Architecture

In honour of the United Kingdom’s longest-serving monarch, the British government has launched a design competition for the masterplan of a national memorial dedicated to Queen Elizabeth II.
The Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee is working with Malcolm Reading Consultants to identify a multidisciplinary team of artists, architects, engineers, landscape architects and other specialists who would be interested in designing the project. The winning team will be required to include an architect registered in the UK.
For the first stage of the competition, the committee is urging interested creatives to submit an expression of interest online. No design work is required at stage one, only details of the team’s profile, composition and experience. In stage two, there will be a ten-week design period for a shortlist of five competitors.
Committee chair and private secretary to the late Queen Lord Janvrin noted, “The challenge at the second stage for the finalists will be to evoke memories of Queen Elizabeth II’s outstanding contribution to national life and to tell the story of Her Majesty’s long reign through an original masterplan that is sensitive to the unique setting.”
The memorial will be located in St James’s Park in London, the UK’s oldest Royal Park, close to Buckingham Palace. The competition brief sets out defining elements including a new bridge over the park’s lake and opportunities for artistic interventions and enhanced landscaping.
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden noted, “This National Memorial will provide a permanent tribute to The Late Queen’s legacy, offering space for reflection as well as celebration. We want the very best architects and designers to come forward with their ideas for how this historic project should look.”
The shortlist is expected to be announced in the UK’s spring 2025 and the winner in early summer 2025. The final design is scheduled to be announced to coincide with what would have been the Queen’s 100th birthday year in 2026.
Details for EOIs can be found online, with this first stage of the competition closing 20 January 2025. More

Plans to transform the Port of Albany historic pilot cottages into a community precinct have progressed further, with H and H Architects awarded the contract for detailed design.
As the oldest port in Western Australia, the Port of Albany has a rich history. The port’s pilot cottages served as accommodation for marine officers, who guided vessels in and out of Princess Royal Harbour from as early as 1853 until 1936. The historical significance of these cottages was acknowledged when they were added to the WA State Register of Heritage Places in 2002.
In May 2024, the WA government pledged $8.3 million to redeveloping the historic Port of Albany Pilot Station and its cottages into a community precinct. At the time of the announcement, the state government asserted that the transformation would create “a major attraction for tourists and visitors, while also activating new spaces for the community to enjoy.”
Following a competitive tender process, H and H Architects were appointed to progress the project forward from concept to detailed design. As stated in a WA government communique, the firm was selected for its proven expertise in managing heritage projects throughout the state, including several in Albany.
The Member for Albany Rebecca Stephens echoed those sentiments, saying that the practice “has a tremendous reputation for heritage work across a variety of WA projects.”
Stephens added, “When restored, the pilot cottages will offer a rare insight to what it was like to live and work in these buildings between 1853 to 1936.”

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Early concepts of the Port of Albany pilot station precinct feature an interpretive centre, a small cafe, port-themed play areas, parking and open spaces, all linked to the existing Port to Point trail. Additionally, the precinct is set to feature an information centre for cultural and eco-tourism.
The architects will work with Southern Ports – an authority that oversees management of three ports: Albany, Bunbury and Esperance – to develop the design.
WA Ports Minister David Michael said the Albany Pilot Station precinct deserves to be on show. “The Port of Albany is intrinsically linked to WA’s rich history as our first and oldest port, so I think everyone should be excited to see this site transformed,” said Michael.
The detailed design is expected to be finalised in late 2025. More

The Victorian Department of Transport and Planning and Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action have together outlined next steps to the state’s Gas Substitution Roadmap. It follows Victoria’s ban on gas connections to new dwellings, apartments and residential subdivisions requiring a planning permit that was implemented at the start of this year, and requirement for all new government buildings to be all-electric from July 2023.
According to the Department of Transport and Planning, Victoria has the highest use of gas for heating, hot water and cooking in Australia. Over two million (or around 76 percent) of homes, over 60,000 commercial buildings and over 800 large industrial users are connected to the gas network.
Having developed a Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) outlining four possible pathways for the electrification of residential and commercial buildings across the state by 2026, the government is now seeking feedback from the community.
The options include:

Electrification of all new residential and new commercial buildings
Electrification of all new and existing residential buildings, and all new and existing commercial buildings (excluding existing commercial cooking)
Electrification of all new and existing residential buildings (excluding residential cooking), and all new commercial buildings
Electrification of all new and existing residential buildings.

