Subterms
John Forrest National Park in the hills east of Perth is set to undergo a $17 million transformation to improve access and create a new park centre. The park is the first designated national park in Western Australia and the second in the country after Royal National Park in New South Wales. The project, designed […] More
The University of Tasmania has opened a new $45.5 million teaching and learning building at its Inveresk campus in Launceston.
The River’s Edge building, designed by Wardle, is the second major new building at the campus, following the completion of the library in 2022.
The four-storey facility accommodates students and staff from the humanities, social sciences, law and education disciplines.
Overlooking the lakekeller (North Esk River), the building has been designed to prioritize views to the river and distant mountain tops.
The facade’s saw-tooth geometry, inspired by the roofscapes of the surrounding industrial buildings, frames views to both natural landscapes.
“The flipped sawtooth design offers staff and students myriad spaces to access light and views,” said John Wardle, founding partner of Wardle. “Each iteration of the sawtooth section is slightly wider than the one preceding it – allowing more of the view as you move closer to the river.”
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River’s Edge building at the University of Tasmania by Wardle. Image:
Courtesy Wardle
The interior of the building features a large atrium with a series of brick pods on the ground floor that house a range of collaborative teaching and student support programs. Large timber light wells echo the shape of the brick pods above.
The building features extensive use of Tasmanian timber throughout, which is one of the measures used to help it achieve a 32.5 percent reduction in embodied carbon, compared with similar projects. Other measures include using passive solar principles, recycled gas pipes used for foundation piles, and low-carbon concrete.
The building is also home to Riawunna Centre for Aboriginal Education, which includes a cultural garden that connects to Country and features native plants. The design of the centre explores how riawunna (circle) could be embedded in the design during engagement with Aboriginal communities. It also features elements designed in collaboration with local Indigenous artists.
“Wardle Architects, Fairbrother’s many fine craftspeople and all the trades who worked on this build have created a truly great piece of architecture,” said University of Tasmania vice-chancellor Rufus Black. “It is a truly beautiful place for students, staff and the community alike. It is celebration of so much that makes Launceston one of the world’s great regional cities.”
River’s Edge is one of six projects at the University of Tasmania’s $304 million transformation of the Launceston campus. Other projects include the refurbishment of two buildings (the Stone Building and Architecture Building, designed by BVN and Xsquared Architects), the urban realm designed by Realm Studios, and the Library and Shed (Willis Street Building), both by Wardle. More
The Western Australian Planning Commission has approved the state’s first and only purpose-built children’s hospice facility, designed by Hassell. The facility will provide round-the-clock care for children with life-limiting conditions. The project will be built on the site of the former Swanbourne Bowling Club. It will house seven beds, some with adjoining family suites, as […] More
The Northern Territory government has unveiled concept designs for the proposed National Aboriginal Art Gallery in Mparntwe (Alice Springs), to be built at the Anzac Oval and former Anzac High School site.
In March 2022, the territory government appointed BVN and Susan Dugdale and Associates to design the gallery. Dedicated to the display, celebration and interpretation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, it will not be a collecting institution.
The design has been co-created with the local Arrernte community as well as First Nations peoples from across Australia through the National Reference Group, which comprises 11 members, nine of whom identify as First Nations and three as Traditional Owners of the local estate group of Mparntwe.
Franchesca Cubillo, co-chair of the National Aboriginal Art Gallery Reference Group, said, “This remarkable gallery shines a spotlight on the beauty, power and importance of Aboriginal art and provides a unique space in which to preserve First Nations peoples’ storytelling and share their timeless stories through art and culture.
“I’m proud to see the gallery come to life, a visual masterpiece that will strengthen the public recognition of Aboriginal art and pay tribute to the valuable contribution it has made in shaping our cultural identity.”
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The proposed National Aboriginal Art Gallery by BVN and Susan Dugdale and Associates. Image:
Northern Territory Government
The design includes a cultural welcoming circle, a top-floor event space with views over Mparntwe, healing gardens, a ground-floor cafe, a four-storey atrium and Kwatye (water) Play, and expansive public spaces.
“The gallery overlooks the picturesque Lhere Mparntwe (Todd River) and its design embodies a profound connection to Country,” said Northern Territory arts, culture and heritage minister Chansey Paech.
“[It] will stand as an iconic architectural statement driving tourism, enhancing liveability, and providing social and economic benefits, creating a lasting positive impact.”
First Nations-led and governed, the gallery will create opportunities for participation in arts programs, events and festivals.
The territory government has contributed $69 million to the project and the federal government will chip in $80 million.
Construction is forecast to begin in late 2027 and the gallery is anticipated to open in early 2028. More
A brutalist office building in Melbourne’s western suburbs will be recast as Australia’s most sustainable heritage-listed building in a design competition launched by the Living Future Institute of Australia (LFIA), in partnership with Development Victoria. Architects, designers and students are invited to enter the Illuminate Living Building Challenge Design Competition, which seeks design ideas to […] More
Swinburne University of Technology has appointed Kosloff Architecture to design a 24-hour “Latelab” and student hub for its Hawthorn campus in Melbourne’s east.
