Perth’s new apartment market recorded its strongest quarter of sales since Q4 2021, with 412 apartments sold in Q1 2026 and a record quarterly sold value of $537 million, according to Urbis’ latest Apartment Essentials results.

Urbis said the March quarter result reflects strong, highly product‑specific demand across both ends of the market, from more attainable projects delivering at scale, through to premium stock being absorbed by equity‑rich downsizers.&nbsp;

David Cresp, Partner at Urbis, said the key story in Perth is not demand, it is the market’s ability to convert demand into delivered housing.&nbsp;

“This is the strongest sales quarter since Q4 2021, and it reinforces that demand in Perth is real and it’s local,” David Cresp said. “But the task now is delivery, turning that demand into projects that can actually be built and completed.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110291 project_image_fid=302785]

<h2>Affordable product leads, premium demand remains resilient</h2>

Sales in Q1 were led by more affordable projects, with The Boulevard (SKS Group) recording 115 sales in the quarter, the presentation noting this is only the second time a single project has surpassed 100 quarterly sales. The project was able to offer more affordable housing product right next to a train station.&nbsp;

Palmyra West (Finbar) also delivered strong results with 28 sales in Q1, following 84 sales in Q4, with an average price of under $800,000, underscoring depth of demand for well‑located, attainable new stock.&nbsp;

At the premium end, Urbis said downsizer demand is continuing, with the results highlighting Romeo (Applecross, Finbar) recording 75 sales and reaching almost 50% sold in one quarter.

Jual (Shenton Park, Celsius Property) also posted a strong quarter with 28 sales, reaching 39% sold in one quarter.

Urbis noted that Perth apartment demand is not speculative, not investor‑led, and not uniform, describing it as localised, often equity‑driven and highly product‑specific, a pattern reflected in the polarisation between strong “attainable” performers and premium downsizer product.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=148957 project_image_fid=364102]

<h2>Prices underpinned by costs, and the delivery risk is growing</h2>

Urbis said pricing pressure is cost not demand‑driven: construction costs and delivery risk are now a central constraint, with the results noting build costs remain elevated and volatile, and that energy, fuel and labour uncertainty weigh on feasibility.

David Cresp said a growing challenge for private Build‑to‑Sell developers is simply securing a builder in the current environment.

“Developers are really feeling the pressure from a building market that was operating at capacity and securing a builder is challenging,” David Cresp said, adding that even where a builder can be secured, “trying to get to the price that makes the development financially viable is incredibly challenging in the current market.”&nbsp;

Urbis’ broader WA commentary also notes that industry remains at or above capacity with lot and housing creation, and that many builders are limiting new sales to manage stretched workforces and fixed‑price contract pressures, conditions that flow directly into apartment feasibility and delivery timing.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108869 project_image_fid=317905]

<h2>Supply: improving later, but still constrained, and Perth lags eastern benchmarks</h2>

While near‑term supply remains constrained, Urbis’ forecast shows completions lifting “Supply is forecast to be back above 1,500 apartments per annum for the first time since 2019”, with 1,775 completions forecast for 2026, and volumes remaining above that level over the following years.&nbsp;

Looking further ahead, completions are forecast to reach 2,500 in 2028, with the report noting 32% of that total is social/affordable, reflecting the role of government‑supported delivery in rebuilding the pipeline.&nbsp;

However, Urbis said Perth remains behind comparable markets on pipeline scale. In a national comparison of projects under construction, the report shows under construction Perth Build‑to‑Sell (BTS) at 3,446 apartments versus the Gold Coast at 7,922. Mr Cresp said “The challenge for Perth is how to we grow the delivery pipeline”.

Urbis’ conclusion is that Perth’s market is increasingly defined by product discipline and delivery certainty, with the research identifying “delivery certainty is key” and calling out builder risk and procurement models as core success factors, alongside “timing and staging”.&nbsp;

Joel Robinson

Perth apartment sales hit strongest pace since late 2021 as builder capacity tightens

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sammut-developments">Sammut Group</a> has secured development approval for its latest Brisbane apartment project, marking the Sydney developer’s next step in expanding its Queensland pipeline following the success of its debut Gold Coast development, Coast.

The approved project at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/44-glen-road-toowong-qld-4066">44 Glen Road, </a><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/toowong-qld-4066">Toowong</a> will deliver a 15-storey riverfront apartment building with 42 residences, significantly increasing the scale of the site’s previous approval for a smaller luxury scheme. Designed by Bureau^proberts, the development will comprise a mix of predominantly four-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments positioned to maximise Brisbane River and city views.

Sammut Director Julian Sammut said the group had been actively searching Brisbane for several years before identifying Toowong as the right fit.

“Brisbane was the right step for Sammut,” Sammut said.

“With the success of Coast we thought we should definitely look to do more in Queensland alone. We then pushed up to look at Brisbane. We've been looking for I'd say two to three years actually and it was hard to find the right location.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_75/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.14%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=dYAVIL7qdcGA8ojvkslSrLjczXFejSSx" />

Sammut said suburbs including New Farm and Teneriffe were considered before the group ultimately focused on Toowong due to its strong downsizer demographic and limited supply of developable riverfront land.

The site was acquired off-market after what Sammut described as a lengthy negotiation and planning process, with the developer pursuing an uplift to the original approval.

“We are DA approved now which is very exciting,” Sammut said.

“We've had our change approval come through and we've obviously doubled the height, 15 storeys plus rooftop. We've got 42 amazing apartments that are going to be coming to market soon.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.26%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=ohkRkY0dIZlqdfME2EZePsCQavRiBadE" />

Bureau^proberts said the design responds to Toowong’s evolving urban character, balancing contemporary apartment living with the area’s established residential identity.

“A place where traditional Queensland living has taken place for centuries; Toowong is seeing a shift of contemporary influence, commercial and retail hubs mixed with well-considered residential offerings – all the while maintaining its character and charm,” the architect noted in planning documents submitted to Brisbane City Council.

The architecture practice said the project’s form was shaped by its riverfront setting, flood considerations, neighbouring building scales, and view corridors.

“They said the mix of four and two-bedroom apartments capture the ‘fundamental qualities of Queenslander living,’ translated into the context of a contemporary subtropical building.”

The development sits just off Coronation Drive within walking distance of Toowong’s retail precinct and the upgraded Regatta ferry terminal, while also benefiting from proximity to the incoming green bridge connection to West End. Sammut said the accessibility and amenity offering were central to the site’s appeal.

