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

Victorian Architecture Awards 2018

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RMIT’s New Academic Street (NAS) with Lyons at the helm, in collaboration with NMBW Architecture Studio, Harrison and White, MvS Architects and Maddison Architects was the big winner at the recent Australian Institute of Architects’ (AIA) 2018 Victorian State Architecture Awards, claiming six awards in total.

The awards recognise the best of Victorian architecture and acknowledge the outstanding contribution architecture and urban design make to our built environment. 

The Lyons led team was awarded the Victorian Architecture Medal - the event’s highest honour - in addition to being named a dual recipient of the Melbourne Prize which was shared with Breathe Architecture for their design for Nightingale 1.

RMIT NAS took out the top gong in both the educational architecture and urban design categories and was also among the winning projects for architecture awards in the categories of interior architecture and sustainable 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/171017_nas_14661469.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="RMIT's New Academic Street claimed six awards. Image: Supplied"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="513" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/171017_nas_14661469.jpg?itok=xMPETYME" title="RMIT's New Academic Street claimed six awards. Image: Supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>RMIT's New Academic Street claimed six awards. Image: Supplied</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
These awards are a wonderful acknowledgement of the successful collaboration between Lyons and four architecture firms — all of whom are RMIT alumni.

Together, we were driven to reimagine the campus into what would become a dynamic urban destination for students to embrace and enjoy. Integrating NAS within Melbourne’s CBD transformed the student experience and we’re delighted the design has been so well received by both the student body and the architecture community.

- Professor Carey Lyon, Lyons founding Director and NAS Project Director
</blockquote>

<h2>Awards won</h2>

<ul>
<li>Victorian Architecture Medal</li>
	<li>Melbourne Prize — Joint Winner</li>
	<li>Educational Architecture  - The Henry Bastow Award for Educational Achitecture</li>
	<li>Urban Design  - The Joseph Reed Award for Urban Design</li>
	<li>Sustainable Architecture - Architecture Award</li>
	<li>Interior Architecture - Architecture Award</li>
</ul>
<h2>Looking ahead...</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/5ad9685b52a2a0ebe87f565b4eb8af39.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The New Student Precinct's proposed outdoor amphitheatre. Image: ArchitectureAU"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="272" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/5ad9685b52a2a0ebe87f565b4eb8af39.jpg?itok=p4-SqGUm" title="The New Student Precinct's proposed outdoor amphitheatre. Image: ArchitectureAU" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The New Student Precinct's proposed outdoor amphitheatre. Image: ArchitectureAU</figcaption></figure>In February 2018, Lyons Architecture was engaged as the lead architects for the concept design for the University of Melbourne’s $229 million New Student Precinct at its Parkville campus.

The design team comprises Koning Eizenberg, Aspect Studios, Breathe Architecture, NMBW Architecture Studio, Greenaway Architects, Glas Urban and Architects EAT.

The New Student Precinct aims to make a significant contribution to the transformation of the on-campus student experience at Parkville by delivering a world-class student hub for the whole campus community.

Early and enabling works commenced earlier this year to prepare the site for construction works, continuing through until the end of 2018.

<a href="https://architectureau.com/articles/lyons-led-design-team-completes-concept-design-for-melbourne-uni-student-precinct/#img=0">According to ArchitectureAU</a>, the design team will now move on to produce a schematic design, which will be delivered in September, with the project expected to be completed by 2021–2022.
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Laurence Dragomir

Lyons leads charge at Vic Architecture Awards with RMIT's New Academic Street

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With the impending Victorian Architecture Awards dinner, Apartments.com.au concludes its Road to the Victorian Architecture Awards 2018 series with the North Fitzroy Library and Community Hub - the first mixed-use public building to achieve a 6-Star Green Star rating in Victoria.

The awards are presented tonight.

Designed by GroupGSA, the new library and community hub has been shortlisted for awards in sustainable architecture, public architecture and Melbourne prize categories.

The North Fitzroy Library and Community Hub has been conceived as a multi-use space that supports the learning, health and well-being of the community.

<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/nflchentry-vzxvqeyw-641761.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The North Fitzroy Library and Community Hub’s lush rooftop garden. Image: Tom Hutton"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="380" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/nflchentry-vzxvqeyw-641761.jpg?itok=cr_74oL2" title="The North Fitzroy Library and Community Hub’s lush rooftop garden. Image: Tom Hutton" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The North Fitzroy Library and Community Hub’s lush rooftop garden. Image: Tom Hutton</figcaption></figure>The building is home to the City of Yarra’s International House and includes a library, maternal child health facilities, in addition to a variety of community-focused facilities. 

