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Construction HEADER ARCHITECTURE BULLETIN VOL 77 / No. 2 / DECEMBER 2020 CONSTRUCTION 1 HEADER CELEBRATING 90 YEARS OF THE AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS As we mark our 90th year, we’ll be looking back on how Australian architecture has shaped our cities and communities, recognising the rich history and bright future of the architectural profession. 2 26 Prefabricated architecture Words: Edward Duc ARCHITECTURE BULLETIN 27 Seeding alternative housing VOL 77 / NO 2 / DECEMBER 2020 Official journal of the NSW Chapter of the typologies in Sydney soil Australian Institute of Architects since 1944. Words: Imogene Tudor We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians 30 of the lands on which we live, work and Design of towers with meet across the state and pay our respects parametric data models to the Elders past, present and emerging. Words: Melika Aljukic 34 Rammed earth revival Words: Noel Thomson 2020 AWARDS 36 Named Awards winners FOREWORD 13 and commendations Icons or otherwise? 02 Values and craftsmanship Words: Peter Webber Kathlyn Loseby PATRON NEWS 03 16 52 Kate Concannon Not just a matter of Ensuring safety and good design sustainability in Australian Words: Michael Lewarne CONSTRUCTION buildings Words: Emma Green, 18 NATSPEC Communications 04 Why are quality projects Quality in the building sacrificed for financial industry – an update feasibility? ADVOCACY Words: Geoff Hanmer Words: Sarah Bozionelos 06 20 54 Where did all the Marionettes to Important NSW legislative certifiers go? speculative capitalism changes impacting your Words: David Welsh Words: Hugo Chan practice Words: Wilma Walsh 10 22 Address to the Innovation by design: architecture deans Technological challenges PROVOKE Words: David Chandler and opportunities behind the Parramatta Powerhouse 56 12 and Sydney Modern Project Sydney got the missing Loss of faith Words: Luciano Cardellicchio middle wrong with town Words: Les Reedman and Paulo Stracchi houses rather than mid-rise apartments Words: Chris Johnson FOREWORDHEADER / KATHLYN LOSEBY 2020 is panning out uniquely in many ways, Design and Place not least on account of major changes in We are actively contributing to the legislation and policy for the construction Government Architect NSW (GANSW)’s work industry. These fundamental changes to the to draft a new principle-based Design and legislative landscape will have a major impact Place SEPP, which is expected to rationalise on the practice of architecture, and you will be several existing SEPPs and guides into one pleased to know the Institute is at the centre document, eliminating contradiction and of all discussions. We have a very hardworking overlap. A simplified all-in-one document will Chapter Council, with the backbone of policy, be easier to use, and the aim is to encourage advocacy and research done with the support project specific outcomes rather than tick- of the Built Environment Committee and the box approaches that result in cookie-cutter Heritage Committee. A special thank you to outcomes. We responded to NSW Crown Paul Walter, Vice President and Chair of the Lands’ draft state strategic plan for Crown land Built Environment Committee, and Jennifer to convey our support for key areas including Preston, Chair of the Heritage Committee. Aboriginal land rights, environmental benefit, Some of the key legislative and policy areas regional development, diverse affordable we are involved in at present are: housing, repurposing to expand green space. Housing Diversity SEPP Heritage The Institute has been advocating for many The heritage arena is concerning, and years for increased housing diversity, and our Heritage Committee has been active earlier this year we joined forces with advocating for the retention of many buildings numerous social housing providers to lobby of significance this year. Along with Angelo both the NSW Premier and Prime Minister to Candalepas, I am hoping to develop a stronger boost social and affordable housing options. discourse in this regard. We see the development of this State Environmental Planning Policies (SEPP) as the Kathlyn Loseby first step towards improving the situation. NSW Chapter President MANAGING EDITOR PATRONS REPLY Kate Concannon Architecture Bulletin thanks Send feedback to [email protected]. We also invite the following patrons for their members to contribute articles and reviews. We reserve the right to EDITOR support: edit responses and contributions. Emma Adams MAJOR PATRON ISSN 0729 08714 Architecture Bulletin is the quarterly journal of the DESIGNER – Mirvac Design Australian Institute of Architects, NSW Chapter (ACN 000 023 012). Felicity McDonald SUPPORTING PATRONS © Copyright 2020. No part of this publication may be reproduced in – Crone any form without the written