<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sunland-group">Sunland Group</a> has officially lodged plans for its first Gold Coast apartment project since the departure of the Abedian family from the company three years ago, unveiling a new high-rise proposal for a prominent Broadbeach corner site on Old Burleigh Road.

The application was submitted by an entity directed by Tom Jamieson, stepson of longtime Sunland leader Soheil Abedian, and Riaz Rezvanipour, brother-in-law of Sahba Abedian, Soheil’s son.

Sunland acquired the 1,283 sqm site on the corner of Old Burleigh Road and Armrick Avenue for $9.5 million late last year and is now seeking approval for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/99-101-old-burleigh-road-broadbeach-qld-4218">42-storey tower with 81 apartments</a>.

<img alt="First look: Sunland Group returns to Broadbeach with new Old Burleigh Road tower plans" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fea2946d-90ee-4cfc-babe-2a8ad5db2cb6" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/pers.png?VersionId=BV0fihJw31nDIQ8ozY_h3GbS8mxDyhnm" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/contreras-earl-architecture">Contreras Earl Architecture</a>, the proposed tower at 99-101 Old Burleigh Road would deliver a predominantly larger-format apartment mix aimed at the owner-occupier market. Plans include 17 two-bedroom apartments, 55 three-bedroom apartments, and nine four-bedroom residences across 35 residential levels.

The development also incorporates three basement levels, four podium parking levels, two levels of communal recreation facilities, and rooftop plant and equipment. A total of 189 car spaces are proposed, significantly exceeding the 90 spaces required under the planning scheme.

The architecture adopts a sculpted, curvilinear form, with deep wraparound balconies and integrated landscaping intended to soften the tower’s vertical expression. The planning report states the building’s “slender footprint/form provides a complimentary yet varied built form within the local streetscape” and contributes to “a varied, yet ordered skyline.”

Contreras Earl noted in its Architectural Statement that from the early stages, the project addressed a fundamental challenge: how to accommodate the required residential yield while avoiding the conventional model of a tower sitting on a rigid, fully resolved parking podium.

“The most direct response would have been to consolidate parking into a singular, flat podium and extrude a repetitive tower above,” the statement said. “While efficient, this approach would result in a consolidated built form with limited engagement with the surrounding landscape and public realm.”

Instead, the conventional podium model was “deliberately rejected”. The architects described the base of the building as “a landscaped architectural condition where structure, planting and circulation are integrated”.

“Rather than presenting a continuous built mass, the base of the building is articulated through a series of concrete planter elements that organise the podium into a fragmented system,” the statement said. “This approach reduces the perceived bulk of the lower levels while establishing a more permeable interface with the streetscape and adjacent open space.”

<img alt="Sunland" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="923fad8d-c960-4527-8fbe-975cf1ddf88d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-25%20at%2010.32.03%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=pngwb0hYOIUpq9vDw6F2EsOiVuHF3DiX" />

&nbsp;

The site sits within the High Density Residential Zone and inside the City of Gold Coast’s unrestricted “HX” building height area, where the planning framework anticipates intensified residential development tied to the expanding light rail corridor. The planning report notes the area is undergoing “transition toward more intense development forms” given its proximity to Broadbeach, Surfers Paradise, and high-frequency public transport infrastructure.

Positioned directly opposite Broadbeach Park and within walking distance of Florida Gardens light rail station, the development would sit among a rapidly evolving stretch of Old Burleigh Road that has become one of the Gold Coast’s most active apartment development corridors.

The application joins a growing pipeline of luxury residential projects reshaping Broadbeach, including nearby developments by 5Point Projects, Polycell, and Graya.

The planning report argues the project contributes toward the Gold Coast’s long-term housing targets under the South East Queensland Regional Plan, which forecasts the need for more than 100,000 additional high-rise dwellings across the city by 2046.

<section data-scroll-anchor="false" data-testid="conversation-turn-4" data-turn="assistant" data-turn-id="request-WEB:84a2af5e-d7cf-4ddf-922a-f4d44d6c6caa-1" data-turn-id-container="request-WEB:84a2af5e-d7cf-4ddf-922a-f4d44d6c6caa-1" dir="auto">
The Abedian family departed Sunland Group in late 2023, ending a four-decade association with the company, and subsequently established the private development firm Abedian &amp; Co. The group is currently delivering <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/greenmount-residences-cnr-hill-street-and-marine-parade-coolangatta-qld-4225">Greenmount Residences</a> at Rainbow Bay and recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/18-mary-avenue-14-18-mary-avenue-broadbeach-qld-4218">18 Mary Avenue</a> in Broadbeach.
</section>

Joel Robinson

First look: Sunland Group returns to Broadbeach new apartment market with new Old Burleigh Road tower plans

The Minns Labor Government has established the new Bays West Delivery Authority to lead the development&nbsp;of the Bays West Precinct and Blackwattle Bay Precinct.&nbsp;

The Authority is charged with creating Sydney’s newest precinct, a thriving, connected, sustainable hub with White Bay Power Station as its cultural heart. Its vision is to build on the area’s natural, cultural and industrial history to shape a vibrant new neighbourhood.

The precinct will deliver up to 8,500 well-located homes, including a minimum of 10 per cent affordable and essential worker homes. Combine new housing with public open space, opening public access to the waterfront for the first time in more than 100 years, while retaining important deep-water facilities to support Sydney’s working harbour.

Located just minutes from the Sydney CBD and connected to a world-class metro, ferry, walking and cycling links, the Bays West precinct will rebalance housing growth towards well-serviced inner-city locations and help tackle the state’s housing crisis.

The Bays West Delivery Authority,&nbsp;an agency of the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, will report to the NSW Minister for Lands and Property who already has oversight of major precinct renewal projects including at Blackwattle Bay and Barangaroo.

As part of the broader Bays West transformation, the Minns Government recently announced that a proposal from Lendlease to redevelop part of the Bays West Precinct has progressed to Stage 2 of the NSW Government’s unsolicited proposals process.

<img alt="Sydney" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2ed71eb9-d8e8-4fa7-b9d1-de4531dcf2f3" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-25%20at%209.42.31%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=IDryFIbped9SNDg72LEN_EecvhUsOPvp" />

The Minns Labor Government has also confirmed the Bays West precinct will have a new suburb name. This will be the first major suburb built in close proximity to Sydney’s CBD in decades and will encompass the area currently being referred to as Bays West, including Glebe Island and the White Bay Power Station. Served by a new Metro station just five minutes from the CBD, it will become one of the most populous suburbs in the Inner West and one of Sydney’s premier cultural destinations.

