All posts by Reynaldo Pagsolingan

Aysu Kuru

The University of Sydney

Dr Aysu Kuru is an architectural designer, sustainable building engineer and lecturer in architecture and construction. She was awarded a PhD in Architectural Design and Science from the University of New South Wales on a thesis on climate adaptive building skins inspired by nature. She received First Prize and a People’s Choice Award for the presentation of her doctoral research. She was a postdoctoral researcher at the Cooperative Research Centre for Low Carbon Living, where she developed climate emergency performance targets and pathways for net zero operational carbon for the Australian building sector. She co-authored a climate emergency design guide and book based on this research. With her leadership as the Chair of the University of Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning Sustainability Team, the School declared a climate emergency with a commitment to developing a sustainability strategy and action plan.

Dr Aysu Kuru chairs and leads the University of Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning Sustainability Team which is formed by academic and professional staff members with a keen interest in sustainability.

Photography by Louise M Cooper

Estelle Roman

Fraser & Partners / Elenberg Fraser

From a young age growing up in France, Estelle would experiment with design by drawing plans of her bedroom and reimagining its potential. With a creative mind enveloped in spatial vision and problem-solving, a career in architecture was the perfect combination, at the junction between art and science. She is a passionate advocate for decarbonising the built environment and is driven to develop and inspire a better future. In pursuit of this mission, her work seeks to reconnect people with the natural environment. Estelle is a Certified Passivhaus Designer and brings valuable regenerative design intelligence to projects. Her insights enable the team and clients alike to think differently about the possibilities for the built environment. The recipient of several industry accolades, Estelle has worked in France, Chile and Australia across a raft of scales and typologies, experiences that have shaped her as a designer.

Estelle’s unwavering commitment to enhancing building performance and advocating for Passivhaus principles has significantly influenced decision-makers and stakeholders, prompting them to adopt more effective practices. Additionally, she advocates for the importance of reconnecting with nature for overall well-being. Through her involvement in various organisations and dedication to education and support, Estelle continues to make a positive impact within and beyond the building industry, promoting sustainability and fostering healthier environments for all.

Her ultimate objective is to design Australia’s inaugural large-scale Passivhaus high-res project and to have one project take on the Living Building Challenge. Estelle is committed to expanding her company’s portfolio by integrating many highly regenerative projects.

Photography by C6_Visualisation_@inplace.visual

Isabella Peppard Clark

DesignInc

Isabella is a registered Architect in Victoria (ARBV). She has a keen interest in sustainable design, specifically materials. Isabella graduated with a Master of Architecture from Monash University. Currently Isabella is implementing the Architects Declare Sustainability Action Plan framework at DesignInc Melbourne where she works as an Architect. In 2021, Isabella was a graduate juror on the AIA Sustainability Jury. Isabella is a volunteer for Architects Declare where she sits on the National Steering Committee. In 2022, she initiated and now leads the Materials working group, which has 20 architectural practices from around Australia. In 2023, she was invited to speak on a panel at Sydney Build. Isabella founded the non-profit Susty Spec and launched an Instagram account @sustyspec to educate architects on material lifecycle and embodied carbon. In 2023, she organised and ran an event at MPavilion about new sustainable building materials and experiments. In 2021-22, Isabella was lead tutor for the undergraduate core subject of Technologies and Environments at Monash University which specialises in environmentally sustainable design and structural engineering. In 2022, Isabella was one of four finalists for the coveted Green Building Council of Australia’s ‘Future Green Leader’ award. In 2022, she completed GreenStar Accredited Professional training.

Her initiation of and subsequent leadership within the group has resulted in a coming together of 20-30 practices to conduct in-kind research and produce resources. In our upcoming AGM I will be pitching the next 12 months for the Materials working group and plans to raise greater awareness and involvement across industry.

Photography: N/A

Jade Whittaker

Breathe Architecture

Jade, a passionate and ambitious interior designer, embodies forward-thinking values in her work and the industry. Having gained international experience, she joined the Breathe team in 2022 upon returning to Melbourne. Recognised as one of Australian Design Review’s top 30 under 30 interior and product designers, she has cultivated a multifaceted approach that prioritises socially and environmentally conscious design. Her diverse experience has deepened her understanding of creating spaces that seamlessly integrate sustainability, without compromising on craft, quality and aesthetics. Guided by her belief in the power of knowledge-sharing, connection and accountability, Jade is an advocate for amplifying sustainability within the interior design industry. Jade aspire’s to play a role in creating spaces that future generations will be proud of.

