Architecture

Architecture firm Breathe is calling on all architects to reduce carbon emissions in their projects through six steps, which they revealed at an event in Melbourne on 20 September.
“The built environment is the single biggest emitting sector,” said Breathe founding director Jeremy McLeod. “37 percent of all emissions come from the built environment. That’s the place where we work, so we have agency to change that.”
McLeod explained that 27 percent comes from operational carbon – the carbon emitted through a building’s energy use. “The good news is this is the biggest single easiest chunk to solve,” he added. The remaining 10 percent is embodied carbon, which is harder to reduce, and much more work needs to be done.
He outlined three steps to achieving zero operational carbon, and a further three steps to reducing embodied carbon:
Operational carbon
1. Electrify everything. No more gas.
Use heat pumps for hot water, and electricity for heating and cooling, induction cooktops, solar power and EV chargers.
2. Buy 100 percent renewable energy
“Buying 100 percent certified Green Power is cheaper than putting solar on your roof. We can all buy Green Power tomorrow,” McLeod said. “As we buy Green Power out of the grid, it forces [energy companies] to commit to building large-scale renewables – wind, pumped hydro, large-scale solar.
Green Power is a government-managed program that makes 100 percent renewable energy available to households and businesses.
McLeod also encouraged architects working on housing developments to implement embedded energy networks because bulk-buying Green Power is cheaper than individually buying Green Power at retail rates.
3. Certification
“Certification is important, because we need to know what we’re building, and we need to be measuring these things.”
McLeod said that Breathe Architecture uses two strategies to ensure certification of its buildings, and that ongoing carbon audits are undertaken to maintain certification. The practice advises developers that a carbon-neutral building is a marketable asset and can include a clause in the owners’ corporation rules that it must undertake annual carbon audits and purchase carbon offsets if required.
Embodied carbon
1. Build less
“Size matters,” McLeod said. “The average size of a new house in NSW is 420 square metres,” he told an astonished crowd of Melbourne architects. “We’ve got the biggest houses in the world, and we’ve got the biggest carbon footprint in the world, save for some of the oil-producing countries in the Middle East.
“We need great housing, we don’t need massive housing.”
As well as reducing the size of buildings, he also said that shared amenities for both residential and commercial building types can also contribute to building less, including shared toilet facilities, centralized heat pumps, solar arrays, rainwater stores and rooftop spaces.

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Breathe designed a kit-of-parts fitout for ANZ branches, and the selection of sustainable materials was the heart of the project. Image:

Tom Ross

2. Material reduction
The three biggest emitters are cement, steel and aluminium. Reducing the amount of these three materials could significantly reduce the embodied carbon of a building. Steel can be eliminated from a building by stacking vertical structural elements and using smaller spans. Cement-free concrete or zero-carbon concrete would also contribute to emissions reduction, as would limiting the use of aluminium only to where appropriate, such as doors and windows.
He cited a number of suppliers in the building industry that have zero-carbon products and encouraged architects to use their collective specifying power to encourage other suppliers to develop their own zero-carbon products.
3. Measure the impact
Life-cycle assessments of both embodied and operational carbon are crucial to getting an understanding of the carbon emissions status quo. “We’ve all got to start measuring, because if we’re not measuring, we’re not going to get a benchmark, and if we don’t have a benchmark, how do we know how to cut our carbon?” McLeod said.
“The great thing about measuring is you can see what happens when you change your structure from concrete to steel or from steel to timber.
“Theoretically, if we could get everyone to handle carbon their side, we could then take out 100 percent of the embodied carbon. Our job is to electrify everything and to make sure that our clients commit to 100 percent renewables.” More

A multi-level primary school able to accommodate a capacity of 750 students has been proposed for Macquarie Park, Sydney, following the state government’s announcement that primary school student intake in the region is forecasted to triple by 2041.
The new Midtown Macquarie Park public school, designed by Architectus, will offer more educational options for families with children from kindergarten age to year six.
Created with collaborative input from teachers, the layout of the school encourages outdoor play through the implementation of a rooftop play area, a running track, a perimeter net for ball games, alfresco tables and a performance stage. Play areas will be located on each of the school’s teaching levels and the ground floor will comprise a multipurpose hall with court markings for sport, a covered and landscaped outdoor learning area (COLA), a climbing wall and garden.
The vertical school will include new classrooms, administration and staff facilities, a canteen, a multipurpose hall, and library, as well as a slide spanning from level one to the ground floor.