An early works program is taking shape, which&nbsp;includes the first stages of an international design competition.&nbsp;

The aim of the Bays West&nbsp;International&nbsp;Design Competition is to&nbsp;ensure design excellence is embedded in the project from the start. The competition will deliver an&nbsp;urban framework that defines the character, ambition and long-term identity of&nbsp;this&nbsp;former industrial precinct as it transitions to a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable residential&nbsp;neighbourhood.

The competition will be led by the Bays West Delivery Authority in partnership with Government Architect NSW.&nbsp;

It will launch with an invitation for a global Expressions of Interest, before moving to an invitation-only stage that will be assessed by a panel that&nbsp;will provide advice to Cabinet who will select a winner.

Premier of NSW, Chris Minns said the establishment of the new Authority is the first step in transforming the Bays West precinct into a vibrant, livable suburb minutes from the Sydney CBD and two stops from Hunter St Station on the Metro West line.

“The Authority will deliver well-located homes close to the heart of the city and integrate the new precinct with Blackwattle Bay and the new Sydney Fish Market.

“This is a generational opportunity to build a new suburb on the city’s edge and open the harbour foreshore to the public for the first time in a century.”&nbsp;

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said the new Bays West Delivery Authority established by the Minns Government will turbocharge the development of Sydney’s newest suburb.

“The Authority is working at a record pace to deliver an international design competition, planning pathways and a financial model so that this development benefits Sydney with well-designed homes in a central location, close to public transport, jobs, entertainment and essential services.

“If we want Sydney to stay liveable and affordable, we need to be bold about using underutilised government-owned land to deliver homes for the future while making sure essential working harbour functions can be accommodated.”

Bays West Delivery Authority established to "turbocharge" Sydney’s newest suburb

Around 400 additional homes could be built at Southwark Grounds on Port Road, lifting total site capacity from 1300 to around 1700 dwellings.

A recently approved code amendment would allow apartment towers of up to 14 storeys in some areas of Renewal SA’s redevelopment of the former West End Brewery.

Renewal SA Acting Chief Executive Shane Wingard said he welcomed the code amendment, with the increase in heights and homes making a positive impact on the supply of high-quality, well-connected housing close to the city.

“By going higher across some parts of Southwark Grounds, we are adding a substantial number of very well-located homes with little impact on project delivery time or planned open space,” Mr Wingard said.

Since the project officially launched in 2025, Mr Wingard said more than 12,000 enquiries had been received about living at Southwark Grounds.

“The very strong early interest we’ve seen since homes were first released in the precinct reinforces our plans to create more housing opportunities,” he said.

The Southwark Grounds code amendment was launched in December last year, with community engagement undertaken over five weeks from January.

It proposed increasing maximum building heights from eight to 14 storeys on the eastern section of Southwark Grounds, and to 12 storeys across the remainder of the site, with minimum building heights ranging from two to four storeys.

The code amendment was implemented through an Early Commencement policy in late January, allowing developers to quickly explore the viability of increased height and housing yield while other planning processes continue.

One of the first developers delivering apartment sites have already finalised redesigns to increase the number of apartments following the code amendment.

Samaras’ development adjacent to the future Colonel Light Park is now planning to deliver 125 apartments across 11 storeys, significantly greater than original plans of around 50 apartments across four storeys.

The developer is also exploring the potential for additional affordable housing outcomes.

Most of the apartments at Southwark Grounds will be delivered within a master-planned precinct on a large parcel of land on the eastern portion of the site, covering around two-thirds of its 8.4 hectares.

Wingard said detailed precinct planning over the coming months may identify further opportunities to increase yield further that could see total apartment numbers at Southwark Grounds, exceed this number.

Affordable homes at Southwark Grounds will also see a net increase, with Renewal SA maintaining its commitment to a minimum of 20 per cent affordable housing across the development.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Civil works have begun across the site, with construction under way on the first new roads surrounding a townhouse precinct in the south‑west corner of Southwark Grounds. This includes Renewal SA’s 17 Founder’s Row homes, which are on track for completion by Christmas.

“We expect to have people living at Southwark Grounds by the end of the year, so delivering roads and public spaces for those residents is among our highest priorities.”

Construction of 40 townhouses off Anderson Street, known as West Village and being delivered by Contour, is forecast to begin in mid‑2026. Kolabb’s Anderson Lane development will follow shortly after, delivering a further 26 townhouses.

Southwark Grounds is a state government‑led urban renewal project now set to deliver around 1,700 homes over the next decade.

Homes will be supported by a supermarket, a range of retail and hospitality offerings anchored by a revitalised Walkerville Brew Tower, a childcare centre, car parking and well‑connected public spaces.

400 new homes planned for Adelaide's former West End Brewery site

Brisbane developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/cavcorp">Cavcorp</a> has lodged plans for a new mixed-use residential development at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/55-wyandra-street-teneriffe-qld-4005">55 Wyandra Street</a>, Teneriffe, anchored by an 85-metre public laneway designed to reconnect the suburb’s riverfront with the Gasworks precinct.

The buildings, known as Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane, would replace the existing Queensland Cotton head office site with a 15-storey residential tower transitioning to eight storeys toward Helen Street. The project has been designed by Plazibat Architects and lodged as a code assessable development application for 93 apartments across a 3,401 sqm mixed-use site within the Newstead and Teneriffe Waterfront neighbourhood plan.

Central to the scheme is the transformation of an existing service easement into a publicly accessible cross-block connection linking Wyandra and Helen Streets. Cavcorp says the new laneway will act as both a pedestrian shortcut and a landscaped civic space between the Teneriffe Riverwalk, ferry terminal, and Gasworks precinct.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="26e7f058-b065-4de8-b13d-a2b8cb64dfcc" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/bldg.png?VersionId=sELS0ZKYi361oYipUa1BIKfe_.DLZoFV" />

“The revised proposal delivers a legacy public-realm cross-block link, permanently secured for community use, transforming an existing private easement into a safe, high-quality pedestrian connection between the Teneriffe heritage riverwalk and the Gasworks–Long Island precinct,” the planning report states.

The laneway will sit beneath a large subtropical loggia integrated into the podium levels of the development. The design incorporates deep landscaping, water gardens, lobby spaces, business lounges, and ground-floor apartments to create what Cavcorp describes as a climate-responsive “urban verandah.”

The tower itself has been designed as a slender form with recessed floorplates and curved translucent corners inspired by contemporary Japanese architecture. The building height aligns with the Commercial Road precinct controls, which permit towers up to 15 storeys within proximity to Longland Street.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a8a17d40-43b6-4718-b3fd-67676fcbb485" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/pers%202_1.png?VersionId=i3VwDtp5AmL_8InW7w4qRbDFEpb744Jt" />

The project will comprise a mix of larger-format apartments aimed at owner-occupiers, downsizers, and families. The proposed apartment mix includes 11 loggia apartments across the lower levels, 50 four-bedroom Sky-Terrace apartments from levels three to seven, and 32 Sky-Pool Homes occupying the upper tower levels. The Sky-Pool Homes will feature private thermal plunge pools integrated into oversized balconies.