Named ‘Bargoonga Nganjin’ which means ‘Gather Everybody’ in Woiwurrung - the language of the Wurundjeri people - the $17 million project was funded almost entirely by Council, and was the result of an extensive and exhaustive consultation process that included multiple stakeholders and the community.

GroupGSA says the design has driven a desire to create a socially inclusive space that integrated seamlessly with its local context, but was also had a minimal environmental footprint. 

The Library’s lush rooftop garden, exemplifies the potential for environmental design to draw people together, according to the architects.

Among the Library’s environmental features are its on-site power generation and pressurised air handling system incorporated into columns instead of bulkheads to maximise overhead space.

Additionally,  the architects specified locally-sourced materials, including reclaimed bricks from the surrounding area, to ensure product miles were minimised while also maintaining the character and materiality of North Fitzroy.

The architectural language of the Library reinforces this connection to its locale, with its triangular footprint taking inspiration from the old North Fitzroy post office building.

The community building features a bespoke screening mechanism, which became an integral part of the building’s external fabric, to manage glare and natural light. The perforated metal screens allows light to filter in and out, the design of which is derived from the trees in the Edinburgh Gardens, just immediately south of the site - using the local elements as a key to inform the design.

<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/nflchentry-vzxvqeyw-644529.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The North Fitzroy Library and Community Hub. Image: Tom Hutton"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/nflchentry-vzxvqeyw-644529.jpg?itok=Vdxm8Uvj" title="The North Fitzroy Library and Community Hub. Image: Tom Hutton" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The North Fitzroy Library and Community Hub. Image: Tom Hutton</figcaption></figure><h2>What they say</h2>

<blockquote>
The local people of North Fitzroy are an educated community that wanted to see a really robust sustainable outcome. We put the effort in to ensure all avenues were looked at, from energy use, to the lifecycle of the building, materials, orientation and water usage, all of those things.

We wanted to maximise the sustainable outcome of the building. “When designing this project, we took a pragmatic approach with regards to sustainability. The overarching aspect was to do all the basic elements really well in a way that related to the community and we’re really proud that this is the first time a six star green star rating has been awarded to a public mixed use building in Victoria.

To me one of the most eye catching of the green spaces is the rooftop garden. Featuring native plants and a productive garden, this area provides more than simple green respite on the site’s narrow footprint.

It has a cleverly integrated catchment system, positioned underneath the roof decking, which collects water to sustain landscaping as well as essential services for the whole building. Herbs and fruit trees on the roof supply the adjoining community kitchen, with students encouraged to pick things from the garden to use in cooking classes.

- Scott Francis, Principal, GroupGSA
</blockquote>

 

<blockquote>
This project exemplifies a leading approach to good sustainable design – in an environmental and social sense. Not only is it a building with leading green credentials but it has also been designed as a multipurpose and multi-generational space to support the diverse community of North Fitzroy.

The common denominator in successful projects is supportive and engaged clients who acknowledge the value that quality architecture interventions can bring to building strong and successful communities.

- Amy Muir, Victoria Chapter President of the Australian Institute of Architects
</blockquote>

Lead Image: Tom Hutton 
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Road to the Victorian Architecture Awards 2018: GroupGSA's North Fitzroy Library and Community Hub

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The winners of the 2018 Victorian Architecture Awards have been announced at the annual awards dinner hosted on Friday night.

Education and public architecture projects dominated across multiple categories, reinforcing the importance of a well designed public realm.

Across 14 categories, a total of 66 awards were given including named awards, architecture awards and commendations from the 108 shortlisted projects. The awards were announced at a dinner hosted in Melbourne by the Victorian Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects.

RMIT University's New Academic Street, by Lyons in collaboration with NMBW Architecture Studio, Harrison and White, MvS Architects and Maddison Architects, dominated proceedings on the way to the claiming the Victorian Architecture Medal along with the Joseph Reed Award for Urban Design, The Henry Bastow Award for Educational Architecture, architecture awards for Interior Architecture and Sustainable Architecture and a joint winner of the Melbourne Prize.

Other big winners include Nightingale 1 by Breathe Architecture, Victorian College of the Arts former Mounted Police Stables by Kerstin Thompson Architects and Koondrook Wharf by TERROIR, all obtaining recognition across three categories.

<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/koondrook_wharf.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="TERROIR's Koondrook Wharf was one of the award winning projects. Image: Adam Gibson"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="410" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/koondrook_wharf.jpg?itok=Bq5_spAU" title="TERROIR's Koondrook Wharf was one of the award winning projects. Image: Adam Gibson" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>TERROIR's Koondrook Wharf was one of the award-winning projects. Image: Adam Gibson</figcaption></figure>The Enduring Architecture Award, recognising structures over 25 years old that remain important in a contemporary context, was given to the Yarra Footbridge at Southbank, which ties into this year’s theme of the public realm.