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The new Midtown Macquarie Park public school, designed by Architectus, offers more educational options for families with children from kindergarten age to year six. Image: Architectus

Deputy premier and education minister Prue Car said it is critical the growing community in Macquarie Park has the educational facilities it needs.
“I am thrilled to see plans for this new public school progressing, and I cannot wait to see this new school project completed,” Car said.
Midtown is a new urban neighbourhood being developed on the site of the former Ivanhoe Estate in Macquarie Park. With the school sited adjacent to the central Village Green park, students will be in close proximity to a sports field and open public parkland including Wilga Park and Shrimptons Creek.
The NSW Government has lodged a State Significant Development (SSD) application for the development. More

Designers and planners have been called upon to submit examples of completed and well-executed medium-density housing projects based in New South Wales.
“Finding the Missing Middle” is an initiative of Government Architect NSW (GANSW) with the objective of familiarizing the general public with well-designed, completed examples of low-rise and mid-rise housing typologies.
Following the collation of material, GANSW will publish a selection of projects on a publicly accessible online interactive map. Urban infil projects are of particular interest, however, they are also accepting brownfield and greenfield project submissions. The database will aim to present projects from both regional and metropolitan areas of NSW.
GANSW is seeking exemplary projects with the following typologies: low-rise housing including dual occupancies (attached), terraces, townhouses, villas, and apartments of two storeys and habitable roof, and mid-rise housing comprising townhouses and apartments of between three to six storeys.
A spokesperson for GANSW said there is a lot of misunderstanding in the community about medium-density housing.
“We all know it can be a highly successful typology and there are many great examples in our streets and suburbs,” the spokesperson said.
“We would welcome your knowledge and assistance in this task. Many of us have designed, delivered, or contributed to such projects, or know of excellent examples that may have been delivered by colleagues or have been in our neighbourhoods for many years.
GANSW advised it may not be possible to include all projects submitted. In selecting projects for publication, they will be considering response to context and neighbourhood character, built form and scale, impact on the public domain (landscape, parking arrangements, safety and aesthetics), level of density appropriate to the area and local amenity, affordability, and sustainability.
To find out more about the initiative, visit here. More

The Australian Institute of Architects has come out in support of the Victorian Housing Statement and its’ focus on supply through planning reform and design principles.
As part of their commitment to build 800,000 homes over the next decade, the Victorian government has pledged to speed up development approval times, rezone unused land and rebuild outdated public housing towers.
The Victorian chapter of the Institute welcomed the proposed rezoning of 45 sites and the streamlining of planning, aimed at boosting supply.
Chapter president David Wagner said the Institute will closely inspect the policy in the upcoming weeks, as well as engage and collaborate with the government to assist with the advancement of reforms.
“It is pleasing that the state government has taken a long-term view in its housing statement to address the issues rather than a series of short-term fixes,” Wagner said.
Victoria’s population is forecasted to reach 10.3 million by 2051. Wagner said it is imperative that the quality of housing is appropriate, meets living standards and have been planned with longevity in mind because every new home is an investment in the community.
“It is fundamentally important that future housing is well designed to provide an enduring residential legacy that is environmentally sustainable and resilient,” he said.
“We are encouraged by the state government’s willingness to work with industry bodies such as the Australian Institute of Architects to help with the design and roll out of such a vast investment in housing and we stand ready to assist in any way we can.”
The Institute said its members can assist the government by providing solutions for the adaptive reuse of underutilized buildings, offering insight on fast-tracking planning reforms without sacrificing quality, livability and climate adaptaptibility, presenting information on Design Review Panels, as well as by making recommendations for the formulation of minimum requirements for social and affordable housing units.
Institute members have been vocal about their support for the adaptive reuse of buildings, on sustainability grounds.
“From addressing land availability, embedded carbon and efficiency in creating new housing, adaptive reuse has to be part of the conversation,” Wagner said.
“The design requirements for office towers and apartments do differ, particularly in relation to airflow, natural light and plumbing, so it requires special design skills, skills that are unique to our members. We are keen to work with the government on a taskforce to examine broader engagement with adaptive reuse.” More

Colours that evoke security, comfort and belonging will be the hottest hues in 2024, according to Haymes Paint’s latest expert colour forecast. The Australian paint manufacturer has unveiled its Colour Library Vol. 17, with the latest edition called Origins. The release was curated in collaboration with multi-disciplinary design studio Nexus Designs, home décor and furnishings […] More

The 2023 Think Brick Awards winners have been revealed, with several design practices recognized for their creative and clever use of bricks, blocks, pavers and roof tiles in projects.
The awards jury consisted of registered landscape architect and associate director of Oculus, Claire Martin and former CEO of Think Brick Australia, Elizabeth McIntyre.
Horbury Hunt Commercial Award – category winner
Huntington – SJB

