| 21 July 2008 |
Excellence in Architectural Design |
The Australian Institute of Architect's NSW announced its annual award winners to broad, positive press coverage this week. The Government Architect, Peter Mould chaired the eight member jury panel this year and jurors included Anne Warren, John McInerney, Leta Keens, Melonie Bayl-Smith, Peter John Cantrill, Stephen Davies and Tony Chenchow.
Chairing the Institute’s annual awards is an excellent opportunity for the Government Architect to encourage and support excellence in architectural design across NSW.
To read the Government Architect's Jury Report click here. |
| 14 June 2008 |
Korean War Memorial Erected in Memory of War Veterans |
To honour the Australian heroes who fought and died in the Korean War 1950-1953 a lasting tribute will be built in Sydney’s Moore Park.
The chosen monumental design was submitted by artist Jane Cavanough in partnership with Pod Landscape Architecture and selected by a jury chaired by NSW Government Architect Peter Mould. The winning design will provide a rich variety of symbolism to both to veterans and to those who are unfamiliar with the Korean War.
The project was officially launched on 14 June by Minister Linda Burney with Mr Woong-nam Kim, Consul-General of the Republic of Korea.
The Government Architect’s Office is now managing the design documentation and construction program. Construction will occur early in the New Year, with the memorial expected to be completed by April 2009. |
| 7 June 2008 |
Sydney Observatory Celebrates its Sesquicentenary |
The Sydney Observatory is celebrating its sesquicentenary (150th birthday) by holding a public open day on Saturday 7 June. The Government Architect's Office Heritage Group has been involved with a program of works at the Observatory including extensive archaeological investigation of the site and a program of rebuilding, stone work repair and restoration works.
Ms Caitlin Allen, Senior Archaeologist, who is coordinating and supervising the excavation program at the Observatory, will be discussing the site in an ABC 702 radio interview at 11:30am for those who can not make it on the day and are intersted in learning more about our history.
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| 5 May 2008 |
Achieving Carbon Neutrality |
The Government Architect’s Office was recently commissioned by the NSW Architects Registration Board to undertake a carbon footprint study to enable the Board to achieve carbon neutrality. The study provided recommendations for adjustments on factors such as office consumables, travel, office fit-out, and energy and water consumption etc.
The Board has adopted the study as an exemplar for NSW practices wanting to reduce their carbon footprint and also intends to run an industry pilot program based on GAO’s recommendations.
The study represents an important partnership between Government and Industry to achieve positive environmental outcomes across NSW. |
| 17 April 2008 |
Outstanding Heritage Conservation |
The Heritage Group within the Government Architect’s Office have won yet another award for Outstanding Heritage Conservation from Strathfield Local Council for the restoration of the exterior facades of the Australian Catholic University’s administration building, formerly a grand mansion house.
The Group is currently undertaking further restoration works at the Australian Catholic University including a spectacular chapel interior decoration investigation and reconstruction. This work is likely to be viewed by Pope Benedict XVI on his visit to Sydney in July as part of the University’s centenary anniversary celebrations and World Youth Day festivities.
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| 7 April 2008 |
National Trust Heritage Awards |
The Heritage Design Group within the Government Architect's Office received two Highly Commended Awards at the 2008 National Trust Heritage Awards ceremony on Monday. The awarded projects were:
The adaptation of the sandstone buildings of the former Plunkett Street School as the Sydney Distance Education High School, in the Conservation Built Heritage projects under $1 million category, and
The Sydney Hospital Carvings Recording, in the Corporate/Government Conservation Projects category.
The awards recognise the high quality work being undertaken and produced by the Heritage Team.
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| 5 – 20 April 2008 |
National Trust Heritage Festival 2008 – Our Place |
The National Trust Festival is one of the longest-running community festivals in New South Wales and the festival theme this year is ‘Our Place’. The Festival encompasses hundreds of fantastic events across metropolitan and regional NSW from Saturday 5 April to Sunday 20 April, 2008. The Government Architect’s Office in conjunction with City Historian Lisa Murray are providing an opportunity to learn more about stone masonry and visit the Alexandria stone to view practising stone masons. Event details are as follows:
Government Architect’s Office Heritage Group, Centenary Stonework Program, NSW Department of Commerce
Masons and Monuments
City of Sydney historian Lisa Murray will present a talk about the traditions and crafts of stone masonry in the 19th century, with a focus on monumental masons in NSW. The talk will be followed by a tour of the heritage services stoneyard at Alexandria by practicing stone masons involved in the Department of Commerce’s Centenary Stonework Program.
