Architecture

The $44 million revitalization of Sydney’s Haymarket precinct, including Chinatown on Dixon Street, has been given the green light, following a unanimous decision by City of Sydney council members.
Concept plans designed by Aspect Studios, with Sibling Architecture, Electrolight, and Studio Yu and Mei, were released in October 2023.
The enlivened Chinatown will feature an ever-changing light canopy, new public seating, paving inserts with inlaid traditional Chinese symbols, and the planting of additional trees to increase access to shade.
The design team has made a conscious effort to be sympathetic to the already existing heritage and character of Chinatown through the preservation of the cherished Chinatown Ceremonial Gates, as well as several mature fig trees.
The project involved one of the largest multilingual consultations in the history of the City of Sydney, with more than 1,150 residents, businesses and community members taking part in discussion over the early plans and 350 responses to the public exhibition. Consultations revealed a desire for a hub that is diverse, friendly, safe, easily navigable, has a wider variety of dining experiences, and is respectful of culture.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the community warmly welcomed the plan’s expanded space for pedestrians and sitting and dining outdoors, as well as the creative lighting, support for business and celebration of culture.
“Haymarket is one of Sydney’s most iconic urban villages and has long been recognized as a focal point for Asian food, cultures, and communities both locally and internationally. But the last few years have been incredibly challenging for the area,” Moore said.
“This is a perfect time for a new overarching plan for the area, and our communities have enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to work with us to celebrate the important precinct’s past and help safeguard its future.”
As part of the project, a series of works have been proposed to enhance the surrounding areas, including a reconfiguration of Sussex Street to encourage walking and cycling, streetscape improvements to Thai Town, revamp of Belmore Park, as well as public domain upgrades at Harbour, Goulburn, Ultimo, Quay and Hay Streets.
“Our plans include a long-term upgrade of public space, with more trees, seats, lighting and integrated public art, as well as a proposed review of planning controls to support vibrant building signage and renewal of smaller buildings as a point of difference from the city centre,” Moore said.
“The community told us clearly that our first priority should be the heart of Chinatown, Dixon Street, so that work is already underway, and we will be restoring the iconic Ceremonial Gates next year.”
Since 2010, the Haymarket area has undergone a significant transformation through projects such as the $43.5 million pedestrianization of George Street south, new public space at Thomas Street, as well as upgrades to local streets such as Kimber Lane.
“The new plans take this work to another level while continuing our focus on bringing together different cultural groups to celebrate the area’s heritage, history and features,” Moore said. “The City of Sydney will invest millions of dollars over the next ten years to upgrade Goulburn, Sussex, Harbour, Quay and Thomas streets, to complete public domain improvements and reinstate light catenaries on Dixon Street, and upgrade Belmore Park.” More

Curtin University has appointed professor SueAnne Ware as its new Head of School of Design and the Built Environment in the Faculty of Humanities. She is currently head of school and dean of built environment at University of Newcastle. Ware has a degree in landscape architecture from Colorado State University, a PhD from RMIT University, […] More

A development application has been submitted for an integrated health, education and research precinct in Camperdown called the Sydney Biomedical Accelerator (SBA), designed by Denton Corker Marshall and HDR, in collaboration with Arcadia Landscape Architecture and Aileen Sage.
The proposed complex would be located on a vacant site at the corner of Western Avenue and Cadigal Lane in Camperdown, with the precinct comprising two wings, one named the Isaac Wakil Biomedical Building (IWBB), and the other called Building B.
According to planning documents, the IWBB wing would be sited at the University of Sydney’s Camperdown campus. The proposal states the wing would span across eight floors, with designated spaces for wet lab research, dry research, anatomical teaching, clinical research, as well as workstations. The IWBB will connect to the existing Susan Wakil Health Building (SWHB) to the north of the proposed site.
Plans show the proposed location for Building B is within the Royal Prince Alfred (RPA) Hospital site, on the boundary of the university’s Camperdown campus. Building B would primarily house specialist laboraties, along with a dry research space and biobank facility.

