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?

Life Architecturally

For those who missed the premiere at the State Library a few weeks ago, there’s still an opportunity to catch this documentary on McBride Ryan, in the comfort of your own home (at a much reduced price!). It is airing tomorrow night (Feb 28th) on the ABC at 10pm.

Life Architecturally is a WA-made production, focussing on Victorian husband-and-wife architectural team Robert McBride and Debbie Ryan, as they go about their lives, over the course of a year.

“The stakes are high. The vision is bold. It’s the embodiment of a Life Architecturally.”

More info and a cool preview here. I assume it will be available on iView for two weeks or so, if you miss it.

Boral Design Award 2012

OK, sorry got to this one a bit late. The Boral Design Award 2012 is now open. The brief is to repurpose an existing city-fringe commercial building into a small mixed-use or medium density residential development. The existing building is basically a standard brick box, so the possibilities seem quite interesting.

If you want to give it a go, you had better hurry. Entries close 1st March!

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.

2011 ArchiAwards

So a bit late, but …

George Temple Poole Award

one40william : Hassell

Jeffrey Howlett Public Architecture Award

State Theatre Centre of Western Australia : Kerry Hill Architects

Award : Albany Entertainment Centre : CH&BW in assoc with Roberts Gardiner

Commendation : VTEC Training WA Metal Fabrication Training Facility, Kalgoorlie : Armstrong Parkin Architects

Commendation : The Grove Library : CH&BW

Ross Chisholm Commercial Architecture Award

one40william : Hassell

Award : The Boulevard Hotel : Taylor Robinson

Margaret Pitt Morison Heritage Architecture Award

Legislative Council Chamber Upgrade : Oldfield Knott Architects

Award : Fremantle Prison Main Cell Block Conservation : Philip Griffiths Architects

Marshall Clifton Residential – Houses Award

Florida Beach House : Iredale Pederson Hook Architects

Award : Silver Creek Residence : Officer Woods Architecture

Award : Pennell Road Residence : Hartree + Associates Architects

Award : The Coombe Mosman Park : Richard Szklarz Architects

Commendation : 199 Hammersley Road : Paul Wellington and Elizabeth Karol Architects

Commendation : Kooringal Retreat : Coniglio Ainsworth Architects

Marshall Clifton Residential – Alterations and Additions Award

Hope Street : Vittino Ashe

Award : Maylands Additions : Jonathan Lake Architects

Commendation : Barlee Street Residence : Klopper & Davis Architects

Commendation : Lyon Residence : Walter Hunter and Penny Watson Architects

Harold Krantz Residential – Multiple Award

Beachside Leighton North : Kerry Hill Architects and Space Agency in assoc with Mirvac Design

Award : Glamacourt Residences : Nash+Ghersinich Architects and Interior Designers

Commendation : Square One Development, Money Street, Northbridge : Philip McAllister Architect

Commendation : One Brighton : the Buchan Group, Perth

Commendation : Oceanique Apartments : Banham Architects

Commendation : Scene Apartments : Gresley Abas

Iwan Iwanoff Small Projects Award

Hope Street : Vittino Ashe

Award : Perth Zoo Eco Toilet Facility : Chindarsi Architects

Award : Mt Lawley Addition : John Murphy Architect

Commendation : Irene McCormack College Covered Area : Parry & Rosenthal Architects

Commendation : Wing House : Copraxis Architects

John Septimus Roe Urdan Design Award

one40william : Hassell

Award : Parliament House Fountains and Forecourt Redevelopment : Pendal and Neille

Commendation : William Street Urban Renewal : Philip Griffiths Architects

Commendation : Central Park, Mandurah : Gresley Abas

Commendation : Morley City Centre Master Plan : Hames Sharley

Walter Greenham Sustainable Architecture Award

The Grove Library : CH&BW

Award : Main Roads Greater Southern Regional Complex : Hassell

Commendation : 199 Hammersley Road : Paul Wellington and Elizabeth Karol Architects

Julius Elischer Interior Architecture Award

State Theatre Centre of Western Australia : Kerry Hill Architects

Award : Sentinel Bar and Grill : Taylor Robinson

Award : 199 Hammersley Road : Paul Wellingotn and Elizabeth Karol Architects

Commendation : Florida Beach House : Iredale Pedersen Hook Architects

Commendation : The Boulevard Hotel : Taylor Robinson

Commendation : Legislative Council Chamber Upgrade : Oldfield Knott Architects

Colorbond Award for Steel Architecture

VTEC Training WA Metal Fabrication Training Facility, Kalgoorlie : Armstrong Parkin Architects

Mondoluce Lighting Awards

Bindoon Bakehaus and Cafe : Fratelle Group

Commendation : Legislative Council Chamber Upgrade : Oldfield Knott Architects

Commendation : State Theatre Centre of Western Australia : Kerry Hill Architects

Commendation : 199 Hammersley Road : Paul Wellington and Elizabeth Karol Architects

 

Phew – that seems like a lot this year! We didn’t enter anything so I didn’t get to go to the Awards this year – did everyone enjoy themselves?

Oh, and there’s a PS talk on tomorrow (Tuesday)  at The Bakery at 6pm, should be quite good. Featuring a Dulux Tour attendee, the EmaGN Emerging Architect Prize WA winner, the editors of The Weather Ring … hope to see you there.

Better Regional Home Design

Last year, Landcorp ran the REAL Challenge (Regional Environmental Affordable Living). Two of the designs have now been built, in Collie and Kununurra, and two of the Kununurra packages are up for sale. The designs each feature climate responsive housing designs for their particular climatic conditions. The Collie House, designed by Copraxis Architects, features an internal water wall which stores rainwater and acts as thermal mass and is an adaptable design within a competitive budget. The Kununurra House was designed by SIA Architects and features a modular design, utilising the cooling breezes whilst preventing desert winds.

Both designs are a great example of the benefit architectural design can have on residential living, that it can be so useful in non-city environments, and that it does not need to cost the earth.

Finbar Joint Ventures

Finbar Group have announced two more joint ventures, on the back of numerous developments in the second half of last year.

The first JV is with Swanline Group to build a $50 million, 90-apartment mixed use project on Lord Street, Summers Street and Coolgardie Terrace in East Perth, and the second is with LHK Holdings Australia to develop a 60 – 70 apartment project in Dianella.

New R Codes

The R Codes have been updated to include additional provisions for multiple dwellings. Click here for more information.

Featuring spaceagency

spaceangency has been featured in InDesign Live, showcasing their Henry St apartments and their Think Brick Australia: About Face competition entry.

R-Code Review

The Planning Minister has just commenced a two year review of the R-Codes.

“This review will assess the current effectiveness of the R-Codes to ensure the policy remains relevant and effective for all residential development within Western Australia,” [Planning Minister] Mr Day said.

The review will investigate a wide range of issues including:

• consideration of the local planning policies being prepared by local government and the consistency in the development of these policies
• new and emerging residential design trends not currently catered for in the R-Codes
• sustainable development issues relating to the design and energy efficiency of buildings
• the role of detailed area plans and the relationship with the R-Codes
• design for climate variations to encompass regional design requirements.

The Minister said the review would involve a public consultation phase scheduled for the first half of 2011.