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Dedece have launched a new lighting collection, featuring a curated selection of lighting fixtures from two acclaimed luminaries, Davide Groppi and Kreon. Dedece lighting specialist, Douglas Frost said lighting possesses an ability to “create ambience, accentuate design elements and enhance functionality, ultimately transforming a mere structure into a living, breathing environment.” Davide Groppi’s offerings include […] More
The Australian Institute of Architects is inviting the public to vote for their favourite house shortlisted in the 2023 National Architecture Awards. The 13 eligible houses come from the Residential Architecture – Houses (New) and House (Alterations and Additions) categories of the awards. The public are invited to nominate their favourite house, writing 25 words […] More
The Round, a new performing arts centre in Melbourne’s east, is set to throw open the curtains and welcome artists on stage, following the completion of the project. BKK Architects and Kerstin Thompson Architects (KTA), together with landscape architect practice Aspect Studios, won a design competition for the redevelopment of the 30-year-old Whitehorse Centre in […] More
Three architecture and two landscape projects have been named finalists in Victoria’s 2023 Premier’s Sustainability Awards, with projects and organizations being honoured for their efforts in driving a greener future through low impact design.
Nightingale Village has been announced a finalist of the Sustainable Places Industry Leader category, while Ferrars and York, and Spring Creek Road Farm have been named finalists in the Sustainable Places Community Champion division.
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Nightingale Village by Hayball and Breathe and Architecture Architecture and Austin Maynard Architects and Clare Cousins Architects and Kennedy Nolan. Image:
Tom Ross
Nightingale Village, designed by Architecture architecture, Austin Maynard Architects, Breathe, Clare Cousins Architects, Hayball, and Kennedy Nolan, has been applauded for setting a new standard in sustainable and community-centred social housing. Designed to support sustainable practices for the lifetime of the precinct, Nightingale Village does not have private carparks, individual laundries or second bathrooms, which increases living space and lowers construction and maintenance costs. Communal facilities encourage bulk-buying of sustainable products. The village is 100 percent electric has a certified average NatHERS rating between 7.8 to 9.0 stars. Repurposed and locally supplied materials are used wherever possible, along with energy-efficient fixtures and fittings for power and water, plus carbon-neutral tapware and bricks.
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Ferrars and York by Six Degrees and Hip V Hype. Image:
Tess Kelly
Hip V. Hype and Six Degrees Architects have earned high praise for Ferrars and York, a complex of 22 carbon neutral apartments in South Melbourne. The jury commended the Community Champion finalist for representing best practice in climate-resilient design and construction, with an average energy rating of 8.6 stars. Located on a narrow piece of land adjacent to the South Melbourne light rail, Ferrars and York has been designed to foster an active vertical community across its six levels, through open walkways and communal roof yard with barbeque, fireplace and landscaped arbour.
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Spring Creek Road Farm House by Architect Brew Koch has received acclaim from the jury for reflecting a sustainable approach to design and life. Image:
Thurston Empson
Fellow Community Champion finalist, Spring Creek Road Farm by Architect Brew Koch, has received acclaim from the jury for reflecting a sustainable approach to design and life. A deviation from housing developments, Spring Creek Road Farm is a rural residence on a Trust for Nature Property near Bannockburn, in western Victoria. The design team worked closely with local Landcare networks to develop an understanding of the Indigenous landscape of the property, with the goal of strengthening and expanding the existing native species.
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Tree Coach by Natural Growth Partners. Image: Supplied
Landscape projects, Tree Coach and Thriving Ecosystems Under Eumemmerring Creek Bridge, have also earned the title of finalist.
Tree Coach, the brainchild of Natural Growth Partners (NGP), is a Community Champion finalist in the Circular Economy Innovation category. Borne out of a frustration with traditional tree-planting methods that retain the need to cut down trees to stake trees, restrict tree trunk movement, therefore, resulting in under-developed trees, NGP created Tree Coach, an all-in-one tree planting, staking, watering and light protection solution for mature tree planting made of recycled plastic. Each unit consists of three stakes and one base frame that includes a watering bowl giving the tree supported lateral movement, improving trunk strength, the establishment of an ideal root plate system, and ease of maintenance over the establishment period. Since its launch in February 2021, the initiative has led to the repurposing of more than 83,000 recycling bins (over 400 tonnes of plastic) and has assisted 250,000 trees grow to their full potential.