The approval adds to growing residential activity along the Toowong riverfront, joining nearby projects including Consolidated Properties’ Monarch Residences and Spyre Group’s ARC Residences.

Sammut secures approval for debut Brisbane apartment development in Toowong

Developer Lanevick is heading back into Sydney’s apartment market after focusing more heavily on the luxury townhouse and terrace sector in recent years.

Lanevick, founded and directed by Steve Maroun, is expecting to receive approval in the coming months for a new apartment development in Gladesville, with the aim to launch it to the market later this year.

The 51-apartment project, designed by Studio Johnston, will comprise a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments positioned toward the Hunters Hill downsizer market.

“Traditionally it’s been difficult for people in that market to downsize because there just hasn’t been the right product available,” Maroun said.

“We’re targeting buyers who might have 30 to 40 per cent of their house value sitting in the bank after downsizing.

“They still want good spacious entertaining areas, they still want quality design, but they also want flexibility and the ability to enjoy life a bit more after working hard for a long time.”

The project sits near Boronia Park and within close proximity to the Parramatta River foreshore, an area Maroun says offers more of a Hunters Hill lifestyle than a traditional apartment precinct.

“From a lifestyle perspective, it’s really more Hunters Hill than Gladesville,” Maroun said. “You’re close to the foreshore, close to parklands, and still connected back into the village precinct.”

From level four and above, apartments will capture water views&nbsp;toward Sydney Harbour. Communal amenity will include rooftop entertaining areas, wellness spaces, and a gym tailored toward owner-occupier buyers.

“We’ve really designed these apartments around that buyer coming from the Hunters Hill LGA and what they’re actually looking for in their next chapter.”

The proposed development has also been designed to respond to the changing character of the broader Gladesville town centre, where a growing number of mixed-use and residential proposals are expected to emerge over the coming years.

“Gladesville presented a rare opportunity to deliver a genuinely design-led residential project within an evolving lifestyle precinct, just moments from the growing Gladesville town centre, and we’ve approached the project with a strong focus on architecture, liveability and long-term community value,” Maroun said.

Maroun said Lanevick saw a first-mover advantage within the precinct as planning controls continue to evolve to accommodate greater housing density.

“We think there’s a real opportunity there that hasn’t really been serviced properly yet,” he said.

“There’s going to be a broader evolution of the whole Gladesville village precinct over time, particularly with more activation and mixed-use outcomes.”

The Venus Street proposal will include a commercial and retail component at ground level designed to contribute to that evolving streetscape activation.

“A big part of the thinking was how do you activate that area properly and create more vibrancy and amenity, which is what Hunters Hill has been looking for,” Maroun said.

Lanevick’s focus since 2020 has largely been on smaller-scale luxury townhouse and terrace developments. The developer recently completed Royale Randwick, also designed by Studio Johnston, where prices reached $3.65 million. The project was featured in the UDIA NSW 2026 Professional Development Prospectus and was also named a finalist for Development of the Year.

&nbsp;

Lanevick to cater for Hunters Hill downsizers with new Gladesville apartment development

Property developer One Living, backed by former Macquarie banker turned investment manager Chris Green’s investment firm, has unveiled plans to bring more institutional capital into housing to help address the national supply crisis.

The New York-based investor has focused his firm, GreenPoint Partners, on addressing the supply shortage hitting middle market housing in Australia.

It is backing the new One Living business to develop more than 1000 units along the eastern seaboard. The new firm is starting with a development on Mona Vale Road, on the border of Mona Vale and Pymble, in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, with around 140 apartments planned. They are eyeing off more sites across the city.

With cost pressures rising in the industry, One Living’s model is to be a vertically integrated developer-builder, so it can respond directly to the housing gap by removing the cost inefficiencies embedded in traditional residential delivery.

“We are building a platform designed to operate at scale and starting in a market where there’s a clear need for quality, attainable housing,” One Living joint managing director Joseph Scuderi said.

“It’s that missing middle – it’s that attainable end of housing… that’s what most Australians invest into and what Australians can actually afford.”

<img alt="Mona Vale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="798dfa93-4941-4db6-a696-31e9dc18e81c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%202.31.50%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=mKBqi5C_DmeiXS.AtJkcR8LQIxqCqmFi" />

GreenPoint Partners brings years of experience assembling and scaling real estate operating businesses across major markets. And Green sees a big opportunity in Australia.

“For its size, sophistication and importance to the community, Australia’s living sector has remained largely under-institutionalised, which represents significant opportunity,” Green said. “GreenPoint identified that gap, assembled the right team, and is backing One Living to build a platform that is aligned to market needs.”

Green said being a builder-developer would give the company the capacity and flexibility it required to deliver reasonably-priced homes.

“We want it to be at that attainable level; not super high end luxury but at that attainable level,” he said.

<img alt="Mona Vale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="74a5344a-4b26-4d4a-ada3-056b1220be77" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%202.32.15%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=vY8hXHO4reBMdO8ZXMWCNtGZJofUPQ3j" />

&nbsp;

One Living will undertake a component of affordable housing in its schemes, which it will own and operate, and it could also run build-to-rent on some sites.

Green praised local policy settings.

“The NSW government is being very supportive, strategic and pragmatic in terms of how do we generate more supply of housing,” he said. “We think it’s actually positive for development and the bit that’s been lacking at that attainable level is that it’s lots of relatively small private developers, whereas we want to create an institutional platform.”

One Living is also&nbsp;looking at high-density projects and could take on more institutional funding in the future.

“The way we will be able to achieve economies of scale is through size,” Green added.

One Living enters Sydney's new apartment market with Northern Beaches site acquisition

It's been several years since there's been an opportunity to buy a brand new townhome in Melbourne's coastal suburb of Mordialloc. Even apartment developments in recent times have been few and far between in the area.

Local developer LDS Property identified the gap in new housing, securing a site on White Street, directly opposite&nbsp;Woodlands Golf Club Mordialloc. They've recently launched&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/wm-residences-mordialloc-102-white-street-mordialloc-vic-3195">WM Residences</a>, just 13 townhouses which they have already started building.

Projects by Buxton Director Heath Thompson, who is selling WM Residences, says the townhouses x that perfect middle ground be

"Mordialloc residents have had limited options to downsize within the suburb, often forcing them to look elsewhere despite long-standing ties to the area," Thompson says.

"With very little comparable new supply coming to market, projects like WM Residences are well placed, particularly as buyers look to capitalise on current conditions amid constrained supply."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6109]

The development, designed by regarded architecture firm&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ewert-leaf">Ewert Leaf</a>,&nbsp;adopts a deliberately restrained architectural approach, focusing on simplicity, durability and liveability rather than overt design gestures.

