Designs of the Year

Congratulations to overall Brit Insurance Design Award winner Min-Kyu Choi for the Folding Plug; ELEMENTAL for winning the architecture category with their Monterrey Housing project, Mexico, and the winning and nominated designers in all categories.

The exhibition of all winning and shortlisted designs, including the Melbourne Recital Centre and MTC Theatre, continues at the Design Museum until October 31 2010.

People's Daily Online

The Melbourne Recital Centre has been named one of the world's top 10 beautiful buildings by the People's Daily Online in the People's Republic of China.

We are delighted that the building was recognised in this way, and that it has reached such a wide audience.

Brit Insurance Design Awards

The Melbourne Recital Centre and Melbourne Theatre Company have been nominated in the Architecture category of the Brit Insurance Designs of the Year 2010 awards at the Design Museum, London.

The Designs of the Year awards showcase the best in architecture, fashion, furniture, graphics, interactive, product and transport.

The exhibition at the Design Museum runs from February 17 to October 31 2010. The awards will be announced on March 4 and the overall design award presented on March 16.

ARM's exhibition includes two photopolymer rapid prototype models by ARRK, created using an Objet Connex 3D printer.

Southern Way wins Peninsula Link bid

Southern Way consortium, comprising Abigroup, Bilfinger Berger and the Royal Bank of Scotland, has been awarded the contract to build and deliver the $759 million toll-free Peninsula Link project, Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas announced last Friday. ARM, together with Urbis provided the successful design response for the winning competiton bid.

Key features of the Peninsula Link project include:
- A huge construction task including 27 kilometres of freeway standard road, 11 local road connections, more than 35 bridges and 18,000m² of retaining walls;
- A contemporary urban design that considers both drivers and the community with particular care taken through sensitive areas like the Pines Flora and Fauna Reserve;
- A 22 kilometre walking and cycling path starting in Patterson Lakes and connecting with other popular paths in the area;
- A partnership with the McClelland Gallery and Sculpture Park that will see a major sculpture at the Peninsula Link/EastLink interchange and the winner of a bi-annual sculpture competition being displayed along the project;
- Planting of around 1.5 million plants, shrubs and trees along the freeway corridor to improve the environment; and
- A partnership with the Centre for Education and Research in Environmental Strategies (CERES) to teach local school children about environmental initiatives.

Final plans for Perth Waterfront released

The WA State Government has released the final plans for the redevelopment of the Swan River foreshore by ARM.

The 10 hectare development will cover an area between Barrack and William Streets and includes an inlet to bring the water back to the original shore line. It will be surrounded by a boardwalk, promenades, shops, cafes and restaurants. A section of Riverside Drive will be removed to make the development possible and to encourage the use of public transport. There will be an island at the heart of the new inlet, and there may also be a child-friendly beach.

The WA Premier Colin Barnett has described the project as "a mini Circular Quay". He says the project will be funded by the State Government, the Perth City Council, the private sector and possibly the Federal Government. Mr Barnett says that unlike previous plans, this design will go ahead and will not be reviewed or revised. "I know there have been proposals in the past, the difference is this one will happen with major construction starting in 2012."

The Planning Minister John Day says the development will close the physical and psychological gap between the city and the river.

Source; ABC News Posted / Sun Dec 13, 2009 2:00pm AEADT

MRC/ MTC wins National AIA Award

The Melbourne Recital Centre and MTC Theatre by ARM have been recognised at the 2009 Australian Institute of Architects National Architecture Awards receiving the Emil Sodersten Award for Interior Architecture.

Fittingly, ARM was presented with the prestigious award during last night's National Australian Institute of Architects Awards in the Elisabeth Murdoch Hall at the new Melbourne Recital Centre.

The National prize follows the ARM's Victorian Chapter success earlier this year with the AIA Victorian Architecture Medal, William Wardell Award for Public Architecture, Marion Mahony Award for Interior Architecture & Joseph Reed Award for Urban Design.