In the RIS, the state government note their preference as the third option. In this option, all existing residential gas hot water and heating appliances would need to be electrified at their end-of life. However, if those appliances can be retained during a renovation, then they would not be required to be replaced with electric appliances.
Gas cooktops in existing homes as well as all gas appliances in existing commercial buildings are excluded from this preferred option, so there are no impacts, for example, on existing commercial kitchens.
The proposed regulations for residential buildings make exemptions in instances where there is insufficient space to install electric systems, there are conflicting laws (such as those dictated by a heritage overlay), or where “costs of upgrading the connection are disproportionately high.”
The current period of consultation on the RIS and proposed draft regulations presents the final opportunity for stakeholders and the community to comment on proposed reforms before they are finalised.
The public are invited to have their say on the proposed options until 28 February 2025. More

Entries are now open for the 2025 ArchitectureAu Award for Social Impact, a program that recognises the profoundly transformative impact that built works can have on the communities that occupy them.
The award criteria focuses on demonstrable social benefit, and the quality and originality of the design thinking that delivered it. Eligible projects may relate to social cohesion, racial justice, inclusive housing, accessibility, equity, social sustainability or other areas where design can make a difference to society.
Wangaratta District Specialist School by Sibling Architecture won the 2024 Award for Social Impact, praised by the jury for being “[…] an exemplar of spatial and tactile design for numerous learning (or even workplace) environments across the country.” The inaugural 2023 program saw joint projects being awarded: The Fulcrum Agency and Kaunitz Yeung Architecture for the Groote Archipelago Housing Programme and Puntukurnu AMS Healthcare Hub, respectively.
The 2025 jury comprises Helen Barrie of the University of South Australia; Amelia Borg of Sibling Architecture; architect and researcher Shaneen Fantin; Philip Thalis of Hill Thalis Architecture and Urban Projects; and Katelin Butler, the editorial director of Architecture Media. Rory Hyde of the Melbourne School of Design is the jury convener.
Hyde mentioned that architecture has always, at its core, been about social impact, “yet this aspect of architecture is too often overshadowed by the aesthetic and the visual.” He added that the ArchitectureAu Award for Social Impact is “a way to recognise and celebrate the outstanding projects that make a difference to the public, to local communities and underrepresented groups.”
Entries close 7 March 2025 and entered projects must be completed (built). A cash prize of $5,000 is offered to the winning recipient. See previous winning and commended projects here and entry requirements here.
The ArchitectureAu Award for Social Impact is organised by Architecture Media, and supported by presenting partner Melbourne School of Design, and supporting partners Latitude Group and Pepto Lab. More

Melbourne architecture practice Kennon have unveiled their project at 550 Spencer in the city’s inner west, which is, according to the firm’s release, “Australia’s first building to generate its own onsite electricity through a solar panel facade.”
With 1,182 solar panels comprising the facade, the building generates 142 kilowatts of electricity at its peak – 50 times the capacity of a typical residential rooftop solar panel system. Without the need for a rooftop system, this space is transformed into a terrace and garden space for occupants to inhabit.

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Kennon worked with local and international suppliers to realise the integration of photovoltaic cells into the building’s facade, whose pleated configuration incorporates solid solar panels on the north and clear glazing on the south. According to the architect, their approach balances the need for solar capture and energy generation with indoor thermal comfort, earning the project 5.5-star Green Star and 5-star NABERS ratings.

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The electricity generated by the facade is used immediately, eliminating the requirement for battery storage. As the building is self-sufficient in its energy use, any surplus energy is fed back into the electricity grid.
The absence of gas within the project means that the building’s energy use is entirely fossil-free. The architect estimates that the building’s design reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 70 tonnes annually, thus achieving carbon neutrality within its lifespan.

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According to Kennon, 550 Spencer reimagines how the built environment can be a positive force, rather than a contributor to, the climate crisis. “By harnessing the power of sunlight, this development challenges traditional approaches to energy use, offering a glimpse of sustainable architecture where innovation and aesthetics can coexist and unite,” the architect noted. More

Concept designs for the new $558 million Albury Wodonga Regional Hospital have been released, with planning approval currently being sought for the project.

The proposed project is anticipated to deliver a mix of new and refurbished facilities. An upgraded and expanded Albury Wodonga hospital has long-been proferred as a critical component of the Murray River region’s broader healthcare system, as it would support the rapid growth of communities along the NSW and Victorian border.

As stated by the NSW government, the proposed project includes a new seven-storey Clinical Services Building; more than 80 additional beds across three new inpatient units; an additional at-grade and multi-storey car parking and a new hospital main entrance and public drop-off zone at Keene Street.
The updated hospital would also accommodate a new Aboriginal family lounge, a new multi-faith centre, new surgical and operating theatres, a 32-bed mental health inpatient unit to replace and expand the existing Nolan House 24-bed service, a new intensive care unit, and upgraded maternity and birthing wards.

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Hassell has led the design of the proposal in consultation with First Nations consultant Yerrabingin. According to a communique released by Hassell, the design draws on perspectives from local Aboriginal communities and Wiradjuri Country narratives to reflect the region’s cultural richness. The release noted that this collaborative process has resulted in a design that features a network of open gardens and internal courtyards, providing hospital users with access to fresh air and greenery.

“Engagement with Traditional Owners also shaped elements of the Clinical Services Building, including strategic sight lines to culturally significant sites,” the statement reads.