The boutique scale is central to the offering. With only 13 three-bedroom residences, each home is configured to prioritise functional layouts and everyday use, supported by private terraces and secure two-car garages.

Ewert Leaf’s design response leans into a calm, neutral material palette. Interiors are defined by oak flooring, white walls and soft finishes, creating a consistent and understated backdrop. The approach avoids trend-driven detailing in favour of longevity, with an emphasis on natural light and spatial clarity.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6110]

Beyond aesthetics, the homes are designed to meet contemporary performance expectations. Each residence targets a minimum 6-star energy rating, incorporating double glazing, comprehensive insulation and all-electric Bosch appliances.

The project’s location supports a walkable coastal lifestyle, sitting within close proximity to Mordialloc’s foreshore, Main Street retail strip and the train station. Local cafés and dining venues, including Suburbia Deli and Hendriks Café, are within a short walk, reinforcing the area’s established neighbourhood character.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6116]

While <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/mordialloc-vic-3195">Mordialloc</a> is often defined by its beach and pier, the project taps into other areas of day to day living, offering easy access to local food, casual dining and transport, rather than positioning itself purely as a lifestyle retreat.

WM Residences reflects a continued trend across Melbourne’s coastal suburbs towards smaller-scale, design-led townhouse developments, particularly on infill sites where proximity to amenity is already established.

With construction commenced prior to its market entry, the project aligns with a growing preference among buyers for developments with visible progress and defined delivery timeframes.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134646]

WM Residences fills gap in Mordialloc townhouse market

The Red and Black Architect

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Intrepid architect and Apartments.com.au peer Michael Smith (The Red and Black Architect) has in recent days posted rolling reports from the 2014 National Architecture Conference in Perth.
Held in the West Australian capital for the first time in over a decade, <q cite="http://wp.architecture.com.au/news-media/2014-national-architecture-conference-in-the-making-creative-team-selected/">The act of making; the dirtiness, directness and honesty of architecture is the inspiration behind the theme for the Australian Institute of Architects’ 2014 National Architecture Conference.</q>
<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/img_2656.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="773" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_2656.jpg?itok=u2Lw9cc9" width="580"></a>
<blockquote>
	High rise, not shiny-smooth, but furry-fuzzy
	<cite>Richard Hassell</cite>
</blockquote>
Keynote speakers such as Richard Hassell, co-founding director of WOHA Singapore plied their trade while industry misconceptions were discussed at length. Issues of meritocracy, women in architecture and the adoption of an equity policy by the Australian Institute of Architects were also covered. Of course, some of Perth's finest new architecture was discussed and subsequently Michael has blogged about it.
Visit <a href="http://theredandblackarchitect.wordpress.com/category/2014-architecture-conference/" target="_blank">The Red and Black Architect's blog</a> for a comprehensive summary of the 2014 National Architecture Conference.
</body></html>

silvermb

The 2014 National Architecture Conference

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We all have a daily involvement with our built environment. Some see their city as something which is fixed in design and should not, or cannot change.

Others take the view that we should have greater ability to adapt, modify and improve our surrounds. Evidence of this can be found in the rise and success of street art culture which reflects this desire to react to the built environment and become a personal agent for change.

City building, infrastructure planning and urban design have traditionally been a top down approach where the government or large corporation imposes their design down upon the community to embrace. This can be quite successful, particularly when there is a structured meaningful community consultation process informing a high quality design.

However all too often, this consultation is inadequate and reduced to an authority promoting the fixed and final proposal. This disrespect results in a mismatch between the will and desires of the community and that of the powerful governments and financial stakeholders. As seen by the recent East West link protests, there is a genuine desire for the community to be very actively involved in decisions shaping their city.

<blockquote>
While the public do shape the environment in small ways – by creating signage, planting gardens, or by simply occupying space – ‘ordinary’ citizens are at a disadvantage when it comes to influencing the larger forces of urban strategy, zoning regulations or infrastructure.
<cite>Dr Rory Hyde, Future Practice</cite>
</blockquote>

Can the design process go the other way, from community to the government? Recently two emerging architecture firms released details of pro bono collaborations with local community groups in Melbourne in a model which proposes just that. By pairing the Architect’s skill set and abilities directly with the goals, desires and knowledge of the community, it gives the citizens a much stronger voice and tilts the city shaping balance of power slightly closer to an even footing.

The first example of this pro-active approach is project entitled ‘Streets Without Cars’ by Mihaly Slocombe Architects. This project re-imagines a 120 metre stretch of an inner suburban Melbourne street, reorganising the space to prioritise pedestrian movement above that of cars.

The process began with detailed and genuine community discussion and consultation which importantly will continue through the life of the project via meeting and a dedicated website. From this starting point of understanding, the architects developed the project into an exciting scheme capable of acting as a backyard for everyone in the street. By achieving community ‘buy in’ there is no doubt that should the project go ahead it will create a greater sense of community amongst the residents.

<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/20140331-pecha-kucha-09.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/20140331-pecha-kucha-09.jpg?itok=O9VyTH5A" width="580"></a>

Data from community consultation. Image Mihaly Slocombe.

The urban intervention itself includes community space for a number of uses. For entertaining and socialisation there is a Kitchen and BBQ area whilst for the youngest residents there is a play room and a sand pit. There is also the intention for the community space to be able to produce food by including a mini orchard and vegetable patch.

<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/20140220-ericas-garden.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/20140220-ericas-garden.jpg?itok=ghyPjvk2" width="580"></a>

Image Mihaly Slocombe.

<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/20140323-9-sport.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/20140323-9-sport.jpg?itok=s0QBUO8P" width="580"></a>

Image Mihaly Slocombe.

From a transport perspective early the intention was to remove cars completely from the street. This objective was later revised through the community consultation process such that vehicles could still traverse the street but at a slower speed, making it less desirable for through traffic.

Through design, the priority has been given to pedestrian and bicycle traffic. To encourage this further 96 undercover bicycle spaces have been provided for the residents to use. Despite this shift in priority, the proposed design will keep 80% of the existing car parking capacity.

<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/20140331-pecha-kucha-16.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/20140331-pecha-kucha-16.jpg?itok=iN16_y4R" width="580"></a> 
Image Mihaly Slocombe.

<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/20140323-13-money-shot%20%281%29.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/20140323-13-money-shot%20%281%29.jpg?itok=VpEYQV-I" width="580"></a> 
Image Mihaly Slocombe.