Projects that received an architecture award or a named award will now progress to compete in the National Architecture Awards program. The shortlist will be announced by the Australian Institute of Architects in the coming months.

<blockquote>
We are celebrating the significant contribution that architecture brings to the everyday lives of people and to the evolution of our cities and townships throughout Victoria. The awards also acknowledges the strong collaboration between clients and architects required to deliver carefully considered and robust buildings and public realm interventions.

The projects included in the awards program define a broad and rich example of architecture within our state. It is wonderful to see these projects recognised and I extend my congratulations to all of our very deserving winners. 
Victorians understand the value of good design and the enormous benefits it brings to building engaged and resilient communities. The award winning architects are not prepared to accept the status quo and have worked incredibly hard to deliver outstanding contributions to our state’s architecture and infrastructure landscape.

-  Amy Muir, Victorian Chapter President
</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/nightingale_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Breathe Architecture's Nightingale 1 took home the Allan and Beth Coldicutt Award for Sustainable Architecture. Image: Peter Clarke"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/nightingale_1.jpg?itok=z3avipvp" title="Breathe Architecture's Nightingale 1 took home the Allan and Beth Coldicutt Award for Sustainable Architecture. Image: Peter Clarke" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Breathe Architecture's Nightingale 1 took home the Allan and Beth Coldicutt Award for Sustainable Architecture. Image: Peter Clarke</figcaption></figure>The winners of the named awards and architecture awards are listed below:

Residential Architecture – Houses (New) 
THE HAROLD DESBROWE-ANNEAR AWARD FOR RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE – HOUSES (NEW) Compound House | March Studio

ARCHITECTURE AWARDS Park House | Kerstin Thompson Architects 
House on the Coast | Sean Godsell Architects 
Towers Road House | Wood Marsh Architecture 
 

Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing 
THE BEST OVEREND AWARD FOR RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE - MULTIPLE HOUSING Nightingale 1 | Breathe Architecture

ARCHITECTURE AWARDS 35 Spring Street | Bates Smart 
Campbell Street | DKO Architecture and SLAB 
Averi | Jackson Clements Burrows 
C.F. Row | Woods Bagot 
 

Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations &amp; Additions) 
THE JOHN AND PHYLLIS MURPHY AWARD FOR RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE – HOUSES (ALTERATIONS AND ADDITIONS) King Bill | Austin Maynard Architects

ARCHITECTURE AWARDS Hatherlie | Andrew Simpson Architects 
The Kite | Architecture Architecture 
Boneo Country House | John Wardle Architects 
Station Street House | Robert Simeoni Architects

Small Project Architecture 
THE KEVIN BORLAND AWARD FOR SMALL PROJECT ARCHITECTURE Sorrento Visitor Centre | Workshop Architecture

ARCHITECTURE AWARDS Campbell Street | DKO Architecture and SLAB 
Koondrook Wharf | TERROIR

Urban Design 
THE JOSEPH REED AWARD FOR URBAN DESIGN New Academic Street, RMIT University | Lyons with NMBW Architecture Studio, Harrison and White, MvS Architects and Maddison Architects

ARCHITECTURE AWARDS Koondrook Wharf | TERROIR 
Deakin Link | watsonarchitecture+design

Heritage Architecture 
THE JOHN GEORGE KNIGHT AWARD FOR HERITAGE North Melbourne Terrace | Matt Gibson Architecture + Design

ARCHITECTURE AWARDS St Vincents Place Residence | B.E Architecture 
Victorian College of the Arts former Mounted Police Stables | Kerstin Thompson Architects

Commercial Architecture 
THE SIR OSBORN MCCUTCHEON AWARD FOR COMMERCIAL ARCHITECTURE Barwon Water | GHDWoodhead

ARCHITECTURE AWARDS 
Jackalope | Carr 
Mercedes Me | Jackson Clements Burrows

Interior Architecture

THE MARION MAHONY AWARD FOR INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE Our Lady of Good Counsel Church Deepdene | Law Architects

ARCHITECTURE AWARDS Boneo Country House | John Wardle Architects 
Monash University Learning and Teaching Building | John Wardle Architects 
New Academic Street, RMIT University | Lyons with NMBW Architecture Studio, MvSArchitecture, Harrison &amp; White and Maddison Architects 
Station Street House | Robert Simeoni Architects

Public Architecture 
THE WILLIAM WARDELL AWARD FOR PUBLIC ARCHITECTURE Bunjil Place | fjmt

