Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2016 - January 2017 i Architectural Review Asia Pacific

“THE PROFESSION OF ARCHITECTURE HAS A CERTAIN CACHET LINKED TO THE IMAGE OF THE INDIVIDUAL, GENIUS FIGURE WORKING HARD TO CREATE A MASTERPIECE.” / PENNY CRASWELL, PAGE 12 “BEING AN ARCHITECT IN YOUR OWN BUSINESS MEANS RUNNING A BUSINESS.” / CHARLES WRIGHT, PAGE 16 “THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF 3D PRINTING REALLY LARGE BUILDING PARTS AND POSSIBLY, IN THE FUTURE, DOING THEM ON-SITE… IT’S JUST NOT COST-EFFECTIVE YET.” / DEBBIE-LYN RYAN, PAGE 24 “SELLING DESIGN SERVICES ISN’T ABOUT SEARCHING FOR THAT ONE MAGICAL FEE NUMBER THAT MAXIMISES PROFITS WHILE ALSO MAXIMISING SALES – THAT DOESN’T EXIST.” / IAN MOTLEY, PAGE 26 “OUR GROWTH STRATEGY IS ORGANIC, BUT IT’S HIGH GROWTH.WE BELIEVE THAT IF YOU HIRE THE RIGHT PEOPLE, THE WORK WILL COME TO YOU.” / KARL MAY, PAGE 28 “THE…

THE DESIGN OF BANKSIA LED THE PRACTICE TO USING MAYA, AS THIS GAVE MCR THE CAPABILITY TO ILLUSTRATE THE OVERLAYING OF DIFFERENT FABRICS ON THE SOLID SCULPTURES. Debbie-Lyn Ryan from McBride Charles Ryan (MCR) says this road requires a combination of a flexible approach and using the right tools for the job. “Normally the client will give us a brief of what they’re after and then we come up with ways of solving their problems. We see ourselves as problem solvers,” she says. While many of her clients have some idea of what they want, this is often based on past experience. Ryan is able to show clients new opportunities that are made possible through the application of innovative technology and the availability of new materials. “Part of adapting these…

APPLE IS NOW ALSO OBTAINING PATENTS TO PROTECT ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES OF THE DISTINCTIVE ELEMENTS THAT COLLECTIVELY COMPRISE THE ‘APPLE FEELING’ IN AN ‘APPLE STORE’. Recent attempts to save Tao (Theodore) Gofers' controversial brutalist-style housing complex, the Sirius Building, by seeking Heritage listing, has again brought to the fore the role that architects and their style have within a community’s psyche. A harbour eyesore or iconic structure, it represents a distinct period in Sydney’s history and a specific architectural style. With the increasing pressure for aesthetic use of public spaces and modern techniques enabling more imaginative construction, a question for many emerging architects seeking to develop an individual style regards the available options to ensure their creative endeavours remain unique to them and thus may one day help qualify them for…

“THE GLASS PAVILION PROVIDES THAT ABILITY TO OBSERVE THE CLOUDS, BIRDS AND WILDLIFE THAT MOVE ACROSS THE SITE. WE’VE OFTEN SEEN BLACK COCKATOOS, SNAKES, DINGOES, KANGAROOS AND THE OCCASIONAL BANDICOOT FROM THE LOUNGE ROOM COUCH.” How did the Tamborine House project evolve? My parents bought the two-hectare (five-acre) block after downsizing from a farming property. They settled on the mountain as the area was familiar to the family and the elevation of the mountain offered a cooler and different environment to live. I was a student when they bought and I jumped at the opportunity to be involved in the project. I worked on the design for the next year, finished my degree and time with James Russell Architect, and moved to the mountain to build the house with my…

CIVIC LANDSCAPE Winner: Conrad Gargett Brisbane’s Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital (LCCH) is Australia’s largest children’s hospital. Based on research that shows the significance of nature on health, well-being and reduced hospital stays, the design includes healing gardens and community spaces aimed at stimulating neurological, psychological and physiological responses, including the reduction of stress and anxiety. PARKS AND OPEN SPACE Winner: Hansen Partnership The MacKenzie Falls Gorge Trail features a newly aligned footbridge, expanded mesh steps and a walkway that seamlessly integrate with the natural surroundings. Manmade elements such as those in the walkways, steps and crossings were constructed using mild steel, which will rust over time and take on the warm hues found in the surrounding environment, while rocks and stone used in construction were sourced locally from the site.…