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The architects noted that the building’s interior aims to humanise the healthcare experience through biophilic design and the adoption of a warm, natural material palette.
Hassell principal in charge Catherine Loker emphasised that creating a creating a calm, peaceful healthcare environment with access to nature and fresh air “will benefit the entire hospital community” comprising patients, staff and visitors.
“We’re committed to delivering a vital community hub that will support local healthcare,” Loker said.
The NSW, Victorian and Australian governments have jointly committed $558 million to the Albury Wodonga Regional Hospital project in what is one of the largest regional health projects currently planned in NSW. More

The revitalisation of the Sydney and Melbourne Buildings in Canberra has started with restoration of the buildings’ facades. Repainting has begun on the Melbourne Building at the corner of Alinga Street and Northbourne Avenue, which includes the business frontages of Amici Wine Bar and Deli, Bistro Nguyen’s and Smith’s Alternative.
Recognising the historical significance and unique architecture of the heritage-listed buildings, the facade restoration is a collaborative project between the ACT government and building owners to restore and preserve these cherished Canberra landmarks.

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In the ACT Heritage Council’s submission for recognition of the project’s heritage significance, they note that the complex was the earliest major development in Civic – the suburb home to Canberra’s CBD. Australian architect Sir John Sulman designed the Sydney and Melbourne buildings in 1920s, with work finalised by John Hunter Kirkpatrick. For at least thirty years after their completion, they were the only shops in the city’s centre.
The four buildings – which are paired across courtyards on two city blocks – are linked by their Inter-War Mediterranean-style homage to Brunelleschi’s Foundling Hospital in Florence. According to the ACT Heritage Council, the colonnade device which underpins the architecture of the Sydney and Melbourne Buildings is now an important element throughout Canberra’s city centre. Having established “the early character and scale of the city’s retail and business area … [they remain] valued by the community today,” the submission’s Statement of Significance reads.
Unique to the buildings is their protracted construction, in which individual lots were auctioned off and built by individual owners according to the design specifications. As a result, the buildings are privately owned and comprise approximately 100 separate land titles, multiple owners, and no common management body.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr noted, “The Sydney and Melbourne Buildings present a unique challenge due to their large and diverse ownership structure with no common management body. This complexity has led to challenges in maintaining a consistent appearance, worsened by informal and uncoordinated refurbishment efforts.”
Over the last five years, the ACT government has engaged with building owners, businesses, and the broader community about the potential for legislation to maintain the buildings.
Grants from the state government’s City Renewal Authority have been enabled to support building owners to repaint their facades in colours consistent with the original Mediterranean-influenced palette.

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A final round of consultation on the legislative process for the buildings’ Revitalisation Plan will open soon to gather feedback on the plan before legislation to maintain the buildings is tabled with the ACT Legislative Assembly. The legislation would allow the government to carry out and charge for the painting works if the building’s owners do not complete it themselves.
The ACT government estimates that the facade repainting of both buildings will take 18 months to complete. The project follows pavement, lighting and infrastructure upgrades to the buildings’ Odgers and Verity Lanes, which were completed in 2023. More

The Tasmanian government have unveiled designs for a hospice on Howick Street as part of their redevelopment of Launceston General Hospital. The plans, soon to be lodged with the city’s local council, have been designed by Tasmanian practice Jaws Architects.
On their website, the state’s Department of Health noted that with the closure of Phillip Oakden House in 2007, Launceston has been without a dedicated public palliative care hospice facility. The new hospice aims to alleviate this need by providing “a minimum of ten beds to cater for community members with life limiting conditions,” the government’s media release reads.

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According to the Department of Health’s website, the Allambi Building has been selected as the location of the new hospice due to its proximity to the General Hospital precinct and to public transport and parking.
Director at Jaws Architects Hanz Lee commented, “The Launceston Hospice project is deeply rooted in honouring the legacy of the historic Allambi Building, which first opened its doors in 1921 as an Infectious Diseases Hospital. The building stands as a testament to the evolution of health care in Tasmania throughout the twentieth century.”

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Lee added, “Designing the Launceston Hospice has been an inspiring challenge, offering the opportunity to thoughtfully integrate the rich historical significance of the Allambi building with the modern needs of a hospice facility. Our focus has been on preserving its heritage features while enhancing functionality to meet contemporary care requirements.”
Minister for Health Jacquie Petrusma noted that the proposed facility has been designed to replicate a home-like environment. “The design promotes dignity, access, and connectivity to the existing established garden and courtyard that are unique to the Allambi site.”
The hospice will include day rooms and inpatient rooms alongside features such as calm spaces and landscaped areas that are intended to “promote connectivity to outdoor spaces for both patients and visitors,” the department’s website reads.

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In addition, the design will incorporate artwork, “adding a layer of beauty and emotional resonance that complements and elevates the building’s purpose,” Lee noted.
Welcoming the release of the new designs, Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler observed, “Giving people the greatest possible dignity and comfort at the end of life is so important, not only for the individual but for their families as well.” More