ARCHITECTURE AWARDS Bendigo Hospital | Silver Thomas Hanley with Bates Smart 
North Fitzroy Library and Community Hub | GroupGSA

Educational Architecture 
THE HENRY BASTOW AWARD FOR EDUCATIONAL ARCHITECTURE New Academic Street, RMIT University | Lyons with NMBW Architecture Studio, Harrison and White, MvS Architects and Maddison Architects

ARCHITECTURE AWARDS The Geoff Handbury Science and Technology Hub, Melbourne Grammar School | Denton Corker Marshall 
Monash University Learning and Teaching Building | John Wardle Architects 
Victorian College of the Arts former Mounted Police Stables | Kerstin Thompson Architects

Sustainable Architecture 
THE ALLAN AND BETH COLDICUTT AWARD FOR SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE Nightingale 1 | Breathe Architecture

ARCHITECTURE AWARDS Barwon Water | GHDWoodhead 
New Academic Street, RMIT University | Lyons with NMBW Architecture Studio, Harrison and White, MvS Architects and Maddison Architects

Regional Prize

Koondrook Wharf | TERROIR

COLORBOND® Award for Steel Architecture 
COLORBOND® AWARD FOR STEEL ARCHITECTURE (VIC) Bugiga Hiker Camp - Grampians National Park | Sean Godsell Architects

Melbourne Prize – Joint Winner Nightingale 1 | Breathe Architecture 
New Academic Street, RMIT University | Lyons with NMBW Architecture Studio, Harrison and White, MvS Architects and Maddison Architects

Enduring Architecture Award Yarra Footbridge at Southbank | Cocks Carmichael Whitford

Victorian Architecture Medal New Academic Street, RMIT University | Lyons with NMBW Architecture Studio, Harrison and White, MvS Architects and Maddison Architects

Lead Image: New Academic Street, RMIT University by Peter Bennett 
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The Victorian Architecture Awards 2018: Winners announced

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Following the announcement of all the award winners during Friday night's Victorian Architecture Awards dinner, Apartments.com.au concludes series: The Road to the Victorian Architecture Awards.

Today we speak to Genevieve Brannigan, Director of Communications Collective, to explore the importance of communications in architecture and design.

Throughout her career, Genevieve has worked with a number of leading architects and design practices, advising them on good communications strategies. Here she shares her insights on why communications and architecture are inextricably linked.

<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/nightingale_1_peter_clarke.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Nightingale 1 by Breathe Architecture. Image: Peter Clarke"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/nightingale_1_peter_clarke.jpg?itok=mRRmWuyj" title="Nightingale 1 by Breathe Architecture. Image: Peter Clarke" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Nightingale 1 by Breathe Architecture. Image: Peter Clarke</figcaption></figure>Apartments.com.au: What is the main function of communicating architecture?

Genevieve brannigan: As communications professionals, we promote beautiful projects, create thought leaders and provoke discussion and debate on what’s happening in the industry. Architecture always tells a story and it’s our job to ensure this is communicated effectively within and beyond the industry.

The rapid evolvement of technology means communication needs to sit in more than one place to effectively engage with diverse stakeholder groups and show how design is deeply functional beyond visual elements. This involves educating audiences to help people who visit buildings understand and appreciate how they were conceived.

For example, sustainability measures incorporated into a building aren’t always visible yet are increasingly prevalent and a hugely valued component of each project. The need to communicate this is important, but often hidden, aspect of building design opens up an opportunity for architects to become thought leaders by sharing their design processes, ideas and projects.

U: What do you like most about working with architects and designers?

GB: Working in communications for the built environment intertwines two of my passions, design and communications. It allows me to explore the work from an aesthetic or visual perspective as well as to identify the messaging ingrained in a project in order to communicate it to a wider audience.

I feel lucky to play an influential role in shaping trends that affect the design of the cities in which we live and help to break down barriers by educating architects so they can speak to different audiences.

Communications Collective takes a creative approach with each of our campaigns to develop unique content that engages with different audiences through different touch points, whether that be through the media, digital communications, content marketing or event management. Communications – along with the architecture and design industries – is a constantly changing landscape, so it’s an exciting time for us to be involved.

U: What role do awards play in communicating architecture? 
GB: Awards promote milestones, acknowledging the best work and sharing this not only within the industry but among broader audiences, unpacking emerging trends and telling the stories behind projects. Receiving accolades in the industry helps architects establish a name for themselves and opens the opportunity for the reach of their work to be dramatically extended.

We worked with the Australian Institute of Architects for the 2018 Victorian Architecture Awards, which took place last night on Friday 29 June. Seeing the incredible buildings in our state that have featured on the shortlist is inspiring and insightful, such as Bunjil Place in Narre Warren by fjmt and Bargoonga Nganjin North Fitzroy Library and Community Hub by Group GSA, both paying homage to Australia’s Indigenous heritage while acting as vibrant community centres enhanced by their building designs.

