Above: Artist’s impression of the Zaha Hadid-designed building at 582-606 Collins Street, render courtesy ZHA.

With the end of the year looming closer, ADR looks back on all that has happened across the industry in the last 12 months.

These seven news stories garnered the most attention in 2016 – from urban design and planning decisions in Melbourne to Australian projects shortlisted at WAF, and the fight against replica design.

7. Asbestos found at Perth Children’s Hospital from imported supplies

The debate around non-compliant building materials, which was initially sparked after the Lacrosse Tower building fire in November 2014, continued in 2016 when builders discovered asbestos in Chinese-imported roofing panels at the Perth Children’s Hospital.

6. Zaha Hadid’s Melbourne Tower gets approved

The late architect’s $300 million project, the 54-storey Collins Street tower, gained approval from the Andrews Labor Government.

5. A slew of Australian projects shortlisted for WAF

From sport centres, transport, residential and unrealised projects – there was a whole bunch of Australian projects that made the shortlist at the 2016 World Architecture Festival. These included the Waterfront Pavilion by Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp, the University of Sydney Business School by Woods Bagot, and the Canberra Airport Hotel by Bates Smart.

The Waterfront Pavilion by FJMT was shortlisted at WAF 2016.

4. Vale Stephen Ashton

Sadly, in 2016 the architectural community said goodbye to respected joint Gold Medallist Stephen Ashton of ARM Architecture. Over his 30 years in the industry, Ashton worked on many successful projects, including the Shrine of Remembrance – Galleries of Remembrance.

3. Harry Seidler: modernist film
A new film that delves into the life and work of the iconic Australian architect was a big drawcard. Ten years after his death, the film gives a never-before-seen insight into the life and mind of the modernist architect.

A new film that delves into the life and work of the iconic Australian architect was a big drawcard. Ten years after his death, the film gives a never-before-seen insight into the life and mind of the modernist architect.

2. Fighting fake designs

Anne-Maree Sargeant of the Authentic Design Alliance penned a compelling piece for ADR on the impact of replica products on the design industry and how other countries are leading the way in protecting design IP.

1. Five new train station designs released

The most popular news story from 2016 was the release of indicative designs for Melbourne’s five new underground train stations. Developed by Grimshaw Architects, the stations were released as part of the $10.9 billion Metro Tunnel plan.