In August the Australian Architecture Association's first Queensland 'At Home With The Architect' takes place. Explore a house in Chapel Hill, designed by Brisbane firm Reddog Architects.

As a special bonus attendees are also invited on a tour at Tweed River Regional Gallery with its designer award winning Brisbane architect Bud Branigan.

Director of Reddog Architects Paul Worroll, was one the AAAs first members and they support our operations as a current corporate member. The AAA is excited that the award winning firm will feature on At Home With the Architects debut in Brisbane.

Established in 2000, Reddog Architects is a small design studio offering professional services in architecture, interior architecture and project management. Their portfolio of work includes purpose built facilities for retail, commercial, residential and industrial clients in both the private and public sectors.

The Chapel Hill project began as a small extension to the existing houses entry and provision of an internal connection between the upper and lower levels. The brief expanded into a repurposing of the living spaces and addition of bedrooms, resulting in a layered design response which sought to explore ideas of prospect, retreat and connections to the landscape.

Tour Details:
Location: Chapel Hill & Tweed River Regional Gallery
Please note that the address for the residence and meeting point for Tweed River Regional Gallery will only be forwarded to ticket holders in the days immediately before the tour.
Times:
Chapel Hill House: 9.30am - 10.30pm
Tweed River Regional Art Gallery: 12.00pm - 1.00pm
Date: Sunday 30 August 2015
Tickets: $30 (Early Bird) / $40 (Public) / $25 (AAA Members)

Numbers are limited, don't miss your opportunity to experience Reddog's Chapel Hill House and the bonus tour with Bud Branigan at Tweed River Regional Gallery, click here.

Note: Attendees of the AAA Residential Bus Tour on Saturday 29 August 2015 receive a special discount. Click here to book both the At Home With the Architect tour and Residential Bus Tour.

• Article: Vanessa Couzens
• Chapel Hill House Photograph: Provided by Reddog Architects / Photographer
• Tweed River Regional Art Gallery Photograph: Sourced from Museums & Galleries of NSW website / Photographer: Peter Hyatt

 

2015 sees Sydney Design return for its 19th year, making it one of the world’s longest running design festivals. This year’s program brings together an exciting array of design disciplines which we’ve coupled into Architecture & Interior, Product & Maker, Fashion & Jewellery and Digital & Graphic.

AAA has been a parter of Sydney Design for almost a decade and this year we offer the Sydney City Walk (5 September) and The Rocks Walk (12 September) as part of the Sydney Design program. 

Book now and be part of Sydney's leading design event!

The Australian Architecture Association’s purpose is to educate and promote greater understanding of architecture and design. This would not be possible without the support and encouragement of both the design community and enthusiasts of all things designed.

We would like to thank the architects and their clients who so kindly opened their doors for our tour attendees over 2015. Learning about the buildings directly from architects and experiencing the spaces has been both educational and inspirational.

Thank you also to the people who have attended our tours over the year. The enthusiasm and curiosity expressed by tour participants is the motivation that drives our passionate volunteers and governing committee.

An Overview of Tours in 2015

Walking Tours

This year the AAA has continued to provide an extensive program of walking tours. Our trained volunteer tour leaders have offered their unique insights into the history, architecture and development of such suburbs as the Melbourne CBD, Sydney CBD, The Rocks, Redfern, Castlecrag, Castle Cove, Middle Cove and a new tour for 2015 in Northbridge.

Short Black – Architects In Their Space Talk: Melbourne School of Design, the University of Melbourne VIC - 25 March 2015

• John Wardle of John Wardle Architects

AAA Residential Bus Tour - Inner Sydney NSW - 11 April 2015

• William Smart of Smart Design Studio
• Sam Crawford of Sam Crawford Architects
• David Boyle of David Boyle Architect
• Paul Connor of Connor + Solomon Architects

Short Black – Architects In Their Space Talk: The Wayside Chapel - Potts Point NSW - 16 April 2015

• Tone Wheeler of Environa Studio

At Home With the Architect – Marrickville Residence, NSW – 26 April 2015

• Drew Heath of Drew Heath Architects

At Home With the Architect - Arlington Grove, Dulwich Hill NSW - 31 May 2015

• William Smart of Smart Design Studio

 

At Home With the Architect - Fishwick House & Felstead House, Castlecrag NSW designed by Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin – 28 June 2015

• Discussing the Griffin’s work was architect, AAA Volunteer & Vice President - Ben Gerstel.