The Bendigo Hospital by Silver Thomas Hanley with Bates Smart, for instance, is inspiring by showing the impact good design can have on health and recovery while Monash University buildings show how the education sector is at the cutting-edge of architecture and technology.

We have also seen fantastic projects that focus on sustainability including Nightingale 1 by Breathe Architecture and the complete re-purposing of spaces such as the Victorian College of the Arts renovations in the former Mounted Police Stables by Kerstin Thompson Architects.

<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/stables_kta.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Former Mounted Police Stables by Kerstin Thompson Architects."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/stables_kta.jpg?itok=yOsTKI_H" title="Former Mounted Police Stables by Kerstin Thompson Architects." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Former Mounted Police Stables by Kerstin Thompson Architects.</figcaption></figure>U: What have you noticed about changes to the way architecture is being communicated?

GB: Since I started working in communications 15 years ago, I have seen the interest in the built environment grow dramatically, particularly as Australia is a very design literate country. This has been driven by the densification of cities and the role of design as a key differentiator in residential, commercial and other types of developments.

Buildings serve a whole range of purposes – functional, aesthetic, narrative, conceptual - and with the cultural, technological and societal changes that are constantly occurring in our fast-evolving world, there are more stories to tell and so many ways we can communicate the latest developments in building design.

U: How can communications help increase interaction with buildings and architecture?

GB: Communications plays a vital role in shaping the way people perceive buildings, whether it be on an aesthetic, functional or sentimental level. People are much more likely to visit and even appreciate a building if they have heard about it from a credible source, which demonstrates the power of communications in architecture.

Establishing a dialogue around architecture is all the more important for public projects – to ensure that they can be enjoyed by as many people as possible. Communications, in this sense, simply means allowing architecture to most fully serve its intended purpose.
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The Victorian Architecture Awards 2018 wrap: Communications Collective's Genevieve Brannigan

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In today's piece as part of Apartments.com.au's Road to the Victorian Architecture Awards series, in the lead up to the awards dinner on Friday 29th June, we speak to Hamish Lyon, Director of Architecture and Design at NH Architecture. Leading the design direction of the firm, Hamish is an advocate for architecture, regularly engaging in public debate.

Hamish and the NH Architecture team have worked on the Monash Business School redevelopment, shortlisted in the educational architecture category at this year’s Victorian Architecture Awards. Giving us an insight into the project which brings the corporate environment into the classroom, he also shares his perspective on architecture in Melbourne more broadly.

<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/entry-zvrmkqnw-644346.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="NH Architecture's Monash Business School redevelopment. Image: Peter Bennetts"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/entry-zvrmkqnw-644346.jpg?itok=Luj6tdhJ" title="NH Architecture's Monash Business School redevelopment. Image: Peter Bennetts" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>NH Architecture's Monash Business School redevelopment. Image: Peter Bennetts</figcaption></figure>Apartments.com.au: How did you tailor this project specifically for business students? 

Hamish Lyon: Designed exclusively for postgraduate and executive business students the project transcends the traditional stereotype of cellular learning and delivers a high quality environment which bridges the gap between executive-level education and a corporate environment.

Planning and design acknowledged the necessity to transform spaces from a teaching lead environment to one appropriate for executive style events requiring high-quality presentations, function facilities and corporate hospitality.

U: What challenges did the existing building pose?

HL: The new Monash Business School project is a combination of a three-level fit-out of an existing 1990s speculative office building coupled with a small addition of new work.

The specification and environmental performance criteria of the original building was extremely poor, offering little opportunity to achieve many of the now accepted initiatives of sustainable design. Despite these limitations, the school consciously fulfilled the requirements for a high performing education space with enhanced acoustic façade treatment, lighting and building services.

U: Where do you see the trend moving forward for educational architecture?

HL: In reaching out to the global community the Business School acknowledged the expectations of the local and international market, placing emphasis on the student staff experience and connecting corporate industry with education, mixing and blending private with public.

The demand on space will continue to ensure buildings will extend beyond their traditional hours of operation providing facilities for aligned industries outside the core business of education.

An attitude of “one size does not fit all” means the relationship between program and space has become more challenging.

U: The Monash Business School redevelopment bridges the gap between executive-level education and the corporate environment. What elements of both the education and corporate spheres were integral in your design?

HL: The traditional segregated office style floor plates were transformed with the introduction of two interconnecting stairs: one within the existing building structure and the other in the new adjoining Pavilion, built on the existing external terrace and housing a state of the art auditorium and function facility.

