Architecture

The library, the law court, the town hall, the city square, the memorial or the cemetery – historically, these were the hallmarks of civic design. But are they still the case?
Coming to Melbourne on 8 September, The Architecture Symposium: Acts of Generosity will seek to expand the boundaries of civic design, exploring projects that commit generous acts of design that go beyond the formal architectural brief.
“We are interested in projects that consciously contribute to the evolution of architecture and, more importantly, support the evolution of society,” said guest curators Amy Muir of Muir Architecture and Rachel Neeson, of Neeson Murcutt Neille.
“This symposium explores our industry’s responsibility to community through built outcomes – how has it changed and how can we further challenge the status quo?”

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James Loder will discuss Wardle’s work at UTAS Inveresk. Image:

Adam Gibson

One speaker will be 2023 Gold Medal winner Kerstin Thompson, who will discuss her practice’s sensitive design for the Jewish Holocaust Museum in Melbourne.
Also speaking on civic memory will be Mat Hinds of Taylor and Hinds and Rebecca Digney of the Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania, who will discuss a proposed truth-telling project at Wybalenna, an Aboriginal settlement established on Flinders Island in 1834, where hundreds of banished Tasmanian Aboriginal people died premature deaths under the “protection” of George Augustus Robinson.
James Loder of Wardle and Simone Bliss of SBLA Studio will discuss their practices’ respective university and TAFE revitalization projects, while Danielle Peck of Architecture Associates, Graham Crist of Antarctica Architects and Peter Stutchbury of Peter Stutchbury Architecture will present of “shared civic assets” – a library and a tourism centre.

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Danielle Peck of Architecture Associates and Graham Crist of Antarctica Architects will present Drysdale Library. Image:

Supplied by architects

Other speakers include Jocelyn Chiew, City of Melbourne (Dodds Street Linear Park, Vic); Bridget Smyth, City of Sydney (George Street pedestrianization, NSW); Kevin O’Brien, BVN (Yarrila Place, NSW); Nicholas Braun, Sibling Architecture (Darebin Intercultural Centre, Vic); Challis Smedley, Challis Smedley Architect on behalf of Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects (Bondi Pavilion, NSW); Aaron Peters, Vokes and Peters (Nambucca Heads Library Extension, NSW); Sonia van de Haar, Lymesmith (Parramatta activations, NSW); Annabel Lahz, Lahznimmo Architects (Mahon Pool Amenities, NSW); Ross Harding, Finding Infinity (A New Normal, Vic); and Emma Williamson, The Fulcrum Agency (Martu Community-Led Design).
The day will conclude with a panel discussion with co-curators Amy Muir and Rachel Neeson, Kat Rodwell (Balert Mura Consultancy), Carey Lyon (Lyons) and Philip Thalis (Hill Thalis Architecture and Urban Projects), moderated by Shelley Penn (Shelley Penn Architect).
For further information, and to buy tickets, head here­­.
The Architecture Symposium is a Design Speaks program organized by Architecture Media and supported by major partner Informed by Planned Cover, supporting partners Tasmanian Timber and Galvin Engineering, and hotel partner Ovolo South Yarra. More

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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

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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

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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