Old Freo Power Station area to be revitalised

Picture from Wikipedia

There’s just something I love about this old power station. Check out here and here for some shots of the amazing interior (this graffitti at least should be protected) . So I’ve been watching the progress of what is due to happen in this area with some interest. I originally thought it was to be knocked down but now it seems it may be up for reuse. The City of Cockburn has finally approved the masterplan for the area, which will eventually cater for 10 000 residents and a mix of commercial and recreational facilities. There’s so much development happening along this little piece of coast – is this better than sprawling out into the ‘burbs ad nauseum? Or the destruction of our precious natural resources?

Sustainable Warburton Project

Architecture & Design have featured an article with AECOM’s Jon Shinkfield regarding the work they are doing to reinvigorate aboriginal communities. It all started with some pro-bono work and UWA architecture student participation and has developed into a worthwhile series of projects that can hopefully be replicated throughout the state.

Proposed Amendment to Freo Planning Guidelines

Below is an email I received from Paul Loring – as much as I wanted to I decided to copy it unedited:

The Freo Heritage group and local rag and paid to have a scale model of the Amendment 40 proposal built and no on display in the afternoons at the Freo Woolworths foyer. Really helps having a 3d model. Highlights the need for purpose, design and proper architectural input.

 

I am not an architect, I live close to Freo. Couple of topics below that might be worth considering, if you haven’t already, both about town planning. A general concern I have about Perth Architecture is that it seems to focus on buildings, rather than the Town. I find many examples today being like a heap of children’s building bricks, eg, 140 William, sometimes they even colour them like kids bricks!

 

Freo Amendment 49

Fremantle Council has an economic development strategy, that includes a major redevelopment of 12 blocks, or 17 owned buildings east of the Square. Amendment 49 deals with building heights, and some concept of architectural merit. But my biggest concern is it isn’t being planned from a holistic perspective, ie, it is just 17 individual developments, which may or may not be developed at all. Shouldn’t the Perth Architectural community be worried and more involved in developing an overall vision, before considering each development. Does it needs a development corporation? The Subi example may suggest ‘No’, East Perth ‘Yes’. What does the town want from such a large redevelopment ie, nearly 20% of the Freo? The Strategy gives the density of residence, office and retail, but the mix of residential is far too vague, if anything setting us up for Subi. But what about light rail, pedestrianisation, bike friendly; community and social space and facility; where do children play who live in 17 adjacent blocks?; would we have 17 sets of lifts and escalators, 17 car parks, 17 Tri gen facilities, 17 court yards, etc?

 

State Wide Planning a Vision

Perth can’t remain all things, to all, in perpetuity. As it will take 100years to build new Metros (unless you are like China), shouldn’t we be openly and actively be talking about the next two Metro Cities for WA, today? Why aren’t the WA schools of architecture and town planning driving this into the Public debate? Where are the competitions to locate and design a 21 century Metro? I don’t mean Joondalup and Rockingham, or the few thousand planned for Pilbara city. I mean two Metros that will stand the test of time as unique powerful cities of 500,000+ in their own right. Hence a significant distance from Perth eg, Carnarvon, Port Headland, Bunbury, Albany. Perth remaining the admin and capital centre. But these two places having their own identity, Footie teams, characteristics. But all 3 connected by a sophisticated transport, and utility services, eg, fast rail. Bringing water from the north to Perth hasn’t proved viable, but if it served a new Metro on its route, subsequently linking it to Perth as phase 2 might (applying that type of thinking). Perth is already a place of constant development conflict, so the sprawl continues. Hence, through initiatives like land release, divert WA growing population to the two identified Metros on mass, ie, 80% growth for them, less than 20% for Perth. Thus giving Perth change towards density and sustainability at a generational pace. WA would become the most powerful State with 3 Metros, eventually outstripping Sydney and Melbourne.

 

Thanks Paul, and sorry I didn’t get to this earlier. From the little I have followed it, the Fremantle issue seems to only be concentrating on the height implications, and not a holistic planning approach, which is so short-sighted. Freo’s mayor Brad Pettit has provided this post on recent amendments. Will be interesting to see how this one develops. There has been a recent tendency in Fremantle to take so long arguing about the development that nothing happens, and unfortunately the place is currently not as good as it has the potential to be.

Officer Woods featured on Australian Design Review

The beautiful work and practice of Officer Woods has been featured in a very well-written interview on Australian Design Review. Some really nice sentiments on their design theories and mode of practice.

Where’s Perth’s architectural creativity?

There was an interesting letter to the editor in Saturday’s paper this week, basically asking why Perth architecture is all so boring and uninspiring, in response to Linley Lutton’s critical comments on our city published last week. (See this article too for a response.) I won’t publish the whole letter but note these parts :

“While one does not expect our so-called architects to be in the league of Anton Gaudi of some 100 years ago, surely they could be outside of the square in imagination – or should I say out of the shoebox mentality in their designs? The current breed of apartments showing their flat faces are extremely boring…Even in former Soviet Union countries, the apartment blocks now being designed…show decades of imagination far beyond our Perth designers. They are simply not oblong boxes with the same balconies everywhere, but actually show imagination with variations, interesting shapes, carved columns and more. It’s not an Australian thing totally because there have been a few interesting shapes on our eastern borders…Can someone please tell me what it is with Perth architects? Is it our universities, perhaps an ancient curriculum, an easy exam standard or is it just too much sun killing the imagination here? Maybe it’s our councils because I believe they give no guidance or involvement at all.”