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View from Gloucester House Courtyard and the two pedestrian bridge links. Image:

Denton Corker Marshall

Both wings would be linked by an angled glass sheet dubbed the ‘Connector’ on the northern facade of the SBA complex. The Connector is “a dynamic 8 storey volume,” which contains “three glass lifts located in the centre of the space, the lobby to two passenger lifts in Building B, atrium voids containing two sets of cascading open interconnecting stairs… and a series of bridge links.”
Pedestrian bridges have been proposed between level three of Building B and the RPA Hospital, and between Building B and Gloucester House, to provide greater opportunities for cross discipline interaction and collaboration between the university and hospital. The glazed links will provide visual access to the activity occuring inside the bridge, while also providing new vantage points to overlook the Gloucester House courtyard.
The design team have ensured SBA’s facade is complementary to the surrounding context, including Gloucester House to the west and the Susan Wakil Health Building (SWHB) to the north. Plans state “the massing, materiality and fenestration of the SBA podium reflects Gloucester House, and its principal massing reflects SWHB with the solid podium base and floating development above, behind a lighter, shaded curtain wall facade.”
Passive design elements such as orientation, internal layout and facade shading have been incorporated to ensure the complex is well equipped to endure future weather conditions.
According to plans, the SBA would provide “increased tertiary education opportunities, the generation of new jobs and will foster research and innovation,” as well as “foster scientific innovation and collaboration, with the potential to deliver catalytic and transformational medical research outcomes, which will benefit the wider population of New South Wales and beyond.”
Denton Corker Marshall and HDR won a design competition for the project in 2022. The plans have been updated in line with recommendations presented at four Design Integrity Panel (DIP) meetings.
The application, which is now on exhibit, was submitted by the University of Sydney, in collaboration with the NSW Government (NSW Health), and the Sydney Local Health District. More

The Australian Institute of Architects has urged the Australian government to follow in the footsteps of the 27 nations, who, at the 2023 international climate forum, committed to supporting a new initiative focused on decarbonizing the built environment, called ‘Buildings Breakthrough.’
World leaders have gathered in Dubai to discuss global strategies for tackling climate change at the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), taking place between 30 November and 12 December.
During the conference, two new initiatives were unveiled – the “Buildings Breakthrough” and the “Concrete and Cement Breakthrough,” both of which have an objective of reducing the carbon footprint of the building and construction sectors.
Twenty-seven nations have pledged their support for the Buildings Breakthrough, which aims to have near-zero and resilient buildings as the standard by 2030. Australia is not currently among the supporting nations. The Concrete and Cement Breakthrough also set the objective of achieving near-zero cement emissions by 2030.
According to information presented at COP28, building and construction industries account for nearly 40 percent of global energy-related carbon emissions, 50 percent of extracted materials, and one-third of global waste.
Institute national president Stuart Tanner called on the Australian Government to join the global battle, which could support sustainable decarbonization of the industry.
“The launch of these frameworks is a vital step to the transformation of the built environment through coordinated responses from national governments and international cooperation,” he said. “As one of the most urbanized nations in the world, cities are critical to Australia’s decarbonization journey. Australia should step up and accelerate the net-zero transition of our built environment.”
This year, COP28 featured a dedicated day for the built environment. Other declarations at the conference included a commitment from Australia to reduce the use of energy for cooling through the Global Cooling Pledge – an announcement that the Institute welcomed.
The Institute said it will continue to advocate for urgent climate action through partnerships with other industry bodies including the Green Building Council of Australia and ASBEC to develop practical solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, minimize waste and create a more sustainable future. The Institute is currently pushing for a national climate and energy plan to support global efforts in limiting temperature increases to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, as well as a new national policy for the built environment to expand the scope of the National Construction Code. More

The Western Parkland Authority in Sydney has revealed the winning design for the proposed Central Park in Bradfield City Centre – “Australia’s newest city” under construction in Western Sydney near the proposed Nancy-Bird Walton airport.
The Central Park will be the “jewel in the crown” for Bradfield City Centre – a key arrival point for the development, and an important arts and culture hub.
The winning scheme is designed by a team led by Aspect Studios with architects Collins and Turner, cultural consultant and Baramadagal woman of Dharug Country Jayne Christian, curatorial collaborator Emily McDaniel from the Wiradjuri Nation, artist Janet Laurence, structural engineers Eckersley O’Callaghan and lighting designer Steensen Varming.
Covering two hectares, the park will have 55 percent tree canopy coverage and is designed with Country.
“Bradfield Central Park is an opportunity to honour Country, celebrate the importance of old and new knowledge… not just for today but with consideration of the next seven generations.” said Aspect Studios.
The defining feature of the the design is a Sky Ring, an oval structure that will frame Big Sky Country. The Sky Ring will be surround by woodland. The park will also have a series of spaces including wetlands, a circular gathering green and a collection of woven shelters that will also provide ongoing artistic opportunities for Dharug creatives.

