While many of us have certainly been slow out of the blocks in terms of getting back into the swing of things, the built environment news cycle has done the complete opposite. From calls for smaller housing to the reopening of some iconic venues, a stack of approvals and the lingering threat of war, it’s certainly been a whirlwind month.
Here, we recount the top 10 best stories for January from us here at Architecture & Design. Shall we then?
Cockle Bay Park: Sydney’s latest city shaping project
In the works for the past ten years, the Cockle Bay Park project will revitalise a 73,000sqm stretch of land that will give the entirety of the Darling Harbour precinct to the Sydney CBD back to the public.
Henning Larsen was awarded the contract for the project after a worldwide design competition in 2020, with Architectus successful in bidding for the local role within the project. We spoke with Architectus Principal Colin Odbert and Henning Larsen Design Director Viggo Haremst as to why Cockle Bay Park shapes up as a pivotal development for Sydneysiders.
Read the article in full here.
Snøhetta+Hassell to lead design of Mirvac’s proposed $2B Harbourside redevelopment
Following an international design excellence competition to select the architects for Mirvac’s proposed redevelopment of Sydney’s Harbourside precinct, the jury composed of influential urban design experts ultimately chose a team of architects from Snøhetta and Hassell Studio to lead the design. The appointment of Snøhetta+Hassell marks an important step forward in Mirvac’s plans to transform Harbourside, Darling Harbour into a new, world class destination for Sydney.
Find out more here.
Architecture on the blockchain? It’s a reality thanks to these Aussie entrepreneurs
In a world first, a group of Australian entrepreneurs launched the world’s first architecture and design community on the blockchain, titled State of Address (S-of-A) earlier this month. The community uses non-fungible tokens (NFTs) to turn products of architecture and design into investable assets that are unique, scarce, and transferable. These assets can be on-sold, allowing investors to make long term gains from the assets.
The community aims to democratise architectural designs and ensure affordability for the end consumer, as well as unlocking immense market potential for architects and designers alike. Given the current buzz surrounding the NFT community, S-of-A will immensely benefit the professionals of the built environment.
Read up here.
New AIA President calls for smaller houses in the wake of climate crisis
In an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald earlier this month, the Australian Institute of Architects’ incoming President Shannon Battisson believes it's time Australians look towards building smaller homes, in a bid to drive down carbon emissions. Battisson describes the family home floorspace average of 229 square metres as excessive, and says its time to build ‘just enough’.
“Even with the most efficient house, the bigger it is, the more energy it uses. There is really something to be said for designing only the amount of house you need. And that’s something Australians are not good at doing.”
Find out more about Battisson’s sentiments here.
Theatre Royal Sydney opens its doors following Scott Carver refresh
Scott Carver certainly had something to celebrate over the Christmas break, with the practice officially completing the restoration of one of Australia’s oldest theatrical institutions, the Theatre Royal Sydney.
Undergoing a major interior refurbishment of the 1,200-seat venue, the restoration process began in March 2016 in conjunction with the redevelopment of the MLC Centre. The interior redesign devised by the practice both acknowledges the Theatre Royal’s rich architectural past and transforms the experience to meet current and future expectations of patrons and modern production requirements.
Read the full story and see the restoration in all its glory here.
Weatherboards: Top 10 best cladding ideas
What are the benefits of weatherboard cladding? How difficult is it to install?
All your questions are answered here, with a comprehensive list of weatherboard cladding styles and materials to inspire your next project.
Read the piece here.
Wet season brings about welcome time to rethink bushfire plans
Given La Niña’s effect on the Australian climate, we’ve been given a reprieve in some sense in regards to bushfire season. A group of researchers from the UNSW believe that it is an opportune time to rethink Australia’s bushfire strategies and to prepare properly for the impending bushfire seasons of the future.
The research quartet believe thoughtful planning and investment to be imperative, with the knowledge gained from the government inquiries must be used to implement funding to support bushfire management, research and innovation, as well as investment into community-led solutions and involvement in bushfire planning and operations.
Find out more about their findings and ideas here.
War & Architecture: How can we best prepare the built environment for when the bombs drop?
With nearly 100,000 Russian troops situated on the Ukrainian border, it seems as if war in Europe is imminent for the first time in decades. While it may not necessarily be fought on the front lines, heavy artillery and cyber attacks can easily cripple each nation, and weaken their infrastructure, both virtual and physical.
When war strikes, damage follows. Structural damage. Societal damage. Cultural damage. Century-old buildings and institutions can be levelled with a few artillery shells, and with it dies the history and heritage of many cities’ cultural icons. While architects aren’t typically involved in the immediate responses to disaster, attention eventually turns to the rebuild, or the restart.
Find out about how the built environment should prepare itself for a potential artillery assault here.
Remembering Richard Rogers
Richard Rogers, one of the world’s most celebrated architects, sadly passed away at the age of 88 in December 2021. The architect leaves behind a legacy few will be able to emulate, with his building design and city masterplanning skills renowned worldwide.
Rogers was a practising architect for more than 60 years, completing a suite of highly influential projects in that timeframe.
Read more about the architecture luminary here.
Design Plus: Linking Design to Current Affairs: Australia Day at Old Sydney Town
Australia Day filled the media this week. Indigenous protests on ‘Invasion Day’ have now convinced a majority of young people that the date should be changed. Counterintuitively, Indigenous man Wesley Enoch argues that it should be retained because its controversy is helping us understand our history.
Old Sydney Town was created through extensive research by a team at UNSW. The town became a tourist attraction for visitors from far and wide. Tone Wheeler explores why we should retain Australia Day, but as a day to celebrate the first peoples, and what they have then and now.
Read all about it here.