permission of the publisher, unless for EDITORIAL COMMITTEE – FJMT research or review. Copyright of text/images belong to their authors. Kerwin Datu (Chair) – NBRS Architecture Melika Aljukic DISCLAIMER Jason Dibbs ADVERTISE WITH US / The views and opinions expressed in articles and letters published Elise Honeyman BECOME A PATRON in Architecture Bulletin are the personal views and opinions of the Sarah Lawlor Contact Kat Han about authors of these writings and do not necessarily represent the views Phillip Nielsen advertising in the Bulletin or and opinions of the Institute and its staff. Material contained in this David Tickle if you would like to become a publication is general comment and is not intended as advice on any David Welsh patron: particular matter. No reader should act or fail to act on the basis of [email protected] any material herein. Readers should consult professional advisers. PUBLISHER +61 2 9246 4055 The Australian Institute of Architects NSW Chapter, its staff, editors, Australian Institute of Architects editorial committee and authors expressly disclaim all liability to NSW Chapter ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS any persons in respect of acts or omissions by any such person in 3 Manning Street [email protected] reliance on any of the contents of this publication. Potts Point, Sydney NSW 2011 +61 2 9246 4055 [email protected] COVER IMAGE: PRINTER Dave Morgan Print Graphics highexposure.com.au FOREWORD / KATE CONCANNON This issue’s construction theme contribution. In many cases they have directly reflects the current consuming and/or indirectly put the interests of the concern for the NSW Chapter. profession before their own. At any time On the one hand, we face a such a contribution would be remarkable, but raft of incoming legislative and the magnanimity they have demonstrated is even more extraordinary in the context of a regulatory reforms to address world shaken up by COVID-19 and demanding construction quality failures in considerable adaptive effort – personally and NSW. On the other we are in the professionally, individually and organisationally. thick of fast-paced COVID-19 stimulus projects and a critical This advocacy work is the most important momentum that has grown around and the most powerful we as a professional activism toward the transformation peak body can and should do. Without an of public space in this new appropriate role for architects in a regulatory paradigm. The opportunity to and commercial operating environment in exert positive influence in both which they can sustain businesses and meet spheres of activity to optimise professional standards, there is no profession quality construction outcomes is for the Institute to represent – no one to attend the events, no one to celebrate through both tremendous and welcome, awards and prizes programs, no one to write but things are moving at a cracking or read the publications, and no one to enjoy pace. the ‘lighter’ member services and benefits that can sometimes be mistaken for the core value Accordingly, to ensure the voice of the of membership and the raison d’être of the profession is heard the Chapter has had Institute itself. to call upon many members to volunteer considerable time and expertise. The Institute It is true that all architectural professionals and all its members, particularly those with stand to benefit from the Institute’s advocacy work in NSW, are indebted to these generous work, regardless of whether they choose to peers who have gifted innumerable hours and be members. And just as our eminent 2020 megajoules of mental energy to meet with volunteers have demonstrated commitment government, industry and Chapter staff, to to the common good of the profession by engage critically with reams of documents, electing to invest of themselves, so too do you and to consult with peers. It is only on the when you choose Institute membership. So back of their rigorous and expert input that thank you too. Thank you for your support in we have been able to develop the strategies enabling your peak body to keep striving to do and articulate the positions that best serve its very best for you and your profession. the profession and our values in terms of environmental and public benefit. On behalf of the membership, I want to express our huge thanks to those individuals Kate Concannon and the practices that have supported their NSW State Manager 5 CONSTRUCTION Quality in the building industry – an update WORDS: GEOFF HANMER Ever since the Opal evacuation on The Shergold Weir Building Confidence Report Christmas Eve 2018, the issue of found that: building quality has been constantly ‘problems have led to diminishing raised in the media, helped along public confidence that the building by the Neo 200 fire in February
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