The second example of community driven architecture is the recent <a href="http://betterewldesign.com/">Better East West Link Design</a> project undertaken by Atelier Red + Black. This project began with a group of local residents who were alarmed by the threat to one of Melbourne’s most significant park. The combination of a very poor reference design, a consultation process that did not give the community any say and political intransigence led the group to explore alternative designs as a harm minimisation strategy.

The most remarkable thing about the Safety Net For Royal Park was the amazing work undertaken by an unfunded community group. The Safety Net group comprised people with diverse expertise from engineering to economics and public health. These people managed to produce a feasible and prudent road design that has enormous advantages over the government’s destructive version of the project. The alternative location saves Royal Park from being turned into a quarry but as the design developed it also had other flow on benefits. Community infrastructure such as the Elderly Chinese Residents home in Parkville and the brand new seeing eye dogs facility in Kensington would be saved along with 55 homes. The quality of this better design is due, in large part, to an iterative and responsive design process. Credit must also go in particular to the convener of the SNRP, Anthony Peyton, who put in an incredible amount of time and expertise on the project.

Despite having a remarkable understanding of the technical design issues, such as relevant safety standards and feasible construction techniques, the community group still faced an uphill battle in achieving credibility with key stakeholders in the project. The group met with all three of the construction companies tendering for the project. Initially they were reluctant and dismissive, however as they attempted to shoot down the alternative design they became aware of the level of thought and technical knowledge applied to the design. It remains to be seen if any of these tenderers will have the bravery to put forward this design alternative within their tenders.

The next step for the community group was to prove how the alternative design through the Arden Macaulay precinct could be integrated with the environment surrounding the tunnel portal. It is important to note that at this point that the Linking Melbourne Authority’s reference design has yet to prove it can achieve an acceptable urban design outcome around its tunnel portal in Royal Park.

In order to enrich this project with urban design and strengthen its credibility to the authorities and wider community, <a href="http://redblackarch.com.au/">Atelier Red + Black</a> took on this very important project on a pro bono basis. From this partnership several important outcomes ensued. Firstly the design was modified and enhanced. Environmental restoration and improvements to the Moonee Ponds Creek were incorporated. Heritage elements within the Arden Macaulay precinct were protected and enhanced. New community facilities including a school, community centre and sporting facilities were added. The inclusion of this community infrastructure could then enable the sensitive revitalisation of the precinct and support an increase in density. The ultimate result is a net benefit to the Arden Macaulay precinct despite the inclusion of the portal tunnel.

The ultimate result is a net benefit to the Arden Macaulay precinct despite the inclusion of the portal tunnel.

<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/aerialview_from_west_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Aerial view from the West - image © Atelier Red + Black"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="278" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/aerialview_from_west_0.jpg?itok=h-tps6Xn" title="Aerial view from the West - image © Atelier Red + Black" width="580"></a>

<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/aerial_view_from_east_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Aerial view from the East - image © Atelier Red + Black"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="278" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/aerial_view_from_east_0.jpg?itok=r_7JvK9Y" title="Aerial view from the East - image © Atelier Red + Black" width="580"></a>

The second important outcome of Atelier Red + Black’s involvement was the ability to represent the design on an equal footing to that of the well resourced Linking Melbourne Authority. The technically competent yet community led design could be explained with animations and rendered perspectives rather than only lines on a map.

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" scrolling="no" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/sNW_3XZuBbk" width="100%"></iframe>

The lessons from these two pro-bono projects are important for both the design community and governments alike. For emerging design practices it is incredibly fulfilling to work for community groups that would otherwise be powerless to create change. It would be even better if there were government grants available to fund community led design proposals such as these so that the quality of architecture and built environment was not reliant upon an architect’s ability to work for free.

The other lesson for governments and local authorities is that the built environment is first and foremost for the benefit of people. The community must be involved meaningfully and openly from the earliest stages in a project. It is also important that the design is allowed to evolve as a direct response to this consultation. Anything less and we are giving up on our democratic values and risking the future quality of our cities.

Architecture is for Everyone.

Michael Smith is a director at Atelier Red + Black and this post was originally published on <a href="http://theredandblackarchitect.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">The Red + Black Architect blog</a>.
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redblackarchitect

Small architecture firms engaging the community with big ideas

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As <a href="/expert-insights/buying/what-to-do-about-the-stokehouse">previously reported</a>, the much loved Melbourne restaurant The Stokehouse on the St Kilda foreshore was burnt to the ground in a fire in January. Since then a new temporary ‘pop up’ structure has been assembled to continue the service of fine food. The speed with which this temporary structure was installed reflects the urgency that the owners have also put on the ongoing task of seeking a permanent replacement.

<dl>
<dt><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/img_2134.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image © Michael Smith"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="278" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_2134.jpg?itok=jcZ3R7rM" title="Image © Michael Smith" width="580"></a></dt>
	<dd>The temporary Stokehouse ‘Pop Up’ Restaurant</dd>
</dl>
After substantial commentary surrounding this replacement building, including both calls for a replacement replica structure and others for a contemporary design via architectural competition, there has been some resolution as to the who, what and how of the replacement building.

Firstly it has been decided that the new Stokehouse will have a contemporary look, ruling out the idea of building a replica. This is a very good decision which is respectful of our existing heritage by not further muddying the waters of what is old and what is new. It has also been decided that a competition of sorts will be run for the design of the site.

The competition is by invitation only which limits the field of entrants to four. As reported on RRR the Architects, there was a nominal fee for the work done by the various architects to get the designs for the competition. The remuneration of the architects in the selective competition is a substantial positive over an open design competition, which leaves practices to undertake substantial volumes of work for free.

The Architects selected for the Stokehouse competition were:

<ul>
<li><a href="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/ehq-production-australia/a672e0c88513f8a56588fca4e32882f2e4185d2b/documents/attachments/000/010/139/original/Sketch_design_1_-_Denton_Corker_Marshall.pdf?1396855630" target="_blank">Denton Corker Marshall</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/ehq-production-australia/6767aca88c6bf71509eabaf73fe5ee1da4bf0f84/documents/attachments/000/010/138/original/Sketch_design_2_-_JacksonsClementsBurrows.pdf?1396855600" target="_blank">Jackson Clements Burrows</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/ehq-production-australia/d512c71914d02efc39a813dee4c738f54eed9174/documents/attachments/000/010/137/original/Sketch_design_3_-_Robert_Simeoni.pdf?1396855576" target="_blank">Robert Simeoni</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/ehq-production-australia/0178cd08f5ae5406f5f596f4fff2e683cacb30b4/documents/attachments/000/010/135/original/Sketch_design_4_-_Sean_Godsell_Architects.pdf?1396854957" target="_blank">Sean Godsell Architects</a></li>
</ul>
Notably all of these architects are of a similar calibre in terms of quality of design and level of profile within the local architectural community. I have no doubt that any of these four practices could produce an excellent architectural result, however a downside to this selection is the lack of diversity in the practice types shortlisted. In terms of their influence, their level of experience and the gender balance of the directing architects, it is somewhat homogenous.