Jade’s exceptional leadership within the interior architecture profession shines through her commitment to knowledge sharing and advancing sustainable design practices. Recently recognised as one of Australian Design Review’s 30 Under 30 top designers, Jade left a lasting impression on the jury, who acknowledged that they had much to learn from her. Her unique perspective and dedication to advocating for greater responsibility within the interior design industry spark meaningful conversations and drive real impact. Jade’s advocacy work further highlights her leadership qualities.

Jade’s presence promises to be a catalyst for transformative change within interior architecture in Australia.

Photography by Spencer Mcdonald

Matt Delroy-Carr

MDC Architects

Matt Delroy-Carr founded his own architecture practice in 2018, to fulfil his aspiration to make sustainable architecture more affordable for more people. He and his team are especially keen to work with young couples and families, many of whom have been unfairly locked out of home ownership by rising property prices. Matt’s approach has always revolved around the importance of research and development – and its practical applications for design and construction – and his own family home is a strong example of how that ethos informs the practice. From a sustainability perspective, this is one of the most environmentally advanced homes in Australia; the first in WA and only the third nationally to achieve #TrueNetZero in construction.

Matt has pursued excellence across practice, research and education, using these various activities to inform each other, and resulting in tangible improvements to the built environment and planning policy in Western Australia. In all of his endeavours, Matt seeks to promote the value of sustainable and accessible architecture to a wider audience.
How has the candidate promoted architects in the community?

Matt and his young practice are well-placed to positively change the trajectory of the housing market in Perth. And his own house provides much-needed proof that a net-zero future is within our reach, and that it’s readily available to homeowners at every age and stage of their lives.

Photography by Lajos Varga

Aboriginal Housing Victoria

Breathe Architecture

This project is about housing First Nations people in safe, affordable and culturally sensitive homes. It’s about working through a participatory framework. And it’s about shifting the paradigm of affordable housing towards a culturally sensitive, sustainable place to call home. This project had a strong need to design for both Country and sustainability. The project sets high standards in minimising operational, embodied and behavioural carbon. An all-electric building with high efficiency fixtures and high performing thermal envelope (8.2 NatHERs) sets a new standard in affordable housing.

Photography by Andrew Wuttke

Dempsey Warehouse

Marra + Yeh Architects

Dempsey Warehouse is an experiment in alternative living which encapsulates the social ethos of its owners and stewards for the past 45+ years, instigated by the late Col James AM. The idea of and repurposing Dempsey into residential space was as simple as it was effective – to arrest the ever-expanding University of Sydney from gobbling up more of the Darlington neighbourhood and to provide an alternative form of housing to the stand-alone single-family dwelling Dempsey is located in the inner-city suburb of Darlington, named after the Darling Nursery established by Thomas Shepherd in the 1820’s. Shepherd’s nursery provided fruit trees to land owners and his active involvement in botanical and horticultural circles influenced the establishment of the Sydney Botanic Gardens. Darlington sits on Gadi land and in close proximity to Victoria Park, an area known as a rich source of foods for the Gadigal prior to colonisation.

The design proposition responds to these rich layers of history by creating a series of gardens at ground and roof level which reference the landscape character of Darlington through history. The gardens provide shade, amenity, a mix of native and exotic plantings in addition to fruit bearing trees and various herbal plants. The current renovation integrates the long held desire for a low-carbon low-emissions building, incorporating renewable energy, phase change materials, recycled timbers removed from the roof, high levels of insulation including to cavity brick walls, removal of air-conditioning, low energy lighting, ceiling fans and cross ventilation via new timber windows, refurbished steel windows, and a piano recycled into wall art. The renovation highlights layers of history to reveal personal family stories and connection to place, with the University and the Col James Student Housing project in Redfern visible from the roof garden.

Photography by Brett Boardman

Dissections
Furniture: Client’s own. Lighting: Louis Poulsen. Finishes: Dulux, Big River Timbers, Colorbond. Fittings & Fixtures: Recycled existing.

Heritage Lane, 80 Ann

Mirvac with Woods Bagot

Heritage Lanes at 80 Ann Street is a 35-storey, mixed-use commercial and retail development in the heart of Brisbane’s CBD. A celebration of old and new, Heritage Lanes embraces its history through the adaptive reuse of heritage buildings and materials, while being one of Australia’s most intelligent and sustainable buildings. The former site of Brisbane’s Fruit and Produce Exchange, which stood until 1914, Heritage Lanes retains the original office building on Turbot Street as part of its new design, but has also transformed the concept of the traditional workplace.

