilding, blending natural elements with the built environment to create a physical and psychological oasis.”
CEO of the WCH Foundation Verity Gobbett commented, “The Community Health and Wellbeing Hub has the potential to make a profound difference to a region experiencing entrenched disadvantage. We are excited to be one step closer to bringing to life our vision of a vibrant community resource that fosters health, learning and connection to the people who need it most.”
For Studio Nine Architects, the “concept design represents more than a building; it embodies the Women’s and Children’s Hospital Foundation’s vision for healthier, more connected communities.” More