<dl>
<dt><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/img_2140.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image © Michael Smith"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_2140.jpg?itok=MAixW6Zx" title="Image © Michael Smith" width="580"></a></dt>
	<dd>The temporary Stokehouse in the landscape</dd>
</dl>
As argued by John Doyle of Index Architecture in his letter to The Age Newpaper this process could have been an opportunity for smaller and emerging practices to step up to the plate and challenge the well-established design masters. Doyle highlights in particular a lack of opportunity afforded to small and emerging designers within the public realm. It is incumbent on the architecture community to foster these emerging architects as much as possible for the long term benefit of our built environment.

The four architectural practices engaged in this exercise have now completed their competition entries which are now open for public viewing and comment. To view the schemes and participate in the process, follow this link.

For those wanting to know my thoughts on the schemes, here are my comments.

<h2>Denton Corker Marshall</h2>

<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/image14_5.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="241" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image14_5.jpg?itok=QQwNHp-q" width="580"></a>

This project for me is the least resolved of the proposals. Whilst the romantic perspective sketches are art in their own right, the elevation for me is less engaging. The rectilinear form appears to be less site specific and more utilitarian. The use of imagery on the building seems to give the building a more commercial feel without adding the more substantial connection with place.

7/10

<h2>Jackson Clements Burrows</h2>

<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/image7_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image7_0.jpg?itok=aOATEIRN" width="580"></a>

This project is a clear crowd favorite due to its comprehensive presentation and semi-realistic montages. It is the easiest to understand and is beautiful in appearance. The use of over-sized text on the front of the building is a good way to quickly build an individual sense of place. This is an interesting contrast to the DCM imagery which seems less successful. On the down side it seems like the design could leave the building with a very serious and almost sombre feel.

It will not be surprising if this is the project which is given the green light

8.5/10

<h2>Robert Simeoni</h2>

<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/image16_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="276" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image16_3.jpg?itok=aXbD8FkT" width="580"></a>

Clearly the connection with the site was a driving factor in this project which presented substantial analysis to better its case. Consequently this could be quite an architectural gem if it was developed and given the go ahead. Central to this design is the formation of an earth mound on the Jacka Boulevard approach. One would enter via a slice in this landscape to reveal a spectacular dining room with waterfront view beyond.

Unfortunately I don’t think the massing model does this presentation justice as it dominates visually and may well read as an extreme and un-articulated façade to an unsuspecting public.

8.5/10

<h2>Sean Godsell Architects</h2>

<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/image15_5.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="379" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image15_5.jpg?itok=a76L8Jtz" width="580"></a>

The greatest strength and weakness of this scheme is the way it extends the brief and the site either side along the foreshore. Sean Godsell Architects have integrated a new surf life-saving club building within the proposed structure which is defined through a series of matchstick style columns and beams. This decision is both brilliant and a substantial risk of resulting in the scheme being ruled out if this is not a commercial possibility.

This scheme takes a while to digest but is worth the effort. The suggested weathered materials, matchstick layering and big picture thinking makes this project my favorite of the four.

9/10

For more information and to have your say visit <a href="http://haveyoursayatportphillip.net.au/stokehouse" target="_blank">http://haveyoursayatportphillip.net.au/stokehouse</a>.

Architecture is for Everyone.

To see the original article, visit the <a href="http://theredandblackarchitect.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">The Red and Black Architect's blog</a>.
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What to do about the Stokehouse (Part Two)

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The following article was originally published on The Red and Black Architect's <a href="http://theredandblackarchitect.wordpress.com/2014/03/27/a-better-east-west-link-design-revealed/" target="_blank">blog</a>.

As previously reported (<a href="http://theredandblackarchitect.wordpress.com/2013/07/22/east-west-tollway-to-trash-an-inner-city-oasis/" sl-processed="1">East West Tollway to trash an inner-city oasis</a> and <a href="http://theredandblackarchitect.wordpress.com/2013/12/10/an-update-on-the-east-west-link/" sl-processed="1">an update on the East West Link</a>), many people in Melbourne are dismayed over the destruction that the controversial East West Link will reap over the inner city communities and significant parklands of Melbourne. At its essence Melbourne has become very much a design city and it is therefore not surprising that such a bad design has been widely criticised and that better alternatives have arisen.

At the time of writing the Assessment Committee is part way through its 30 day hearing schedule. Lawyers and experts from all sides have been slugging it out debating Melbourne’s future, whilst the only update to the public seems to be an excellent <a href="http://eastwestlinkblog.com/live-blog-public-hearings/" sl-processed="1">community blog</a> written by volunteers. This is a process that will hopefully lead to a revised design which will be better outcome for the community at large. But how did it get to this stage? Where was the community consultation? How did the LMA reference design change based on this consultation?

The East West Tunnel project will have a near permanent presence on the environment, our communities, our heritage and our finances. This of all projects must therefore engage the public to produce an outcome that is better across the board.

With this situation as the backdrop, <a href="http://redblackarch.com.au/" target="_blank">Atelier Red + Black</a> have undertaken a pro-bono project with a group of local professionals under the banner of Better East West link Design. The objective was to develop a road design from the community group, Safety Net for Royal Park, to create a better overall design for Melbourne. The central premise of the design is that the underutilized Arden Macaulay precinct is a far better location for the City Link connection than Royal Park.

<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/overall-map.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Comparison map"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="502" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/overall-map.jpg?itok=W67hx8GF" title="Comparison map" width="580"></a>

Using the City of Melbourne’s vision for Arden-Macaulay as a guide, Atelier Red+Black set about creating a vision to integrate the Better East West Link Design into an under-utilized commercial fringe of North Melbourne. Located beside the Citylink Freeway and Moonee Ponds creek, the proposed site spans from Alfred Street to Macaulay road with Boundary Rd as its eastern perimeter.

The design integrates the proposed viaduct/tunnel for the link while also retaining nearby heritage buildings. It also effectively utilizes alternate programs such as a mid-sized Retail strip and a large retail outlet to act as visual &amp; acoustic sound buffers. The design also embraces the saw-toothed grain of the existing warehouses into various aspects of the new design, thus referencing the history of the area.

