Subterms
Roche Bobois have opened their first and only Australian store in Roseville, Sydney, just in time to showcase their latest collection. The Paris-based furniture brand’s new designs take advantage of the shift in seasons, reinventing lines and curves while introducing new materials and bold colours. A statement piece in the collection is the Bubble sofa, […] More
Renowned architect, designer, and art director Piero Lissoni will celebrate Space Furniture’s 30th birthday, with a special visit to Australia in October 2023.
Lissoni will tour Space Furniture showrooms in Melbourne, Sydney, and Singapore from Monday, 16 October until Friday, 20 October, and will be the guest of honour at several events, including dinners, parties, talks and interviews.
View gallery
Renowned architect, designer, and art director Piero Lissoni will celebrate Space Furniture’s 30th birthday, with a special visit to Australia this October. Image:
Courtesy of Space Furniture.
Since the establishment of its first showroom in Sydney in 1993, Space has been a leader in design retailing in Australia, offering a wide range of brands including B and B Italia, Maxalto, Arflex, Edra, Kartell, Moooi and SP01. Now in its 30th year, they are an internationally recognized brand with five purpose-built, architecturally designed showrooms in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore and an international team that comprises in-house designers, delivery crews, and corporate staff.
Their objective over the past 30 years has been to share design knowledge within the industry and with admirers of design – a philosophy, which has led Space to participate in innovative industry events, host talks with internationally celebrated designers, publish More Space magazine and establish the coveted Space Plus Design Residency prize that has supported several notable Australian designers with career development.
Space will invite members of their team, designers, media professionals and VIP clients to join in the week-long birthday festivities, providing an opportunity to reflect on the past 30 years. More
The Western Australian government has postponed the gazettal of the medium-density housing code in a move that attempts to address ongoing challenges in the housing construction market and the shortage of affordable housing options.
Based on more than three years of research, the policy sought to facilitate the design of appropriately sized homes that suit the context of the land, as well as deliver better outcomes in the design of living spaces and for the sustainability and efficiency of new homes.
In February 2023, former planning minister Rita Saffioti released the planning policy to guide medium-density development across the state, saying the introduction of such a policy would support infill development, masterplanned communities and Metronet station precincts, as well as deliver various benefits, such as improved tree canopy, greater housing diversity, better design, orientation towards better energy efficiency, and enhanced neighbourhood amenities.
Western Australian planning minister John Carey has now announced the deferral of the policy, in a move that he says will keep housing construction costs down and provide more affordable options for Western Australians.
“I want to be clear, our government is acutely aware of the current heated housing construction market and cost escalations. In acknowledgement of this, we have deferred the gazettal of the medium density code to reduce any regulatory burdens,” he said.
“The medium density code has been progressing since 2019, and clearly the COVID-19 pandemic and post-COVID circumstances have radically reshaped and impacted housing and construction markets across the world.
“We have listened to feedback from stakeholders and the deferred gazettal will enable more time to consider amendments to the planned implementation approach. This will also further align with other States and Territories, who are considering planning changes to reduce the cost of delivery of housing across the nation.”
The State Planning Policy 7.3, which is a new addition to Western Australia’s R-Codes, was prepared to guide the development of medium-density housing across the state. The WA government will seek to rework the policy for the new provisions to be applicable to R50 and R60 coded development only. The R Codes Volume 1, along with the R-MD provisions, will continue to apply for R30 and R40 coded land. More
The recipient of the 2023 Minister’s Award for Urban Design in Queensland has been revealed along with the winners of two newly introduced subcategories, the Malcolm Middleton Award for Liveable Design and the Movement and Place Award.
Twenty-nine nominations were received across all categories, resulting in four innovative projects taking out top accolades and another six receiving commendations for their willingness to push the envelope when it comes to producing non-conventional architectural urban designs of the highest quality.
The juries were impressed by the diversity of projects submitted, ranging from social housing and student accommodation to city-shaping policies and fine-grain projects at the local level. They noted that each project was unique, but accessibility and adaptability were integral to all, demonstrating an increasing demand for better housing choices.
Minister’s Award for Urban Design
The Department of Education and BVN were announced as the winners of Queensland’s top urban design prize, for the design of the Brisbane South State Secondary College (BSSSC) vertical campus. Situated on a significant historical site once used by local First Nations people, the jury congratulated the design team for incorporating elements of rich local Indigenous heritage into the design, while simultaneously offering a contemporary and cutting-edge education facility. Designed in a skilful yet sympathetic way, the project was praised by the judges as being an “important benchmark in its quality, vision and clarity in an emerging typology of vertical campus design.”The judges commended three projects for their outstanding urban design: Logan Village Green Revitalization by Logan City Council, TLCC, Bligh Tanner, Fleetwood Urban, Convic and Dot Dash; the Fifth Lane Revitalization by Mackay Regional Council; and Student Central – The University of Queensland by Hassell and the University of Queensland. In addition, the jury also recognized Ipswich Central Revitaliation and Your Home and Living Guidelines by Moreton Bay Regional Council.
