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.

SA have been working alongside the Canberra Racing Club in the development of a precinct plan for Canberra's Thoroughbred Park. The concept explores changing the zoning of the site to include future residential and commercial construction. This plan will facilitate in maximising the potential of the currently underutilised land, opening the precinct to a variety of uses and demographics.

Our amazing journey with Radford College ACT continues with the creation of a Sports Precinct that will create an address to the northern corner of the Bruce Campus. The precinct includes a multi-function hall (pictured), high performance cricket centre, sports courts and oval amenities which will frame the sporting greens. With our tender package now complete, we look forward to moving towards construction commencing in early 2022. Read more

We are working on our first mass timber construction project - a six storey commercial building on National Circuit in Barton, ACT for DOMA. As well as being a smart environmental construction choice, timber has been proven to have a positive effect on wellbeing by actually reducing your heart rate! The project has gained NCA approval and is currently in design development. Read more

We are thrilled to announce that the Canberra City Renewal Authority (CRA) has selected Stewart Architecture as part of the ASPECT Studios led team to design the Acton waterfront park on the banks of Canberra‘s Lake Burley Griffin.

We will be designing two pavilions within the park to provide amenities and accommodate a park café. We are particularly excited to be working closely with Yerrabingin who are ensuring our connection to country and the Ngunnawal story.

The project is a once in a generation opportunity which has been 20 years in the making. The brief is to design a unique urban waterfront which celebrates contemporary Canberra and is underpinned by Country centred design focusing on Ngunnawal knowledge and culture.

A place designed for people, Canberra’s Acton Waterfront urban renewal plan aims to create new open spaces, redefine connections, and enhance access to the waterfront, celebrating the area’s rich history and national significance.

We are so excited to be involved and look forward to sharing the designs with you soon.

Our team consists of ASPECT Studios, Yerrabingin, Bridge 42, Spiire, ACOR Rudds, Eric Martin & Associates Architects, Cundall, SCT Consulting, Veris, Phillip Chun, Purdon Planning, WSP, Formswell, MSH Structural Engineering, Douglas partners, Park Management Systems, Visabel, SDC Engineering, MBM, B.M.S Forestry.

Stewart Architecture is proud to announce that we are now Carbon Neutral. As per our commitment via Architects Declare, we undertook a company wide carbon audit led by our dedicated sustainability team. We have offset our carbon emissions; by offsetting we are taking responsibility for our actions and will be working to reduce our emissions further in the next year. Special thanks to Associate Tim Dyer.

Stewart Architecture was invited by the National Capital Authority to participate in a tender for the design investigation and development of a master plan for Federation Mall. This iconic site running from the forecourt of Parliament House to Old Parliament House is imbedded with historical and cultural significance that has shaped our nation. Our team includes landscape architects, ASPECT Studios and indigenous cultural heritage consultant, Yerrabingin, and planners, Turner & Townsend, who we will work along side to deliver a proposal for the site.

The Woodberry, a residential development in Coombs, ACT has broken ground with bulk earthworks starting as the preparation of the site begins. This development, designed for Coda Property Group comprises of both townhouses and apartments. Pictured is the private courtyard of a townhouse. This project is scheduled to be completed later this year.

SA have been engaged by Art Group to design Macarthur Precinct, a mixed-use development located on the corner of Northbourne and Macarthur Avenues, Lyneham ACT. A plaza will be created in the centre of the site surrounded by several buildings of varying heights and facades. The precinct will include, residential dwellings, commercial workspace, shopping, dining, childcare, supermarket, and resident amenities including a pool, on the upper levels.

SA have been engaged by NDH Property Group to design a master plan and architectural design of a new development on the site of Petrie Plaza in Canberra's Civic Centre. The proposal consists of a premium grade office building across 13 floors, with a ground floor lobby featuring double-height interior, and a void with a connecting stair to level 2, as well as retail and café tenancies on the ground with outdoor seating within a new landscape.

SA Director Mark Craswell, has been appointed Board Chair of The Street Theatre. Mark has been associated with the theatre company for almost a decade. Mark was architect for the Street Theatre extension in 2013 which included the addition of theatre space, internal courtyards and office space, as well as future opportunities for street and roof top activation. Mark is appointed for a two year term.

We recognise the remarkable women who choose to work at our practice. These women excel in their chosen fields of architecture, urban design, interior design, and business management. We strive to provide equal opportunities for all our employees, no matter what gender, background, or demographic. We will continue to raise women up in support of gender parity not only in our business and our industry, but throughout every sector.

Stewart Architecture is the master planner and architect for a significant new mixed use development in Woden, ACT for clients DOMA. The project includes four buildings, one of which has been named, The Melrose, a multi-residential building located on the corner of Melrose Drive and Corinna Street. Users will have direct access to Woden's transforming retail centre, the new CIT campus and new transport hub.

Our master plan evolves the Federal Golf Club from its current single use to a diverse recreation precinct and destination that will be enjoyed by the wider Canberra community, catering for all ages and interests beyond golf. Improved integration with the surrounding suburbs will draw people into the site to access a range of health and lifestyle facilities. Importantly, the existing 18-hole course layout is unchanged, and the landscaped interface valued by neighbouring residents is maintained and enhanced.

Topography and vistas identified within the site are used to inform the framework for the development of a series of buildings along key axis. In a contemporary architectural style, the buildings integrate with the natural landscape and are linked by paths and boardwalks. The natural topography of the site is employed to relocate parking under buildings and therefore maximise the extent of gardens and landscaping.

A tree-lined avenue formalises arrival to the precinct, culminating in a spacious forecourt to the clubhouse, aligned to spectacular views along the 10th fairway and the Brindabellas beyond. The clubhouse includes pro shop, café, bar and restaurant facilities, together with a series of meeting rooms and shared office space for community organizations.

The new health club offers facilities such as gym, day spa, wellness services and child minding. Outdoor tennis courts and pool will diversify the sports offering within the precinct.

The functions and events pavilion with outlook across the fairways will cater for gatherings of up to 300 people. The flexible design provides variable spaces suitable for weddings, conferences, and smaller groups. Sited away from the clubhouse, there will be no impact to the amenity or operations of the golf course.

The boutique hotel will provide serviced accommodation of around 36 rooms. Set in a peaceful position within the fairways it is bound by an expanded lake. The hotel provides accommodation for golfing weekends, weddings or corporate retreats with outlook over the native landscape.

The existing driving range is enhanced to provide complimentary use as an outdoor events space for evening concerts. The bushland perimeter of the golf club provides opportunity to better integrate with the surrounding suburbs and will include an enhanced network of nature trails and cycling tracks to allow improved movement and access into the site.

The entire precinct is envisaged as an environmentally sensitive carbon neutral development designed to achieve 5 to 6-star green star rating. All landscaping will utilise native planting endemic to the Red Hill location.

Our proposal provides significant benefit to both the Federal Golf Club and the broader community with increased employment, tourism, and interaction between the club and surrounding residents. This project will provide a leading example of a golf club adapting to maintain commercial viability with only positive outcomes for the club and community.