A UNSW Master’s student has designed the world’s first soft robotic hand that can pick up, put down, paint and hammer with greater ease than current models in the workforce. “Industrial robots are so dangerous the way they are now,” says Charlotte Firth, who is creating the robotic hand as part of her Master of […]
Architect Koichi Takada uses his Urban Forest residential development to imagine the tranquility and restorative powers of a rural retreat within a bustling cityscape. “It is possible to design buildings that reconnect people with nature even in densely populated, inner-city locations,” says Takada. The founder and principal of Sydney-based Koichi Takada Architects takes his cues […]
The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre [ASRC] is building a new hub in the heart of Dandenong to better support and empower people seeking asylum in the region. Greater Dandenong is recognised as Australia’s most culturally diverse region with over 157 different nationalities and is now home to the highest population of people seeking asylum in […]
A major new public square at Sydney’s Central station is one step closer, with the City of Sydney releasing its vision for a high-tech, green and people-friendly precinct. The square will complement the NSW Government’s plans for Tech Central, a new 250,000 sqm technology and innovation precinct next to Central Station. Lord Mayor Clover Moore […]
Pragmatic housing design features are vital to enable older people to stay home longer, have greater independence and reduce the cost of aged care services, according to new RMIT University research. COVID-19 has exposed serious flaws in the quality of care provided in residential aged care. About 1.3 million older Australians need help with their […]
Comedian and design enthusiast Tim Ross has put the recent lockdown to good use by producing a new podcast about the Sydney Opera House’s tapestries. “As a touring performer, everything sort of stopped. So pretty quickly, I thought about all the things I could do if I can’t get on the road,” he tells ADR. […]
Two new members have been appointed to Hassell’s board for three-year terms. Liz Westgarth joins the board after nine years with the firm’s Sydney studio, recognised for their work at 60 Martin Place for Investa, The State Library of NSW, and Metro North West. Prior to Hassell, Westgarth was with Foster + Partners and Future […]
In partnership with Make Architects and Sir John Soane’s Museum in London, the World Architecture Festival (WAF) has called for entries for the fourth edition of The Architecture Drawing Prize. Launched in 2017, the prize is conceived to celebrate and showcase the art and skill of architectural drawing. Entries are welcomed by Australian architects, designers […]
Australian architecture firm Billard Leece Partnership (BLP), has appointed 12 principals and 11 associates as its new leadership team. After 25 years of practice, BLP, a 130-strong team with offices in Melbourne and Sydney, is moving to a more inclusive model of ownership recognising performance and fostering diversity of talent. Following David Leece’s recent retirement […]
Global practice Grimshaw celebrates completion of 40-storey Olderfleet commercial tower, merging Melbourne heritage with contemporary workplace architecture. Set behind three heritage-listed buildings at 477 Collins Street, collectively known as the ‘Olderfleet Buildings’, the 40-storey office tower was designed by Grimshaw to deliver on Mirvac’s aspirations for the development to be one of Melbourne’s highest quality […]
Artists, designers and architects are being invited to pitch their projects and ideas for Melbourne Design Week 2021. The Victoria-wide 11-day program of talks, tours, workshops, launches and exhibitions will explore the theme ‘Design the world you want’ in 2021. Expressions of interest are now open for ideas that consider “how the design community can […]
The integration of BESIX and Watpac construction companies creates a new multi-disciplinary contractor, bringing a unique offering to Australian and New Zealand markets. The capability of internationally acclaimed BESIX Group has been combined with iconic local brand, Watpac to form BESIX Watpac, heralding a new approach to the construction industry. The expertise that delivered the […]
Arcadia Landscape Architecture has announced the promotions of Valerie Ostermann to associate and Kaylie Salvatori to Indigenous landscape strategist. “In the two years that Valerie has been with Arcadia, she has demonstrated exceptional design leadership within the studio and become a trusted mentor internally. Her multi-disciplinary collaboration skills and her delivery of significant construction packages […]
Curious to see if your project made the IDEA 2020 shortlist? Well, you only have to wait a little longer. We’ll be revealing all this year’s shortlisted projects starting from 21 September! Thanks again to everyone who entered IDEA 2020. As shortlisting, the first stage of the judging process, comes to an end, here’s what […]
As companies around the world start to rethink their workplace needs post-COVID19, they’re in search of more flexible and safer, turnkey options, says WeWork general manager of Australia and New Zealand Balder Tol. Speaking to ADR recently about the future of co-working in a post-pandemic ‘normal’, Tol says WeWork has been affected by the pandemic, […]
Global workplace specialist Unispace has appointed a new CEO and Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) to grapple with the short and long-term impacts of COVID-19 on office fit-outs, commercial tenancies and real estate portfolios. Steven Quick, former CEO of Global Occupier Services at Cushman & Wakefield and previously Executive Managing Director at CBRE, stepped into the […]
Associate Professor Melonie Bayl-Smith from UNSW Built Environment says debates about what is inspired and copied in architecture cut to the heart of the worst aspects of the drive for originality. Architects draw inspiration from many sources – other architects included. Some could even lay claim to founding a particular style that others went on […]
Master Builders Australia seeks a National Cabinet consensus to deal cohesively and practically with the tension between the health and economic impact of the virus is the overwhelming imperative to be drawn from the 7% fall in June quarter GDP. “This is a fundamental requirement to instilling the confidence necessary to arrest the shocking drops […]
Works by artist Ludwig Hirschfeld-Mack and architect Harry Seidler are part of the upcoming Bauhaus Now exhibition, which opens at the Museum of Brisbane on 18 September. Exploring why a 20th century German design school is still considered one of the most influential schools of art and design, Bauhaus Now: art+design+architecture, a legacy of migration and […]
Associate director and seniors living leader at Hames Sharley, Gary Mackintosh explores how aged care design will balance resident’s emotional and physical health post COVID-19. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the focus of seniors’ living providers, especially those offering residential aged care, has been literally on staying alive and protecting their staff and […]
Artist Chris Fox has unveiled a new public artwork in Sydney’s revitalised South Eveleigh precinct that pays tribute to the area’s rail yard history. Commissioned by Mirvac and its consortium of partners on the South Eveleigh development, the Interchange Pavilion is an 11 metre tall cusping structure that reference the geometry of the railroad switch: […]
Architectus senior team member Dan Solomon and Make Architects director Simon Lincoln explain how they restored Sydney’s iconic Shell House clock tower as part of their collaborative Brookfield Place Sydney project. Until recently, the 400-tonne clock on the roof of the iconic Sydney building, Shell House was hidden behind scaffolding, spending more than two years […]
National architecture practice Rothelowman has recognised the innovation of its team, promoting 15 staff nationally, including new Melbourne principal Chris Exner. In announcing the promotions, Nigel Hobart, Rothelowman’s managing principal, recognised the ongoing efforts of the firm’s staff in adapting to the operational challenges presented by COVID-19. “As our clients face growing pressures incurred by […]
Sydney-based architecture practice McConnel Smith & Johnson Architects (MSJ), has merged with Conrad Gargett, taking the national architectural firm to 176 employees across New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. Established following the successful competition entry for the Brisbane Head Fire Station by Henry Atkinson in 1890, Conrad Gargett celebrates its 130th anniversary this year. Over […]
Bringing Australia’s architecture and design community into focus since 2009.