Other programs within the project boundary include:

<ul>
<li>Large Commercial precinct along Citylink Freeway and Alfred Street – a buffer program located close to the freeway which also benefits from its proximity to Flemington Road and the tram network.</li>
	<li>Smaller Commercial precinct along Boundary Road</li>
	<li>Public Gardens proposed at Alfred St.</li>
	<li>Neighborhood Park and playgrounds at Sutton Street (beside the new Civic hub).</li>
	<li>Smaller Residential Precinct along Boundary road – which benefit from proximity to the city and nearby parks. They also provide a built form transition towards the taller building envelopes closer to the freeway.</li>
	<li>Medium-Density Residential Precinct along Macaulay Road – located to symbiotically function with the mid-sized retail strip &amp; promenade.</li>
	<li>Secondary school and Neighborhood sports centre – to demonstrate that their programmatic requirements can be met within inner-city locations. The school also acts as a landmark visual terminus to the corner of Boundary Rd, Macaulay Rd and Canning St.</li>
</ul>
Click the images for a full view.

<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/aerialview_from_west_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Aerial view from the West - image © Atelier Red + Black"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="278" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/aerialview_from_west_0.jpg?itok=h-tps6Xn" title="Aerial view from the West - image © Atelier Red + Black" width="580"></a>

<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/aerial_view_from_east_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Aerial view from the East - image © Atelier Red + Black"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="278" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/aerial_view_from_east_0.jpg?itok=r_7JvK9Y" title="Aerial view from the East - image © Atelier Red + Black" width="580"></a>

At the heart of the proposal is a generous creation of a public Plaza, new Civic Hub and Parklands. Instead of the isolation of Moonee Ponds creek, the design aims to integrate it into the urban fabric of North Melbourne and Kensington by improving pedestrian links across to new public spaces on both sides. One of the parallel outcomes of doing so is the removal of the level-crossing at Macaulay Road and the sinking of the railway line (with a new Station design) to improve the connection between the suburbs of Kensington &amp; North Melbourne.

Victorians get only one opportunity to design and construct this project. If we build it and it fails for any reason we have blown over $8 Billion in the process. The stakes have never been higher for Melbourne.

To review the design options and for further information check out the website

<a href="http://www.betterEWLdesign.com" sl-processed="1">www.betterEWLdesign.com</a>

Architecture is for Everyone.

Apartments.com.au editor remarks:

Whilst we do not believe new freeway construction should be at the top of any Government transport infrastructure priority list, Apartments.com.au endorses the initiative demonstrated by the Safety Net for Royal Park community group and Atelier Red + Black architects.

We encourage readers to share this proposal with friends &amp; colleagues and also call on the wider urban development, engineering, planning and design communities of Melbourne to rally behind the <a href="http://betterewldesign.com/" target="_blank">Better East West Link Design</a> cause.

— Editors Alastair Taylor and Mark Baljak.
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Atelier Red + Black reveals "A Better East West Link" design

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White Night was a celebration of Melbourne’s Urbanism and culture on an unprecedented scale. From the National Gallery of Victoria in the South, to the Melbourne City Baths in the North, the city was turned over to the people to explore, feel, participate and spectate over 100 separate activities and installations. Estimates suggest that half a million people flooded in to the Central Business District to take in the festival. At its peak, Swanston Street seemed to have narrowed with the sheer volume of people taking over the street.

<a href="http://theredandblackarchitect.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/photo-26.jpg"><img alt="White Night Melbourne 2014" height="478" src="http://theredandblackarchitect.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/photo-26.jpg?w=640&amp;h=478" width="640"></a>

<h2>Flinders Street Illuminated</h2>

Perhaps the most iconic aspect to White Night was the Flinders Street Projections. The artwork created by Electric Canvas transformed the Flinders Streetscape into an intense canyon of colour and movement.

<dl>
<dt><a href="http://theredandblackarchitect.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/photo-11.jpg"><img alt="Flinders Street Station Illuminated" height="406" src="http://theredandblackarchitect.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/photo-11.jpg?w=640&amp;h=406" width="640"></a></dt>
	<dd>Flinders Street Station Illuminated</dd>
	<dt><a href="http://theredandblackarchitect.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/photo-13.jpg"><img alt="Flinders Street Illuminated" height="856" src="http://theredandblackarchitect.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/photo-13.jpg?w=640&amp;h=856" width="640"></a></dt>
	<dd>‘Wonderland’ Flinders Street Illuminated</dd>
	<dt><a href="http://theredandblackarchitect.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/photo-14.jpg"><img alt="The Forum Illuminated" height="856" src="http://theredandblackarchitect.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/photo-14.jpg?w=640&amp;h=856" width="640"></a></dt>
	<dd>The Forum Illuminated</dd>
	<dt><a href="http://theredandblackarchitect.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/photo-12.jpg"><img alt="Drawing on Architecture in Chapter House Lane" height="838" src="http://theredandblackarchitect.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/photo-12.jpg?w=640&amp;h=838" width="640"></a></dt>
	<dd>Drawing on Architecture in Chapter House Lane</dd>
</dl>
<h2>The State Library of Victoria</h2>

The State Library was projected upon both inside and out. From the outside images of roman antiquities artificially aged the neoclassical facade back 2000 years. Moments later a brilliant projection of macro scale plant forms transform the facade into something else entirely.

<dl>
<dt><a href="http://theredandblackarchitect.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/photo-10.jpg"><img alt="State Library Illuminated" height="478" src="http://theredandblackarchitect.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/photo-10.jpg?w=640&amp;h=478" width="640"></a></dt>
	<dd>State Library Illuminated</dd>
</dl>
Once within the reading room, the viewer is exposed to a 360 degree projection entitled Molecular Kaleidoscope ‘Virus One Billion Times’. The animation features super sized virus cell structure and DNA chains that pulsate colour around the room to an intense soundtrack composed by Franc Tétaz. The reading room is a perfect location for this expression which mixes science and art so successfully.

<dl>
<dt><a href="http://theredandblackarchitect.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/photo-29.jpg"><img alt="State Library, MOLECULAR KALEIDOSCOPE – ‘VIRUS ONE BILLION TIMES’" height="779" src="http://theredandblackarchitect.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/photo-29.jpg?w=640&amp;h=779" width="640"></a></dt>
	<dd>State Library, MOLECULAR KALEIDOSCOPE – ‘VIRUS ONE BILLION TIMES’</dd>
</dl>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" scrolling="no" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/U7pAbsJEXsk" width="100%"></iframe>

<h2>Melbourne Central Shot Tower</h2>

Of all the fantastic projection and illumination pieces on offer during White Night, one of the most eye-popping pieces was I Heart Melbourne by Kollide Projections. The way that the artist used the brick canvas to create an illusion of folding and sliding bricks was brilliant.