Location - Heritage Services Stoneyard, 92a Burrows Road Alexandria
10 April 2pm Duration 1.5 hours
Free
Bookings Essential 9372 8476
Max 30 people
For more event details see the National Trust festival brochure:
http://www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au/events/festival/
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| 19 March 2008 |
Fire Service Shows Off New Control Centre |
THE Rural Fire Service's new Fire Control and Training Centre received a tick of approval this week during the first official inspection of the $2 million facility since construction began two months ago.
The purpose-built training facility, designed and documented by the Government Architect’s Office, is a collaborative project of Orange, Cabonne, Blayney and Cowra councils and has been situated in Orange due to its central location.
It will provide 85 brigades and more than 2000 volunteers from across the Canobolas Zone RFS with access to training rooms and technology. Outdoor facilities will enable firefighters to hone skills from basic firefighting through to specialised remote-area firefighting.
Construction is on schedule, with the facility expected to be fully operational by late August this year. The Fire Control and Training Centre is then expected to have its grand opening in late September or October.
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| 4 February 2008 |
Structural Engineers Assist with Ultimo Shop Blast |
Emergency Management Engineering staff were called to assist police and NSW Fire Brigades after an explosion at a Nandos outlet on the ground floor of a eight storey apartment block in Ultimo early Monday morning. Significant damage was caused by the blast and approximately 150 people had to be evacuated and provided with emergency accommodation.
Structural Engineers from the Government Architect’s Office undertook a structural assessment of the site and provided advice on access and safety issues to emergency workers. The engineers also evaluated the extent of the damage to the building to determine that residents could safely return to their homes with due precaution of access, cleaning up and restoration of services.
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| 23 January 2008 |
The Greening of NSW Parliament House |
Climate Change, Environment and Water Minister Phil Koperberg today announced that tenders for the plan to use solar power in NSW Parliament House had closed. The plan to install solar panels over 200 square metres of the building is just one of nine initiatives to reduce the impact of Parliament House on the environment, that Engineers from the Government Architect’s Office are working on. Other projects include:
• Energy-saving light bulbs installed throughout the building;
• Movement sensors added to toilet lights;
• Fans with variable speed drives; and
• Air-conditioning and food storage chillers made more efficient.
Once completed these green initiatives will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2,500 tonnes each year and electricity by 2,320 mega watts which is the same as taking 555 cars off the road.
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| 15 January 2008 |
Water Savings in the Mckell Building |
The Hydraulics and Water Savings Group within the Government Architect’s Office recently undertook a water check of the 23 storey McKell Building on behalf of Sydney Water’s Every Drop Counts Business Program and the NSW Department of Commerce. The investigations were undertaken to determine the efficiency of water usage and to identify possible ways of reducing water consumption and associated costs.
The resulting refurbishment of the building amenities which implemented the recommendations of the Group has significantly reduced water usage. Total water use has now decreased by 19 kilolitres per day which represents a 28% reduction in water consumption and a saving of $15,900 p.a.. These water savings are equivalent to saving seven Olympic sized swimming pools of water each year.
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| 20 December 2007 |
Warragamba Dam Deep Water Recovery Project Recognised |
The Warragamba Dam Deep Water Recovery project, a major focus of the NSW Government’s efforts to ensure future water supply to the Sydney region, has been recognised by both the NSW Premier and Engineers Australia. The project was recently awarded the NSW Premier’s Public Sector Gold Award in the category of Environment for Living and the Engineers Australia (Sydney Division) 2007 Infrastructure Projects Excellence Award.
The Building Engineering team within the Government Architect’s Office designed the dehumidification system for the Dam and was one of many skilled teams providing specialist technical input to complete this successful project.
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| 7-8 November 2007 |
Heritage Expert Delivers Key Note Speech in Taiwan |
At the invitation of Mr Chen Kuo-chi, Vice President of China University of Technology, Mr Bruce Pettman, Heritage Design Services Team Leader delivered a keynote speech on Heritage Conservation in Australia at the international "Science of Conservation and Reuse of Cultural Properties (Ancient Remains, Historic Buildings, Settlements, and Landscape)" conference in Taiwan from 7 – 8 November.
Mr Pettman is internationally recognised as an expert in the field of heritage conservation management and the conference provided an opportunity to maintain and promote the Office's expertise in this area.