According to the application, the apartments are intended to reinterpret the scale and character of Teneriffe’s woolstore conversions and Queensland homes within a vertical residential format.

“The sky-pool homes build on Cavcorp’s previous projects and introduce a distinct apartment typology to Teneriffe, informed by both local and international precedent and responding to an identified market demand for enhanced safety, space and amenity,” the planning submission notes.

A major focus of the proposal is its five-level wellness and lifestyle offering, extending from the basement through to the rooftop.

Amenities proposed include a rooftop Swim &amp; Racquet Club with a 25-metre Olympic lap pool and tennis court, coworking spaces and libraries, golf simulators, wine storage, concierge facilities, business lounges, pet wash areas, and rooftop longevity-focused wellness spaces with spas, outdoor fitness zones, and landscaped terraces.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="944b352c-49b9-4247-a4c6-5967b4b69fda" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/amenity.png?VersionId=Ed_qKjAtMwFT.5gfl3jiA9QwdWxSMsaX" />

All parking will be concealed within basement levels accessed from Wyandra and Helen Streets. Cavcorp says the deep-basement engineering approach allows the entire ground plane to prioritise landscaping, pedestrian movement, and active frontage rather than vehicle infrastructure.

The development continues Cavcorp’s concentration in Newstead and Teneriffe, where the Brisbane developer has delivered a number of apartment projects including Lucent, Le Bain, and Luminare, as well as the Long Island Wellness Precinct nearby. Several of those projects have received national design and architecture awards, including recognition under Brisbane’s “Buildings that Breathe” program.

Cavcorp unveils wellness-focused Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane apartment buildings

Focus Group Investments has lodged plans for a new apartment development at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/64-70-hanover-street-fitzroy-vic-3065">64–70 Hanover Street</a> in Fitzroy, seeking to utilise the Victorian Government’s recently introduced Great Design Fast Track pathway to accelerate approvals for the project.

The proposal is among the latest developments to emerge through the state-led initiative, which was established to fast-track well-designed residential projects in activity centres and transport-connected inner-city locations. The pathway allows qualifying developments that meet elevated design and housing benchmarks to bypass traditional council planning timeframes and instead be assessed directly by the Department of Transport and Planning.

Designed by SJB, the development will comprise a mix of apartments above activated lower levels, with a strong focus on architectural articulation, landscaping, and communal amenity. The design response seeks to balance the industrial character of Richmond’s former warehouse precincts with a more contemporary residential form.

<img alt="First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Richmond apartments" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="abea51cc-d85b-479e-9aef-a589f3b37ca7" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/ground.png?VersionId=e1Kf8EyPWwyiVumtqQ4rM5S4GpOR3CCz" />

Proposed are 63 new dwellings, a wide ranging mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, and townhouses and duplexes. They will be spread across a part-three, part-eight storey building.

The Planning and Urban Context Report by Tract says the development is of an "exemplary architectural standard" and has been carefully crafted by SJB Architects.

"Dwellings&nbsp;will benefit from excellent access to natural light, cross-ventilation opportunities and extensive communal space," the report noted.

The architectural material highlights the project’s integration of landscaped elements and communal spaces throughout the building. The proposal also incorporates sustainability initiatives aligned with the Victorian Government’s push for higher-performing apartment developments under the fast-track program.

The Great Design Fast Track was unveiled by the Victorian Government in 2024 as part of a broader housing supply strategy aimed at accelerating the delivery of new homes. Projects assessed through the pathway must demonstrate high-quality architecture, sustainability outcomes, and housing diversity while being located close to public transport and existing infrastructure.

<img alt="First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Richmond apartments" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="afdbe834-8dc4-4a77-a943-ba07bc927348" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/site_11.png?VersionId=0J657j.TaChAZfp93wqJYBTqSsnREJx2" />

Focus Group, founder and led by Paul De Lutiis, is increasingly active across Melbourne’s inner suburbs, targeting well-connected urban renewal locations suited to medium and higher-density residential development. The Fitzroy proposal continues that strategy, leveraging the area’s strong transport links, established retail amenity, and proximity to the CBD.

Fitzroy has been one of the most popular spots for developers and buyers in recent years. The likes of PACE Development Group, SMA Projects, Crema Group and Chapter Group, currently selling projects in the suburb.

First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Fitzroy apartments

Design

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The jury for what shapes as Melbourne's largest single phase project has been announced. 

Southbank by Beulah is likely to see over 220,000 square metres of space split between hotel, residential, commercial, entertainment and technological uses. But before the $2 billion plus project can advance the process of selecting a winning design will play out.

Touted as the first major mixed-used design competition of its calibre for Melbourne, Southbank by Beulah will see seven highly credentialed individuals settle upon a winning design.

Jury panel notables include:

<ul>
<li>Jill Garner, Jury Chair and Victorian Government Architect</li>
	<li>Marc-Heinrich Werner, CEO of BMW Group Australia</li>
	<li>Prof Thomas Kvan, former Pro Vice-Chancellor at the University of Melbourne and the Director of Australian Urban Research Information Network</li>
	<li>Cameron Bruhn, the Editorial Director of Architecture Media</li>
	<li>Adelene Teh and Jiaheng Chan from Beulah International</li>
</ul>
Jill Garner is the headline appointment to the jury. She was the first female to take on the role of Victorian Government Architect and co-founded design practice Garner Davis.

She along with the balance of the jury will choose the successful design partnership that will deliver the mass-scale development of 118 City Road. The prominent 6,191 square metre site which also fronts Southbank Boulevard will see the following firms pitch to win the right to have their names associated with Southbank by Beulah:

<ul>
<li>Bjarke Ingels Group with Fender Katsalidis Architects</li>
	<li>Coop Himmelb(l)au with Architectus</li>
	<li>MAD Architects with Elenberg Fraser</li>
	<li>MVRDV with Woods Bagot</li>
	<li>Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) with Conrad Gargett</li>
	<li>UNStudio with Cox Architecture</li>
</ul>
<h2>Comment</h2>

Beulah international's bid to bring to fruition the Southbank development by way of an invited design competition is undoubtedly a move to generate an air of prestige around the project, which is perfectly fine but it does raise a number of pertinent questions.

In light of other cities such as Sydney maintaining regular design competitions, should design competitions be mandated for all Melbourne projects over a certain value?

Is there any evidence to suggest that design competitions produce better outcomes than what architecture firms currently across Melbourne are capable of producing? Is it merely a grandiose self gesture to implement design competitions?

It could be argued that an increased number of design competitions and review panels could lift design standards for new buildings, but is this not already achieved via the standard planning channels that are arguably more rigorous across Melbourne than elsewhere.