So what do we think? Are we boring? And if so, why? Where are the opportunities for the architecture innovation that seem to occur so easily in other states? I really seem to struggle to push clients to want to be innovative sometimes, and I think also there is not the competition here yet between companies / offices / apartments to try and raise the bar. Look at Perth’s biggest office project ever :

BHP tower - photo from Skyscraper City : copyright Matt Austen http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattausten/5088972145/

140William - Photo from AIA website gallery

and you can see that it was designed primarily to maximise lettable area, not any particular architectural design. But then at the same time, HASSELL does this magnificent building:

So the question is, why the difference? Both offices, both city locations. Same architects, so it can’t be that the architects aren’t creative, it must be that the client just doesn’t want to try. As architects, I think we all would love to be more creative, unfortunately we just don’t often get the opportunity. How can you convince a client that they should properly design their apartment building, when the off-the-shelf ‘shoebox’ down the road is selling for the same amount? What is the client’s motivation to build better architecture? It seems most of the well designed buildings lately have had at least part public funding (140William, State Theatre, Fiona Stanley Hospital), whereas private developers maybe just want to make profit and not allow the architects to put too much ‘design thought’ in to it. Should local councils enforce more stringent design guidelines for private developers to ‘force’ creativity??

Like most of my posts…more questions than answsers…what do you guys think??

$200m D&C contract for Perth waterfront advertised

Perth Waterfront - pic from WA Business News

The State Government is advertising for a contractor to design and construct the $200 million public space of the Perth Waterfront redevelopment. The scope includes the creation of the new inlet and surrounding public space, the construction of the island centrepiece, a public access jetty and public transport berth and sites for future private sector development.

“We are looking for a very experienced team to help deliver the transformation of Perth’s waterfront – connecting the city to the Swan River and creating an attractive destination for the people of Perth and visitors alike,” Planning Minister John Day said.

“The early involvement of the managing contractor for this important part of the project will mean a high level of collaboration with the State’s own project team; more efficient delivery of the project; and encourage innovation in design and construction.”

Some WA winners in the national AIA awards

State Theatre Centre - pic from Architecture&Design

one40william - pic from Architecture&Design

Ending our recent two-year drought , two WA buildings have won awards in the National Institute Architecture Awards.

Kerry Hill’s State Theatre Centre won The Emil Sodersten Award for Interior Architecture with the jury commenting ‘at night the buzz of human activity in rehearsal spaces and golden foyers transforms the centre’s character to one of joyful exuberance.’

HASSELL’s one40william building won Thde Walter Burley Griffin Award for Urban Design with the jury commenting the building ‘essentially transformed this city block into a city fabric.’

Well done to two of WA’s biggest recently constructed buildings, they are both well deserved.

South Perth Precinct

Got sent some info on this South Perth precinct the other day : I didn’t know anything about this. Apparently there is a plan to redevelop the Old Mill area in South Perth with a marina, ferry terminal, museum, art gallery, retail, cafes, a “celebration plaza” and other public spaces, and even a flying fox from Kings Park. Love it.

More pictures here, and an article from The West here.

The State of Australian Cities 2011

The 2011 Federal Government’s State of Australian Cities report has been released, rating Australia’s largest 18 cities,and comparing our cities with international examples. The Report identifies local council and state planning initiatives producing more sustainable, liveable urban communities, and identifies changes over the previous 12 months.

Over the past year, Aussies have been using less electricity, more public transport and ‘active travel’ (walking and biking) and producing less household waste. But we also have a shortage of 200 000 new homes across the nation.

The Government has also released a Action Plan for our Cities, aimed at encourage new innvoative solutions to urban sprawl, congestion, a lack of affordable housing and carbon pollution. States, territories and eligible local councils can apply for up to $500 000 for planning and design projects and up to $4 million for demonstration projects. Check here for more info.

The report leads in to a new urban design protocol, Creating Places for People, intended to encourage world-class design in our Australian cities to create prosperous, sustainable and liveable places for people through leadership and the integration of design excellence.

King’s Square Revamp

FINALLY the City of Fremantle is looking at doing something with the Queensgate building and surrounding Kings Square precinct. Landowner Sirona Capital Management, which acquired the Myer Fremantle building last month, have proposed an $80 million redevelopment which the Council is currently considering. The building will be redeveloped and re-leased in partnership with Luke Saraceni’s Saracen Properties.

“Redeveloping King’s Square as a precinct would allow us to achieve a number of objectives outlined within the City’s strategic plan within one project – it’s a very attractive opportunity to provide the Fremantle CBD with a vibrant focal point.” City of Fremantle chief executive Graeme Mackenzie commented.

“Quality building design and effective land use are critical to the success of this redevelopment opportunity,” Freo Mayor Dr Brad Pettit said.

“Should it be found feasible to proceed, a great deal of effort will go into a design that is worthy of the important place King’s Square serves as a civic space in Fremantle.”

Freo used to be one of my favourite places, and I have often wondered about the Kings Square area, and the strange layout of the Queensgate building (anyone know who originally did this one?). I think its way overdue and really hope this happens.