The Stewart Architecture studios will be closed from Friday December 20 and back to work on Monday January 6.
We look forward to seeing you in 2025. We hope you have a restful and sunny holiday.
Image of the Jerrabomberra West Grasslands Nature Reserve by Will Neill.
A couple of weeks ago, we took part in The Architecture Symposium: An/Other City, a Design Speaks program organised by Architecture Media.
The Sydney event offered insights into successful approaches to densification beyond capital city boundaries, and negotiation between top-down and bottom-up forces.
You can read contributing editor, Philip Vivian's thoughts on the event here, published in Architecture, Au.
Senior Associate, Sasha Lesiuk, has been shortlisted in the Australian Institute of Architects Dulux Study Tour.
30 Institute members and emerging architects have been shortlisted for the study tour. In 2025, the winners will visit international cities where they will experience first-hand some of the best architectural sites and practices the world has to offer.
Sasha is an exceptional talent and has quickly risen to the role of Senior Associate in our Sydney studio. We strongly endorse her for the world tour in 2025 and wish her the best of luck.
Join us for a conversation with Sarah Aubrey, one of Australia’s most respected electrification advocates.
Sarah is the founder of Electrify This. She shares her knowledge about energy retrofits, draught proofing, electric cars, e-bikes, induction stoves and heat pumps.
Her down to earth approach to electrification demystifies these simple and important climate solutions.
Thursday 5 December
5PM to 6PM
Stewart Architecture Sydney Studio
Come for the talk, stay for a chat.
Talks With Friends is a series of talks presented by Stewart Architecture. We invite friends to come and talk to us about topics we care about and extend that invitation to our design community.
Join us for Talks With Friends: Lymesmith.
A conversation with Sonia van de Haar, creative director of Lymesmith.
Sonia will talk to us about how colour can augment architecture and connect building and landscape; and building, people and story.
Thursday 14 November
5PM to 6PM
Stewart Architecture Canberra Studio
Come for the talk, stay for a chat.
Talks With Friends is a series of talks presented by Stewart Architecture. We invite friends to come and talk to us about topics we care about and extend that invitation to our design community.
This Friday Nov 1 we will take part in the Symposium: Making and Remaking Canberra as part of the Canberra Craft and Design Festival.
This symposium will bring together some visionary architects, urban designers, policymakers, and economists to discuss the evolving landscape of residential design, the need for more housing typologies, and the strategies for delivering public spaces and streetscapes that promote healthy living.
Felicity Stewart (Director) will discuss Canberra's current footprint, putting the city's vast scale into perspective and ways to create a more connected city.
Alongside Richard Denniss (Australia Institute), Petra Oswald (Surburban Land Agency) and Lucy Wilson (City Renewal Authority).
The\is session (The Future of Housing and the Need for Public Amenity) is being held at the National Film and Sound Archive.
The 2025 Australian Architecture Conference Steering Committee has been announced.
Aaron Peters, Adam Haddow, Adrian Fernandez, Nicole Mesquita-Mendes, Sally Hsu, Sharaan Muruvan, Tania Papasotiriou, and our own Felicity Stewart (Director) will shape the program.
The conference will address opportunities for adaptive and resilient design in the face of widespread climate and housing crises.
Organised by the Australian Institute of Architects, the conference will take place from 2–4 May in Sydney.
We're excited to be collaborating with Urbis on the Missing Middle Design Guide for the ACT.
The 'missing middle' refers to low scale development that provides housing diversity and supply.
Canberra is growing and it's critical that we focus on urban infill to limit the city's footprint. We need a mix of housing to suit the different needs of our communities - row housing, lofts, low rise apartment buildings, dual occupancies and other smart configurations that limit urban sprawl and create a more compact bush capital. This is an opportunity to rethink the suburban structure of the ACT and create more dense and walkable streets that are close to public transport.
We look forward to sharing more about this project and our ongoing work with the ACT Government.
Image of MICA for Maxon Group in Campbell (ACT) shot by Tom Roe.