/ JESSE LINARDI DESIGN DIRECTOR, DKO Mental illness is an issue that we at DKO take seriously. Mental health issues in Australia are rising, with one in five people being affected by mental illness every year. The human emotional toll can be acute when combined with a high-pressure work related environment, which is dealing with increasingly high program demands. At DKO, we value all our staff and promote a supportive, active and healthy work environment. We certainly believe in the adage of a healthy body equals a healthy mind, and encourage and promote a range of physical activities within the auspices of the office that our staff can choose to, or not to, participate in. Aside from providing secure bicycle parking, encouraging participation in our DKO soccer team, we also…

My favourite quote of this issue came from Sandy Law. At very late notice, Sandy agreed to join the Brain Trust panel, which tackles the timely topic of mental health and well-being in the architecture profession. When I first began thinking about this editorial the world was observing World Mental Health Day (10 October). By the time I got around to putting fingers to keyboard, it was during the week that Kanye West cancelled the remainder of his current tour and was admitted to a psychiatric facility, reportedly for stress and exhaustion. When someone who features as prominently on the world stage as West is announced as having issues with mental health, it’s clear it’s no longer something in the shadows – only ever whispered about or mentioned obliquely. In…

There are architects who are passionate about their craft, but loathe all the peripherals that go with it, believing that the hours they spend actually running their business is precious time that could be better spent doing what they love and are good at – design. Charles Wright of Charles Wright Architects (CWA) is not one of those architects. Originally training in fine art at RMIT, he became increasingly intrigued by the discipline of architecture in the third year of his course. And it was its varied facets that really attracted him. “It was a growing realisation,” he says. “I liked the complexity of architecture; it involved so many fields of discipline. So there was science, technology, engineering, working with people. There was a business acumen side, but most importantly…

You may be familiar with this situation: a client approaches you – perhaps it’s a cold call, perhaps a referral or perhaps you’ve worked together before. They’re excited by the project and keen to get started. After explaining their requirements to you, they ask you, “How much do you charge?” You respond with hesitation and agree to send them your proposal shortly. You return to your office and begin to think about the project, the client and the level of fee you should propose. You spend the next couple of days searching for that magical fee number: a fee that’s low enough to win you the work, while also being high enough to ensure a reasonable level of profit. Before long it’s decision time and, with a mixture of optimism,…

“DUE TO THE FACT THAT I WAS MAKING SOME FURNITURE PIECES WHILE STUDYING AND WORKING, THE TRANSITION INTO STARTING MY OWN PRACTICE WAS VERY NATURAL.” “IF I COULD GO BACK, I WOULD HAVE ANALYSED THE ARCHITECT AND CLIENT INTERACTION/NEGOTIATION THAT MY EMPLOYERS PERFORMED MORE CLOSELY.” Back in 2002, while studying his architecture degree, Lachlan Nielsen began working for Brisbane-based James Russell Architect. He stayed with the studio for three years and, during his time there, he was introduced to the technique of combining architecture and construction – something he found he had an unrivalled passion for and sought to pursue. While at the studio, he worked on the design and construction of several projects that received architectural awards, proving his talent in the field early on. Following the completion of…

In line with technological advancements and unprecedented breakthroughs in medicine and disease prevention and cure, Australia is experiencing a significant rise in the ageing segment of its population. The country’s median age has increased by four years in the last two decades and this will increase even more rapidly in the next few years. An extreme, but telling statistic is that, today, there are more then 4000 people over the age of 100. According to the Intergenerational Report, by 2056 there could be over 40,000. While many of us are living longer and better, with improved healthcare practices and knowledge leading to a greater quality of life well into our 80s and beyond, the sheer numbers mean that the concurrent segment of the population who don’t fare so well is…

The negative impacts of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) have been well-documented – with the dioxins released during manufacture linked with cancer, hormone disruption and immunotoxicity. Accordingly many manufacturers are working on alternative materials that can boast PVC’s hard-wearing capabilities, with none of the negative health impacts. Facilities designed for the more vulnerable members of our community (those in educational, aged care and healthcare environments) are being particularly targeted for new and less toxic materials. Tarkett has recently released the iQ One flooring range. The company says this new product not only contains no PVC, but also addresses air quality issues and counteracts such adverse health issues as Sick Building Syndrome (SBS). “To address the increased pressure on design professionals to build healthier, sustainable indoor environments, the iQ ONE flooring range provides…

