2013 Australian Achievement in Architecture Awards winners

(Image: Marcus Hauschild)

The Australian Achievement in Architecture Awards recognises the outstanding accomplishments of architectural professionals, academics and students who contribute to society through architecture and the built environment. This year, an impressive array of individuals has been honoured at the Awards, presented at the National Arboretum in Canberra last night.

The highest honour the Australian Institute of Architects can bestow is the Gold Medal, which was awarded this year to Peter Wilson. This award recognises an individual architect who has designed or executed buildings of high merit or produced work of great distinction to promote or facilitate the knowledge of architecture.

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Wooden LEGO bricks by Mokulock

These elegant, wooden toy bricks by Japanese design company Mokulock bring a thoughtful and stylish new touch to the pleasure of building with LEGO – for children and adults alike. Handmade from maple and birch, these carefully-crafted, limited edition natural bricks are compatible with regular plastic LEGO pieces, allowing you to create interesting and unique combinations. Beautiful and biodegradable with a lightweight, tactile quality, the bricks are treated to retain their natural hues, providing unique and organic contrast to the classic primary-coloured plastic pieces.

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I wake up dreaming: art installation by Studio Twocan for Cylk

Emerging creative duo Studio Twocan has again teamed up with fashion label cylk to create a unique installation in the flagship Chapel Street store. Blending design, sculpture and fashion, the intriguingly named I wake up dreaming installation is made up of cascading origami modules, inspired by the form and colour of cylk’s autumn/winter 2013 capsule collection, Made in Melbourne.

Sisters Maddie and Becc Sharrock – the creative pair that make up Studio Twocan – used Spicers Paper Optix range to create 1000 paper origami “crystal shards.” The idea of crystal and rock formations references the digitally printed fabrics of the cylk collection, as well as the label’s philosophy of organic, quality craftsmanship and commitment to raw elements and natural fibres.

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Jimbo & Rex by Mim Design, lighting design by PointOfView

(Images: Dean Bradley)

Jimbo & Rex is a new bar located in Melbourne's Crown Casino complex, linked to one of the main interior promenades and opening up visually through a full height window. This is a redevelopment of an existing pub, with new interiors designed by Miriam Fanning of Mim Design, and lighting designed by PointofView.

“The client wanted the new venue to retain the relaxed atmosphere of a pub, but to offer a fresh take on casual dining, late night bar and weekend snack service” said Sara McClintock, senior lighting designer at POV.

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Parallel Nippon: Contemporary Japanese Architecture 1996 – 2006

Experience the work of some of Japan’s most influential architects at Parallel Nippon: Contemporary Japanese Architecture 1996 – 2006, a new exhibition on display at Sydney’s Japan Foundation Gallery from 2 April to 1 May.

The Japan Foundation, together with the Architectural Institute of Japan, presents an exhibition in two parts that explores the evolution of Japanese architecture, featuring the designs of architects such as Kengo Kuma, Tadao Ando, Toyo Ito, Kenzo Tange, SANAA, and more.

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Living Edge and KE-ZU Annual Warehouse Sale, Sydney

Snap up covetable originals from Living Edge and KE-ZU over the weekend of 22 March and save up to 70%. Designer furniture from the Herman Miller classics collection, Charles and Ray Eames collectables, Walter Knoll, Established & Sons and Artifort will be on sale, including sofas, lounge chairs, desks, dining tables, dining and office chairs, lighting, accessories and more.

The Living Edge and KE-ZU Annual Warehouse Sale runs from Friday 22 – Sunday 24 March, 10-6pm at Unit 4,190 Bourke Road Alexandria. Details at livingedge.com.au or kezu.com.au.

Windows by Design

The windows of Melbourne’s shopping districts have gotten a little bit more decorative for the month of March. As part of the L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival Cultural Program, the Windows by Design project creates a visual treasure hunt for art, fashion and design lovers, transforming windows of prominent fashion stores into stylish, art-inspired installations.

Taking inspiration from Dulux’s seasonal colour ranges, twelve of Melbourne’s most beloved retailers have teamed up with creative to create ephemeral galleries in their window spaces. These installations demonstrate the festival’s focus on social curation, providing a fresh and creative source of inspiration for passersby. Visitors can also download a map and follow a trail to rediscover the city’s most fashionable windows. 

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And All Things Return to Nature Tomorrow by Phillip Adams BalletLab

(Image: Fashion designer Susan Dimasi with choreographer Brooke Stamp, photograph by Jeff Busby)

Beautiful and otherworldly, And All Things Return to Nature Tomorrow presents an immersive blend of sound, movement, fashion and architecture. This is the latest double bill from Phillip Adams BalletLab, building on Adams’ passion for collaboration across art forms, making its premiere at the Lawler, Southbank Theatre this March.

Featuring the distinctive choreography of Brooke Stamp and Philip Adams, And All Things Return to Nature Tomorrow explores utopian impulses, parallel dimensions and alien abductions. The performance is driven by a sublime, electronic sound score by composer Dr. Garth Paine, and brought to life with experimental couture by Melbourne fashion designer Susan Dimasi of Materialbyproduct, lighting design and effects by Robin Fox and a unique, transformative set space by architect Matthew Bird. The choreographers will perform in their own pieces, (Stamp in All Things Return to Nature, Adams in Tomorrow) alongside dancers Deanne Butterworth, Rennie McDougall and Matthew Day.

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North Queensland Regional Architecture Awards winners

(Image: Angus Martin)

A reinvigorated city heart for Townsville designed by Cox Rayner Architects received the Walter and Oliver Tunbridge Award for Building of the Year at the 2013 North Queensland Regional Architecture Awards, announced on Friday night.

The Flinders Street Revitalisation project transformed a pedestrian mall back to a trafficable street, creating a link to the river. A pavilion was built to house a canopied theatrical film space, information centre, café and amenities.

“Demonstrating a close, sustained, committed, collaboration between all of the participants, the total project has been carefully crafted – from the overall master plan through to the bespoke detailing and consistent custom design elements,” the jury said.

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