Offering 60,000 square metres of commercial office space, Heritage Lanes is the new home of Suncorp, KPMG Queensland and others. The Heritage Lanes foyer has been elevated to Level One, in a nod to ‘Queenslander’ style homes, to encourage maximum air flow in a humid climate. The lobby ceiling dazzles, made up of digital screens that display designs generated based on wind conditions outside the building. High above on Level 35, a similar digital artwork is located on the largest indoor screen within the southern hemisphere. Visible to the public across the city skyline, the digital screens display patterns based on cloud density and time of day. A soundscape of audio design also complements each instalment. Heritage Market, on the ground plane, follows the energy of the original market sheds and provides a generous covered space complete with bush tucker garden and beehives. With its ‘uniquely Queensland’ feel, Heritage Lanes’ sustainable building design connects effortlessly with nature, creating a new legacy for the local community to enjoy now and for years to come.

Photography by Brett Boardman

QFES North Coast Regional Headquarters and Maryborough Fire and Rescue Station

Baber Studio Architects

This project is a demonstration project and has genuine ambitions for providing environmental and cultural sustainability with long term benefits to the community. Maryborough is the centre of the second largest timber growing and manufacturing regions in Australia, and timber is a major generator of employment in the local community. This project sought to ‘walk the walk’ by using the building as a physical display of a commitment to using locally grown, locally manufactured timber. The project was also an exemplar for QFES, as it demonstrates their own commitment to supporting the responsible use of timber in a class 5 building, and of all building typologies, a fire station.

The Regional Headquarters, Fire Station turnout rooms and Engine Rooms are entirely built from Cross Laminated Timber and Glu-Laminated Timber grown locally, underpinning the building’s unique material character. The building is a facility comprising 3 new purpose-built buildings and alterations and additions to an existing 1950’s Art Deco Fire Station. The original Engine bays from the Art Deco brick building have been converted into a generous space open to the community.

It provides the new entry to the entire facility, a venue for community information events, and a central unifying element within the site, tying the new buildings together and offering a common space for staff interaction.

Photography by Christopher Frederick Jones, Baber Studio

The Police Cottage

Penrith City Council with LSJ Architecture

Penrith City Council has revitalised the historic Police Cottage at Emu Plains, breathing new life into the building by transforming it into a dining destination in Emu Plains that future generations can cherish. Originally built in 1908, the Police Cottage has been sensitively restored and refurbished into a modern café and restaurant, with outside seating offering diners magnificent views of the Nepean River in Emu Plains.

The site is owned by the NSW Government Department of Planning and Environment and is classified as Crown Land. In April 2021, the care and control of the site was assigned to Penrith City Council as part of the restoration project. As a local heritage listed site, Council’s vision was to preserve as much of the dilapidated building as possible, and to incorporate sustainable features to the design to reduce ongoing maintenance costs and extend the life of the property. Council overcame the challenge of bringing the 115 year old building into the 21st century by incorporating the sustainable re-use of materials, as well as using historically accurate building techniques and materials to retain the original Queen Anne Revival/Federation design.

The adaptive reuse of the Police Cottage allows Council to demonstrate its commitment to heritage preservation, showcase its sustainability, and enhance the Regatta Park Precinct. The refurbishment of the Police Cottage provides the crucial link in the growing dining circuit along the river, improves the gateway to the new Regatta Park precinct and helps to achieve our vision to celebrate, activate, and protect the Nepean River. The refurbishment of the Police Cottage will support the sustainable performance of the building over its lifespan by focusing on reducing ongoing maintenance.

Photography by Neaton Photography

Dissections
Finishes: AMA Projects Pty Ltd. Fittings & Fixtures: Selected by Foster & Associates.

Thomas Dixon Centre

Conrad Gargett

The Thomas Dixon Centre is an adaptive reuse project of the state listed former boot-making factory and commercial air raid shelters where much of the original heritage fabric has been retained.

The State heritage listed and State-owned Thomas Dixon Centre has been revitalised as a centre of wellness, art and performance for the State of Queensland, Queensland Ballet and Brisbane. Conrad Gargett worked closely with the State of Queensland, represented by the Department of Energy and Public Works (the Project deliverer and owner, asset owner, and project funder) and the Queensland Ballet to enrich the historic Thomas Dixon Centre, enabling Queensland Ballet to expand further and shine on the global stage.

The redevelopment enriches people’s lives through ballet, deepening connections with the company’s current audience and inspiring future generations of dancers, artists, technicians, dance/ sports medicine specialists and more, with a new level of accessibility to all aspects of performances. The Ballet is a culmination of artists; dancers, choreographers, stage writers, composers and musicians, as well as wardrobe and costume designers, production designers, teachers and educators, and the enablers.

