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Winner announced for new School of Design competition

John Wardle Architects and Office dA have been named the winners of the competition to design the landmark new Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning site at the University of Melbourne.

The building will include dedicated spaces for research into sustainable precinct design and performance, along with lecture theatres, a library, exhibition, and specialist workshop spaces. It will accommodate students enrolled in the Bachelor of Environments, one of the degrees formed under the Melbourne Model, and in the Melbourne School of Design as well as provide offices for staff of the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning.

SOURCE: University of Melbourne

http://www.abp.unimelb.edu.au/competition/images/new-building.gif

2009 Open Architecture Competition winners announced

2009 Open Architecture Challenge: Challenge Winner

Teton Valley Community School Location: Victor, Idaho, USA Designed by: Section Eight [design]

The 2009 Open Architecture Challenge: Classroom invited the global design and construction community to collaborate with primary and secondary school teachers and students to create smarter, safer, and more sustainable learning environments.

The Teton Valley Community School (TVCS) is a non-profit independent school located in Victor, Idaho. At the base of the Teton Mountain range, Victor is 6,200 feet above sea level and is a quickly developing alpine area. The town’s eclectic mix of pioneer families and new residents from around the globe exemplify Victor’s unique history and diversity.

TVCS’s master plan is to eventually build five of the proposed classroom buildings. The design allows for flexibility in their spacing and construction. The classroom buildings can be either site built or prefabricated in two modules that can be shipped to the site. The design objectives were to create flexible spatial configurations, reduce the school’s ecological footprint, and create a strong connection to the outdoors in response to the mountain climate.

Excepting the vegetable garden areas, the landscaping will incorporate native, drought resistant vegetation to reduce required irrigation. Zen rock gardens will be created using stones removed from the building sites during excavation. Perviousness will be promoted on the site by the use of pavers with grass and sand infill for the parking and pathway areas. Play areas will utilize the natural site features like trees, rocks, and berms.

Continue reading 2009 Open Architecture Competition winners announced

Buchanan Courtyard under renovations

The University of British Columbia(UBC) is developing the final plans for Buchanan Courtyard which is to be implemented through the Public Realm Plan ($26 million initiative to rejuvenate open spaces over 15 years). $1.5 million is earmarked for the project with a further $1 million hoped to be raised for the project.

The project is expected to take 2 years with the west courtyard finished in June 2010 and east courtyard in 2011. The project was inspired by landscape architecture and architecture students at UBC and plans were developed during a consultation process with staff, students in a series of workshops with Co-Design group and landscape architects space2place.

The final stages of the project have been contracted to Phillips Farevaag Smallenberg (PFS).

Information SOURCE: The Ubyssey

Tallest residential Tower contracts awarded

Just when you thought development in Dubai was frozen along comes the news that construction contracts were just awarded to Arabian Construction Company for Pentominium, the tallest residential in the world at 618 metres (2027 feet) and 124 floors. At a cost of AED 1.46 billion ($USD 400 million). The total floor area will be 170,000 square meters and expected to take just 48 months to build. Currently Q1 in Australia is the tallest residential tower in the world. Aedas are the project designers.

SOURCE: Zawya

Marking of Georgetown – Ideas Competition

The State Government of Penang, Malaysia invites submissions for an international competition for design ideas to physically brand the historic city of George Town, Penang in conjunction with its listing as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008.

Design category: Marking of Public Space
Using available public spaces to mark the World Heritage Site of George Town e.g., walls (public, or possibly private heritage buildings), roads, access points, pedestrian walkways, shelters, bus-stops, manholes, public signages, lamppost, bus stops etc. The winning entry will enter into negotiations with the State Government of Penang, Malaysia to implement the design.*

Stage 1 Prize: RM 10,000 ($US2800)
Deadline – Registration 15 October – Stage 1 Submission 15 November
(please check & confirm dates with competition website)

For More Details go to the competition website – Marking Georgetown

*WORLD LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT* is NOT involved with the Marking Georgetown competition please refer any enquiries to the competition website