Shortlist revealed: 2018 Houses Awards
Across nine categories, 176 entries and 10 emerging practices have been shortlisted in the 2018 Houses Awards.
‘A powerful form’: Lune de Sang Pavilion
In a slow-growth forest in the Byron Bay hinterland, the final dwelling in a collection of powerful, monumental concrete structures has been completed – all designed to endure.
‘A neat trick’: Two Halves House
Responding eloquently to its lightly forested, sloping site, this earth-toned house has been split into two, with a bathing and sleeping pavilion sitting above an open-plan living space.
‘An authentic architecture of materiality’: M3565 Main Beach Apartments
This prestigious beachside apartment building by Virginia Kerridge Architect stands out from its neighbours by virtue of its articulate materiality and sensitive human scale.
First House: Carport Treehouse
Completed in 2004, this pavilion was one of the first projects by Andrew Burges Architects. Thirteen years later, Andrew reflects on how this pavilion began his practice’s lineage of meticulously documented and atmospheric projects.
News
CHROFI’s grand arch for Maitland opens
The Maitland Riverlink building by CHROFI is simultaneously a grand “sculptural gateway” arch and a “public living room.”
2018 National Architecture Conference speakers announced
A diverse mix of speakers drawn from around the world has been announced for the 2018 National Architecture Conference.
Rottnest Island hotel expansion approved
Christou Design Group will design an extension to Hotel Rottnest that will incorporate 80 new rooms, two pools, a restaurant, function facilities, a new reception, a spa and a gym.
Australian digital mapping project of women’s safety in cities goes global
Women in Sydney, Delhi, Lima, Kampala and Madrid can now collaborate on the creation of maps that show city spaces that make them feel unsafe.
Projects
‘A powerful form’: Lune de Sang Pavilion
In a slow-growth forest in the Byron Bay hinterland, the final dwelling in a collection of powerful, monumental concrete structures has been completed – all designed to endure.
‘A neat trick’: Two Halves House
Responding eloquently to its lightly forested, sloping site, this earth-toned house has been split into two, with a bathing and sleeping pavilion sitting above an open-plan living space.
Reviews
‘High art’ and entertainment: NGV Triennial
Rachel Hurst reviews the National Gallery of Victoria’s “blockbuster” inaugural NGV Triennial exhibition, with works from more than 100 contributors from 32 countries.
Game on: The architecture of the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games
ArchitectureAU takes a look at the new and significantly redeveloped sporting facilities playing host to the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.
Awards
2018 Houses Awards shortlist: Apartment or Unit
Fifteen projects in this category have advanced to the 2018 Houses Awards.
People
The entrepreneurial architect: Jan O’Connor on tea, success and architecture
Architect, brand developer and businessperson Jan O’Connor co-founded the highly successful tea retail business T2.
Understanding the messiness of life: Kali Marnane
Ahead of 2018 International Women’s Day – this year focused on the role women play in humanitarian planning – Kali Marnane relays what she has learnt about Australian architecture in an Indian slum.
Vale Brian Smyth, 1931–2017
Brian Smyth, the Australian designer of the Valiant Charger for Chrysler Australia, died in Adelaide in January 2018, aged 86.
Simona Castricum: Finding a place for empathy in architecture
Architecture academic and musician Simona Castricum, in advocating for a “queering” of space and practice, wants to find a place for empathy in architecture.
Discourse
Sexism and the city: how urban planning has failed women
The proportion of women to men in architecture and associated professions is low. Can cities not designed by women really meet their needs?
- Uneasy heritage: Australia’s modern church buildings are disappearing
- University of New England: criticism of Robb College demolition based on ‘incorrect assumptions’
- Parlour and gender equity in Australian architecture: Where to from here?
- For what shall it profit a city if it loses its civic soul? A plea to preserve Melbourne’s Fed Square
- Design of Apple Fed Square requires a fundamental rethink
Practice
Women to the Front: Working in Asia
As part of the Asia Pacific Architecture Forum in Brisbane, the Working in Asia panel discussion was a platform for Australian women in architecture to discuss their approaches to and experiences of international practice.
Products
Stegbar goes back to black with new monochrome shower screens
Stegbar has capitalized on the current trend for monochrome bathroom fixtures, hardware and accessories with its new Grange Black Showerscreen range.
New York-based Australian architect creates adjustable table legs
Tabl by Australian architect Nick Flutter is a set of adjustable legs that can convert any flat surface into a table.
Trellis security doors secure luxury cars
Ferrari’s showroom in The Star casino in Sydney is secured by three-metre-high curving trellis security doors by the Australian Trellis Door Company.
Cult celebrates 20th anniversary
Australian furniture store Cult has celebrated its twenty-year anniversary by unveiling an extension to its Sydney showroom, a stand-alone NAU Gallery, and a new book.
Postcards
On a high: the Everest circuit
In this postcard from Nepal, architect Virginia Waller reflects on the relationship between the country’s alpine architecture and its remarkable natural setting.
A field guide to the architecture of the South Pacific
Architectural historian Bill McKay and photographer Jason Mann investigate the long-neglected architecture of the South Pacific.
Eindhoven’s ‘future city products’: Winy Maas leads series of architectural interventions
MVRDV’s Winy Maas has led the creation of a program of architectural interventions and events across the Dutch city of Eindhoven as part of Dutch Design Week.
Ai Weiwei: Good Fences Make Good Neighbours
Chinese artist Ai Weiwei’s latest project includes large-scale, site-specific sculptures intended to draw attention to borders, xenophobia and the plight of refugees.