The aspiration is to go beyond the core business and art forms to build connections with traditional and digital artists, sculptors and installation artists, and to increase connections with the community through dance classes, education and providing support to other performance groups.

The emerging themes of the project were identity, lightness, wellness, excellence, sustainability and passion. The concept had a strong connection with Queensland and used uniquely Queensland materials. The application was focused on four drivers: natural materials, vertical lines and colour blocking to vertical planes, texture and movement to horizontal planes and the new materials speaking with the existing. The materials were carefully and considerately selected to be aligned with WELL certification. Each material was thought through thoroughly and letters of assurance for compliance signed by the suppliers / manufacturers.

Photography by Christopher Frederick Jones

Dissections
Furniture: Dexion, Hadley, Jardan, Planex, Schiavello, Stylecraft. Lighting: Design Nation, Satelight. Finishes: Baux, Brickworks, Colorbond, Covet, Décor Systems, Dulux, Easycraft, Fibonacci, Forbo, G James, Harlequin Floors, Kvadrat, Laminex, Maharam, Murobond, Nover, Okalux, Pelle, Permax, Porta Timbers, QLD Timber Flooring, Supawood, Vertilux, Viridian. Fittings & Fixtures: Auhaus, Britex, Brodware, CHS Healthcare, Enware, GWA Group, Hafele, JD MacDonald, Phoenix Tapware, RBA Group, Reece, Zip Industries, Madinoz (Dorma Kaba).

Yirranma Place

SJB

Occasionally a design opportunity arises to weave an extraordinary existing fabric with contemporary technologies. The transformation of the 1927 First Church of Christ Scientist building in Darlinghurst into Yirranma Place was one of those occasions. The challenge for SJB was to foreground sustainable design principles as a central thread in this tapestry. Achieving this goal required combining expert knowledge of past practices and new technologies with an understanding of modern building code compliance to ensure the new workplace provides the best environment for its intended occupants and future uses.

Built in the 1920s in the interwar Beaux Arts style, this beautiful building was first utilised as a gathering place for the First Church of Christ Scientists. In the 1980s it was purchased by a private developer and transformed into his own private residence. Private ownership limited public viewing and access to the structures and grand interiors of the past. SJB sensitively adapted the building to offer flexible spaces to meet a range of functions – from a gallery and event space displaying indigenous artists work, to meeting rooms, breastfeeding rooms and incubator hubs that would accommodate and support ethical startups.

The site now accommodates everyone, with a focus on accessibility, public engagement, diversity and connecting to country. The latter was achieved by engagement with elders of the land such as Uncle Badger Bates who weaved dreamtime stories into the new narrative of the building. This is experienced throughout the building, including the front gates which were designed by Uncle Badger Bates.

Existing functions of the building are treated sensitively so they can be enjoyed by current and future generations, offering fascinating glimpses into the building’s past uses. Many presented challenges to modern ESD requirements and all are successfully resolved in the completed development.

Yirranma Place sets an example to the industry, demonstrating that sustainability is achievable while creating a positive impact on the environment and the community.

Photography by Anson Smart

Dissections
Furniture: Jardan, Ownworld, CULT Design, Living Edge, Utopia Goods, Warwick, Anibou, Kvadrat, Designed By Them, Patricia, Gibson, De De Ce, Cosh Living, RC+D. Lighting: Ke-Zu, Euroluce, Viabizzuno, ESD. Finishes: Olde English TIles, Artedomus, Surface Gallery, Agape.

83 Pirie

Woods Bagot

83 Pirie sets a new benchmark for environmentally conscious architecture in Adelaide. By seamlessly integrating energy-efficient technologies, passive design strategies, renewable energy systems, and responsible material choices, the project showcases the firm’s dedication to sustainability and its contribution to creating a greener future.

The building has obtained WELL Platinum Precertification, and a WELL Platinum operational certification. This includes the provision of occupant amenity spaces such as changing, mother and child support, and exercise and relaxation spaces. The building construction provided opportunities for the delivery of the Cbus Reconciliation Action Plan Goals, including a pre-construction smoking ceremony, recognition of Kaurna people, art and culture in the site construction screening and signage, and the eventual public realm design.

