Symposium 2024 – Readymade

Written by Carla Middleton

Welcome to my journal. This space will be a blend of reflections, musings, and experiences from my journey as an architect in Sydney. Lately, my mind has been swirling with thoughts on architecture and the evolving demands of the industry. While I've always been passionate about spaces that change lives, the current housing crisis across Australia has prompted some deeper reflection on how architecture and architects themselves can be part of the solution. 

Attending Symposium 2024 – Readymade felt especially impactful in light of this. The event centred around innovative thinking in architecture, particularly when it comes to multi-residential projects. I’ve spent most of my career focused on single residential homes, creating spaces where families can live, connect, and flourish. However, as I listened to the speakers, I realised just how pivotal multi-residential architecture can be in addressing the housing crisis.

NEW PERSPECTIVES

One of the key takeaways from the symposium was the idea of "good design is as little design as possible." Dieter Rams ten principles of good design were woven into the discussion as a reminder that architecture doesn’t always need to be grand or heroic. Sometimes, the beauty lies in restraint, in making thoughtful choices about what can be reused or repurposed.

The speakers also made me rethink the potential of retrofitting existing buildings. Both Kennedy Nolan’s Wilan Ngarrang Apartments and Breathe’s Oxley Lodge showcased different approaches to retrofitting. What stood out was their commitment to reusing materials, reducing waste, and designing for longevity rather than trends. This has sparked my interest in exploring retrofitting as a viable solution to the housing crisis.

Park Street by Breathe | Photography by Tom Ross

Kennedy Nolan’s Wilan Ngarrang Apartments

Another theme that resonated with me was community. How can we create spaces that foster connection? Breathe’s project, for instance, included communal areas like BBQs and dog-washing stations, which might seem like small details but play a significant role in bringing people together. Designing for the community, especially in multi-residential projects, feels like an essential part of moving forward.

Neighboorhood by Breathe

The familiar red brick walk-up apartment buildings, often seen around Randwick and Coogee, hold a special place in our urban landscape. Maryam Gush discussed how these classic structures wouldn't meet today's planning policies for approval. Yet, she and her team explored innovative ways to retrofit these architectural gems, offering inspiring and insightful solutions to help address the housing crisis.

LOOKING AHEAD

There’s no doubt in my mind that architecture has a role to play in addressing Australia’s housing crisis, but it’s a complex issue that requires collaboration and support from various sectors. One of the symposium’s discussions was on the need for government funding to make retrofitting building as a viable project. A common comment we hear from builders is that it would be cheaper and quicker to knock down and rebuild. How do we change this mindset? Does it always come down to costs? Can there be incentives to support better use of retrofitting our old dames?

As architects, we can design innovative solutions, but without the backing of policy and financial support, it’s difficult to bring these ideas to scale.

I’m eager to explore this topic further and delve into how we, as architects, can foster sustainable, community-focused developments. Architects are highly skilled at designing and problem-solving, so how can we better leverage our expertise to design innovative ways to reuse and retrofit our existing buildings? While I’m still relatively new to the multi-residential space, I’m passionate about being part of the solution, and I invite others who share this passion to join the conversation.

Fundamentally, there’s a lot of work to do. But with thoughtful design, government support, and a commitment to doing more with less, I believe we can make a difference.