Western Program Alliance is an Industry Leader finalist in the Sustainable Places category for Thriving Ecosystems Under Eumemmerring Creek Bridge, a project constructed as part of the Cranbourne Line Upgrade. Located in Dandenong South, Eumemmerring Creek is home to two endangered native freshwater fish species. The project goal was to create a thriving surrounding environment without jeopardizing the creek’s ecosystem. To achieve this, the team designed an innovative 63-metre, 340-tonne steel “floating” bridge without any foundations or pillars being dug into the waterway by utilizing innovative digital engineering techniques to anticipate environmental disruptions and design challenges. Flora and fauna were left undisturbed as steel walkways and fibreglass grating were used for site access and the bridge was constructed outside of the creek’s environment. The team reused steel structures fabricated for sheet pile walls and bridge assembly on another project, as well as established a Tree Protection Plan.
Matt Genever, Sustainability Victoria’s Interim CEO said he was inspired by the work being done to create innovative sustainable solutions.
“These organisations are showing tremendous leadership and are making significant contributions to a circular economy and a net zero-emission future for Victoria,” said Genever.
“These organisations are leading the way in sustainability and I look forward to recognizing their achievements at the awards ceremony in November.”
Award winners will be revealed at an award ceremony in Melbourne on Thursday, 23 November. More
The Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania has launched a crowd-funding campaign to enable capital works for truth-telling and interpretation on one of the most sacred and significant sites for the state’s Aboriginal community. Established in 1834, Wybalenna on Flinders Island was a colonial settlement where 134 forcibly relocated Indigenous people were imprisoned. The people imprisoned […] More
The Australian Design Centre has announced the winners of the inaugural Make Award, a new biennial prize for innovation in Australian craft and design.
Melbourne designer Vipoo Srivilasa was awarded the $35,000 first prize for his Diverse Dominion Deities – a collection of four “mythical creatures to serve as vessels for the deities.”
The collection is made from mass produced ceramic animals sourced from the internet that are coated in industrial grade white spray with porcelain flowers attached using Blu-Tack, and topped with hand-made deities made from air-dried modelling clay.
“The Diverse Dominion Deities represent the strength, unity, and growth that come from embracing diversity,” Srivilasa said in a statement. “Manifesting as a group of four entities, they represent cultural, racial, gender, and thinking diversity. I created the Diverse Dominion Deities to shed light on the fragility of diversity in Australia.”
“Through the combination of various materials and techniques, I portray the diverse clay world: mass production symbolises commercial products, porcelain represents high art, and air-dry clay signifies hobbies. Cultural diversity is reflected in this amalgamation.”
“My work underscores the importance of valuing and preserving cultural diversity while acknowledging the ongoing efforts required for harmonious coexistence,” he continued.
“Vipoo Srivilasa is a serious artist who has truly developed over the recent years. His piece is complete in its the composition and stands out beyond all other works in the competition for innovation, creativity and the progression of his individual practice.”
The $10,000 second prize was awarded to Adelaide designer Jessica Murtagh while Liz Williamson received a high commendation from the jury.
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Second prize winner: Self-checkout of Sisyphus by Jessica Murtagh. Image:
Jesse Reagon
The Make Award is a new national award, an initiative of Australian Design Centre aimed at celebrating innovation in contemporary craft and design. The award is inspired by international awards programs such as the New York Museum of Arts and Design’s Burke Prize, and the Loewe Foundation Craft Prize.
The inaugural award received 187 entries, of which 30 finalists were selected by the jury. Entries ranged from ceramics to glass, furniture, metal, jewellery, textiles and fibre.
The judges included Lisa Cahill (CEO and artistic director of Australian Design Centre), Hyeyoung Cho (chairperson of The Korea Association of Art and Design), Brian Parkes (CEO of JamFactory), and Jason Smith (director of Geelong Gallery).
“Australia has a wealth of creative talent and this new award aims to give an elevated platform to that talent, shining a spotlight on the energy and innovation in craft and design practice,” Cahill said.
“There is no other award like it in Australia. There are discipline specific prizes but no major award that recognises creative practice across craft and design broadly. Designer makers are innovative, highly skilled, and very knowledgeable about material use. They are curious problem solvers who strive to creative beautiful objects that are functional, conceptual, and reflective of our times. They deserve to be recognized.” More
The Design Institute of Australia’s board has announced its support for enshrining an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice in the Constitution, ahead of the upcoming referendum to be held on 14 October, 2023. Although unreservedly supports the “yes” position, it said they recognize and are respectful of the fact that members of the DIA […] More
Global design blog Dezeen has announced the shortlist for its 2023 awards, with 46 projects making the cut across nine interiors categories. Australia is tied in equal first place with the UK as the countries with the most shortlisted projects – six each – followed by USA and China with four each. The interiors jury […] More