As part of our evolution and growth we are pleased to share two promotions in our studios.
Tynan Freeman, Associate Director
Tynan has been an important part of Stewart Architecture studios for 12 years. With his discerning and thoughtful design eye, Tynan has shown strong leadership on significant projects; many of which have received architectural awards, including Kashmir, SOHO which recently won the Sydney Ancher Award for Residential Architecture Multiple-Housing at the AIA ACT Awards. Tynan has helped establish the design language of the studio and is focused on upholding the design-led values of our practice. We also commend him for his engagement within industry as Tynan was elected to the AIA ACT Chapter Council in 2023 and has served as a jury member with the AIA awards. Tynan’s appointment reflects his ongoing commitment and contribution to our our practice and we warmly congratulate him on this milestone.
Juliana Zubovic, Associate
Juliana has grown significantly in confidence, degree of responsibility and leadership skills over several years. Juliana is now managing all parts of the design and documentation process and leading large precinct scale projects. She is always calm, considered and with a sense of humour – contributing to our optimistic and warm studio culture. Her professionalism and diligence has led to her promotion in our studio.
Warmest thanks and congratulations to you both.
We are seeking an experienced Architect to lead design projects from conception to completion from our Canberra studio. Read the full position description here. Please send a concise application (under 10MB) to [email protected].
Kashmir SOHO received The Sydney Anchor Award in the Residential - Multiple Housing category at the AIA ACT Architecture Awards.
"The Kashmir Apartments in Dickson set a new paradigm for medium density residential development by celebrating Canberra’s unique residential heritage and embracing the often-challenging Northbourne Avenue corridor." - Jury citation.
Congratulations and thanks to our clients Art Group Development for their trust on this project, and to Core Developments who built the project. A big thank you also to our amazing team who worked hard to make this a unique and landmark project for Canberra.
The Collegians Centre at Radford College received the Award for Educational Architecture at the AIA ACT Architecture Awards.
"Working within a strong campus vision, the Radford College Collegians Centre by Stewart Architecture elevates the humble provision of an assembly and sports hall space into a confident urban move that curates the surrounding spaces.
The Centre elegantly gathers and clarifies the adjoining sports fields, and forecourts whilst reconciling a two-storey hillside. The interplay of scale results in an interplay of a solid single storey façade anchoring the upper level and a permeable façade to the lower cricket ground all connected by an uplifting light infused space." - Jury citation.
We thank the school team and wider school community for their collaboration and thank the consultant team for their hard work on this important building. Deep thanks to our team who put so much love into this project.
Our CLT and GLT office project in Barton ACT is coming to life! We are up to level 4 with a floor completed every 10 days. Savcon - mass timber installers, are bringing this gem to life for our clients DOMA with completion planned for mid-year. The warmth of the timber brings a sense of wellness and joy, even at this early stage. Thank you to everyone on our team who has contributed to this benchmark project. Images courtesy of Savcon.
Felicity Stewart's expertise and insights have been featured in the UK's Urban Design Journal. The focus? Canberra's remarkable potential to establish itself as a hub of exceptional public spaces on a global stage. Felicity's analysis centres around the prominent City Hill and its capacity to transform into an urban oasis within the city. Considering the city's optimal climate and the recognition of Canberra as Australia's fastest-growing urban centre, the timing for proactive measures couldn't be better. City Hill, spanning an impressive width of 220 meters, has long been an overlooked opportunity. Felicity highlights this unutilized expanse, emphasizing its design origins were never intended to be dormant and inaccessible. The piece encourages us to reconsider the potential of overlooked green spaces within the city. The article offers insights drawn from successfully completed precincts. Campbell 5 (C5), a creation of Hill Thalis complemented by Jane Irwin Landscape Architecture's expertise; The Australian National University's Kambri, brought to life by LahzNimmo and Landscape Architects Aspect Studios; and New Acton Precinct, a visionary project by Fender Katsalidis with landscape architecture by Oculus. These developments underline the capacity to harmonize thriving precincts with the often-neglected spaces woven into Griffin's geometric blueprint. Felicity's narrative beckons us to explore the concealed opportunities that lie within the city's urban framework. The article is a reminder of the possibilities that can emerge when thoughtful design intersects with latent potential.