Malcolm Middleton Award for Outstanding Liveable Design
View gallery
Refresh Studio for Architecture along with the Department of Housing were the recipients of the 2023 Malcolm Middleton Award for their social housing project, Habitat on Juers. Image:
Image courtesy of Scott Burrows.
Refresh Studio for Architecture with the Department of Housing were the recipients of the 2023 Malcolm Middleton Award for their social housing project, Habitat on Juers.
The jury unanimously declared Habitat on Juers as the winning project, applauding the design team for demonstrating that small-scale social housing developments can comfortably co-exist within a neighbourhood of primarily free-standing suburban houses, without drawing too much attention. The jury deemed the housing complex a safe, secure, socially inclusive, and accessible place to live, with its offering of 16 accessible dwellings in gold, silver, and platinum levels and an average 8.5 NatHERS star rating. Impressed by the adaptable and versatile nature of the design, the jury said the project had the potential to be replicated across the entire housing market.
The Nobel Carter Architects received a commendation for their work on their project Middle House.
Movement and Place Award, in partnership with the Department of Transport and Main Roads
View gallery
Logan City Council, TLCC, Bligh Tanner, Fleetwood Urban, Convic and Dot Dash with Logan City Council, Epoca, Burchills and DotDash were announced joint winner of the 2023 Movement and Place Award, following their design of the Logan Village Green Revitalisation. Image:
Image Courtesy of Alexis Turner.
View gallery
Logan City Council, TLCC, Bligh Tanner, Fleetwood Urban, Convic and Dot Dash with Logan City Council, Epoca, Burchills and DotDash were announced joint winner of the 2023 Movement and Place Award, following their design of the Logan Village to Yarrabilba Rail Trail. Image:
Image courtesy of Logan City Council.
The Logan Village Green Revitalization and Logan Village to Yarrabilba Rail Trail jointly won the Movement and Place Award for connecting two independent communities through the transformation of an underutilized open space and an idle rail spur. The project team of Logan City Council, TLCC, Bligh Tanner, Fleetwood Urban, Convic and Dot Dash with Logan City Council, Epoca, Burchills and DotDash were praised for their collaborative, place-based approach to planning and addressing the emerging needs of both communities. The jury recognized the crucial and complementary role both projects play in delivering environmental, economic, and social benefits, as well as promoting an active and healthy lifestyle.
Vee Design, Bark Architects, Fourfold Studio with Harrison Infrastructure Group and SMEC with Western Downs Regional Council were commended for their efforts on the Miles CBD Streetscape as well as Toowoomba Regional Council for Russell Street Refresh.
Nominations for the 2024 Minister’s Awards for Urban Design, the Malcolm Middleton Award for Liveable Design and the Movement and Place Award will open in March 2024 and typically includes entries from the Australian Urban Design Awards held in the preceding year. More
Architectus and the Kangan Institute have released new design renders for a new Health and Community Centre of Excellence at the institute’s Broadmeadows campus in Melbourne’s north.
The centre will support courses in aged care, mental health, disability, pathology, allied health and early childhood education and care.
The building will house a multipurpose, immersive, virtual reality gallery that will simulate multiple-bed hospital and aged care environments, flexible learning spaces, and specialist health laboratories.
The building has been designed to connect with Broadmeadows Town Park to the south, and a joint landscaping approach will be developed for the seamless connection between the park and the campus.
View gallery
The proposed Health and Community Centre of Excellence at Kangan Institute in Broadmeadows by Architectus. Image:
Courtesy Architectus
“We’ve designed the new building with an open and inviting entry, creating ease of access to the building’s community-focused facilities,” said Architectus principal Ruth Wilson. “The highly transparent southern facade connects students to the neighbouring green landscape and showcases the unique learning activities occurring within the building, while the northern brick facade responds to Broadmeadows’ history, growing urban context and pays homage to Yuroke Creek.”
Kangan Institute CEO Sally Curtain added, “It’s a centre built with community for the community, ensuring locals have the opportunity to access state-of-the-art training facilities as they prepare for in-demand jobs of tomorrow.
“Through strong collaboration with industry and local partners, the Health and Community Centre of Excellence is designed to be a game changer for aspiring health and community workers in Melbourne’s north.”
The $60 million project is funded by the Victorian government. Construction began in March 2023, and the centre is expected to open in 2025. More
Australian architects and designers are invited to submit expressions of interest to design a new home for Western Sydney University’s Indigenous Centre of Excellence.
The new centre, to be located on Darug land at the Paramatta South campus, will serve as an important gathering place for the community to connect, learn from and celebrate the region’s Indigenous people.
The purpose-built facility will be accessible to everyone regardless of age, ability, or interests. Informal learning spaces will be incorporated into the design, providing opportunities for engagement, education and collaboration. Visitors will be able to explore the rich Indigenous culture and heritage of Western Sydney through arts, cultural collections, performances, talks and screenings.
Professor Michelle Trudgett, deputy vice-chancellor Indigenous leadership, said the facility will support the preservation of culture and history while also solidifying the university as a leader in Indigenous education, employment and research.