 

At Home With the Architect – The Garden Pavilion, Annandale NSW – 19 July 2015

• David Welsh and Christine Major of Welsh + Major Architects

 

Sydney Indesign Talk – Size Matters – 13 August 2015

• Paul Connor - Director of Connor + Solomon Architects - 'Exploring big Buildings, big Paintings and big personalities'
• Caroline Pidcock - Director of Pidcock Sustainable Architects - 'Good things come in small packages'
• Tone Wheeler - Director of Environa Studio - 'Big / small / big / small....'

 

At Home With the Architect – The Coogee Residence, NSW – 23 August 2015

• Madeleine Blanchfield of Madeleine Blanchfield Architects

 

AAA Residential Bus Tour - Sunshine Coast QLD - 29 August 2015

• Jolene Robinson of Robinson Architects
• David Teeland of Teeland Architects
• Lindy Atkin and Stephen Guthrie of Bark Design

 

At Home With the Architect - Chapel Hill Residence QLD - 30 August 2015

• Reddog Architects

 

Short Black – Architects In Their Space Talk: Tweed River Art Gallery NSW - 30 August 2015

• Bud Brannigan of Bud Brannigan Architects

At Home With the Architect – Millers Point Residence, NSW – 25 October 2015

• Caroline Pidcock of Pidcock Sustainable Architects and John McInerney

At Home With the Architect – Villa Marittima, St Andrews Beach VIC – 8 November 2015

• Robin Williams of Robin Williams Architect

 

AAA Residential Bus Tour – North Sydney NSW – 21 November 2015

• Jorge Hrdina of Hrdina Architects
• Melanie Bayl-smith of Bijl Architecture
• Ben Gerstel of Ben Gerstel Architect
• Antony Solomon of Connor + Solomon Architects
• Vivianne Marston of Marston Architects 

At Home With the Architect – Hills Plain House, Metcalfe VIC – 28 November 2015

• Jeremy Wolveridge of Wolveridge Architects

 

At Home With the Architect – Birchgrove Residence, NSW – 29 November 2015

• Paul Connor of Connor + Solomon Architects

 

• Article: Vanessa Couzens
• Image 1: Douglas Snelling House featured on the Northbridge Walk, NSW designed by Douglas Snelling and renovated by Tzannes (Photographer: Vanessa Couzens)
• Image 2: Melbourne School of Design, the University of Melbourne designed by  John Wardle Architects in collaboration with the Boston-based practice NADAAA (Photographer: Peter Bennetts)
• Image 3: Residential Bus Tour, (left column) Smart Design Studio, Sam Crawford Architects, (right column) David Boyle Architect, Connor + Solomon Architects (Photographer: Vanessa Couzens)
• Image 4: Short Black – Architects In Their Space Talk: The Wayside Chapel - Potts designed by Environa Studio (Photographer: Owen Zhu)
• Image 5: At Home With the Architect – Marrickville Residence designed by Drew Heath Architects (Photographer: Vanessa Couzens)
• Image 6: At Home With the Architect - Arlington Grove, Dulwich Hill NSW designed by Smart Design Studio (Visualisation: sourced from Smart Design Studio)
• Image 7: At Home With the Architect - Felstead House & Fishwick House, Castlecrag NSW designed by Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin (Photographer: Vanessa Couzens)
• Image 8: At Home With the Architect – The Garden Pavilion, Annandale NSW designed by Welsh + Major Architects (Photographer: Brett Boardman)
• Image 9: Special Talk - 'Size Matters'
• Image 10: At Home With the Architect – The Coogee Residence, NSW designed by Madeleine Blanchfield Architects (Photographer: Vanessa Couzens)
• Image 11: Residential Bus Tour, (left column) Robinson Architects, (right column) Teeland Architects, Bark Design (Photographer: Vanessa Couzens)
• Image 12: At Home With the Architect – Chapel Hill Residence, QLD designed by Reddog Architects (Photographer: Vanessa Couzens)
• Image 13: Short Black – Architects In Their Space Talk: Tweed River Art Gallery NSW designed by Bud Brannigan Architects (Photographer: Vanessa Couzens)
• Image 14: At Home With the Architect – Villa Marittima, St Andrews Beach VIC designed by Robin Williams Architect (Photographer: Dean Bradley)
• Image 15: Residential Bus Tour, (left column) Hrdina Architects, Ben Gerstel Architect, Connor + Solomon Architects, (right column) Bijl Architects, Marston Architects (Photographer: Vanessa Couzens)
• Image 16: At Home With the Architect – Hills Plain House, Metcalfe VIC designed by Woveridge Architects (Photographers: Richard Powers & Derek Swalwell)
• Image 17: At Home With the Architect – Birchgrove Residence designed by Connor + Solomon Architects (Photographer: Vanessa Couzens)

The Christmas season is upon us and it is time to find those last minute gifts for your loved ones. The AAA limited edition boxed set of cards is the perfect gift for the architectural enthusiasts in your life. All proceeds from the sale of the cards goes to the AAA's educational fund used for programs promoting architecture.