Photography by Trevor Mein

Heritage Lanes, 80 Ann

Mirvac with Woods Bagot

Heritage Lanes at 80 Ann Street is a 35-storey mixed-use commercial and retail development in the heart of Brisbane’s CBD. As an inviting community hub built on the site of the old Brisbane Fruit and Produce Exchange, Heritage Lanes strikes a unique balance of retaining the spirit of its rich history. Heritage Lanes has cemented itself as an exciting office, retail and dining destination, offering nine food and beverage retailers, a fitness studio, dining and event facilities, public art and community facilities, making the precinct an attractive destination for workers, locals and tourists. Heritage Lanes has been constructed as a permeable and breathable building with an open façade that reflects Queensland’s “life lived outdoors” philosophy, offering spaces that reflect the State’s natural beauty, presenting a relaxing working environment that supports employees’ expectations for greater balance in a hybrid working environment. Designed to deliver a positive impact for the environment and future generations, Heritage Lanes has already exceeded its original sustainability building targets, standing as one of Australia’s most intelligent and sustainable buildings, targeting some of the highest standards across NABERS, WELLS and Green Star ratings.

Designed to be Net Zero Carbon in its operations, Heritage Lanes utilises solar generation to power all base building lighting across common areas, and utilises electric heating rather than gas. Significant end of trip facilities also encourage active or more sustainable transport for employees, with bike storage, EV and scooter charging available.

Photography by Brett Boardman

Melbourne Connect

Woods Bagot with Hayball and ASPECT Studios

Melbourne Connect is a purpose-built innovation precinct created by the University of Melbourne (UoM) in partnership with Lendlease Development and delivered by Lendlease Building on the site of the former Royal Women’s Hospital. The 73,000sqm precinct features a series of interconnecting buildings arranged around a central landscaped public open space, known as ‘Womin Djerring’ (Come Together).

In addition to the University of Melbourne Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology (FEIT), Melbourne Connect includes a central public open space, the Science Gallery Melbourne along the length of Grattan Street, a mass-timber structured innovation hub building, a childcare facility, fabrication laboratories, retail, a post-graduate residential building (by others), and a mezzanine level ‘Superfloor’ for cross-site and cross-campus connections that ties all the buildings together.

With its bold vision, Melbourne Connect also presented a series of construction and engineering challenges, which were overcome by an innovative mindset and collaborative approach.

Photography by Trevor Mein

Dissections
Furniture: Carmody Trustable oak tables – Josh Carmody, Stellar Works Ren Lounge Chairs – Living Edge, Catifa meeting chairs – Stylecraft, Vitra Pivot Counter Stool – Unifor, Lionel Barstools and dining chairs – Jardan, Barbera Uccio stools – Daniel Barbera. Lighting: The Heart Node, Artist Robert Walton with Paul Lim and Bosco Shaw, Additive Lighting. Finishes: Operable Wall – Bluett & Swann, Upholstery: Kvadrat Foss – Kvadrat, Blinds – Alessi Group, Floortiles Paris – Signorino, Walltiles: Vitreous mosaic – Academy tiles, Ceilings: Knauf Perforated plasterboard – Knauf, Carpet tiles: Bike path – Interface. Fittings & Fixtures: Casework upholstery: Kvadrat Rime, Kvadrat Basel, Kvadrat Remix and Recheck, Kvadrat Galaxy 948 – Kvadrat, Case work Benchtops: Terra Nero Black – Arte Domus, Amenities: Fixtures – Caroma.

Zero Gipps

SJB

Zero Gipps, located in the heart of Collingwood, looks to reinterpret the often ‘standard’ office working environment by reframing it as a living, breathing, community-focused workplace ecosystem. In retaining the original warehouse building, Zero Gipps immediately embeds its principles around sustainability and in creating and retaining connections to the existing neighbourhood. The building presents as two elongated, separated halves with a large light court in its centre. The central void creates a communal courtyard at ground where a new entry, off an old laneway, is created. Occupant health and wellness are at the heart of this modest scale project comprising: extensive EOT and bike storage, all electric and renewably sourced, naturally ventilated and thermally designed facade. Small scale 250 sqm floor plates to the north and south are connected via linking walkways and an open, external stair, creating a dynamic and intentionally ‘walkable’ workplace village. The unique feature of this forward thinking workplace is its lack of carparks, zero to be exact. Encouraging instead commuting by bike or via the abundant local public transport.

This project achieves an ‘Excellence’ rating in Environmentally Sustainable Design through the use of the BESS rating, achieving a 75% rating score.

Photography by Aaron Puls

100 Melbourne St End of Trip

Gray Puksand

The new design of this End of Trip Facility embraces a combination of light and dark finishes, bringing warmth and sophistication to the space. Simplicity was met with intrigue and unified by quality materials and finishes. Our sustainable choices in materials and finishes seamlessly complement the narrative of leading the design language towards quality, style, and sophistication. Being passionate about supporting our local design community, we engaged Brisbane’s Five Mile Radius’s team; a business offering recycled building materials. Their recycled benchtops formed the hero of the space, being a key design feature which elevates the somewhat mundane experience often associated with end of trip facilities.

