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Sydney practice Chrofi has won a design competition for two significant buildings on the Parramatta riverfront: a 52-storey mixed-use tower and an eight-storey commercial building. The eight-storey commercial building will be built from mass engineered timber, with the mass timber structure reading as “the defining architectural statement of the building, bringing a warmth and natural […] More
The Australian Tapestry Workshop has revealed the finalists of the 2023 Tapestry Design Prize for Architects. The prize invites architects from around the world to design a tapestry for a hypothetical site, which this year is the Bundanon Art Museum by Kerstin Thompson Architects. The finalists are: Bundanon Tapestry – HeliotopeCounterpoint – Adjacency StudioFata Morgana […] More
The $146 million redevelopment of the Hellenic Club of Canberra has been approved by the ACT’s Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate. Designed by Fender Katsalidis and Oculus, the project will see a 12- and a 16-storey office building constructed on the site of the existing club in the town centre of Woden. The existing […] More
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