With 24 cards of varying sizes printed with drawings by 23 of Australia’s most loved Architects, such as Glenn Murcutt and Harry Seidler, this is the perfect gift for Christmas or a birthday. (The cards also look great arranged and framed for display on the wall).

These cards are now available for online order for $75, while AAA members enjoy a special price of $60 including postage (NB: Australia only / see overseas costs when ordering). Not only will your loved one be thrilled, you will have supported the Australian Architecture Association Fund which is used to support design education initiatives.

Click here to order your limited edition set now!

(Please note that orders for christmas delivery will need to be made before Monday 21 December 2015)

• Image 1: Peter Tonkin, Watercolour on paper. View of Amsterdam Canal
• Image 2: Glenn Murcutt, Pen on Butter Paper. Sketch of a new house near Wagga Wagga with details of the sky.

Emma Simmons is an Australian artist who enjoys drawing landscapes and suburban scenes. In 2008 she began illustrating the urban landscape of Balmain, attracted to the crumbly charm or 'character' of its local buildings.

Her collection of work has expanded over the years to encompass the iconic buildings and street scenes of the Inner West of Sydney. Documenting such buildings as the former Majestic Rollerink in Petersham, Marie-Louise salon on Enmore Road Enmore and the Valhalla Cinema in Glebe.

For an exhibition she put together recently for Sweets Workshop in Summer Hill, entitled ‘Best Inner West’, she described her fascination for the buildings of the Inner West:

‘To be honest I'm interested in the signs of age that visually show a buildings history, whether it be the architectural style or the deteriorating condition. The way that we use these buildings is constantly changing along with the needs of the community and the population and often they are gutted and re-purposed, the suburban landscape is always shifting.’

Emma Simmons’ illustrations can be obtained from the Sweets Workshop website. Click here to see her work. Or visit the gallery at 4/58-60 Carlton Cres, Summer Hill NSW 2130.

• Article: Vanessa Couzens
• Image 1: The former Majestic Rollerink in Petersham, Giclee Print (using archival inks on fine art photo rag paper) of a digital collage, created from water colour, fabric and pencil. (Imaged sourced from Sweets Workshop website).
• Image 2: The Marie-Louise Salon on Enmore Road Enmore, Giclee Print (using archival inks on fine art photo rag paper) of a digital collage, created from water colour, fabric and pencil. (Image Sourced from Sweets Workshop website).

 

The Australian Architecture Association would like to thank all our kind supporters in our 'Keep Architecture Open 2015' campaign which aimed to raise funds towards our operations in 2016. Your generosity will help us to continue offering an extensive program of walks, tours and talks in both NSW and Victoria in 2016.

The AAA would like to thank the following individuals and organisations who have shown their love for the AAA by donating rewards to our campaign:

Designed and developed in 2010 by award winning architect David Edelman, these spacious one bedroom 5 star villas offer every conceivable luxury for those seeking the best accommodation Hepburn Springs has to offer.

eClassroom.com.au is the first service in Australia and New Zealand dedicated to providing online learning and distance education to architects, landscape architects, designers and planners.

Martha's is an elegant restaurant in Castlecrag. Frequent attendees to our residential bus tours love the locavore menu and their art-filled walls.

Universal Magazines is Australia’s largest niche media company, home to many of Australia’s most trusted and in-demand magazines and online destinations.

Bennetts Associates is one of the UK's leading architectural practices, with a reputation for design, delivery and sustainability across a wide range of sectors.

The Chicago Architecture Foundation is the leading organization devoted to celebrating and promoting Chicago as a center of architectural innovation. The CAF was the model for AAA at startup and has been a founding member of AAA.

Paul Connor is a registered architect, painter and partner of Connor and Solomon Architects, was the founding director of the NSW Parliament Plein Air Painting Prize, and is a Trustee of the Australian Museum, currently chairing its Building Committee and is also secretary of the Pyrmont Heritage Boating Club. Paul has a close relationship with Paris having won tenure to the Academie des Architectes Cité Internationale Des Arts studio in the early nineties and returning on a regular basis with his family since.