Situated in a below ground carpark, a key focus of the refurbishment was centred on improving the overall health and comfort levels of users. This was achieved by emulating daylight through the design of a glass brick ‘window’ feature wall, with a graphical wallpaper depicting green palms and leaves.

Photography by Cieran Murphy Photography

RACQ Training Rooms Refurbishment

Gray Puksand

The goal of the refurbished Training Rooms at the client’s head office was to create a great first impression for all new starters to a long-established company. The design was to include refreshed breakout areas, amenities, and collaboration spaces with a focus on sustainable materials and local manufacturing. A selection of new textures and materials elevated the existing corporate identity as did the new more functional layout. Open entry space and clear travel paths to the training rooms, breakout and collaboration spaces allows multiple training sessions to run seamlessly at the same time. Local lighting and furniture and building materials were sourced from sustainable businesses. The overall result is a classic, clean palette with layers of interest through textural materials on key touch points. It presents a professional yet casual environment ready to welcome all new starters to the business.

The project was a refurbishment of an existing ground floor workspace. To achieve an improvement in overall health and comfort levels we redesigned the layout so all rooms had access to natural light and a view of the surrounding landscape.

Photography by Michael Carrello

Delatite Cellar Door

Lucy Clemenger Architects

The project is designed to respond to their established core values and be sensitive to place and the natural environment. Our client’s ambition was to achieve the most environmentally responsible built outcome. An integral part of the brief was to respect the earth on which the Cellar door is built. The building is fully self-sustainable, producing more energy than is required from a PV solar array and relying solely on harvested rainwater from the site. All wastewater, sewage, and food waste are treated on the site. Sustainable design principles were employed in the design of the building, including the orientation of spaces, passive heating and cooling, ceiling fans, cross ventilation, sun shading to prevent heat gain, thermal mass to the south and west sides of the building, minimised plasterboard, maximised daylighting, rainwater collection, low VOC painting and local building material specification where possible.

The building was to be designed with consideration for orientation, with strategic location of thermal mass to help keep the building temperatures stable during the year. The building was to be designed to be resilient and adaptable to change. The masterplan was to accommodate areas for marquees for seasonal increase in numbers as well as festivals and events. The whole building was to be accessible for universal access and use and equitable to a whole range of users.

Photography by Derek Swalwell

Dissections
Furniture: Liqueur table by Didier Diiva, Swivel stool by Grazia & Co, Custom dining blackbutt tables from Hospitality furniture concepts, Rombus Chair from Thonet Ari Up, Chair by Studio Pip from District Outdoor, Tables and chairs from Zaneti. Lighting: Max Harper Corker light from Design Nation, IE Francis Loop pendant from IE Francis, Heide lights from Ambience Lighting, Tile wall light from Lumil, Crescendo pendant from Lumil, Trixie wall light from Mark Douglass. Finishes: Custom blackbutt benchtop, Porta Contour lining, Blackbutt lining, Concrete aggregate, Yubi Gloss tiles from Perini, Aquarelle tiles from Academy, Timbercrete, Colour Champagne, Artisan Bianco Satin from Tiento tiles. Fittings & Fixtures: Haiku Ceiling Fan by Big Ass Fans, Radiante 890 3V from Wignells, Ceramic hand Basin by Lindsey Wherrett, Phoenix tapware.

Centre for Higher Education Studies (CHES)

Fieldwork with Brand Architects

The challenging site, sleeved between high-rise buildings in Melbourne’s South Yarra, inspired the design team to focus on a biophilic approach to the design which integrates a central atrium, equitably connecting students with natural light, ventilation and landscape to improve learning outcomes. A public interface to Chapel Street is managed with a corrugated, precast concrete façade, animated with planter boxes of cascading greenery, softening what is otherwise a harsh streetscape and providing a green backdrop to external views. Upon entry, a generous lobby leads to a reception area and café; a social hub, set against the vibrancy of the atrium. Landscaped with lush ferns and epiphytes, this dramatic lightwell is lined with sustainably harvested Victorian Ash timber and expansive glazing, offering glimpses to the activity above. Covered by a transparent and lightweight adjustable ETFE inflatable roof, which requires less structural support than traditional glazed roofs and provides effective light control and thermal insulation, the dotted, double-skin membrane casts ephemeral, patterned shadows through the atrium, echoing the dappled light of forest environments.

From its overarching pedagogical aims to the efficient, resourceful, and comfortable operation of its state-of-the-art specialist facilities, CHES strives to set a new standard for building design beyond convention.