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Winning competition scheme for Bradfield Central Park by an Aspect Studios-led design team. Image:

Western Sydney Parkland Authority

The competition jury comprised James Corner (New York City’s High Line landscape architect), Abbie Galvin (NSW government architect), Kate Lucraft (Fluminis Design Advisory Services), Libby Gallagher (Gallagher Studio) and Clarence Slockee (Jiwah, and presenter on Gardening Australia).
“I think it balanced sort of the need to be an urban park and the understanding of its surroundings and its context, with the connection to Country and the sort of response to the Cumberland Plain,” said juror and New South Wales government architect Abbie Galvin.
Construction is expected to begin in 2026 and will open in time for the Metro and Western Sydney International Airport. More

A new luxury apartment living complex in Perth’s historical hub, designed by SS Chang, has been completed at 238 Adelaide Terrace. The 31-storey apartment complex, named AT238, houses 119 residences, as well as an indoor and outdoor gym, a steam room, 20 metre swimming pool, rooftop lounge and cinema, dog play area and dog wash, […] More

Australian playground suppliers For Park, Rhino Play, Play Works, and Play On have come together to launch a new network called the Play Collective (Play Co). The new network will provide architects and designers with access to industry experts in custom play equipment for local government, education, commercial venues and landscape design projects. The collective […] More

What would you expect from the personal home of an architectural great? Polished refinement, grandeur, a perfect floor plan? You won’t find these at the Aalto House. This is not the work of a senior starchitect, but rather the creation of two enthusiastic young Finnish designers, Alvar and Aino Aalto, who were keen to test their beliefs within the constraints of early-career means.
At this cosy residence in the Helsinki suburb of Munkkiniemi, you’ll find occasional curtains in place of doors, quirkily scaled stairs that test the possibilities of brick and timber dimensions, and custom-made joinery (much of which was added years later, a pattern many on a budget will sympathize with). But you’ll also find some passion projects – including a lifelong obsession with custom-made door handles, furniture and lights – designed for both human ergonomics and delight. This was Aino and Alvar’s home and office; a place for living, working and learning-by-doing. The building is resoundingly warm and tactile, with exposed natural timber, brick and textiles celebrated against areas of white. Even the white surfaces express the subtle materiality of timber panelling, bagged brick or expressed ceiling sheet joints. The home was clearly designed with the satisfaction of the human senses and psyche in mind.

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Maija Holma, courtesy of the Alvar Aalto Foundation

When I visited, I noticed the walls had a woven texture and realized it was simply fabric, held up by a few timber battens and nails. As a younger designer – almost exactly the same age as Alvar was when this home was built – I often struggle with how to achieve warmth and texture in a home on a plasterboard budget. Discovering details such as these long-lasting, textile-covered walls felt almost like receiving a secret wink from the Aaltos. I was both charmed and relieved by the details that don’t quite work, the things that are misaligned or look like an afterthought. The building seemed to say to me: “Hold on to the big ideas passionately and explore enthusiastically, and leave the rest to the delight of the imperfect.”
Alvar Aalto would have been 125 in 2023. This milestone underscores how ahead of its time the home and office were. With its generous connection to nature and light, and suggestions of a floor plan starting to open up, the design applies an International Style to a site-specific context. Looking at the Aalto House’s textural collage of box forms facing the street, I smirked, thinking of the many project homes of today that are still (poorly) aspiring to re-create the same ideas as this almost-90-year-old home and studio.
You should always jump at the chance to visit an architect’s own home. But don’t expect glitz and glamour; few architects prioritize this. Go instead to see a built time capsule of how they believe life can – and should – be lived.

Sarah Lebner is one of five winners of the 2023 Australian Institute of Architects’ Dulux Study Tour, which travelled to Helsinki, Lisbon, Vals, Zürich and Venice.
alvaraalto.fi/en More