The distinct Pavilion visible from both Dandenong Road and the local train station is an asset for both the Business School and the broader University community; for corporate and dignitary functions throughout the year. Providing a flexible and accessible reception and student staff lounge area adjacent to the pavilion offer a public area for an expanded conferencing and function facility available to the wider corporate community.

<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/entry-zvrmkqnw-644353.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The interior of the Monash Business School redevelopment. Image: Peter Bennetts"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="373" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/entry-zvrmkqnw-644353.jpg?itok=UFfvjJOe" title="The interior of the Monash Business School redevelopment. Image: Peter Bennetts" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The interior of the Monash Business School redevelopment. Image: Peter Bennetts</figcaption></figure>U: You have worked on some high profile Melbourne projects including Margaret Court Arena and QV. What elements of ‘Melbourne’ do you strive to embody in your projects?

HL: Our approach to design has been formed by the city in which we reside. Melbourne’s high quality of public amenity underwrites the moniker of “world’s most liveable city”.

In its built form the city has many lessons to teach and as a practice we actively research its public spaces, institutions and businesses to understand its particular vibe – we see it as a world-class laboratory of buildings and space.
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Road to the Victorian Architecture Awards 2018: NH Architecture's Hamish Lyon

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In today's instalment of the Road to the Victorian Architecture Awards series, Apartments.com.au shines the torch on one of the more unique buildings featured in this year's shortlist of entries, with the winners announced at the awards dinner on 29 June 2018.

Harmer Architecture's Atrium of Holy Angels Mausoleum for client Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (GMCT) represents a prime example of a piece of public architecture that engages with a wide audience in fulfilling their role, while providing a service to a specific community.

The mausoleum creates a dialogue between architecture, landscape and the role of memorial in the form of a striking circular structure comprising eight separate blocks that are arranged around a central landscaped courtyard providing above ground burial for 672 people.

The Victorian Chapter of the AIA cites the mausoleum as an example of the diverse and innovative contemporary design interventions that Victoria has to offer, in particular, the approach to public architecture and its role.

<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/atrium_of_holy_angels_-_jonathan_hadiprawira.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Atrium of Holy Angels Mausoleum. Image: Jonathon Hadiprawira"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="385" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/atrium_of_holy_angels_-_jonathan_hadiprawira.jpg?itok=XmWtgWk_" title="Atrium of Holy Angels Mausoleum. Image: Jonathon Hadiprawira" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Atrium of Holy Angels Mausoleum. Image: Jonathon Hadiprawira</figcaption></figure>GMCT sought a design which offered longevity while reflecting the overarching purpose of the mausoleum. Harmer Architecture responded to this desire via a design which provides longevity to visitors who will continue to visit their loved ones.

The architecture which incorporates the crypts into the design via the circular shape and internal and external landscaping provides people with a variety of options when they are purchasing, claim the architects.

<h2>What they say...</h2>

<blockquote>
As a profession it’s important we continue to challenge the norm, and allow architectural interventions to evolve and create new cultural relationships and understandings.

Architecture is something that should be enjoyed and add value to the public realm, and the mausoleum does just that. The mausoleum acts as a pavilion, creating a welcoming and open space that families can visit and honour the passing of a relative, whilst allowing for life to be celebrated and remembered in a sensitive and meaningful way.

- Amy Muir,Victorian Chapter President
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
This is a logical extension of the other types of work we do which involves public spaces. It’s an active public space that people visit, it isn’t just about death.

There is a large community of Italian heritage who live in Melbourne’s North, many of whom want significant memorials such as community mausoleums. Many people in the local community visit their deceased relatives regularly and for long after they have gone.

It’s all about the landscape and giving people choice by facing every direction of the compass. It becomes more of a pavilion than a building.

- Philip Harmer,  Managing Director of Harmer Architecture
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
Design ambitions for our Atrium of Holy Angels Mausoleum was to create a building that was classic and enduring, yet bold and innovative. We wanted to provide families with a beautiful and high quality environment – a fitting tribute and final resting place for loved ones.

- Jacqui Weatherill, CEO of The Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (GMCT)
</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/atrium_of_holy_angels_-_trevor_mein.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Atrium of Holy Angels Mausoleum. Image: Trevor Mein"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/atrium_of_holy_angels_-_trevor_mein.jpg?itok=uXVoh3bl" title="Atrium of Holy Angels Mausoleum. Image: Trevor Mein" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Atrium of Holy Angels Mausoleum. Image: Trevor Mein</figcaption></figure>Lead Image: Trevor Mein 
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Road to the Victorian Architecture Awards 2018: Harmer Architecture's Atrium of Holy Angels Mausoleum

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Urban.com.au's coverage of the 2018 Victorian Architecture Awards continues today with a look at two of the shortlisted entries in the public architecture category and the positive contributions they make to their respective communities.