Photography by Tom Ross

Kindalin Early Learning Centre, Terry Road Rouse Hill

Tom Simmat and Associates with Architects of Arcadia

Kindalin is an early learning provider. This building is the ninth of their early learning centres, most in metropolitan Northwest Sydney. A fresh air and sunshine approach to early learning centre sustainability. This building by design offers to children a journey of discovery and exploration of sustainability, imagining a different and honest approach to sustainability. In this 143 place early learning centre for children aged 0 to 5 years, children transit from internal learning space to outside learning space continually throughout the day and through all seasons of the year. All the internal and outside play areas open out to a small section of urban bushland.

Photography by Annabel Lennon, Kindalin Early Learning Centres

Melbourne Connect

Woods Bagot with Hayball and ASPECT Studios

Melbourne Connect is a purpose-built innovation precinct created by the University of Melbourne (UoM) in partnership with Lendlease Development and delivered by Lendlease Building on the site of the former Royal Women’s Hospital. The 73,000sqm precinct features a series of interconnecting buildings arranged around a central landscaped public open space, known as ‘Womin Djerring’ (Come Together). Melbourne Connect is a transformational innovation precinct project for the University of Melbourne, providing facilities for university staff and students, researchers, established local and international businesses, and start-up companies to mix and collaborate. Melbourne Connect is enlivened by the inclusion of student accommodation, retail and public open space. Located in the heart of Carlton, Melbourne and adjacent to the main Parkville campus of the university, it achieves the highest standards of excellence in both design and sustainability. Porous, open and engaging to the community, Melbourne Connect and its programs are designed to help academics, researchers, industry, and government to work together to unlock digitally driven, data-enabled and socially responsible solutions to tackle the challenges facing society.

With its bold vision, Melbourne Connect also presented a series of construction and engineering challenges, which were overcome by an innovative mindset and collaborative approach.

Photography by Dianna Snape

SVSS – Compost Amenities Block

pentArchi Sustainable Synergetic Architecture

The Samford Valley Steiner School Compost Amenities consist of 2 x Unisex Compost Amenities Blocks. The two blocks are almost identical except for their siting the school campus. The two blocks have matching plans however differ in section due to their site slope and topography and thus have different access stairs configurations. Providing the School with a typical Compost amenities block design was part of the sustainable – master plan strategy for reducing water consumption and not exacerbating the existing onsite septic system which was already overloaded. Upgrading or adding additional onsite wastewater treatment facilities was complicated by the narrow sloping site and proximity to the waterways near the school campus. The Water-less amenities design was congruent with the underlying sustainable principles of the school and thus provided an appropriate solution.

Photography by AdnicPhotograpy

Western Sydney University Bankstown City Campus

Lyons with HDR, Walker Corporation and Western Sydney University

Western Sydney University’s Bankstown City Campus (BCC) is a transformative and pivotal cornerstone propelling the progression of Bankstown CBD. The impressive 18-storey tower comprising nine levels for education and nine levels for industry exemplifies an innovative and sustainable approach to education and research, combining technology, design and the highest achievable green credentials to provide a range of long-term economic and social benefits for the region. BCC brings together 10,000 students, 700 staff and industry partners to create a highly accessible, technology-rich environment for the local community, fostering universal collaboration in learning and research. Featuring LaunchPad and the Factory of the Future, the campus nurtures entrepreneurship and provides resources for local businesses. The campus’s design is visually stunning and environmentally responsible, pushing the limits of sustainable development to deliver a connected, interactive, and social experience for students, tenants and the region through its innovative fit-out, outdoor terraces, intuitive wayfinding, and transport connectivity. The project was recently certified with a 6 Star Green Star Design and As Built rating – the result of meticulous planning and collaboration between Walker and Western Sydney University.

Overall, the design of the Bankstown Central Campus is a significant step forward in sustainable building design.

Photography by N/A

Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre

Williams Ross Architects

Brimbank Aquatic Wellness Centre, is a world class, intergenerational regional level aquatic, health and preventative health hub. It is Australia’s first fully electric and the first zero emissions aquatic centre powered by renewable energy, 6 Star Green Star accredited aquatic centre (design and as built tool V1.2).

The conceptual framework for the centre was an ‘oasis’ – a place of shelter and respite responding to Brimbank’s dry, hot climate and its high social need. The underlying principle was to destigmatise access to preventative health services, counseling and support services. It was important that the centre had a single entry and architectural identity, and that it welcomed all community members to feel comfortable, be encouraged to stay, linger, and connect with staff and friends while accessing services. Low swimming ability was another identified need in the community. Particular attention was given to designing the pools to facilitate learn-to-swim classes and safety for young children as they learn to play safely in the water. Poor mental and physical health indicators in the community demonstrated the need for a large warm water program pool for rehabilitation and exercise classes. This was also the rationale for inclusion of partner community services to deliver integrated outcomes for the community.