Here in Melbourne, a design competition looks to be as much a marketing tool as a vital mechanism in the pursuit of design excellence. 
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silvermb

Southbank by Beulah gains its design jury; should they become commonplace?

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An oddly placed and shaped sliver of land is up for development as City of Port Phillip processes an application for 195-199 Ferrars Street.

Tucked up against a light rail embankment and bound by Ferrars Street and City Road, the narrow site is now subject to a 10 level residential building looking to replace what was the Python Choppers Motorcycle Company digs. The site falls between the South Melbourne Central Activity Centre and Fishermans Bend.

The irregularly shaped and effectively isolated plot holds a roughly 50 metre frontage to Ferrars Street, with little more than 10 metres to City Road.

Tandem Design Studio have handled the design on behalf of 195 Ferrars Street Pty Ltd.

<h2>195-199 Ferrars Street application summary</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image111_4.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Versus draft planning controls. Planning image: TANDEM"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="362" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image111_4.jpg?itok=-vMYR-yY" title="Versus draft planning controls. Planning image: TANDEM" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Versus draft planning controls. Planning image: TANDEM</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>Site area: 594sqm</li>
	<li>Proposed: 10 storey building plus rooftop terrace at 34m to lift overrun</li>
	<li>47 apartments: 27 x 1BR, 18 x 2BR, 2 x 3BR</li>
	<li>26 apartment types on offer</li>
	<li>21 parking spaces and 21 bicycle bays</li>
	<li>Double storey 228sqm cafe + 140sqm office space</li>
	<li>Estimated cost of development: $16m</li>
</ul>
<h2>Design aspects</h2>

Tandem Design Studio have referenced a handful of South Melbourne buildings and their heritage brick character as influencing the Ferrars street design. Corten steel, glazing and concrete play secondary roles behind the application's use of brick.

<blockquote>
The subject site presents an opportunity to realise architecture deeply embedded in the past, present and future.

Our proposal for 195-199 Ferrars Street acknowledges this rich masonry architectural heritage by choosing brick as its primary material. This choice displaces the current practice of sheathing buildings in glass, reducing embedded energy, heat loads and adding thermal mass.

This banded treatment benefits apartments, creating freedom for furniture placement, enhancing privacy and the opportunity to build in terrace gardens and planted edges.
<cite>Tandem Design Studio: Design Statement</cite>
</blockquote>

Internally the development intends to create 26 separate apartment types with 97% of the included apartments subject to natural cross ventilation. The wide, narrow site leads to apartment floorplates that have been designed to capture as much light and natural ventilation as possible.

It is noted that 17 apartments comply with Better Apartments Design Standards, with the balance falling marginally short of the standards.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image110_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Street level perspective. Planning image: TANDEM"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="372" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image110_1.jpg?itok=LtddrfLf" title="Street level perspective. Planning image: TANDEM" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Street level perspective. Planning image: TANDEM</figcaption></figure><h2>CoPP responds</h2>

Upon assessing the initial application, City of Port Phillip have noted some concerns with the proposal, although the major point of contention related to the building's scale and height.

Town planning consultancy Contour have countered by noting that the site has no sensitive interfaces, based upon its isolated position. Further to this the area directly opposite within Fishermans Bend is the Montague Precinct which is subject to developments spanning up to 18 levels.

195-199 Ferrars Street landed with Council just prior to the new year.
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Tandem tackles a tight Ferrars Street site

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This month's announcement that University of Queensland's Sustainable Futures Building is drawing closer to reality has given cause to touch upon architecture firm Lyons' stellar design legacy across multiple Australian cities.

Lyons in association with m3architecture won the design competition for the development during late 2015, but the project has only this month received a major boost with alumni Andrew N. Liveris <a href="https://www.uq.edu.au/news/article/2018/04/historic-gift-andrew-and-paula-liveris">pledging $13.5 million</a> to take the project from design to reality. The intended 11-storey engineering, education and research hub will now be known as the Liveris Academy.

At University of Queensland's St Lucia campus, Liveris Academy is yet another project which showcases Lyons' uncommon design traits. 

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image20_12.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="University of Queensland's newest addition. Image: Lyons"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="367" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image20_12.jpg?itok=hFd1oZSf" title="University of Queensland's newest addition. Image: Lyons" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>University of Queensland's newest addition. Image: Lyons</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
Having won a Design Competition in late 2015, Lyons and m3architecture have now commenced Schematic Design and Design Development work on the new Sustainable Futures Building, a major investment by the University of Queensland for their School of Chemical Engineering and new campus learning spaces.

The project will be UQ’s flagship platform to integrate innovative teaching with interdisciplinary and solutions focused research by incorporating a range of collaborative spaces with overlapping boundaries between learning, research and industry.

The new spaces will act as a vibrant hub for industry and interdisciplinary collaboration that will address global challenges such as energy, water and sustainable manufacturing.
<cite>Lyons</cite>
</blockquote>

Expected to be built by 2020, Liveris Academy's multicoloured facade and sandstone base are distinctive design features. Protruding design elements are very much in keeping with Lyons' design style, as evidenced by existing projects such as Melbourne's <a href="http://www.lyonsarch.com.au/la-trobe-university-institute-for-molecular-science-2/">LIMS Building</a> and Newcastle University's <a href="http://www.lyonsarch.com.au/new-space-the-university-of-newcastle/">New Space</a> project.

In terms of Liveris Academy, an open aired staircase provides the form-breaking design aspect; it along with common spaces add to the design's standpoint of being ‘outwardly open and transparent, while inwardly intense and focused’.

Liveris Academy is but one of many Lyons projects across the nation that are readily recognisable. In shape, style and especially colour, Lyons designs are exceedingly unique. This is particularly the case with their education and research-based designs, of which a sample are shown below.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image67_4.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Lyons' not so uniform approach to design"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="1500" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image67_4.jpg?itok=t58HY5GO" title="Lyons' not so uniform approach to design" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Lyons' not so uniform approach to design</figcaption></figure>Next on Lyons' agenda is the position of design lead for University of Melbourne’s forthcoming New Student Precinct project. During March <a href="/news/design-team-for-university-of-melbournes-student-precinct-announced">it was announced</a> that University of Melbourne’s Parkville campus will play host to nine refurbished or redeveloped buildings which will amalgamate a range of services and university bodies.

The $229 million project will see Lyons head an expanded design team which includes United States-based Koning Eizenberg Architects, Aspect Studios, Breathe Architecture, NMBW Architecture Studio, Greenaway Architects, Glas Urban and Architects EAT.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/uom-aerial-dusk.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Lyons' depiction of University of Melbourne’s new $229m student precinct"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/uom-aerial-dusk.jpg?itok=kMZmQzN6" title="Lyons' depiction of University of Melbourne’s new $229m student precinct" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Lyons' depiction of University of Melbourne’s new $229m student precinct</figcaption></figure>
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Lyons expand their design legacy as Brisbane's Liveris Academy draws closer to reality

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Woods Bagot has circulated fresh images of the newly approved Carlton Connect Initiative. 