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| 22 October 2007 |
Master Builders Association NSW Excellence in Construction Awards |
Garie Beach Surf Safety Centre at Royal National Park won three awards in the Master Builders Association NSW Excellence in Construction Awards for Sporting Facilities up to $5M, Environmental Management and Best Use of Timber. Kate McElhone, Architect from the Government Architect’s Office managed the design, development and documentation of the project.
Muswellbrook Police Station won the Public Buildings Category for projects up to $5M. Kate McElhone again managed both the design and documentation of this project.
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| 8 October 2007 |
The Government Architect's Office assists NSW Fire Brigade |
The Office’s Principal Structural Engineer together with other Engineering Emergency Management staff were deployed to assist the New South Wales Fire Bridge in combating the fire at the Primo Smallgoods factory in Greenacre.
The team assessed different parts of the structure to ascertain whether it was safe to enter the building for both, the firemen to fight the fire, and company members to salvage goods.
Engineering Emergency Management staff within the Government Architect’s Office are on continuous standby to assist in the case of a disaster or emergency.
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| 15 – 23 September 2007 |
Historyweek2007 |
This years Historyweek, an initiative of the History Council of NSW, will encompass 270 diverse events held in metropolitan Sydney and across NSW. The Government Architect’s Office will be hosting two events:
"Living with Legacies" - a presentation by the NSW Government Architect in which he will discuss the role of the Government Architect's Office in designing public buildings over the past two centuries, and the challenges of adapting these buildings for contemporary uses.
"The Chief Secretary’s Building – A Legacy of Colonial Importance" – Curator Margaret Betteridge will lead a specialised tour of the Chief Secretary’s Building which will explore the ways in which architecture and sculpture were used by the architects to express colonial bureaucratic hierarchy and how their vision influenced the recent adaptive reuse of the building.
For full details of activities throughout Historyweek2007 please see
Laila Elmoos
Government Architect's Office
NSW Department of Commerce
Ph: 02 937 28492
Email: laila.ellmoos@commerce.nsw.gov.au
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| 02 - 12 July 2007 |
Environmental Characteristics of Concrete |
At the invitation of the Cement & Concrete Association of New Zealand, Peter Poulet, Assistant Government Architect presented a series of seminars across New Zealand on work completed by the Government Architect’s Office in collaboration with Cement Concrete Aggregates Australia (CCAA) on the environmental characteristics of concrete.
Peter’s presentations addressed passive solar design and the use of concrete in housing and were based on findings from GAO’s latest life cycle assessments undertaken in a variety of climatic zones.
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| 15 June 2007 |
Newcastle and Central Coast Natural Disaster |
The Department of Commerce has responsibility under the State Disaster Plan to manage, co-ordinate and undertake the specialist engineering services function within the State Emergency Management Committee. Under this role, the Government Architect’s Office assists with contingency planning for state, national and international emergencies in areas such as storms, floods, terrorist attacks, structural collapse, drought, tsunamis and exotic animal diseases.
In June 2007 the Engineering Emergency management Team undertook a major response and recovery deployment for the Newcastle and Central Coast Natural Disaster (storms and floods). The team were engaged in activities in support of the State’s emergency phase of the response effort. These activities included assessment of structures and assessment of landslips for public safety, inspection of levies, procurement of plant and equipment, and disposal of animal carcasses and provision of general specialist advice to the State Emergency Services.
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| 18 April 2007 |
Government Architect elected Vice President of Architects Registration Board |
The NSW Government Architect was elected Vice President of the NSW Architects Registration Board at the Board’s latest meeting.
The Architects Registration Board is responsible for administering the Architects Act 2003, the legislation which regulates architects in NSW. The Board's key role is to protect consumers of architectural services by ensuring that architects provide services to the public in a professional and competent manner as well as promote a better understanding of architectural issues in the community.
For more information on the NSW Architects Registration Board's activities please see http://www.architects.nsw.gov.au/home.cfm |
| 16 April 2007 |
City of Sydney Design Advisory Panel |
Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP announced today that a panel of Sydney's leading urban design, architectural and planning experts, including the NSW Government Architect, will be established to review major development proposals in Sydney.
"This Panel will help build the City's reputation as a leader in design excellence and ensure that the design of public and private development projects contribute to environmental sustainability," Ms Moore said.