The AAA would also like to thank the private individuals who so generously donated items to our campaign. Your support is appreciated!

The AAA needs you - donate NOW! Our not-for-profit organisation is passionate about making architecture and design accessible to everyone and we need your continued support to fund our operations. We want to continue providing a rich program of walks, tours and talks in 2016 and are running a fund raising campaign on the crowd funding website Pozible. By pledging you 'Keep Architecture Open' and you reap some great rewards for your generosity!

Donate now and be rewarded! Click here to show you love the AAA.

The Australian Architecture Association (AAA) is a not for profit organisation that has been promoting a greater understanding of architecture and design since 2004. The AAA is a volunteer run organisation, and it is only possible for us to continue providing educational programs with the generous support of our members, partners and volunteers.

We're reaching out to you because we are hoping to raise over $10,000 to help us continue to run our yearly program of educational tours and talks in NSW and interstate. We have put together some great benefits in appreciation of your support and these will be available until 30 November 2015.

The Australian Architecture Association’s vision is that through education and greater understanding, people have the power to effect positive change in the way their built environment is shaped. Our yearly program includes:

• Weekly architectural walking tours through suburbs around Sydney that promote an understanding of the unique qualities of Sydney’s communities and environment.
• Monthly opening the doors of a private home in NSW and meeting the architects who demonstrate how clever design can better serve the needs of individuals.
• Bus tours showcasing residential architecture both locally and interstate.
• Special talks that provide an opportunity to discover developments in contemporary design and how home grown and international designers can contribute to a more sustainable future.
• In 2016 we will continue our program of events in our chapter based in Victoria, run by AAA representative architect Steve Rose.

Our organisation is unique in its aim to foster closer ties between communities and the people who help shape the urban environment.

How can you help? We believe in people power, every donation helps no matter how small!

The Australian Architecture Association is not about promoting individual designers, it is about allowing people to understand and celebrate the value of architecture, interior design, urban planning and heritage. We believe that everyone should be empowered to effect positive change on the way our cities are shaped and this can only happen through fostering understanding and encouraging people to debate the merits of architecture and design. We want to thank you in advance for your generous support!

Click here to show you love the Australian Architecture Association.

Time is running out to get tickets to explore an award winning residence at St Andrews Beach on the Mornington Peninsula. The AAA'S Victorian At Home With the Architect open house series explores the home of architect Robin Williams on Sundey 8 November. Meet Robin Williams and discover how the interiors and exteriors of the Villa Marittima were designed and constructed.

The Australian Architecture Association’s Victorian At Home With the Architect is partnering this month with the Robin Boyd Foundation and taking part in their open house series ‘Awards 2015: Redesigning the Family Home’. Two private architect designed homes will be opened this month with Villa Marittima debuting at the beginning of the month and Hills Plain House designed by Wolveridge Architects as the finale at the end of the month.

Villa Marittima was designed by Robin Williams in 2014 and was the recent winner of the Australian Institute of Architects (Victoria) 2015 Architecture Award for Residential Architecture - Houses (New). Villa Marittima has also been short listed in the Australian Institute of Architects National Residential Architecture - Houses (New) award. Winners of the National Architecture Awards as judged by the National Jury will be announced on the 5 November. In the lead up to the Jury selection the residence has just received the 2015 National Architecture Awards People’s Choice Award.

Commenting on Robin William’s design the Jury stated “This home presents a memorable series of living experiences which arise from unique architectural responses to site, brief and the surrounding landscape.”

An unconventional experiment in applying a Japanese inspired aesthetic of simplicity with ramped and horizontal interconnecting spaces, the design of the translucent polycarbonate clad home focuses on maximising light and the creation of visual and spacial links with water and the surrounding beauty of the landscape.

Robin Williams runs his own practice Robin Williams Architect (RWA) and was a former Local Government Architect / Planner at the City of Fitzroy.

At Home With the Architect Tour Details:
Location: St Andrews Beach, Mornington Peninsula
Please note that the address will only be sent to ticket holders in the days preceding the tour.
Time: 4.30pm - 6.00pm
Date: Sunday 8 November 2015
Tickets: $30 (Early Bird) / $40 (Public) / $25 (AAA Members)

Don't miss your opportunity to experience this unique home, numbers are limited. Book your place on the tour, click here.

For more information about the Robin Boyd Foundation ‘Awards 2015: Redesigning the Family Home’ click here.

• Article: Vanessa Couzens
• Images: Villa Marittima 2014 - sourced from Robin Williams Architect 
• Photographer: Dean Bradley