The Urban Design Journal (UK) is published quarterly and can be found here.
As the scaffolding was removed from Kashmir, our project team conducted a site visit to assess the functionality of the louvered façade. This perforated steel system offers residents the ability to adjust privacy levels and regulate natural light within their homes. Nestled in Art Group's SOHO precinct, Kashmir enjoys a prime location on the city's gateway corridor, granting direct access to the city centre through Canberra's main light rail avenue. Photo courtesy of @pjlilly
Completed in 2022, Water's Edge has been selected by the NSW Government as the Apartment Design Guide Case Study for top shop developments. Water’s Edge is an elegant, multi-use development situated in the heart of the regional urban centre of Warner’s Bay, Newcastle. Designed for Bloc, a primary objective of the project was to create a dynamic street edge that stimulates the public realm. Located on a notable corner, directly opposite the waterfront reserve and lake edge, the development maximizes the location's views, activating the street with commercial space while providing a peaceful retreat for residents via the generously proportioned private courtyard accessible by all residents. Read more
We are proud to be hosting Architects Declare practices for an evening to discuss sustainability action. Associates Byron Kelly and Hannah Walsh will be presenting our firm's Sustainability Action Plan alongside Kevin Miller (CCJ Architects) and Myles Bunning (CK Architecture) presenting their strategies followed by a panel discussion with Vlasta Jeftic (Mather Architecture). The evening hopes to inspire other practices by showcasing the transparency of three Canberra firms who are rising to the challenges of Climate and Biodiversity Emergency. We hope that by sharing these action plans, speakers will inspire and empower other practices to develop their own. We are looking forward to an open and collaborative discussion about next steps in the ACT. Join us in person from 6.00-7.30pm Thursday 25th May, at our Canberra studio. Tickets via the link. https://events.humanitix.com/create-a-sustainability-action-plan-for-your-practice-canberra
Exciting progress for our Glue Laminated Timber (GLT) commercial building project which broke ground late last month. Seen here are the MASSLAM timber beams and columns that will form the structure of the office building. Each beam has been pressed and CNC'd (carved, cut, and trimmed to size via a computer-automated system). Some of the benefits of this material include the speed of construction, reduced carbon footprint, lightweight structure, and improved well-being for its inhabitants. This will be the first timber office building in the ACT. When the project is completed, it will become the national headquarters for our client, Doma. Photo courtesy of ASH. Read more
Our latest coastal project to be approved is Keshi. This Bloc project, in Port Macquarie’s Westport neighbourhood houses 41 generously sized dwellings. Located at the interface between high-density residential living and the local commercial centre, the corner site plays an important role in evolving the neighbourhood into a vibrant residential precinct. The building form is split into two elements connected by a central, open-air breezeway which breaks down the bulk of the building. The central breezeway brings light, air and nature into the heart of the development and lends it a resort-like feel
Our project team visited the Radford College campus for a site visit as the steel structure of the new Multi-Function Hall starts to take shape. This facility sits opposite to the new Cricket Centre, existing Wigg Sports Centre extension and outdoor sports courts that make up the new sports precinct. The Multi-Function Hall can accommodate 2000+ people through both fixed and retractable bleacher seating. The facility will house retractable basketball hoops and features an ergonomic sprung timber flooring system. We’re most excited however, about the Durra Panel roof system that is made out of reclaimed wheat straw. This sustainable and high performing acoustic system is shipped direct from Bendigo, Victoria.
Our Westport project, Akoya has been given the go-ahead. The project features two 5-storey buildings, connected in the middle by open-air breezeway spaces on each level. Each floor is connected by two outdoor feature stairs designed with the intention of enhancing the idea of coastal living while encouraging the communal areas of the building to be spaces that are ‘alive’. Natural earthy tones ground the building within the landscape, while crisp white architectural forms present a modern, contemporary reimagining of coastal architecture.