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Mixed-use residential development, Huntington received the Horbury Hunt Commercial Award. Image:

Tom Roe

Sited at 35 Honeysuckle Drive in Newcastle, Huntington is a mixed-use residential development with a retail offering, comprising approximately 90 apartments across three distinct architectural forms. The development sits within a revitalized housing precinct on the Hunter foreshore, which was formerly used for large-scale commercial and manufacturing operations. Industrial elements reflective of the city’s history have been interwoven into the design, showcasing a warm blend of cloudy silver and smoky cashmere brick tones.
The jury praised SJB, saying the aesthetic is reminiscent of a Louis Kahn project.
“Huntington showcases brickwork in its monolithic form, which is not an easy thing to do in architecture. The bold, singular use of brick has given the building a fabric-like quality and addressed the project’s scale and prominent location with an exceptional interplay of restraint and materiality. Its clever articulation and attention to detail is sure to encourage people to be committed to using brickwork and doing it well,” the jury remarked.
The Crossing by Chrofi Architects, De Rome Architects and Dezignteam; St Margaret’s Sports Precinct by Blight Rayner Architecture; Whitton Lane by Jackson Clements Burrows Architects and DJRD; and The Rox by Core Collective Architects all received high commendations.
Horbury Hunt Residential Award – category winner
Waterloo Street – SJB

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Waterloo Street by SJB. Image:

Anson Smart

Waterloo Street playfully engages with passersby through the arrangement, texture and geometry of its recycled and broken brick facade. Internally, the residence integrates custom brick flooring and custom glazed bricks to add detail and aesthetic value. At the core of the design brief is the desire to create a home that is sustainable, which is achieved through the imaginative re-purposing of materials.
“With a footprint of just 30 square metres, Waterloo Street is like a little brick jewellery box in the neighbourhood that adds real joy and interest to the street. The creative brickwork ideas on display are both familiar and strange, yet beautifully cohesive,” the jury commented.
“This home, with its geometric openings and facade of recycled and broken bricks, playfully shows how it is possible for private buildings to make positive contributions to public spaces by eliciting a sense of delight in passersby.”
Earning high commendations wer Coleman Bajrovic Residence by Klopper and Davis Architects; Gathering House by Inarc Architects; Mary Street House by Edition Office; and Shakespeare Grove by B.E. Architecture.
Kevin Borland Masonry Award – category winner
University of Queensland Cricket Club Maintenance Shed – Lineburg Wang and Steve Hunt Architect

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University of Queensland Cricket Club Maintenance Shed by Lineburg Wang and Steve Hunt Architect. Image:

David Chatfield

The University of Queensland Cricket Club Maintenance Shed is an innovative example of how stucture and ornamentation can be one in the same. The idea for the shed emerged out of construction pricing and material supply constraints during the pandemic. The project illustrates how conventional building materials can be used in an unconventional way.
The jury said the design takes the use of blocks somewhere new and exciting.
“Installing blocks as a screen is an incredibly inventive way of putting a building together. Super creative masonry has been used structurally and functionally, as well as expressively. The way the shed rises out of the landscape is fantastic. This relatively small project is quite provocative and very singular in its vision.”
Sunday by Architecture Architecture, Garden Tower House by Studio Bright, Deepwater House by AHA Studio, and Weather House by Mihaly Slocombe were highly commended in this category.
Robin Dods Roof Tile Excellence Award – category winner
Bondi Pavilion Conservation and Restoration Project – Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects

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Bondi Pavilion Conservation and Restoration Project by Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects. Image:

Brett Boardman

Bondi Pavilion is a multi-purpose community hub and world-famous heritage landmark that has been conserved and upgraded. One of the standout features of the transformation is the reconstruction of the original multi-coloured cordova-tiled roof, in replacement of a 1960s grey concrete incarnation.
The jury said the multi-coloured roof tiles are the hero of the historic restoration of the iconic Bondi Pavilion.
“The new roofing materials have been expertly applied to re-interpret the building’s heritage and celebrate Australia’s beach culture. Painstakingly reconstructing the Pavilion’s original, ocean-hued roof elevates it to something textural and reinvigorates the whole building. Its tiles will be there in a hundred years from now, other products won’t be. After an unsympathetic renovation in the 1960s, people no longer noticed the roof, now it’s ‘the thing’.”
Viridi by Plus Architecture and TLG Roofing, St Patricks College Ballarat Residence by Ballarat Bricks and Roofing, Avondale by Aeta Studio, and Clay Hip and Valley by APT Roofing, were highly commended by the jury.
Bruce Mackenzie Landscape Award – category winner
Allianz Stadium – Aspect Studios and Cox Architecture

