This Saturday join the Australian Architecture Association on its McMahons Point Walk. McMahons Point is a small lower north shore peninsula jutting into Sydney Harbour, flanked on the west by Berrys Bay, on the east by Lavender Bay and terminated at the tip by Blues Point..  The history of this suburb started in the late 1800's.  It was a popular place to catch a ferry to the city before the Harbour Bridge came along.

This suburb was known for its boat building and maritime activities. Now, it is predominantly a residential suburb, made up of a variety of housing stock from small stone cottages, terrace houses to high rise apartments, all enjoying outstanding views of the harbour.

Blues Point Tower designed by the late Harry Seidler in 1961, is a well known landmark for McMahons Point. It was Australia's tallest residential building until 1970.

If you are a local or visitor to Sydney, don't miss this opportunity to wander through McMahons Point and enjoy a wonderful variety of housing types which are waiting to be discovered.

TOUR DETAILS

Location: Meet at Blues Point Hotel, 116 Blues Point Road, McMahons Point, NSW 2060
Time: 2.00pm - 4.00pm
Date: Saturday 9 September 2017
Tickets: $20 (Public) / $16 (Senior/Student) / AAA Members Free

To book your tickets for the tour click here.

• Article: Vanessa Couzens
• Images source: The Australian Architecture Association

A$100
The book: Bennetts Associates Five Insights

Donate to the AAA Keep Architecture Open fund raising campaign and be entertained with some great architectural reading.

'Bennetts Associates: Five Insights' comprises of a collection of essays authored by architects at all levels within the practice. It explores how the practice works and what is important to them, capturing their experiences of being an architect.

The essays by 18 different contributors, from a Part 1 student to job architects and directors, are followed by ten case studies of recent projects. The projects considered extend from the soon to be completed Midland Goods Shed at King’s Cross, London, to award-winning projects such as the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and a major new facility for Jaguar Land Rover.

Click here to select your reward and donate to Keep Architecture Open 2017.

• Article: Vanessa Couzens
• Images: Bennetts Associates

Donate $250 to our "Keep Architecture Open" fundraising campaign and be rewarded with this designer cake. 

Make a statement and celebrate your next occasion with one of these designer cakes by “Something for Cake”.  They are made from moist mud cakes, covered with delicious ganache and adorned with handmade chocolate decorations. 

Details:

* The glitter cake topper can be changed and designed to suit your needs. You can choose between;  Happy Birthday, Another written number, or Hooray

* This offer is valid for 12 months, and can be ordered straight upon donation. It is not available during December 2017 - January 2018

* You have your choice of flavour between; Chocolate, White Chocolate, or Caramel Mud

* Cake will need to be collected from Brookvale, Sydney in NSW

* When ordering the cake you will need to give “Something for Cake” at least 1 weeks notice.

This months NSW At Home with the Architect, takes place on Sunday 29 October and visits a house in Haberfield with the architect Matthew Bennett, Director of Bennett and Trimble Architects.

This project adopts the architectural forms, materiality and elements prescribed within a strict heritage conservation area and subtly manipulates them to create a sympathetic yet contemporary addition to a 1920’s brick bungalow. The hipped terracotta roof form of the addition is re-aligned to create a courtyard within the addition and to minimise contact with the original dwelling. The figure of the rear terrace inflects to accommodate significant eucalypts within the back garden.

ABOUT BENNETT AND TRIMBLE

Bennett and Trimble is a small architecture and urban design practice based in Sydney. The partnership between Matthew Bennett and Marcus Trimble, established in 2009, undertakes work on a broad range of projects, from master planning through to alterations and additions.

Matthew and Marcus have been the recipients of prestigious scholarships, fellowships and design medals. Their designs have been published both nationally and internationally.

TOUR DETAILS

Location: Haberfield, NSW
Please note that the address and meeting point will only be forwarded to ticket holders in the days immediately before the tour.
Time: 11.00am - 12.00pm
Date: Sunday 29 October 2017
Tickets: $30 (Early Bird) / $40 (Public) / $25 (AAA Members)

Don't miss your opportunity to meet the architect and experience this privately owned residence, numbers are limited.