According to the Victorian Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects, the growing role of social sustainability is one of the themes to emerge in this year's shortlist of projects.

Additionally, to ensure the continued viability and longevity of public spaces, architects in Victoria are increasingly designing projects which are both socially and environmentally conscious.

A well designed public project should engender positive social outcomes, create active spaces, encourage interaction and enrich lives claims the Vic Chapter of the AIA.

One of the challenges of sustained population growth is ensuring access to and provision of quality space within communities, thus making it an increasingly valuable commodity. To address this issue numerous public projects across Victoria have been designed to accommodate a variety of diverse program within buildings, to appeal to different members of the community or community 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/bunjilplace2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Fjmt's Bunjil Place. Image: John Gollings"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="327" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/bunjilplace2.jpg?itok=JgD3cvm5" title="Fjmt's Bunjil Place. Image: John Gollings" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Fjmt's Bunjil Place. Image: John Gollings</figcaption></figure>Bunjil Place has been shortlisted in this year’s architecture awards for demonstrating a new form of community and civic building. It incorporates a library, theatre, function centre and a multipurpose studio, an art gallery and the City of Casey customer service centre, all in the one building. 

According to its architects fjmt, Bunjil Place has been designed as an inclusive, hybrid form of public building, reflecting and embracing the diversity of its community.

Similarly, Bargoonga Nganjin North Fitzroy Library, which has been shortlisted for three awards, provides more to its community than a traditional library.

Designed by GroupGSA, Bargoonga Nganjin – which, appropriately, means ‘gather everybody’ in Woiwurrung, the language of the Wurundjeri people – is a 6 star green star building that is home to a library, maternal child health service, playgroup spaces, the customer service centre for the City of Yarra, community meeting rooms, an exhibition space and a spectacular rooftop garden.

Designed to provide a suite of services to people of all ages, from newborns to seniors, the building is intended to support the wellbeing of its community for decades to come.

<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/north_fitzroy_library.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Bargoonga Nganjin North Fitzroy Library by GroupGSA. Image: Tom Hutton"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/north_fitzroy_library.jpg?itok=L3wcF-2I" title="Bargoonga Nganjin North Fitzroy Library by GroupGSA. Image: Tom Hutton" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Bargoonga Nganjin North Fitzroy Library by GroupGSA. Image: Tom Hutton</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
It comes down to design resilience and proper consultation processes – this lies at the heart of making buildings socially sustainable. Both architects and an ever better informed client sector now see the benefit of hosting extensive conversations and workshops prior to work commencing. Determining how spaces should be used, these processes are valuable to the design of quality architecture. Quick-fix solutions or less-than-rigorous design processes cost more in the long run, by creating expensive ‘white elephants’ that do not reach the potential of their purpose.

As architects we are building for people and ultimately the public realm is about social connection. Providing a conduit for people to interact is incredibly important when it comes to strategic and effective urban planning. Architecture and design’s public sphere nurtures communal responsibility defining an enriched city governed by more than what one might read as simple form making. The instigation of building sustainable communities is an imperative condition for successful architectural and urban planning outcomes.

- Amy Muir, Victorian Chapter President of the Australian Institute of Architects
</blockquote>

The winners of the 2018 Victorian Architecture Awards will be announced at the awards dinner on 29 June 2018. Winners of each category will then progress to compete in the National Architecture Awards program.
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Road to the Victorian Architecture Awards 2018: Social sustainability and public architecture

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The second in Apartments.com.au's Road to the Victorian Architecture Awards series in the lead up to the awards dinner which take place on 29 June and recognises the achievements of architects' contributions to our built environment.

John Wardle Architects is one of the most recognised practices in this year’s 2018 Victorian Architecture Awards, shortlisted for 7 awards ranging from residential architecture, urban design, interior architecture and educational architecture.

Apartments.com.au took the opportunity to speak to Meaghan Dwyer, Principal at John Wardle Architects, about how to respond to the many changes faced by the built environment. Meaghan also discusses some of the projects the practice has been shortlisted for.

<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/jwa_caulfield_library.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="John Wardle Architects' Caulfield Library shortlisted in these year's awards. Image: Dianna Snape"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/jwa_caulfield_library.jpg?itok=zn2tnkSy" title="John Wardle Architects' Caulfield Library shortlisted in these year's awards. Image: Dianna Snape" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>John Wardle Architects' Caulfield Library shortlisted in these year's awards. Image: Dianna Snape</figcaption></figure>Apartments.com.au: The way we work, live and play continues to constantly evolve. As an architect, how do you design buildings and spaces that will stand the test of time?