“This landmark building will serve many generations. Every aspect of the Indigenous Centre of Excellence will be informed by Indigenous knowledge and cultures. It will be one of the most prominent and impactful First Nations spaces in the world while being a place where the local community can come together and connect,” Trudgett said.
Vice-chancellor and president Professor Barney Glover AO said the Centre for Indigenous Excellence is a fundamental component of the university’s Indigenous Futures Decadal Strategy, 2023-2032.
“The building will be a beacon of education, Indigenous leadership and cultural exchange. We look forward to working with our Elders and Indigenous communities to create a truly transformational space where we can foster, develop and support the next generation of Indigenous leaders,” Glover said.
Registrations for stage one Expressions of Interest close on September 12, 2023. The winner will be announced before the end of this year after stage two of the design response is completed.
For more information about the national competition or to submit an Expression of Interest, visit Western Sydney University’s website. More
Plans to transform Brisbane’s former Taubmans paint factory into a fully integrated arts village have been set in motion after Montague Developments lodged a Change of Use application for the site.
The former paint manufacturing plant at 115 Hyde Road in Yeronga ceased operations in 2015 and later evolved into a temporary hub for local and international artists seeking space for their creative mediums. Now with the submission of a Change of Use application to Brisbane City Council, Montague Developments is seeking to re-zone the site from industrial to mixed-use zoning for the purpose of creating a consolidated, multi-purpose space for the arts community.
The application was prepared by Wolter Consulting with landscape architecture by Dunn and Moran and 3D visualization by Mode Design.
“They brought an incredible amount of experience in town planning, urban design, landscape architecture, placemaking, community engagement and development to this project,” development director Paul Hey said of the project team.
View gallery
Brisbane’s old Taubmans paint factory to become Australia’s first fully integrated arts village. Image:
Courtesy of the The Paint Factory.
The proposed redevelopment takes inspiration from other local and international re-imagined projects such as the Brisbane Powerhouse, Carriageworks in Sydney, the Abbotsford Convent in Melbourne, Alte-Spinnerei in Germany and Kanaal in Belgium, and goes beyond that vision by incorporating a residential element.
The precinct will house architecturally designed residences and communal zones alongside green spaces, street art and outdoor performance areas, providing creative professionals with facilities to run events or live and work alongside artists-in-residence and retail tenancies.
The Paint Factory development director Paul Hey said the first-of-its-kind Australian arts village would place Brisbane on the map as an innovative and unique place to visit.
View gallery
Brisbane’s old Taubmans paint factory to become Australia’s first fully integrated arts village. Image:
Courtesy of the The Paint Factory.
“We […] spent considerable time consulting with the local arts community across all mediums, as well as our neighbours and the extended national and international art scene, to ensure the project is perfect for this space.” Hey said.
“It was about hearing from them directly about what the site needs to be successful for years to come. More
The City of Parramatta has opened expressions of interest for the Riverside Theatres Redevelopment Design Competition.
The council invites Australian-led design teams, which may include international expertise, to register for a two-stage competition for a project that will catalyse the further transformation of the city’s cultural precinct, along with the under-construction Parramatta Powerhouse.
The $135 million redevelopment will double the capacity of the existing Riverside Theatres complex, with a 1,350–1,400-seat lyric theatre, a newly refurbished 760-seat Riverside playhouse theatre, a new 430-seat black-box drama theatre and a state-of-the-art 80–90-seat digital studio and cinema.
The City of Parramatta approved the business case for the redevelopment in Janurary 2023.
“The design competition process marks a significant step towards realising our vision of a world-class performing arts venue in Western Sydney as we transform the iconic Riverside Theatres into the anchor of a vibrant arts and cultural precinct,” said Parramatta lord mayor Sameer Pandey.
“The Riverside Theatres redevelopment will be a major piece of the growing Parramatta night-time economy, encouraging more to visit and take in some of the best stage shows in Australia.
“Through this transformative project, we envision creating a space that celebrates diversity, artistic brilliance, and the rich tapestry of our cultural heritage.”
Riverside Theatres director Craig McMaster added, “Our goal is to establish an all-new world-class arts and cultural centre that serves as a nurturing home for artists and performers, where they can thrive and connect with the community on a profound level.
“The new Riverside will also enable us to welcome the very best in mainstage musicals, theatre and concert productions from around the world to play here in the geographical heart of Sydney.
“As we embark on this exhilarating journey, the City of Parramatta is inviting the leaders in Australian and international creative architecture and design to join us in creating an enduring legacy that will inspire generations to come.”
A minimum of five eligible respondents will be shortlisted in September 2023 and invited to proceed to stage two of the competition. A winning scheme is expected to be selected in November 2023.
The jury comprises Abbie Galvin (New South Wales government architect and chair), Jefa Greenaway (director of Greenaway Architects), Craig McMaster (theatre director of Riverside Theatres), Kerry Clare (director of Clare Design) and Oi Choong (founding director of Context Landscape Design).
Works will begin on the redevelopment in 2024. Register for the competition the Riverside Theatres website. More