Outlined by Apartments.com.au at the time of approval, Woods Bagot as the masterplan and lead design architect has also provided commentary on the development which will account for the former Royal Women's Hospital on the corner of Grattan and Swanston Streets in Carlton.

In its place will rise five new connecting buildings around the perimeter of the site, all surrounding a publicly-accessible 'Oculus' open space.

The string of buildings will upon completion lay claim to being the nation's most advanced, and a globally recognised innovation precinct. University of Melbourne staff and students, researchers, local and international businesses and start-up companies will be present in the same location, with the intent of efficiently formulating new ideas and taking them to market.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image45_9.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Vivid interplay on Swanston &amp; Grattan. Image: Woods Bagot"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="356" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image45_9.jpg?itok=8eNYxlEa" title="Vivid interplay on Swanston &amp; Grattan. Image: Woods Bagot" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Vivid interplay on Swanston &amp; Grattan. Image: Woods Bagot</figcaption></figure>Upon completion of the site's demolition, Lendlease will begin construction of the $425 million project mid this year. Shops, cafes, public spaces and a new home for Science Gallery Melbourne will be the public drawcards, whilst accommodation for more than 500 students along with co-working and commercial office spaces will form the backbone of the development.

Owing to the scope, size and complexity of the design, Woods Bagot considers the new precinct as unprecedented in Australia. 

<blockquote>
For this extraordinary site to support people working together in the creative and entrepreneurial ways envisioned by the University of Melbourne's  ambitious plan for innovation, we needed to completely re-think what the project could offer back to both the university and to Melbourne's urban innovation. 

What we've generated are new forms and, importantly, opportunities for exceptional circulation through the site and a great diversity of spaces at ground level, as well as maximising sunlight for wellbeing and sustainability.
<cite>Woods Bagot principal and project design leader, Hazel Porter</cite>
</blockquote>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image47_9.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Aerial perspective. Image: Woods Bagot"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="433" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image47_9.jpg?itok=CToHb3yN" title="Aerial perspective. Image: Woods Bagot" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Aerial perspective. Image: Woods Bagot</figcaption></figure>Externally the Carlton Connect Initiative maintains strong design semblance to National Australia Bank's campus at <a href="https://www.woodsbagot.com/projects/national-australia-bank-docklands">700 Bourke Street</a>. Both Woods Bagot designs maintain a similar shape, triangular facade detailing and fissures running the height of the buildings.

Along with the complexities of effectively designing for the melding of multiple entities within a purpose-built precinct, Woods Bagot also factored in sustainability aspects.

From winning University of Melbourne's design competition for the project in December 2016, Woods Bagot intended for the design to be bold and iconic, and a symbol of the university's unyielding pursuit of excellence. The focus on the person and their experience within is also a major design aspect thought through by Woods Bagot.

<blockquote>
Innovation comes from people, the way they interact, the way they  collaborate on a common purpose. Therefore, it's essential that every part of this scheme lives and breathes human-centred design

Providing an exceptional educational and professional experience to attract the best and brightest demands the setting of a new global benchmark to stay competitive on the world stage of higher education.  
This education and innovation precinct will complement the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct in Parkville and the Arts Precinct in Southbank. It's also part of the emerging Melbourne Innovation Districts – a City of Melbourne initiative to drive investment in the knowledge economy and help shape Melbourne's future.
<cite>Woods Bagot principal and global education sector leader, Sarah Ball</cite>
</blockquote>

Targeted completion for the development which consists of 74,000 square metres of Gross Floor Area is late 2020.

<h2>Woods Bagot CCI project contributors</h2>

Hazel Porter, Sarah Ball, Alastair Flynn, Harry Charalambous, Wes Baigent, Sophie Blain, Ali Tehami, Femi Akande, Nirvan Basnet, Krisi Patras, Susannah Xu, Pete McKew, Derek Huynh, Roberto Spadaccino, Mluk Nehme, Peter Miglis, Sara Sidari, Kevin Mitchem, Robert Rosamilia, Lara Viguet. 

<div>
<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image49_8.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Contrasting built forms. Image: Woods Bagot"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="572" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image49_8.jpg?itok=JxASvHE9" title="Contrasting built forms. Image: Woods Bagot" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Contrasting built forms. Image: Woods Bagot</figcaption></figure>
</div>
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Woods Bagot elaborates on the Carlton Connect Initiative

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Following on from <a href="/news/escala-newquay-in-focus-part-one">yesterday's Q&amp;A with MAB's David Allt-Graham</a>, Apartments.com.au today discusses the design approach to Escala in NewQuay with Six Degrees Director Mark Healy and how the office's experience in the residential sector and within Melbourne's laneways, informed the key design drivers and composition of the project's architecture.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/escala-facade-1140x430.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Escala's podium will comprise a series of buildings, providing a fine grain approach to the streetscape. Image : Supplied"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="219" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/escala-facade-1140x430.jpg?itok=GFjFo7YJ" title="Escala's podium will comprise a series of buildings, providing a fine grain approach to the streetscape. Image : Supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Escala's podium will comprise a series of buildings, providing a fine grain approach to the streetscape. Image : Supplied</figcaption></figure>Apartments.com.au: Escala represents Six Degrees jump into high-rise development. What was Six Degrees' approach for designing Escala and how did your experience working on more low-rise to mid-scale projects help inform the design of Escala? 

Mark Healy: Escala represents a new challenge for Six Degrees, but it is precisely our experience in low-rise and mid-scale projects that informed this project. Rather than approaching this as one high-rise project, we envisage it as a series of smaller buildings making up a community. For example, priority is given to the lived experience of the resident, rather than the view of the tower from a helicopter window – as is so often the case with high-rise development design. The bottom-up approach so clearly embraced at Escala is reflective of Six Degrees’ human-driven approach to design.  

UM: Why do you think MAB engaged Six Degrees for the project?

MH: As Melbourne’s first laneway bar, Meyers Place in many ways gave birth to the laneway culture this city knows and loves today. Six Degrees continues to design laneway projects all these years later, and I think MAB sought to bring the authenticity inherent in these spaces to NewQuay. When we designed Meyers Place, Melbourne’s CBD was not at all the vibrant place it is now, but having a long-term vision for what could be was crucial – and that’s how we approached this project.    

UM: One thing Docklands has been criticised for is that it lacks some of that finer grain quality of say parts of the CBD both in terms of how buildings are articulated and the tactile quality of them. Were Six Degrees conscious of this criticism and did you seek to address this in the design for Escala?