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" scrolling="no" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/FJpa8ahkCek" width="100%"></iframe>

<h2>National Gallery of Victoria</h2>

One of the most popular attractions of White Night was National Gallery of Victoria. The iconic stone facade designed by Roy Grounds provided the perfect canvas for elaborate projections of tattooed bodies by Nicole Reed and The Electric Canvas. The piece entitled Tattooed City played upon the link between street art on our buildings and tattoos on our skin.

<dl>
<dt><a href="http://theredandblackarchitect.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/photo-25.jpg"><img alt="Tattooed City, National Gallery of Victoria Illuminated" height="478" src="http://theredandblackarchitect.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/photo-25.jpg?w=640&amp;h=478" width="640"></a></dt>
	<dd>Tattooed City, National Gallery of Victoria Illuminated</dd>
</dl>
Within the gallery, The Melbourne Now exhibition was in full swing with some additional events such as a silent disco and a RRR Radio Live broadcast.

Aside from the beautiful Roy Grounds masterpiece, a clear highlight is the much publicised <a href="http://cargocollective.com/roryhyde/Bin-Dome" target="_blank">‘Bin Dome’ by Dr Rory Hyde</a>. Constructed primarily from plastic rubbish bins sourced from Ikea, the geodesic dome sits boldly within the space. It is a sublime piece of design which highlights the confidence and competence of Melbourne’s architectural industry.

Naturally for a night like White Night it would not suffice for the dome to be used as a chill out space. Instead a mini dance party was taking place in front of a live DJ to ensure a dynamic audio and visual experience was combined.

<dl>
<dt><a href="http://theredandblackarchitect.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/photo-28.jpg"><img alt="Bin Dome by Dr Rory Hyde" height="856" src="http://theredandblackarchitect.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/photo-28.jpg?w=640&amp;h=856" width="640"></a></dt>
	<dd>Bin Dome by Dr Rory Hyde</dd>
	<dt><a href="http://theredandblackarchitect.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/photo-27.jpg"><img alt="From within the Bin Dome by Dr Rory Hyde" height="856" src="http://theredandblackarchitect.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/photo-27.jpg?w=640&amp;h=856" width="640"></a></dt>
	<dd>From within the Bin Dome by Dr Rory Hyde.</dd>
	<dt><a href="http://theredandblackarchitect.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/photo-30-copy.jpg"><img alt="NGV Ceiling Reflection" height="668" src="http://theredandblackarchitect.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/photo-30-copy.jpg?w=640&amp;h=668" width="640"></a></dt>
	<dd>NGV Ceiling Reflection</dd>
</dl>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" scrolling="no" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/gidFvjSwfk4" width="100%"></iframe>

<h2>Purple Rain</h2>

Who would have thought Melbournians would queue for up to an hour, just to see rain. Who would have thought that this wait would be well worthwhile? Purple Rain was an installation art piece by Pierre Ardouvin which creates a truly remarkable sensory experience. Set against the backdrop of the Old Melbourne Gaol, participants are equipped with transparent umbrellas and then enticed into a purple mist. Naturally the experience is capped off by the amplified soundtrack, Purple Rain by Prince.

<dl>
<dt><a href="http://theredandblackarchitect.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/photo-32.jpg"><img alt="Purple Rain experience" height="478" src="http://theredandblackarchitect.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/photo-32.jpg?w=640&amp;h=478" width="640"></a></dt>
	<dd>Purple Rain experience</dd>
	<dt><a href="http://theredandblackarchitect.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/photo-31.jpg"><img alt="Purple Rain backdrop" height="478" src="http://theredandblackarchitect.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/photo-31.jpg?w=640&amp;h=478" width="640"></a></dt>
	<dd>Purple Rain backdrop</dd>
</dl>
White Night 2014 was an experience like no other Melbourne has seen. Part arts festival, part street party, part exhibition, Melbourne has never looked more like a cultural hub. Key to this is the world class architecture, the cornerstone of Melbourne’s cultural expression.

Architecture is for Everyone.

Michael Smith is Director of Melbourne architecture firm <a href="http://redblackarch.com.au/">Atelier Red + Black</a>, and this article originally appeared on The Red and Black Architect <a href="http://theredandblackarchitect.wordpress.com/2014/02/25/white-night-melbourne-2014/" target="_blank">blog</a>.
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White Night Melbourne 2014

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Last weekend a much loved restaurant on the waterfront of St Kilda was burnt to the ground. Fortunately no one was injured in the blaze which was reportedly caused by fat in the industrial exhaust system catching fire. It is no doubt a difficult time for the owners of the business and those employed by the Stokehouse, however as co-owner, Frank Van Haandel pointed out, they are far more fortunate than those in the Grampians who have suffered immeasurably worse in the recent bushfires.

<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/photo-17.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The site of the recently destroyed Stokehouse restaurant"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="433" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/photo-17.jpg?itok=LqzzYExn" title="The site of the recently destroyed Stokehouse restaurant" width="580"></a>

The site has now been cleared and media attention has turned to what to do with the site. The land itself is crown land which is leased out the City of Port Phillip for long term uses. Consequently the local council and the State Government will be significantly involved in the planning and design stages.

<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/photo-22.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Empty site surrounded by palm trees"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="433" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/photo-22.jpg?itok=6eEWnKTA" title="Empty site surrounded by palm trees" width="580"></a>

The original structure was constructed around 1904 and has been extended and renovated several times over its 110 year history. Despite its age, the building was not listed on the heritage register and from many accounts was not of significant architectural value.

<blockquote>
The community is mourning … the special place that they celebrated is now gone.
<cite>Cr Amanda Stevens, City of Port Phillip Mayor</cite>
</blockquote>

Very early in the piece, the State Planning Minister Matthew Guy went <a href="http://www.3aw.com.au/displayPopUpPlayerAction.action?&amp;url=http://media.mytalk.com.au/3AW/AUDIO/Guy.mp3">on radio</a> to voice his view that an architectural competition should be held to create an architecturally significant design to replace the original. This was later contradicted by <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/design-competition-for-razed-stokehouse-ruled-out-by-government-20140120-314ve">The Age</a> in a subsequent media piece however by then the community debate had started, replica or new design, a restaurant or something more?