The panel will provide advice on improving the public domain as well as how public and private projects can achieve the City's environmental commitments. The panel will also play a role in shaping the Sydney 2030 plan, alongside the community and leading experts in culture, economics and transport. |
| 18 March 2007 |
75th Anniversary of the Sydney Harbour Bridge |
In honour of the 75th Anniversary of the Sydney Harbour Bridge (19 March 1932 – 19 March 2007) Premier Morris Iemma unveiled a plaque dedicated to the 16 workers who lost their lives building the bridge.
The plaque designed by the Government Architect’s Office depicts a typical worker at the time of the Bridge’s construction. The plaque can be found on the Southern pylon and can be viewed from the Pedestrian deck level.
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| 12 March 2007 |
The Government Architect's Office wins National Trust Awards |
The EnergyAustralia National Trust Heritage Awards were on 12 March 2007 with the Government Architect's Office winning three heritage awards in diverse categories.
The Office received the major award for ‘a built heritage project over $1 million in the corporate and government sector’ for the conservation of the Cleveland Street Intensive English Public School. The judges commented on the standard of the conservation work, the project’s ownership by the school community, and its enhancement of the neighbourhood streetscapes.
GAO also received the ‘Development’ Award for the preparation of a Heritage Procedures Manual for the State Water Corporation and an ‘Interpretation and Presentation’ high commendation for a book titled Paradise Purgatory Hell Hole on three Pyrmont Stone Quarries that was the source of much of Sydney's sandstone buildings.
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| 8 February 2007 |
Energy Savings |
The Government Architect’s Office provides a whole of government service in monitoring and advising on the application of the Government Energy Management Policy (GEMP) across NSW government to assist agencies reach specified reduction targets.
The Office is currently implementing lighting upgrades in three high schools, Dapto, Model Farms and Picton. These upgrades will reduce lighting energy by approximately 29% and overall energy by 10% in each of the schools.
In another example of significant energy savings a lighting upgrade at the Blacktown Government Office Block resulted in a saving of 20,4834 kWh or over 30% of the lighting load. The annual savings has been calculated at 575,000 kWh or 517 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide per annum.
Please contact Roy Craddock, Energy Services on Ph: (02) 9372 8213 or at roy.craddock@commerce.nsw.gov.au for further information.
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| 21-23 January 2007 |
NSW Government Architect Addresses the Capitals Alliance |
The Capitals Alliance conference held in January 2006 represented the fifth meeting of the Capitals Alliance which comprises agencies from Ottawa, Brasilia, Washington and Canberra who meet to share ideas, projects and programmes of interest and benefit, as planned national capitals. Delegates from other capital cities around the world, Beijing, Seoul, Wellington and Tshwane also attended the conference.
The NSW Government Architect presented a paper on “Design Excellence: Government Architecture and Urban Design”, which addressed a range of initiatives being undertaken within the NSW Government to guide design excellence in the built environment.
The conference provided opportunities to create productive linkages and share visions and ideals for capital cities in the 21st century.
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| 22 December 2006 |
Appointment of Two Assistant Government Architects |
The Government Architect’s Office announces the appointed two Assistant Government Architects, Peter Poulet and Helen Lochhead. Both Peter and Helen come to the Office with excellent credentials and extensive experience.
Peter has been acting in the position of Assistant Government Architect since February 2006 and will take up his position immediately. Peter was previously Design Director for the office and has produced a body of excellent work including many award winning buildings. He is currently a Chapter Councillor for the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (NSW).
Helen was most recently the Executive Director Sustainability at Sydney Olympic Park where she produced the new Master Plan, as well as delivering major capital works such as the Brickpit Ring Walk for the Parkland. She has previously run her own practice, worked as Urban Design Manager for City of Sydney and consulted with Department of Planning (UDAS). She is a member of the Festival Development Corporation and Sydney Harbour Design Review Panel, a Board Member of the National Trust (NSW) and a Mentor for the National Association of Women in Construction. Helen will be the first woman to serve in the Assistant Government Architect role and take up her new position in February 2007.
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| 8 November 2006 |
Excellence in Construction |
Designs completed by the Government Architect’s Office have won two 2006 Master Builders Association Excellence in Construction Awards.
Awards were presented to Brisland for the Blakehurst Public School, Stage two project, in the Public Schools to $5million category and to Richard Crookes Constructions for the Children’s Court of NSW, Broadmeadow in the Public Buildings to $10million category. Both projects were designed and documented by the Government Architect’s Office.