We’re proud to be celebrating 35 years of Stewart Architecture. We had a little soirée to share a toast with clients and friends. Thank you to everyone who helped us celebrate! And to our team for creating a memorable night. Thanks also to System Studio, who have taken us on a journey to refine and amplify our core values. It’s been a joy discussing our studio story, our passion, and our goals as a team. Thank you for all your ideas and beautiful design work and our new website. We're proud to be entering this milestone year with a highly-skilled, clever, and truly wonderful team - 40-strong. We are fortunate to work alongside talented collaborators and visionary clients some of which are new partnerships and some dating back to the formative days of this firm. We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to all who have contributed to this journey. We're excited for the next 35. We're just getting started!
The Morison Centre at Radford College ACT has won the 2022 Architecture Award for Educational Architecture. We thank the school for their ongoing passion and support and our team for their hard work in bringing this building to life. Thank you to the institute for their recognition. Jury citation: "Radford College’s Morison Centre achieves beyond itself to contribute valuable public and cultural benefit to the campus.
Situated at the heart of the campus, the Morison Centre is both derived from and informs the school’s learning and teaching imperatives. The dialogue between the building and its context is distinctly perceptible, with a deft approach to topography, scale, and ‘journey’ serving to both integrate and enhance.
The skilful resolution of movement throughout the project is noteworthy. Externally, a prominent northern colonnade provides enhanced pedestrian connectivity across the campus, both promoting and celebrating a new nexus between the junior and secondary schools. Fundamental to the contextual response, the colonnade expertly mediates the connection between built form and the Common; a beautiful native landscape and a deeply significant place of gathering. Internally, generous vertical circulation cores, cleverly located at either end of the building, liberate the interior and provide space for incidental encounter. The internal spatial and organisational structure is inherently collaborative and flexible, with breakout spaces and informal learning spaces offering students, staff and the community a vibrant environment for interaction and exchange.
Stewart Architecture has produced a project that is rational yet confident – a assured architecture that will endure."
Image source: @institute_architects_act
Photography: @lydiadownecreative
We are delighted that MICA Campbell received the award for residential architecture - multiple housing at the ACT AIA Awards last night.
The project was described as exemplary urban infill development which we regard as critical to Canberra’s future as a sustainable city.
Big congrats to our clients Maxon Group and our team members who worked on this project, including Senior Associate Tynan Freeman.
Jury citation:
"Stewart Architecture is awarded for MICA in the Residential Architecture, Multiple Housing category.
MICA exemplifies a creative and contextually responsive medium-density, mixed-use typology for suburban Canberra. As Canberra contemplates how to achieve density and infill within our older suburbs, this development provides an exemplary lead. The project builds upon meaningful responses to local community input, to the adjacent local shopping centre and to the surrounding streets.
All architecture is ‘public’ to a greater or lesser extent and good architecture is that which gives more than it takes; is a lifter not a leaner. MICA carries its social responsibilities with assurance: in uses, in scale, in contribution to the public realm, in materiality and in architectural expression.
Stewart Architecture has formed an architectural language that is comfortable in the old-Canberra context of Campbell. A vernacular of hit and miss red brick and stone punctuated with modern materials and proportions. Integral to the innovation of the project is the central open circulation space which supports site permeability, resident interaction, light and ventilation as well as access and servicing.
This development delivers a rich and enduring contribution to Canberra’s urban fabric and to future generations of occupants and neighbours."
Image source: @institute_architects_aus
Photography @annestroudphotography
We are incredibly proud to see graduate Juliana Zubovic, receive the Daryl Jackson Alastair Swayn Graduate Prize at the 2022 Australian Institute of Architects awards last week. Juliana was recognised for her achievement of attaining the highest grade point average over the two years of the Master of Architecture at the University of Canberra in 2021. Congratulations Juliana, this award is well deserved.
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