“BY BUILDING A BRAND, PRACTICE CULTURE AND DEVELOPING A TEAM OF SENIOR PRACTICE LEADERS, IT IS POSSIBLE TO THRIVE UNDER A NEW GENERATION OF OWNERS.” – SIMON NELSON THE CASE FOR: / SIMON NELSON PRACTICE PRINCIPAL, SEED (STUDIO FOR THE EXPLORATION OF EVOLUTIONARY DESIGN) History and conventional wisdom tells us that the death of a starchitect will lead to the demise of their practice. But times are changing, practices are becoming bigger and more professionally run, and the recent untimely death of Zaha Hadid has ignited a renewed interest in this subject. The issues that arise not only have ramifications for ‘starchitect’ practices, but also for any practice where key partners are seen as its lifeblood. But really, the question shouldn’t be ‘can a practice survive’, because, simply, they can.…

Starting out. Be prepared to work hard and think lean. You need to have a clear idea of what kind of work you want to do and how you will become best at it. Continuing professional development. We encourage our staff to actively engage in professional development, through sponsoring membership with the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA), to attendance at conferences and seminars, and I regularly speak at such events. Growth opportunities. We have successfully delivered projects in cultural, health, education, research, multi-residential and residential. As the population grows along with our economy, there will be opportunities across all industry sectors. Upcoming influences affecting the industry. • Sustainable business practices are in a period of rapid evolution. We can slash energy consumption by 60 to 70 percent. • There will…

“I SAW AN OPPORTUNITY IN THE INDUSTRY. AS DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION BUSINESSES ACROSS THE BOARD STRUGGLED, IT BECAME, TO MY EYES, A MORE LEVEL PLAYING FIELD.” – KOICHI TAKADA While there are some benefits to keeping small, many architecture firms seek growth, utilising strategies such as an active approach to business development, expansion into new sectors leading to more projects, and hiring policies to increase staff numbers. But there can be hiccups along the way, which is why it’s vital to consider the infrastructure and systems that must be put in place to make growth beneficial and avoid overreach or instability. In a small practice, administrative tasks, IT, HR and marketing may be done by the architects and designers themselves, but when businesses reach a certain size, it is best…

The Science Facility at Trinity Anglican School (TAS), Cairns, Queensland won the inaugural Educational Architecture Jennifer Taylor Award at the 2016 Queensland Architecture Awards for Queensland architecture firm, Charles Wright Architects. TAS was founded in 1983. Construction on the school’s new science building began in September 2014 and finished in early 2015. Designed by Charles Wright Architects and built by Hansen Yuncken Construction, the building inspired Wright to create a unique design characterised by a host of striking science symbols including helix, slinky and science apparatus – leaving the design open to interpretation. The symbols epitomise the idea of linkage and connection and also prompt an iconic image of science in the mind of a student. The most visually striking aspect of the new facility, the helix twist, links the…

Australia will experience an influx of sky-high super towers, many of which will feature smart, green design features and innovations, looking to a sustainable future in high-rise construction. With a plethora of high-rise projects on the horizon, high-rise experts and industry leaders are breaking ground with innovative design standards and construction. Prominent high-rise infrastructure projects such as 1 Bligh Street and One Central Park will be featured in the Australian debut of the Smart Skyscrapers Summit 2017. Director at Arup, Alistair Guthrie, who will be appearing at the Summit, describes smart skyscrapers as constituting several defining features – a smart location near public transport hubs, a building structure that minimises the use of material through smart design and building systems such as air-conditioning, lighting and lifts that respond directly to…

Viega Eco Plus in-wall and under-bench concealed cisterns Viega Eco Plus in-wall and under-bench concealed cisterns are easy to install, operate and maintain. The in-wall model fits within standard 90mm framing and comes in floor or wall mount pan versions, while the under-bench unit has an overall height of just 830mm and suits wall mount pans. All Viega cisterns have a WELS 4-star rating based on a 3- and 4.5-litre dual-flush, and accept the full range of Viega Visign flushing plates. Viega’s range of flushing plates has been specifically designed around short-stroke low-force activation, and include push button rocker action, Bowden cable, or electronic touchless technology, which is hidden behind a wide choice of beautifully crafted plates offering unique design and materials combinations. www.viega.com.au Aneeta Duomode Choose the mode to…

Fallingwater, designed in 1935 by the flamboyant and charismatic architect Frank Lloyd Wright, is possibly one of the most spectacular examples of 20th century domestic architecture. Located at Mill Run in a stunning, rustic region of Pennsylvania, the house was designed as a weekend retreat for businessman Edgar J Kaufmann and his family. The house is dramatically sited across a waterfall and in spring the excess water appears to literally spill over its front. It is one of the first examples of cantilevered concrete used in a domestic context. This feature, with its distinctive white horizontal balconies, has become emblematic of the modernist era. Wright was heavily influenced by the aesthetics of Japan, and it is possible to see how this has been integrated into the design, with its harmonious…