MH: It's a big ask when you're tasked to build a new high-density city building, on a piece of vacant land, with little heritage surrounds. So, we asked ourselves how we could introduce the best bits of the CBD –  like finer grain, scale and material diversity –  to speed up the sense of community and placemaking. Our use of handmade tiles, breezeblocks, delicate metals like bronze and stained glass embodies this, so too does the introduction of a Melbourne-scaled laneway at Escala.

UM: How does Escala respond to the buildings that are already there and what were some of the challenges and opportunities that you faced in an area that is still trying to find its identity? 

MH: Overcoming the cold, southerly winds that plague the Docklands was a challenge that we overcame by creating the intimate laneway buffeted from the breeze. When it came to responding to buildings already in place at NewQuay, we designed a T-shape tower as it maximises the northern light, city and water views, as well as creating more corner apartments.

We were conscious of a new supermarket soon to be built across the way from Escala, so the placement of the piazza deliberately provides interests along the path that people will use when they buy groceries. The movement of not just residents, but visitors and workers through the square will help generate activity and buzz in this area of NewQuay.

UM: And how much influence do you have in helping to shape the identity and character of the area through a single or this instance a collection of buildings?

MH: At Six Degrees we are firm believers that social life should generate what a building looks like. For example, we’re aware that many office workers venture to the city for drinks or coffee, so we designed the piazza with space for a buzzing north facing café to encourage people to stay in the precinct

UM: What do you consider to be the most critical aspect of Escala's design and what distinguishes it from some of the other buildings in Docklands?=

MH: The most symbolic aspect of Escala’s design is the piazza because it is a genuine public space not just for residents, but for the wider community to socialise. What also stands out about Escala is the significant amount of active street frontage. Even the car park entry is presented like a shop window, with bike racks making it feel like an inner-north bike shop – we’re highly conscious of activating every space.
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Laurence Dragomir

Escala NewQuay in Focus - Part Two

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Works on the new purpose-built Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) headquarters were completed late last year. Now occupied, the 10-storey mixed-use complex at 535 Elizabeth Street was built by <a href="/builders/multiplex">Multiplex</a> and accommodates the organisation’s 165 staff within the 16,820 square metre building.

With the task of creating a new workplace and education facility in line with ANMF's vision, architecture firm Crone went about designing the building which includes a 400-seat auditorium, simulation laboratories, state-of-the-art interactive library, student hub and multi-purpose training rooms. 

A-grade commercial space accounts for the buildings upper levels, and are leased separately to the ANMF's needs. 

<a href="/architects/crone-architects">Crone</a> describes 535 Elizabeth Street's internals as maintaining an uncomplicated material palate of raw concrete, metal and timber, designed to provide a common aesthetic across the buildings varied uses. 

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/anmf_60_webproof_preview.jpeg" rel="gallery-all" title="Victoria Street and O'Connell Street outcome"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/anmf_60_webproof_preview.jpeg?itok=UlGAbUEo" title="Victoria Street and O'Connell Street outcome" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Victoria Street and O'Connell Street outcome</figcaption></figure>Early in the building's development process, ANMF appointed project management firm Montlaur which was tasked with delivering an outcome in line with expectations.

Montlaur director Lucy Symington acted as lead project manager on 535 Elizabeth Street, and explains that the notion of project management stretched far beyond the physical delivery of the building. Montlaur has worked in partnership with the ANMF Victorian Branch since 2013 delivering end-to-end project services for 535 Elizabeth Street which included:

<ul>
<li>Development feasibility </li>
	<li>Consultant appointment </li>
	<li>Coordination of town planning and VCAT processes </li>
	<li>Project management </li>
	<li>Development management </li>
	<li>Superintendent role </li>
	<li>Change management and facilities management strategy </li>
	<li>Management of retail and office leasing </li>
	<li>Coordination of the sale of the existing premises</li>
</ul>
<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/anmf_16_webproof_preview.jpeg" rel="gallery-all" title="Double height uninterrupted view over the CBD"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/anmf_16_webproof_preview.jpeg?itok=b_Ac3e2L" title="Double height uninterrupted view over the CBD" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Double height uninterrupted view over the CBD</figcaption></figure>"We met with a full cross-section of the organisation and heard about their current challenges and how they see themselves working in the future. This was consistently reflected upon during design to ensure the original brief was being maintained."

In addition to the uses outlined above, end-of trip facilities and a ground floor cafe round out the project's features. After design adjustments during the planning process, historic facades fronting both Elizabeth Street and O'Connell Street were incorporated into the build.

Key though to 535 Elizabeth Street being a success is the array of uses dedicated toward education and training.

"The ANMF came from a building that was very cramped and its facilities for education and training were fairly dated. They’ve now moved to cutting-edge facilities, and the feedback is that staff love the new arrangement." Through the incorporated education centre, the ANMF Victorian Branch offers training in a range of nationally recognised qualifications for many of its 80,000 members.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/anmf_1_webproof_preview.jpeg" rel="gallery-all" title="Auditorium space"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/anmf_1_webproof_preview.jpeg?itok=Ah2Wt3QX" title="Auditorium space" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Auditorium space</figcaption></figure>On the partnership between client and Montlaur, Lucy Symington explained the worth of having guidance in place from an early stage."The client had extended its previous building without the benefit of independent project management and was keen to find the right partner for the new building.

Their core business is not in construction so it was imperative to mentor them and talk them through the process so they knew what to expect at every stage. The client had never owned a building of this scale and nature before, with external tenants involved.

Our role was to facilitate a planning approach so that when they occupied the new premises they would know what to expect. We offer full end-to-end solutions such as superintendent services, appointing a building manager and awarding maintenance contracts."

Further imagery of the completed building can be seen below.
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Profiling Montlaur's role in the new ANMF Melbourne headquarters

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Campbelltown has announced itself as the latest Australian city to pursue a high-density future.

The Re-Imagining Campbelltown strategy which was formed jointly by Council and Deloitte was handed down this week before the New South Wales parliament. In Sydney's southwestern suburbs, Campbelltown is well positioned to leverage off the forthcoming Western Sydney Airport.

Under Council's vision, Campbelltown would become the nation's greenest city, underpinned by the target of generating 200,000 new jobs across the immediate region, which includes a new 400-hectare health and education precinct.

