Excitement builds for Sydney Architecture Festival
Sydneysiders are turning their heads to Paris, to get the latest in urban style. The Deputy Lord Mayor of Paris, Pierre Mansat is currently visiting Sydney for the Sydney Architecture Festival which runs from 24th October to the 4th of November. Last Thursday, 25th of October he attended the City of Sydney Design Excellence Forum,...
The Stirling Prize winner 2012
After a highly anticipated wait, the Stirling Prize, one of the UK’s biggest architecture prizes, was announced in Manchester last Saturday. From the judges’ perspective, the project that has made the “greatest contribution to the evolution of architecture in the past year” was the Sainsbury Laboratory – an 82 million pound science facility by Stanton...
The River Gym – A step in the right direction
There is something that seems incredible wasteful about a room full of energetic bodies running, rowing and stair climbing all on the spot. What if we could harness this energy while simultaneously invigorating the experience of the gym? Sounds like a daring idea but Architect Mitchell Joachim has come up with the unique concept of...
Jury arrives on finalists for Flinders Street Station Design Competition
Earlier in the year the Victorian government announced the $1 million Flinders Street Station International Design Competition. The Flinders Street Station precinct is a heritage icon as well as Melbourne’s busiest railway station. All entries were submitted anonymously to the competition jury in a bid to maintain the highest level of fairness and equity. Out...
Solar lamps which cater to everyone on the spectrum
Solar power is an affordable and environmentally friendly technology that everyone should consider for their exterior lighting needs. And by everyone, I don’t just mean for large public works and commercial projects, but also residential areas or even sub-Sahara regions of Africa. In the world’s poorest regions, kerosene lanterns are the standard form of night-time...
Student Accommodation High Achiever
The Monash Student Housing Complex has just received the first Australian multi-residential Green Star Rating for sustainable construction. The construction has performed top in its class, also receiving a Royal Institute of British Architects International Award and The Victorian Architecture Award for Multiple Housing earlier in the year. Designed by BVN Architecture, the Monash University...
Great Crate at Green Square
We’ve all heard of Green Roofs and Green Walls, but how often do you hear of a Green Square? And where would you find such a thing? Green Square of course! From 21 September – 21 October as part of the Art & About Festival, Green Square station is home to The Great Crate. Measuring 10m²...
Smart Art
Architecture is no longer just a beauty contest; some of our best international designs are making headway due to their intelligent and daring design and personality. Who can discuss contemporary architecture without mentioning the Centre Pompidou, France’s infamous modern art museum? The Centre Pompidou was built in 1977 by Sir Richard Rogers and has remained...
Art & About in Sydney
While many world cities enchant us with their classical architecture, their boulevards, monuments and historic buildings, Sydney expresses itself in exciting contemporary design, making it a creative and colourful place to live, work and visit. No other time reveals this more than “Art & About,” which reinvents some of the city’s busiest public squares and...
Green Walls are on the way up
I have always had a fondness for climbers. I remember my first house and the gorgeous passionfruit vine that entirely engrossed our fence and garage, producing sweet tropical flowers and delicious purple fruit. I have always found it so aesthetically pleasing to see the natural world lighten and brighten commercial, industrial or residential spaces. Gardens...
Bright future for energy-efficient lights
With ecological sustainability a forefront issue in public consciousness, it is hard not to associate beautiful light installations with an irritating use of energy. However, with the development of increased energy efficiency, lights are back on the scene and brighter than ever. Energy efficient and solar lighting schemes are increasingly common in the public domain. The...
Floriade – More than a walk in the park
For 25 years Floriade has evoked tulips, perfume, sunshine and spring. However, Floriade is no longer just a family friendly flower festival; it also features an exciting program for the pros. This year from Saturday the 15th September to Sunday 14th of October, Canberra celebrates the season of Spring through Floriade. The free event is...