Photography by Dianna Snape

Dissections
Furniture: Form+Function (formerly Baseline Commercial Furniture). Lighting: Darkon. Finishes: Forbo, Integra Surfaces, Interface, Ampelite, Metz, Nellakir, Regupol, Polyflor, Monotek, Benchtop City, AMF, Luxalon, Altro, Laminex, Autex, Woven Image, Fibonacci Stone, Siniat, Instyle, Armstrong Ceilings, Dekton , Askin, Capral, Fielders. Fittings & Fixtures: Caroma, Enware, Metlam, CHS Healthcare, Gojo, JD McDonald, Tork, Dyson, Britex, Hafele, Thornthwaite Technologies, Aquabubbler, Zip, Fisher and Paykel, Westinghouse, Skope.

Gunditj Mirring Keeping Place

Phillips/Pilkington Architects

This project is a repository for Gunditjmara cultural artefacts rehoused from existing collections, having been ‘stolen’ from their rightful custodians, the Gunditjmara People. It also houses a Business Centre for the Gunditjmara to generate economic futures for their community. The design takes its geographic location and site features as a major starting point for its 3D form. On an exposed hilltop with commanding views down over the creek valley, its long axis runs north/south, so service areas are placed to the west and screened, as this is also the site entry point from the small adjacent car park. The plan’s fan-shaped roof geometry roof rises to the east and is lowest to the west to minimise summer heat loads.

The creation of a building requiring museum-grade conditions to conserve culturally important artefacts, which also has to prove to large institutions that returned artefacts would be properly cared for and conserved was a major challenge.

An innovative design was created, elegantly locking the curved glu-lam timber rafters into a steel ‘collar’ which minimised the use of steel and provided framing for the PV-powered night-time roof lantern, which acts as both a beacon of occupation and of remembrance.

The project has been designed to minimise life cycle costing with a low maintenance demand and running costs. The building has been designed to be maintained as much as possible by Gunditj Mirring staff and designed for a life span exceeding 100 years.

Photography by Terry Hope Photography

National Throws Centre of Excellence

Phillips Smith Conwell with Fabritecture and XLam

The design brief described a simple, functional building that four ‘throw’ sports of javelin, shot-put, discuss and hammer could train in, in subtropical Brisbane. The concept was an open, covered training facility that could enable, on average, an additional 32 training days per year for elite Olympic level athletes and para-athletes. The pavilion is the only known facility of its type in the southern hemisphere, and only one of several worldwide. It exists not only for current elite athletes and engaged sportsmen and women, but younger aspirational Olympic hopefuls destined for the Brisbane 2032 Games. The layout and section of the pavilion was determined to a great degree by the arcs, trajectories, and projections of these sports. Our challenge was to respect strict international competition requirements and fit these constraints into a corner of the QSAC campus. Early design concepts strived for carbon neutral for the building which was embraced by the client. The design involved significant input by the base building engineers, engineered fabric-skin designers, glue laminated timber designer and manufacturer, and the building contractor.

Photography by Angus Martin

Pimpama Sports Hub

Liquid Blu

Pimpama Sports Hub is Australia’s first sports and community precinct to be designed to be 100% energy self-sufficient, setting a new benchmark for sustainability in sports and leisure facilities. The project included the development of a 14-hectare integrated sports and community facility on the Northern Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia. The project is designed to support healthy lifestyles and community connection in a largely suburban area within the fastest growing region of Queensland. The precinct was conceptualised to be welcoming for residents and visitors with a wide variety of needs and interests.

Photography by Christopher Frederick Jones

QFES North Coast Regional Headquarters and Maryborough Fire and Rescue Station

Baber Studio Architects

This project is a demonstration project and has genuine ambitions for providing environmental and cultural sustainability with long term benefits to the community. Maryborough is the centre of the second largest timber growing and manufacturing regions in Australia, and timber is a major generator of employment in the local community. This project sought to ‘walk the walk’ by using the building as a physical display of a commitment to using locally grown, locally manufactured timber.

The project was established as a demonstration project from the outset. The ambition was to create a building that exemplified a commitment to using innovative, sustainable timber construction technologies in a way that clearly sent a message to the local community.

Sustainability initiatives were always a key driver for the project. The use of Mass timber and engineered timber provided significant reductions in embodied carbon in the building, representing 1750 tonnes of Co2 removed from the atmosphere compared with conventional construction.

Photography by Christopher Frederick Jones, Baber Studio

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