<blockquote>
It would appear to me to be a great shame if a building that has been so much in the public consciousness as a favourite St Kilda destination is not vested with some greater ideals of public good.
<cite>Professor Philip Goad, University of Melbourne</cite>
</blockquote>

<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/photo-23.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Empty site with the Palais Theatrein the distance"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="433" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/photo-23.jpg?itok=TMoXvXSf" title="Empty site with the Palais Theatrein the distance" width="580"></a>

<dl>
<dt><a href="http://theredandblackarchitect.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/photo-18.jpg"><img alt="St Kilda Pier Kiosk replica built 2006" class="size-medium wp-image-700" height="224" src="http://theredandblackarchitect.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/photo-18.jpg?w=300&amp;h=224" width="300"></a></dt>
	<dd>St Kilda Pier Kiosk replica built 2006</dd>
</dl>
There are many people, it seems, who are advocating for the building of a replica or a copy of what was destroyed. This position has some precedent in the more historically significant St Kilda Pier Kiosk, which also met its demise in flames back in 2003. The Kiosk had been standing at the end of the pier since 1904 and had subsequently made a very large impression on the hearts of locals. After much political and professional argument, it was decided to rebuild a replica from the original design. At the same time an addition to the rear of the building was completed in a contemporary style to increase the floor space. This act in a way re-wrote history in an attempt to claim back something that was gone.

As discussed in a <a href="http://theredandblackarchitect.wordpress.com/2012/07/08/heritage-round-new-is-old-again/" target="_blank" title="Heritage round, New is old again.">previous post on heritage</a>, there is a document which has been developed to assist with making ethical choices about our built heritage called the <a href="http://australia.icomos.org/wp-content/uploads/The-Burra-Charter-2013-Adopted-31.10.2013.pdf">Burra Charter</a>.

Below is an extract from the relevant section:

<blockquote>
Reconstruction

20.1 Reconstruction is appropriate only where a place is incomplete through damage or alteration, and only where there is sufficient evidence to reproduce an earlier state of the fabric. In some cases, reconstruction may also be appropriate as part of a use or practice that retains the cultural significance of the place.

Places with social or spiritual value may warrant reconstruction, even though very little may remain (e.g. only building footings or tree stumps following fire, flood or storm).

The requirement for sufficient evidence to reproduce an earlier state still applies.

20.2 Reconstruction should be identifiable on close inspection or through additional interpretation.
<cite>The Burra Charter, The Australia ICOMOS Charter for Places of Cultural Significance 2013, International Council on Monuments and Sites</cite>
</blockquote>

The charter sets out two key requirements to determine if a replica rebuild process will provide an acceptable outcome. Firstly does the building in question hold historical, social or spiritual value to the community? Without holding any value a replica rebuild is pointless. Once it has been determined that the building held significant value to the community the next requirement is to access the feasibility of reconstructing a finished product such that it doesn’t look like a poor quality caricature of the original. One of the most important aspects of this is accessing the documentation of the deceased building, to determine if there is enough DNA to successfully bring it back to life.

In the specific case of the Stokehouse I would argue that whilst there is clearly some social value placed by a small section of the community, these memories seem to be more in response to the experience of the people, food and atmosphere rather than the building itself. I have no doubt that those most familiar with the building will still have a strong attachment to the materiality of the place as it used to be. I would also argue however that these people are a small group likely limited to the staff and very frequent patrons, rather than the community at large.

Even if I am wrong and the community at large does have a strong emotional attachment to the building that was, an assessment must be made to determine if there is sufficient documentation to reconstruct the Stokehouse. Further to that, decisions will need to be made as to what year it should be modelled off as the building experienced had many changes over its lifespan.

A worst case scenario would have a poor quality replica commissioned which included all the previous buildings shortcomings and none of qualities or spirit which trigger fond memories of time gone by.

If the building were on private property ultimately it would be substantially up to the owners to decide how they should rebuild. However on this case the land is owned by the State Government. This means that they rightly have a substantial say in what gets built. Clearly in exercising this control they must act in the best interest of the community they serve.

This brings us back to a new design which can take advantage of the unique site and provide maximum value to the community. The idea of an architectural design competition certainly has merit in generating dozens of possibilities for the site. The big question is could such a process capture the soul of the previous experience whilst also taking advantage of all the new opportunities a rebuild offers. I would think this would ultimately depend on how the competition was run and how the winner was selected.

<blockquote>
We do need to understand what was beautiful about it, and what we loved about it and start the design process from there.
<cite>David Brand, Former Councillor</cite>
</blockquote>

<dl>
<dt>
<a href="http://theredandblackarchitect.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/photo-21.jpg"><img alt="Another opportunity that a redesign would offer is the opportunity to simultaneously rebuild and possibly integrate the St Kilda Lifesaving Club which is currently housed in the ugly shed next door." height="224" src="http://theredandblackarchitect.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/photo-21.jpg?w=300&amp;h=224" width="300"></a>

	 
	</dt>
	<dd>Another opportunity that a redesign would offer is the opportunity to simultaneously rebuild and possibly integrate the St Kilda Lifesaving Club which is currently housed in the ugly shed next door.</dd>
</dl>
In situations like this where a building is replacing one lost unexpectedly, it is always tempting for the owner to desire a lightning fast approach. The problem with this is that it often leads to reduced quality which will remain long after the urgency of the initial situation is long forgotten. To prevent this, in this case, I would like to see a temporary structure commissioned to provide a continuance of the fine food experience in the idyllic beach setting. This temporary structure could be prefabricated and modular allowing its reuse elsewhere once a more permanent building was ready for construction. It would also enable the business to keep a presence on the site and the local council to receive some of its rent.

If a design competition is no longer an option, as seems to be the case, it is clear to me that a more conventional architectural design process should ensue. This would enable experienced and highly qualified architects the time to properly investigate the site, assess the requirements of the Stokehouse and the wider community and then provide the well-rounded and considered response that the site and the community deserves.

Architecture is for Everyone.

Michael Smith is Director of Melbourne architecture firm <a href="http://redblackarch.com.au/">Atelier Red + Black</a>, and this article originally appeared on <a href="http://theredandblackarchitect.wordpress.com/2014/01/22/what-to-do-about-the-stokehouse/" target="_blank">The Red and Black Architect's blog</a>.

Further reading: <a href="/expert-insights/buying/what-to-do-about-the-stokehouse">What to do about the Stokehouse (Part Two)</a>.
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