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Allianz Stadium by Aspect Studios and Cox Architecture. Image:

Aspect Studios and Cox Architecture

The Allianz Stadium public domain makes use of a paving mix to mark the key entry sites and active gathering spaces. Brick walls highlight and provide clear direction to the main entrances, with brick bonding thoughtfully incorporating textures and patterns.
“It is hard to make a large area feel intimate and activated, yet the brick patterning brings thescale of this project down to a human level and helps to animate the stadium. The patternsin the bricks and pavers create an “urban carpet” that’s visually appealing from all directions.This urban carpet serves to connect the neighbourhood and facilitate pleasant journeys.There’s a real strength in the design idea and execution of the work that showcases the valueof making long-lasting investments in public spaces,” the jury said.
Highly commended projects included Wren House by Wolveridge Architects and Bethany Williamson Architecture; Melbourne Connect by Aspect Studios, Woods Bagot and Hayball; Burwood Brickworks Playspace by MDG Landscapes; and Long Reef Surf Club Public Domain by Tyrell Studio.
New Entrant Award – category winner
The Rox – Core Collective Architects

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The Rox by Core Collective Architects. Image:

Adam Gibson

The residential development comprises 13 apartments and a ground floor commercial space. The project involved a careful restoration of the historic Scotch College at the rear of RoxburghHouse to accommodate two new apartments. The design team drew on nearby buildings to inform the architectural expression.
The jury applauded the design team for making a sophisticated statement about brick.
“It’s simple, elegant and fits snugly in its urban context. Brickwork has been used to great effect in this cleverly conceived design solution that frames the street. The scale, colour and masonry materials are respectful of the surrounds and humanising. The sense of invitation engendered in the construction is reinforced by the carefully considered brick selections.”
Residence 264 by Enzo Carosco Architecture; Thyne House by X Squared Architects and Robert Carroll and Associates; Millard Place Terraces Glebe by WMK Architecture; and St Margarets Sports Precinct by Blight Rayner Architecture each earned a high commendation. More

Researchers have launched a second-round survey looking into the mental wellbeing of architecture students in Australia. The first survey conducted in 2021 which found that students who responded to the survey were “worryingly poor,” with high levels of exhaustion, moderate level of psychological distress, and two-thirds of respondents perceived their studies had an overall negative […] More

Coffs Harbour City Council has opened its $82 million new cultural and civic space – Yarrila Place – designed by BVN.
“Yarrila” in Gumbaynggirr means “illuminate / brighten / light up / illustrate,” and it expresses an ambition: that the region will have a bright future.
The project was built with the advice of the Yandaarra Aboriginal Advisory Committee.
Design influences for the building include the natural environment, such as the mountain range to the west and the harbour to the east.
“The range defines the skyline and a sense of enclosure, diversity and surprise throughout the LGA. The Harbour is a clear idea of welcome, shelter, protection and safety,” BVN said in early concept diagrams.

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A skylight draws natural light into the atrium. Artwork: ‘Let them feel the light’ by Emma Coulter. Image:

Martin Siegner

The building’s form has also been shaped by a giant fig tree in the rear laneway. “The fig tree provides a recognizable anchoring point in the building. It is visible from Gordon Street, Riding Lane and the various spaces of the building. It stimulates the understanding of how to navigate the building, constantly reminding a visitor of where they are and where the heart of the project is,” BVN said.
“The fig tree provides the opportunity to create a unique meaningful place. Combined with the cultural importance of fire and the ability to experience a special place over multiple levels.”
The curvature of the rear facade is sculpted around the canopy of the fig tree, which is also then repeated on the front facade.
A pinch in the front elevation also defines the entrance to the internal open-air atrium that runs through the building in a continuous track, which takes visitors to a public space on level three and a rooftop terrace.

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The atrium connects visitors to all levels of the building. Image:

Martin Siegner

The atrium bisects the building: to the north-east, a new three-level library includes dedicated areas for children, young adults, local history and private study. A multipurpose space sits above the library.
On the south-west side of the internal atrium is Yarrila Arts and Museum, located on the ground floor beneath a co-working space and council administration facilities.
“This is a facility that will be here for generations. It will be a place of learning, it will be a place of lifting up culture and local artists but it also will be a meeting place,” said prime minister Anthony Albanese, who attended the opening ceremony amid the Voice to Parliament campaign.
BVN principal Matthew Blair, who grew up in Coffs Harbour, said the place “will evolve over time, and is imbued with a philosophy of open-minded welcome, creative collaboration and community optimism.” More