Design More - Consume Less
We design buildings and interiors for clients who are interested and engaged with the creative process – people who are interested in the outcome and broader benefits to community and environment.
Our passion for architecture comes from its rich and varied history – spaces such as the Pantheon in Rome, Louis Kahn’s Exeter Library staircase and Le Corbusier’s La Tourette speak volumes about the power and significance of architecture and its place in society. The power of architecture to describe space as an abstract entity and yet speak clearly to the human soul is a source of intrigue and continuing reflection. As well, we are equally inspired by music, art and literature that stimulate the human spirit in similar ways. Artists like Eric Satie, Michelangelo and Mark Rothko are rich sources of inspiration to create objects of beauty and desire. Closer to home we are just as inspired by the care someone will take in a shop display, a comfortable cafe or...
November 30, 2008 permalink comment
Urban Renewal + Adaptive Re-Use.
The environmental argument for urban renewal through architectural projects should be self-evident. Yet Melbourne, typical of many other cities is expanding its territorial reach into fertile agricultural land, into more bush-fire prone areas and natural habitat for flora and fauna through a combination of population growth and associated urbanisation.
Architecture is a set piece of the city and great cities are informed by its natural setting – think of Venice, Sydney or New York. Melbourne’s terrain and landscape is a gently undulating topography with a complex network of rivers and creeks that lead to a protected bay. However, its topography can be misconstrued as flat and uninteresting. The landscape itself is not that difficult to change – and in effect it has become a blank canvas for speculative intervention driven by land economics. The basis of the city is not to create architecture as such – but rather to create social framework its...
November 16, 2008 permalink comment tags: history, inspirations, practice, sustainable
MORE or LESS
A Case for Less Consumption and More Design
| •Less big | •Smaller |
| •Less waste | •Integrated |
| •Less maintenance | •More fun |
| •Less services | •More crafted |
| •Less burden | •More garden |
| •Less about brand | •More flexible |
| •Less energy | •More tailored |
| •Less cost | •More collaborative |
| •Less work | •More inclusive |
| •Not a style | •More original |
| •Less commercial | •More light |
| •Less complex | •More open |
| •Less mainstream | •More... |
Kananook Creek Redevelopment
We recently completed this project, which involved working with landscape architects who were the head consultants. Our role was to enable council and the main consultants to visualise the form of the proposed commercial development along the proposed board walk at Kananook Creek. Through our design studies we were able to show the impact of different heights of buildings on the Creek environment and the adjacent buildings of Nepean Highway. We were able to demonstrate different approaches to maintaining carparking numbers on site and ensure pedestrian access between the different levels.
May 7, 2008 permalink comment tags: landscaping, redevelopment, river-side, urban design
Perspective Magazine, Hong Kong
Catherine Oelrichs, PERSPECTIVE, Interiors_Style_Architecture_Design, April 2008 – review of Collingwood Warehouse Refurbishment
May 7, 2008 permalink comment tags: gallery, publication, recycle
Vic Urban
This project was part of an initiative by VICURBAN to promote the use of architects in the volume housing market of Melbourne. The project is designed to create a family home that can be built affordably.
The proposed house design is intended to include a grey water system, solar hot water, rain water tanks and other environmental benefits. The proposed design can also be used on a variety of different sites with different orientations. Also the proposed house can use a number of simple add-ons such as pergola, carport and a second story to accommodate different needs in the community and also to accommodate different family situations.
This project was not shortlisted by VICURBAN but the project is being developed for other similar initiatives that are arising.
Micro
“The pavilion adds a sense of presence to the bocce rinks, while also making watching and waiting a more pleasurable experience. It provides a place of retreat from sun, from rain and from summer heat.”
Recently published in: Ruth Slavid, MICRO Very Small Buildings, 2007.
February 26, 2008 permalink comment tags: micro, pavilion, publication, small
Melba Food Hall
This project was a conversion of a motor mechanics workshop into a quality food hall.The project is located in a small shopping area of Brunswick and this project is helping to revitalise the precinct. The project was designed to bring a sense of life, theatre and activity to the main space and make shopping for daily items a pleasure. The
interior colours are subdued and designed to bring the colours of the fruit and vegetables to the foreground. The timbers that were used are predominantly Australian and give the interior a natural and warm feeling. We worked closely with the client to understand the requirements for the display of fruit and vegetables. We also worked closely with the builder to build prototypes of the display system and ensured the finishes met the clients expectations.
Bocce Pavilion
The bocce pavilion is a small public community room – domestic in scale – it resembles the scale of a large living room in a house. It is an uncomplicated space and whilst the room is principally for the bocce club it has been used for many occasions + uses – such as lessons in sitar playing, photographic exhibitions + family gatherings. The building can be activated by people + the sense of the occasion by the opening of doors + filling spaces or the building is closed down to become defensive + a quiet building during long times of inactivity during the week.
February 26, 2008 permalink comment tags: community, community consultation, italian, pavilion, sport
Ningaloo - competition entry
Our practice participated in an Ideas Competition for an ECO-RESORT in the sensitive area of Ningaloo which is located in the north west of Western Australia. The project is on a highly sensitive site and the aim of the project was to devise a way for tourists to come and enjoy the natural beauty of the area without destroying the fragile eco-system of this world renowned area. Our approach was to disperse different types of accommodation around the site to cater for different needs. The main building is where all of the main accommodation is located as well as administrative, entertainment and support facilities.
Our approach was to collect the main functions into one place so as to minimise the dispersal of functions around the site. The intention was to have a clear distinction between building and natural environment.