Meaghan Dwyer: Firstly, designing for change requires us to drop past assumptions and explore new potentials. We employ a number of strategies to create buildings and spaces that will stand the test of time.

We begin by firmly anchoring our design response in place. We do this through forming a deep understanding of the context within which we design and we respond to this in a nuanced way. We create flexible buildings that can respond to change. We apply the principles of good design – orientation, natural daylight, accessibility, and the like.

We select enduring materials and detail our buildings to last.

U: Tell us about some of the projects you’ve been working on that have been shortlisted in the 2018 Victorian Architecture Awards

MD: We have been fortunate to be the architects for two buildings for Monash University as part of their $750 million spend to upgrade their educational infrastructure. The Learning and Teaching Building and the refurbishment of the Caulfield Library are both shortlisted in the educational and interiors categories.

The transport interchange that formed part of our commission at the Clayton Campus is also shortlisted in the urban design category. These projects all follow the university’s aspiration to create vibrant settings for university life.

In addition, our Main Ridge House is shortlisted in the residential alterations and additions category. This is an existing house that has been completely reimagined as part of a larger plan for the rural site where it is located.

<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/jwa_tl_clayton.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The Learning and Teaching Building at Monash Clayton also shortlisted. Image: Trevor Mein"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="575" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/jwa_tl_clayton.jpg?itok=fpaKOLWd" title="The Learning and Teaching Building at Monash Clayton also shortlisted. Image: Trevor Mein" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The Learning and Teaching Building at Monash Clayton also shortlisted. Image: Trevor Mein</figcaption></figure>U: With the student experience being at the centre of your approach to educational architecture, how do you design for millennials and cater to the university of tomorrow?

MD: One thing for certain is that the higher education sector continues to experience rapid change. Just this week we have seen the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia announce that they are considering the merits of a merger.

Consequently, there is much speculation as to what the future university will look like. We understand that while every university is unique, they are all tackling the challenges of increased student numbers and the introduction of online learning.

This requires an intimate understanding of the organisational strategy, pedagogical approach and the characteristics of the student body. We certainly appreciate that millennials engage with technology in a very intuitive way.

They appreciate the flexibility to work anywhere they like, and are used to accessing all kinds of information and services at any time they like. They also tend to be very connected with their peers.

For these reasons the university campus needs to be a vibrant and activated place that supports peer to peer learning in any location. This impacts both the classroom setting, and also the spaces and places around the campus that support university life.

U: When approaching public projects, how important is it to design spaces that mean many things to many people?

MD: We believe that the public realm is experienced by all and so should be responsive to a broad range of aspirations and requirements. In our view it is highly desirable that every project display civic generosity, or make a positive contribution to the public realm, rather than reflect the interests of one stakeholder, or another.

U: In your opinion, do you think the education sector is leading the way in dealing with the design challenges presented by our changing environment (e.g. population growth, technology etc)?

MD: Universities have been subject to rapid growth in student numbers for many years now. They have also been grappling with the impacts of technology on learning and teaching. As there are a relatively large number of universities in Australia, and while each of them has invested substantial funds, there has been a constant iteration of responses to these circumstances.

Other public institutions that build less often have been slower to respond to the challenges resented by rapid population growth and technology. Our recent work with the justice system suggests that the courts are beginning to tackle these challenges. Likewise, our recent work in the cultural sector suggests the same.

In some ways, these organisations have a lot to learn from the higher education system.

U: Do you think architects need to play an increasingly collaborative role with clients to ensure their vision aligns with creating spaces that are future-proofed?

MD: We certainly pride ourselves on our ability to work with a client to understand their strategic requirements. We also appreciate that many clients are navigating change in the way that their organisations are offering services.

We believe that there is a place for spatial problem solving and we feel very able to join with our clients to align their strategy with their built environment. We also believe that their objectives can be supported by good design.

U: How important is it to engender communities through the built environment and how can this be achieved?

MD: We are firm believers that a good public realm is essential for the public life of a city. A good public realm is achieved through creating civic generosity, that is a built environment that responds to a broad range of aspirations and requirements, rather than responding to the interests of one stakeholder, or another.

This approach underpins all our project work, be it in the education sector, commercial, or any other sector.

U: Why do John Wardle Architects work on such a diverse portfolio of projects?

MD: We often describe ourselves as fabulous generalists. Our ability to move across project types comes from our curiosity to explore unrealised potential, rather than rest on past assumptions. Our ability to problem solve and design at all scales stands us in good stead, and nothing delights us more than a fresh challenge.
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