Book your place on the tour, click here.

• Article: Annette Dearing / Vanessa Couzens
• Images: Haberfield House
• Image Source: Bennett and Trimble

The AAA needs you - donate to Keep Architecture Open 2017 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.

Our amazing group of volunteer tour leaders form the backbone of our Association and its’ your support that helps us train the skilled volunteers who lead our walking tours. We want to continue developing and providing a rich program of walks, tours and talks in 2018 and are running a fund raising campaign. By pledging you continue to 'Keep Architecture Open' to everyone and you can reap some great rewards for your generosity!

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

THE GOAL

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 are offering some great benefits in appreciation of your support.

ABOUT 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.

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 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.

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 and support the Australian Architecture Association.

• Article: Annette Dearing and Vanessa Couzens
• Image 1: Show the love and Keep Architecture Open!
• Image 2: AAA trained volunteer tour leader Stephen Dwyer introduces the Auckland Philoharmonia Orchestra to Customs House on a private tour in 2017 (Photographer Annette Dearing).
• Image 3: The Tent House, Noosa region, designed by Sparks Architects (Photographer Vanessa Couzens)
• Image 4: AAA Black Talk by Architect Julian Lipscombe, Director at Bennetts Associates London, July 2016 (Photographer Vincent Lam).

This month's NSW At Home with the Architect visits a twentieth century classic, the 'Audette House' designed by architect Peter Muller. Located in Castlecrag, Audette House was Mullers first commission as a qualified architect and is acknowledged as a fine example of Organic Architecture. Completed in 1952, the house is exemplary of a philosophy that promoted harmony between human habitation and the natural world.

In a Karen McCartney interview with Peter Muller for her publication 50/60/70 Iconic Houses, the architect described the design of Audette House using the metaphor of music. Architecture like music has a theme, for a building this theme is the site which dictates how three dimensional spaces are composed within it.

At the time of the houses design Peter Muller had just been introduced to the work of the American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Wright's approach to architecture struck a chord with Muller and the influence of Wright can be traced in the design of the home.

ABOUT PETER MULLER

Peter Muller was born and grew up in Adelaide. He studied at the University of Adelaide, graduating with the Degree of Bachelor of Engineering together with the South Australian School of Mines and Industries graduating with a Fellowship in Architecture in 1948. Before beginning his architectural practice in Sydney NSW in 1952, he obtained a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA.

Over his career Peter Muller has completed commissions in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Bali and Lombok.

In 2002-2003 the house was renovated and an extension was added, designed by architects Peter Monckton and Kerry Fyfe. Kerry Fyfe, who is the Director of Architecture and Interior Architecture at AJ+C (Allen Jack + Cottier) in Sydney will be present on the day to give an insight into the original house and its alterations.

TOUR DETAILS

Location: Castlecrag NSW
Please note that the address and meeting point will only be forwarded to ticket holders in the days immediately before the tour.
Time: 11.00am - 12.00pm
Date: Sunday 24 September 2017
Tickets: $30 (Early Bird) / $40 (Public) / $25 (AAA Members)

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

• Article: Vanessa Couzens
• Image Source: Australian Architecture Association

This Sunday NSW At Home with the Architect visits a new contemporary home in Middle Cove designed by Marston Architects.

The living areas of the 'H House' have been located on the top level to maximise views and northern light and provide a link to the rear garden. The residence has been planned to deliberately blur the line between internal and external spaces, so that the clients feel as if they are living amongst the trees.

ABOUT MARSTON ARCHITECTS

Marston Architects is a small Manly based studio set up by Vivianne Marston in 1985.

The practices portfolio of work has been widely published and includes single homes, alterations and additions, multi-unit residential and commercial buildings.

TOUR DETAILS

Location: Middle Cove NSW
Please note that the address and meeting point will only be forwarded to ticket holders in the days immediately before the tour.
Time: 11.00am - 12.00pm
Date: Sunday 10 September 2017
Tickets: $30 (Early Bird) / $40 (Public) / $25 (AAA Members)

Explore the interiors and exteriors of the H House and be inspired as Vivianne Marston explains how her design was conceptualised and executed. Don't miss your opportunity to experience this privately owned residence, numbers are limited. Book your place on the tour, click here.