For the most a low-rise city centre, Council's plans to transform Campbelltown into a high-density enclave revolves around the following transport and built form principles:

<ul>
<li>Continuing to facilitate urban renewal along key transport corridors to accommodate population growth and reduce sprawl and isolation</li>
	<li>Realise the expansion of the local street network by creating new streets where development lots can be broken down to provide greater connectivity and walkability</li>
	<li>Realise Over Station Development (OSD) that provides greater connectivity and access to services across the rail corridor</li>
	<li>Locate major university campuses to within the CBD</li>
	<li>Encourage diversification of residential stock in and around the CBD to increase affordability and choice, including shop-top housing typologies</li>
	<li>Ensure technology is embedded in all urban transportation creating an interconnected network of mobility and seamless connections with other modes</li>
	<li>Decouple car parking from new developments to encourage less basements</li>
</ul>
The facilitation of increased density across Campbelltown will see towers up to 20 levels mandated.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/r7_0_2993_1687_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Mawson Park with a revamped Campbelltown to the rear. Image: Campbelltown Council"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="328" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/r7_0_2993_1687_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg?itok=XppEOKss" title="Mawson Park with a revamped Campbelltown to the rear. Image: Campbelltown Council" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Mawson Park with a revamped Campbelltown to the rear. Image: Campbelltown Council</figcaption></figure>Hand in hand with Council's bid for increased urban density comes an understanding of the need for heightened sustainability. Further key environmental initiatives have been identified that would allow increased density to occur, they include:

<ul>
<li>Continuing to implement Blue and Green Grid projects supporting the revitalisation and naturalisation of the existing canal network</li>
	<li>Encourage buildings to continue to be retrofitted to provide sustainable energy solutions, evacuated waste systems and green façades to become a carbon neutral CBD</li>
	<li>Encourage greening and activation of roofs to provide facilities and open spaces for residents and workers</li>
	<li>Continue to retrofit and widen streets, create storm-water creeks along footpaths to facilitate greening and improve canopy cover and activation strategies throughout the CBD</li>
</ul>
Council's vision would boost Campbelltown Centre's present population from 11,500 to a forecast 35,500. For this to occur dwellings would balloon from a current 5,000 to 16,000.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image2si.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Campbelltown is set for change. Image: Sydney Images"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="313" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image2si.jpg?itok=hcCyt1EA" title="Campbelltown is set for change. Image: Sydney Images" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Campbelltown is set for change. Image: Sydney Images</figcaption></figure>Peak industry body Urban Taskforce Australia's response to the Campbelltown's rebirth was positive, citing the proposed Western Sydney Airport as the catalyst for change:

<blockquote>
Clearly Campbelltown Mayor, George Brticevic, and General Manager, Lindy Deitz, are responding to the recently announced City Deal for Western Sydney and the economic stimulus that is flowing from the proposed Western Sydney Airport.

It seems that the proposed Aerotropolis related to the Western Sydney Airport will not be a city centre in the traditional sense but more a centre for jobs. This will then drive a competitive approach from surrounding centres like Penrith, Liverpool and Campbelltown to each establish themselves as urban centres with their own jobs and with significant urban living in apartments.

The re-imagine Campbelltown model that creates sufficient urban density to generate cafes, restaurants, amenities and jobs all located in walking distance to the railway station is likely to be taken up by other centres around the proposed airport but each will develop its own character.
<cite>Urban Taskforce Australia CEO, Chris Johnson</cite>
</blockquote>

Further reading on Campbelltown's proposed transformation can be seen <a href="https://www.campbelltown.nsw.gov.au/Business/ReimaginingCampbelltown">here</a>.
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Campbelltown takes its urban future into its own hands

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Despite the planning uncertainty swirling around Fishermans Bend, the urban renewal area can now boast a world-beating and fully complete Primary School.

To mark the completion of South Melbourne Primary School (SMPS), project architects Hayball have commissioned new imagery of the complex. Melbourne-based architecture photographer Dianne Snape was tasked with capturing SMPS in use, in the process providing the wider public with a first glimpse of the project's internals.

After receiving the Future Project of the Year gong during the 2016 World Architecture Festival Awards, SMPS was handed over to contractor <a href="/builders/adco">ADCO Constructions</a> with completion achieved for term one 2018. Public plaza and landscaping works were completed thereafter.

The Ferrars Street complex is Victoria’s first high-rise state school and now caters for 160 students, although the six-level building will build up to a capacity of 525 primary school students and 44 early learning students, supplemented by various integrated community services and facilities.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/smps_diannasnape_print_02.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="SMPS is now a working education facility"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/smps_diannasnape_print_02.jpg?itok=f0s5O6Sw" title="SMPS is now a working education facility" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>SMPS is now a working education facility</figcaption></figure><h2>SMPS - the broader context</h2>

<blockquote>
This school is an exemplar of a contemporary 21st century learning environment, developed within the context of inner urban regeneration and focussing on the needs of today’s students and also the wider community.

With enrolments for prep at capacity before even opening the doors, the need for such a facility in the area is clear. Similarly, we’re excited to see the support from the broader community who have embraced this new integrated model of school wholeheartedly.

The school operates as a genuine community hub. Nowhere is this more apparent than at ground level where there are no fences separating the school from its surrounds.

With thousands of new residents flocking to the adjacent Fishermans Bend precinct each year – and space a scarcity in the inner-city – it was important to design facilities that can be used outside of school hours and have a greater use to the community.
<cite>Richard Leonard, Director at Hayball</cite>
</blockquote>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/smps_diannasnape_print_18.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A dynamic view beyond the sandbox"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/smps_diannasnape_print_18.jpg?itok=653gCcfu" title="A dynamic view beyond the sandbox" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A dynamic view beyond the sandbox</figcaption></figure>The building's large footprint and vertical nature allowed <a href="/architects/hayball">Hayball</a> to include spaces unique to the schooling environment.

A feature that has become commonplace in many contemporary institutional designs across Melbourne makes its debut within SMPS. A large-scale atrium with tiered seating and a 'showcase' staircase become the focal point for the immediate area.

A meeting space, teaching space and auditorium seating as required, the atrium is representative of the multifunctional nature of SMPS.

Similarly, the traditional classroom is on the outer, with spaces arranged around “learning communities” to facilitate both aged-based and stage-based learning groups.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/smps_diannasnape_print_13.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The cavernous piazza with staircase to the roar"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="795" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/smps_diannasnape_print_13.jpg?itok=CK0SBrmS" title="The cavernous piazza with staircase to the roar" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The indoor 'piazza' with staircase to the roar</figcaption></figure><h2>SMPS - outdoor spaces a necessity</h2>

<blockquote>
Above the indoor gym, we have an outdoor sports area so kids can play typical ball games they love – of course there’re nets surrounding the play area so balls don’t fly off the roof!

There’s also a climbing play structure called ‘The Treehouse’ which allows vertical connection between the outdoor learning areas on levels two and three, promoting exercise and active play as well as connecting levels.

All in all, we’ve turned the horizontal school yard into a vertical play centre, so kids are not missing out on the best parts of going to school, which for them is playing and being active with their friends.