The project will refurbish an existing building at 27 John Street, opposite the campus library, and increase the capacity of the student hub by 20 percent.
It will create four levels of dedicated student spaces with kitchen, dining and lounge facilities, project rooms and group working spaces.
“We believe it has the potential to be a catalyst for the campus community by transforming the experience of students for many years to come,” said Stephanie Bullock, director of Kosloff Architecture.
The vision for the project has been developed with the student community. The university held a design workshop in May 2023.
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The proposed Swinburne Latelab to be designed by Kosloff Architecture. Image:
Courtesy Swinburne University
“A project like this also represents a unique opportunity to involve students in the design of spaces they will occupy, and we have already started an extensive consultation process with both students and staff,” Bullock continued.
The project will help the university advance its sustainability goals. “This project will be an adaptive re-use of the existing building, featuring sustainable design that reduces negative impacts on the environment and promotes the health and comfort of our students in a way that improves building performance and amenity,” said Swinburne chief operating officer Nancy Collins.
The new student hub is part of the university’s Next Gen Campus development project, which also includes a campus heart, Indigenous learning circles, VET (vocational education and training) teaching spaces, and a digital prototyping and fabrication lab.
The design and business case for the student hub will be presented to the university’s governing body in late-2023. The project is expected to be complete in 2025.
“Providing modern and innovative spaces to study, interact and relax on campus are vital to the Next Gen Campus we’re building here at Swinburne,” said deputy vice-chancellor Pip Pattison.
“These are the spaces where our students will make lasting memories and form lifelong connections as they create and innovate for the future, now.” More
Group GSA has won a design excellence competition for a student housing complex in Newcastle’s West End.
The project will be the first purpose-built student accommodation building in the city centre.
The 560-bed, 21-storey building will rise from the existing heritage-listed Cambridge Hotel at 789 Hunter Street.
The design is conceived as a trio of slender towers above a brick-faced podium with a large atrium in the centre.
“Each tower has been designed with its own distinctive architectural expression, responding to Country, to urban context and to orientation,” said Group GSA principal Alister Eden.
“In a nod to the site’s much-loved music past, we’ve nicknamed the buildings as a ‘band’ of towers, and affectionately named them the ‘singer,’ the ‘drummer’ and the ‘guitarist’ – with the singer naturally being the loud one at the front,” Eden continued.
The main (“singer”) tower’s facade is inspired by local history and discussions with Indigenous artist Warwick Keen.
“The facade’s shading devices on the main tower make reference to the ancient tree carvings that were once prominent in the region and [that are] a recognized tradition of local Kamilaroi peoples,” Eden said.
The central atrium will be densely planted, with a roof garden on top of the podium.
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The proposed student housing complex at 789 Hunter Street in Newcastle by Group GSA. Image:
Courtesy Group GSA
“Every room is naturally cross-ventilated, making it one of few student accommodation buildings in Australia to achieve this,” Eden said.
“Students will have daily engagement with a green garden that’s rising up through their building, providing health and wellness benefits as they set about their day.”
The facade of the existing hotel will be incorporated into the podium of the proposed development, while the hotel bar’s original Art Deco ceiling will be repurposed into a new restaurant on the site. The upper floors will be adapted into student rooms.
The proposal also includes a new plaza and amphitheatre on Denison street to act as an informal performance space, reflecting the history of live music on the site. More
The Victorian government has unveiled the design of a $293-million convention and exhibition centre in Geelong.
The government appointed a consortium led by Plenary Conventions to deliver the project, which is set to transform a 1.6-hectare site on the Geelong waterfront, currently occupied by a car park. The consortium includes Woods Bagot, Built, BGIS and Quintessential Equity.
The project will comprise a 1000-seat venue, two large exhibition spaces, meeting rooms, convention facilities, event spaces, retail and hospitality spaces, a 200-room hotel, and a large public plaza on the waterfront.
The design team will consult the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation on a design narrative informed by the stories and songlines of the Wadawurrung people.
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The proposed Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre designed by Woods Bagot. Image:
Courtesy Woods Bagot
A spokesperson for Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation said, “The Western beach cliffs and overlook hold cultural significance to the Wadawurrung People due to our cultural and spiritual values in this locality, and of this Dja (Country) and Warre (seas).”
The building is to be made using ceramic glazed tiles that reflect the tonality and texture of the bay.
“The Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre will be a space that inspires curiosity for Geelong’s rich cultural heritage, and an opportunity to promote the broader Bellarine Peninsula and what it has to offer,” said Woods Bagot principal Bruno Mendes. “It is intended to embrace its waterfront context, oriented towards Corayo (Corio Bay) and the Wurdi Youang (You Yangs) … The centre will build on Geelong’s legacy as a UNESCO City of Design, and will serve and enrich the community for generations to come.”
Preliminary site works have begun, with the convention centre and hotel expected to be complete in 2026.
The project is the centrepiece of the $500-million Geelong City Deal. The Australian government is contributing $30 million to the project, with $260 million coming from the Victorian government and $3 million from City of Greater Geelong. More