The Government Architect’s office congratulates Brisland and Richard Crookes Constructions on their success.
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| 6 November 2006 |
Opening of the Children’s Court of NSW |
The NSW Premier Morris Iemma officially opened the Children’s Court of NSW at Parramatta Justice Precinct on 6 November 2006.
The Government Architect’s Office designed and documented the $39 million Children’s Court, which was later modified through a D&C contract as part of the Parramatta Justice Precinct.
The six-court complex is the largest and most technologically advanced facility of its kind in the state and is the first law building to be completed at the $330 million Parramatta Justice Precinct.
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| 5 October 2006 |
Australian Property Institute Award |
The Chief Secretary's Building project receives another award.
At the Australian Property Institute Awards night on 05 October 2006 the Chief Secretary's Building project team received a High Commendation in the Heritage section.
This award follows a certificate from the 2006 Engineering Excellence Awards last month for reaching the finals in the Environment and Heritage category and a major 2006 National Trust Heritage Award in April.
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| 29 August 2006 |
GANA Annual Forum |
Peter Mould, NSW Government Architect hosted the Government Architects Network Australia’s (GANA) annual forum on the 28 and 29 August in Sydney NSW.
Government Architects and selected representatives from across Australia gathered to discuss significant, common issues and exchange ideas on the built environment.
Michael Coutts-Trotter, Director-General of the NSW Department of Commerce opened the proceedings which generated actions on key national issues such as design quality, procurement and establishing a mechanism for ongoing information sharing between the states and territories.
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| 24 July 2006 |
Appointment of Barbara Schaffer, Principal Landscape Architect |
The Government Architect’s Office has appointed Barbara Schaffer to head the office’s Landscape Group. Barbara brings extensive experience to the role and has worked in both the private and public sectors, most recently managing the design delivery of the Parklands at Sydney Olympic Park.
Key projects that Barbara has been involved in include the Restoring the Waters Project, the Northern Water Feature and Wetlands for the Homebush Public Domain and the project coordination for the Ponds Remediation Program at Centennial Parklands.
Her projects have received numerous awards including the Australian Institute of Landscape Architect’s Award of Excellence for Outstanding Achievement in Landscape Architecture and the National AILA Award for Environmental Planning.
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| 5 June 2006 |
Mary Knaggs Appointed as Senior Heritage Architect |
Mary Knaggs has recently joined the GAO Heritage Group as Senior Heritage Architect. Mary has a wealth of experience in the strategic management of heritage assets.
For the past six years Mary ran her own practice in Tasmania including projects at such significant sites as Anglesea Barracks, Entally House, Government House Hobart, the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens and City Park in Launceston. Prior to this Mary was Heritage and Design Architect with the team for the award-winning interpretive landscape at Dawes Point Park.
Mary was the Principle Editor for the NSW Heritage Manual and was also instrumental in the realisation of the NSW Heritage Council's publication, The Maintenance of Heritage Assets. Mary is a member of the RAIA Heritage Committee and chairs the RAIA/Heritage Office working group on Adaptive Reuse.
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| 3 April 2006 |
The Government Architect's Office wins National Trust Awards |
The Chief Secretary’s Building project, a benchmark in the adaptive reuse of heritage buildings, won the prestigious 2006 National Trust Heritage Award for Conservation Built Heritage for a project over $1 million.
The GAO was also awarded the National Trust Heritage Award for Interpretation and Presentation for the plan and production of an educational DVD called Sand Castles for the Australian Museum.
For more information on GAO's heritage projects and capabilities please contact Bruce Pettman, Principal Heritage Architect at bruce.pettman@commerce.nsw.gov.au |
| 2 March 2006 |
NSW Appoints New Government Architect |
The NSW Minister for Commerce, John Della Bosca announced the appointment of Peter Mould as the NSW Government Architect and General Manager of the Government Architect’s Office on 2 March 2006.
“Mr Mould is an accomplished architect and highly regarded in the profession….he will be responsible for carrying forward the NSW Government’s agenda for achieving an excellent and sustainable built environment,” Mr Della Bosca said.
Peter Mould has extensive experience in both the private and government sector and is well placed to work with government, industry and the design profession.
Peter becomes the 22nd Government Architect in NSW, continuing a long tradition from colonial times.
Peter Mould may be contacted on T: 9372 8463 E: peter.mould@commerce.nsw.gov.au
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