Philip Vivian is managing director of Bates Smart, based in the Sydney office. He is a contributing editor to Architecture Australia and president of the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (Australia).
Philip Vivian's Latest contributions
Dairy Road Masterplan
On a site east of Canberra and adjacent to wetlands, a collaborative team whose process inverts the “master” plan paradigm is gradually designing a diverse neighbourhood in a restored landscape.
Walyalup Civic Centre by Kerry Hill Architects
On a challenging site in the heart of Fremantle, KHA’s design for a multifunctional civic centre demonstrates that modernism can be used to restore civic urbanity, celebrate a place of historic significance and craft an engaging space for public enjoyment.
Pathway to a dense, historic and beautiful city: Substation 164
Sustainably compact, respectfully resolved and thoughtfully arranged so that heritage and modern elements complement one another, this redevelopment of two Sydney CBD buildings offers hope for the city’s future.
Vale Chris Wilkinson, 1945–2021
Philip Vivian remembers Chris Wilkinson, founding partner of Wilkinson Eyre, who died in mid-December, 2021.
Vale Richard Rogers, 1933–2021
Richard Rogers, whose career spanned more than 60 years, was notable as a leading exponent of the British “high-tech” movement.
Unbuilt work and the practice of architecture
For Philip Vivian, unbuilt work is at the core of what it means to practise architecture, offering the opportunity to explore unconstrained ideas, to engage in city-shaping visions led by the public interest, and to promote a “design-led optimism” for the future.
Post-pandemic cities: The great reset
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the built form of our cities will surely change – but what type of future do we want to build for?
Population and urban infrastructure in the century of cities
As the population of Australian cities increases and the earth’s climate shifts as a result of human activity, the way we design our cities must change.
Toward a generous skyscraper
How can we accommodate our nation’s burgeoning urban population while also responding to the climate crisis?
Maximizing intensity: Optus Stadium
As the centrepiece of an urban rehabilitation project east of Perth’s CBD, this sporting landmark is uniquely of its place while also serving as an international gateway to the city.