• Article: Vanessa Couzens
• Image: The H House, designed by Marston Architects, completed in 2017
• Images Source: Marsten Architects

Discover how 'emigre' designers helped shape modernism in Australia. Hosted at the Museum of Sydney (MOS),'The Moderns: European Designers in Sydney' explores the personal stories of our 'forgotten' 'emigre' designers during the mid-20th century.

This very personal exploration of their career achievements, loss, adaption, ingenuity and their distinctly European style, promises to be an enlightening insight into the development of Sydney.

The exhibition takes place 22 July - 26 November 2017. For more information about the exhibition, visit the Sydney Living Museums website. Click here.

• Article: Vanessa Couzens
• Image: 'Rose Seidler House', designed by Austrian born architect Harry Seidler, completed in 1950
• Image Source: Sydney Living Museums website

 

Over the month of August enjoy the free plein air exhibition - Sculpture at Barangaroo, held in the Barangaroo Reserve. Taking place 5-20 August 2017, the exhibition is presented by the Barangaroo Delivery Authority and Sculpture by the Sea.

Featured in the outdoor exhibition are 14 artworks by nine established and emerging Australian artists, including five new works created specifically for the exhibition and nine existing sculptures that have been selected by curator Geoffrey Edwards to complement the striking landscape and backdrop.

Edwards’ vision for the exhibition is to showcase three streams of sculpture: classic, modernist, autonomous works; site-specific sculpture as installation in an area that demands it; and compelling Indigenous artworks, many from artists that are local to the Sydney region, that draw on the geographical significance of Barangaroo.

Exhibiting artists including esteemed Australian sculptor Michael Le Grand, who will be celebrated with a mini-retrospective of six works, Richard Tipping, Nicole Monks, Cave Urban, Andrew Rogers, Adam King from the Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-operative, Tereasa Trevor, Christopher Langton and Elyssa Sykes-Smith.

The park will be open 24/7, but visitors are encouraged to please view the works between 8:00am-6:00pm daily.

For more information about Sculpture at Barangaroo visit Barangaroo website. Click here.

• Article: Vanessa Couzens (with text from sculpture by the sea)
• Image: 'Construction Barangaroo 2016', by Marley Dawson, featured in Sculpture at Barangaroo 2016
• Photographer: Vanessa Couzens

 

 

Join a very special tour of sustainable design in Castlecrag. Timed to coincide with Sustainable House Day 2017 on Sunday 17 September, Willoughby City Council and the Australian Architecture Association invites you to discover how sustainable design can be incorporated into the way we build our homes.

The Castlecrag Sustainable walking tour will focus on a variety of houses showing different aspects of sustainability and the overall impact of Griffin's design for the suburb of Castlecrag. You will have the opportunity to go inside two architect designed houses and hear about the passive solar ideas which have been incorporated.

'Most architects incorporate sustainability elements in their designs without knowing it, as this is how architects have been taught', said tour leader and architect Ben Gerstel. 'The design principles of the passive solar energy house in Australia are becoming more popular as the public realise and understand the potential savings these principles can bring', said Ben Gerstel.

Castlecrag was recognised as a special place by Canberra’s designer Walter Burley Griffin and his partner Marion Mahony Griffin. They made a plan for Castlecrag to be developed as the perfect garden suburb, with small houses surrounded by trees and rocky outcrops.

TOUR DETAILS
Location: Castlecrag
Date: Sunday 17 September 2017
Time: 10.00am - 12.00pm
Tickets: $25 (public) / $20 (Seniors & Student)
Please note that ID should be presented on the day for concession tickets.

Don't miss out on this very special walk - numbers are limited. Click here to secure your place on the tour.

• Article: Annette Dearing and Vanessa Couzens
• Image 1: Felstead House, designed by Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin, completed in 1926
• Image 1 Source: The Australian Architecture Association
• Image 2: The Sunnyside House, designed by Ben Gerstel Architecture
• Image 2 Source: Ben Gerstel