<cite>Richard Leonard, Director at Hayball</cite>
</blockquote>

Further images by Dianne Snape can be seen in the slideshow below
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A first look inside Hayball's South Melbourne Primary School

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Agenda item 6.1 at the upcoming Future Melbourne committee meeting at City of Melbourne includes <a href="http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/about-council/committees-meetings/meeting-archive/MeetingAgendaItemAttachments/805/14437/AGENDA%20ITEM%206.1.pdf">a meaty document</a> that seeks to reshape the way new CBD and Southbank developments are composed, and similarly how they're presented to all of us on the footpath.

One of the main outputs in the amendment process is to include a Central Melbourne Design Guide which outlines through imagery what, in the council's view, are acceptable and avoidable built-form outcomes.

The report's opening statements characterise the amendment thus:

<blockquote>
Amendment C270 specifies minimum setbacks from streets and laneways, building separation requirements and overshadowing and wind requirements in two types of precincts, defined as Special Character Areas and the General Development Area.

It also introduced density controls, comprising a floor area ratio threshold with public benefits.

It did not consider the interface of buildings with the street, public realm and architectural quality, which is the focus of Amendment C308
</blockquote>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/fut_melb_comm_308.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Land affected by amendment 308 - image: City of Melbourne"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="558" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/fut_melb_comm_308.png?itok=JiPqkWrr" title="Land affected by amendment 308 - image: City of Melbourne" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Land affected by amendment 308 - image: City of Melbourne</figcaption></figure>Amendment 308 proposes to replace the existing Design and Development Schedule 1 (DDO1) with a new schedule that would include mandatory requirements including:

<blockquote>
<ul>
<li>car parking in buildings within the Hoddle Grid to be underground (in line with current practice)</li>
	<li>car parking in buildings within Southbank must be sleeved with active uses and configured to be adaptable to future uses (including floor to ceiling heights)</li>
	<li>less than 40 per cent of the ground floor of a building to be occupied by building services to reduce blank facades along streets</li>
	<li>the existing Retail Core requirement for 80 per cent active frontages to main streets and streets is to be expanded to encompass the Specia</li>
</ul>
</blockquote>

The new schedule to the DDO will also list outcomes that should be avoided by describing building examples which are not desirable 'as they cumulatively detract from a high-quality public realm'.

A key recommendation in the supporting synthesis report listed in the amendment documents is to create a Central Melbourne Design Guide to provide clarity for Planners, Applicants and the Community to understand the elements of the policy.  

The design guide, attached to the amendment documents, would be integrated as a reference document within the City of Melbourne's planning scheme which would repeat the wording of the proposed new Schedule 1 to the Design and Development overlay with clear graphic explanation and would use sketch and precedent images to 'clearly articulate preferred outcomes as a guide for design negotiation'.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/com_design_guide.png" rel="gallery-all" title="A snapshot from the Central Melbourne Design Guide - image: City of Melbourne"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="668" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/com_design_guide.png?itok=diJdF9fh" title="A snapshot from the Central Melbourne Design Guide - image: City of Melbourne" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A snapshot from the Central Melbourne Design Guide - image: City of Melbourne</figcaption></figure>At the Future Melbourne Committee meeting on the 20th of February, City of Melbourne management are seeking endorsement to then request the authorisation of the Planning Minister to prepare and exhibit Amendment 308 to the Melbourne Planning Scheme.

Click <a href="http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/about-council/committees-meetings/meeting-archive/MeetingAgendaItemAttachments/805/14437/AGENDA%20ITEM%206.1.pdf">here</a> to read the full document suite.  The Central Melbourne Design Guide starts on page 176 of 259.
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Alastair Taylor

City of Melbourne's amendment 308 seeks to implement a new central city design guide

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The construction contract for InterContinental Hotels Group's new Southbank Holiday Inn Express at 35-47 City Road has been awarded to Hickory; it becomes Hickory's fourth Melbourne high-rise project to utilise the construction method. An 18-month construction timeline is planned for the tower which is expected to be complete by September 2019.

Hickory have previously utilised the construction method on another hotel, that being Peppers Kings Square in Perth. This will be their first hotel project in Melbourne and their maiden project for developer Pro-invest Group.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/hie2.png" rel="gallery-all" title="35-47 City Road, Southbank. Image: Hickory Group"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="838" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/hie2.png?itok=KIJdAvUU" title="35-47 City Road, Southbank. Image: Hickory Group" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>35-47 City Road, Southbank. Image: Hickory Group</figcaption></figure>In addition to 345 hotel suites, 35-47 City Road will also include approximately 5,000sqm of high grade commercial office space across 3 podium levels. Rising to a height of 23 levels, the project's podium will be a traditional concrete structure, with prefabrication elements trucked in to form the tower component thereafter.

Upon completion, 35-47 City Road will include ground floor retail spaces and public laneway linking to Fawkner Street, plus separate hotel and commercial office lobbies. The Holiday Inn Express lobby on level 7 has been dubbed the “Great Room” and features a landscaped winter garden.

Spanning 17,400 square metres of built form and valued at $82 million, the development is aiming for a 5 star NABERS performance rating.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/tactical_group_pro_invest_group_ihg_holiday_inn_express_melbourne_little_collins_st_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Pro-Invest Group's intended Little Collins Street tower. Image: Tactical Group"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="338" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/tactical_group_pro_invest_group_ihg_holiday_inn_express_melbourne_little_collins_st_1.jpg?itok=Em1y5RgO" title="Pro-Invest Group's intended Little Collins Street tower. Image: Tactical Group" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Pro-Invest Group's intended Little Collins Street tower. Image: Tactical Group</figcaption></figure>Not too far behind 35-47 City Road in the development timeline is Pro-Invest Group's second Holiday Inn Express planned at 595-599 Little Collins Street.

According to lead consultant Tactical Group "The project includes ground floor retail, separate hotel and commercial office lobbies, a podium that aligns to adjacent heritage assets, a multi-level basement car park, approximately 4,500sqm of high grade commercial office space, and a 4.5 star hotel comprising front and back of house facilities, and an accommodation tower of 313 quality rooms." 

<h2>Comment</h2>

Certain design elements of this tower are a throwback to decades gone by in terms of design sophistication, a throwback which is evident at other Southbank locations as the suburb has evolved over recent decades.

The treatment of the original 1930s City Road facade and its glazed terracotta faience tiles presents as little more than tacking a heritage facade onto a brand new edifice, which in this instance looks cheap and completely swamps any heritage value in retaining the exiting facade. That aside the podium has merit but the tower section is once more cheap and nasty based on every render generated to date.

There is a total lack design nous across the tower element.

35-47 City Road looks to be Sydney firm Reid Campbell's first Melbourne project; the architecture firm "has developed the Australian design for the Holiday Inn Express; which is the fastest growing brand of limited service corporate hotels in the world."

Put simply and succinctly on the Apartments.com.au forum, "The '90s called, they want their tower back."
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