Catherine Bull – Image: Dave Tacon. Source: Architectire AU

29 February 2016 [Architecture and Design]

WAF Director praises ARM, Hassell and Cox for creating Architecture symbols for Perth

World Architecture Festival founder and director, Paul Finch has praised the work of Australian architects in a visit to Perth, calling a few of their recent projects a “step in the right direction” for crafting the city’s own architectural identity.

Speaking at a Perth conference on Thursday 25 February for the launch of the 2016 WAF, Finch explained that Australia’s key cities should take inspiration from their own history and character when they’re redeveloping, rather than trying to be like somewhere else. Read more.

1 March 2016 [Architecture AU]

Catherine Bull appointed chair of South Bank Corporation Board

The Queensland government has appointed landscape architect Catherine Bull AM to chair the board of the South Bank Corporation.

The South Bank Corporation is a state government agency responsible for planning, developing and managing Brisbane’s South Bank Precinct, an area that includes cultural institutions such as the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Queensland Gallery, the State Library of Queensland and the Queensland Museum. Read more.

2 March 2016 [News Local]

Seeing red over removal of Greenery

Campbelltown can surely no longer claim the title of Australia’s first green city without a sense of embarrassment and unease.The council last week signalled it has little interest in greening our city or caring for the environment with its sudden removal of 16 celtis australis trees from the one-way section of Queen St in Campbelltown’s CBD. Read more

3 March 2016 [Financial Review]

Ashley Wright to replace Ian Shephered as GHD Chief Executive to lead expansion to $2B

Engineering and design company GHD has appointed Ashley Wright to take over as chief executive in April, to oversee an offshore-led 25 per cent revenue increase over the next four years.

Mr Wright, currently GHD's general manager for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, will replace Ian Shepherd, who is stepping down after nearly eight years in the role and 30 years at the company.Read more.

3 March 2016 [In Design Live]

Green Roof Tops

Increasingly, nature and greenery will play an important role in building our future cities as we grapple with rising urban density while addressing issues of health, wellbeing and sustainability. Linsey Rendell explores living infrastructure locally. Read More.

3 March 2016 [The Fifth Estate]

Naturally Hard-working Infrastructure

There are multiple urban ecosystem services and built environment benefits provided by vegetation, particularly when it can replace or reduce investments in traditional infrastructure such as storm water systems. However, there is still a way to go in terms of treating green infrastructure as physical and financial assets on balance sheets.

Professor Tony Wong, chief executive of the CRC for Water Sensitive Cities, says the federal government needs to truly recognise green infrastructure as “infrastructure” so it gets the financial resources and place in planning that it needs. Read more.

3 March 2016 [Architecture AU]

New Vision to transform Byron Bay

The team that developed the draft master plan was led by McGregor Coxall working with the Byron Shire Council, but included place making consultant People Place & Partnership, architecture practice Space Studio, planning organization Hill PDA and five others. Read more.

6 March 2016 [Brisbane Times]

Canberra needs a proper parks strategy not some fancy lighting

While the government commits significant resources to building a new lakeside park (be it delayed) to start the City to the Lake development, Haig Park is going to receive "dramatic lighting", to "expose the interior of the park to people looking from the edge". Read more.

4 March 2016 [Architecture AU]

(Not) In my Backyard: 2016 Festival of Landscape Architecture

The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) has announced the program for the 2016 International Festival of Landscape Architecture, themed (Not)in My Backyard.

The festival, to be held in Canberra from 27 to 30 October, will feature a range of events developed by AILA and Australian landscape architect Richard Weller, creative director of the festival. Read more.

7 March 2016 [Architecture and Design]

International landscape architecture festival to bring leading Asia Pacific professionals to Canberra

The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) is organising NotIn My Backyard: 2016 International Festival of Landscape Architecture in Canberra in October.

To take place over four days from 27 – 30 October 2016 in Canberra, the international festival will connect the public with landscape architects across multiple events developed by AILA and Festival Creative Director, Richard Weller (USA). The four-day program will include a Short Film Competition, Conference, National Landscape Architecture Awards and a host of public and industry tours, exhibitions, city activation, screenings and talks. Read more.

7 March 2016 [The Canberra Times]

Expansive thinking is needed on the ACT's urban parks strategy

For a city with a large and plentiful selection of recreational areas (and easy access to national parks and nature reserves), Canberra's town or district parks often appear underwhelming. Commonwealth, Weston, Glebe and Telopea Parks stand comparison with the Australia's finest, but the remainder are modest affairs of limited utility. And if University of Canberra landscape architecture professor Andrew MacKenzieis correct in his assessment, they're not being managed according to any long-term strategy. Read more.

8 March 2016 [Architecture AU]

Queensland’s design and architecture uncovered

The Asia Pacific Architecture Forum, currently being held in Brisbane, heads into its second week with two exhibitions that unearth some of Queensland’s design and architectural gems.

Vokes and Peters’ Detail and Manner exhibition at Artisan, opened by architect Alice Hampson on Friday 4 March, features the furniture and objects designed by the Brisbane practice, often seen in their architectural projects. Both new and existing designs can be seen in the exhibition, including the Personal Library (2006) and Bedside Library(2010). Read more.

8 March 2016 [Architecture AU]

Fresh look for Cronulla Sharks’ home ground development

Developer Bluestone Capital Ventureshas revealed fresh images of the Cronulla Sharks rugby league team’s home ground redevelopment project in Woolooware,after architecture practice HDR Rice Daubney became involved in the project and made some modifications to the designs.

Architecture practices Scott Carver Architects and Turner + Associates were involved during the earlier stages of the project. Read more

8 March 2016 [Architecture and Design]

Carbon neutral bricks shaping a sustainable future for Australia’s building industry

Climate change is threatening our world, and our way of life. The building industry is one of the biggest offenders in Australia, accounting for 23 per cent of all carbon emissions in the country. Though sustainable building practices and green building products are finding increasing acceptance, a lot more remains to be done to mitigate the effects of climate change and global warming on the environment. Architects, building designers and specifiers have an important role to play in addressing these issues through sustainable solutions. Read more.

11 March 2016 [LaTrobe Valley Express]

Old Gippstown’s New Lease On Life

Expanded parking for motor homes and caravans and a revamped entrance to Old Gippstown are planned to help better showcase the park as a tourist attraction for travelers visiting Moe. Plans include relocating the park's main entrance back to its former position and reopening the cafe. Landscape architect Steve Wallbrink outlined design plans for the gateway to community representatives this week. Read more.