Welbeck Street Acknowledged in Brisbane News

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0500

The project is an extension to an existing 1949 weather board home for a couple and their three children. The project capitalises on the leafy views of Brisbane's north with a generous yet understated extension to the rear of the house. The Sub-Tropical design draws on the language of the simple and economical skillions boxes that were often added to the rear of these houses to accommodate the Baby Boomers on the 50’s. Materials were chosen to compliment those used on the original house. Of interest is that house was originally built by the long standing Brisbane builder, Chapman's as their family home where they resided for many years. The client insisted the current generation of Chapmans be selected as the builders for this project. The old cubby house in the back yard was probably one of Greg Chapmans first building projects as a child.

View article 'History Repeats' Brisbane News, published 10 December 2008

2008 Women in Development Excellence Awards

Thu, 27 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0500

The third Women in Development Excellence Awards proved a great success as the industry united to celebrate the award winners on our Diva Divine night. This year we had 7 worthy winners, all of whom are an inspiration to their peers and have made a outstanding contributions to the development industry.

Congratulations Nicky Crane, Assoicate Director, Ray White Project Marketing Queensland and student at the Queensland University of Technology for picking up the 'Dr Paula Whitman's Future Leader Award' which is sponser by Deicke Richards.

Dive Divine centre piece design by Magda Myszkowski, Tim Gibbs and Shy Tay from Deicke Richards

Happy Shareholders endorse Binna Burra Master Plan

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0500

There aren’t too many happy investors around these days. However last weekend at its AGM, shareholders in the Binna Burra Mountain Lodge enthusiastically endorsed the Deicke Richards-prepared Master Plan, which will guide the future development of the heritage listed resort. BBML Chairman Hal Morris said that amid spontaneous applause, “a motion was moved from the floor to formally thank DR for it’s ‘pro bono’ work on the master plan”. This formal motion concludes a year-long process of collaborative workshops and engagement with all of Binna Burra stakeholders.

The resulting master plan will help secure the short to medium term financial future of Binna Burra and in the longer term, it will re-connect Binna Burra with its history of innovation. “The shareholders have enthusiastically embraced the idea that Binna Burra transition towards a car-free environment in the long-term” said DR’s project leader Tamsin Scott. This will not only allow the resort to slowly replace land currently used for car infrastructure with future development, but will also refocus the hilltop village on its greatest asset - its World Heritage listed setting. Tamsin is confident that this simple idea “will prove to be way ahead of its time” much like the vision set by Romeo Lahey and Arthur Groom 75 years ago.

Congratulations Tamsin and the rest of the Team, Eloise, Tim and Phil.

Click to view larger Binna Burra Concpt Master Plan

Varsity Station Wins PIA Award

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Smiles all around for the Deicke Richards led Team, which recently collected the Transport Planning ‘Award for Excellence’ at the 2008 Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) awards for Varsity Station Village. The Awards Jury recognised that this key project “will represent an important milestone in the land use and transport integration and outcomes sought under the SEQ regional Plan”. The foresight of the our Client – Queensland Transport - was commended in ensuring that an important station was not encumbered by an industrial estate or a vast commuter car park. The Jury’s citation commended the team’s work noting that “The urban design work and station integration considerations are well executed and represent a practical response to a challenging site". Stephen Smith was on hand to collect the award on behalf of the Team which includes EDAW and MacroPlan. Well done to Stephen, Shy, Rebecca, Echa, Eugenio and Peter.

Regular collaborators Buckley Vann, Andrea Young Planning Consultants and John Byrne all deserve congratulations for winning PIA awards on the night as well.

For more information on Varsity Station Village click to see our project sheet in our Urban Design section

Stephen Smith on the far right collects the award for Deicke Richards.

Women in Architecture Forum

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0500

On the 28 October the Australian Institute of Architects Queensland Chapter proudly presented the 2008 Women in Architecture Forum.

The annual Women in Architecture Forum is one of the Queensland Chapter's most popular events. This year's theme, "...it's about us", was a lively discussion on 'hot' topics for women architects in different stages of their careers. For example, did you know research has found most women would sacrifice career progression for balance in their lives?

Master of Ceremonies Eloise Atkinson RAIA, brought together four women in architecture with four different perspectives: corporate, practitioner, graduate and student to discuss 'hot' topics such as:-

The Glass
Ceiling
Continuity Differentiation
Networking

Deicke Richards director Eloise Atkinson was MC for the everning

Brisbane's Favorite PARK 2008

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0400

“Work’s a picnic at The Green Office!’ Deicke Richards (working with Dig-it, Black Pearl Epicure, ECC Lighting and Stockade Nursery) 58 Baxter St, Fortitude Valley

This PARK transformed several of the off-street parking spaces at the Deicke Richards’ offices into an outdoor boardroom. They also hosted a BBQ lunch for their neighbours. This office of architects, landscape architects and urban designers prides itself on sustainability, a happy working environment, and being a practice that is innovative, imaginative and community minded. Their design sought to call attention to the importance for urban public spaces, create a relationship with neighbours and suppliers and encourage staff to use alternative method of travel to work.

“I’ve never seen such a transformation!! The little green park was beautifully put together. By far the best PARK(ing) day experience on offer in Brisbane…. Thoroughly enjoyed it and they really showcased how wonderful it would be to have more green spaces” Victoria, a PARK(ing) visitor

For more information on this Brisbane event www.brisbaneparkingday.blogspot.com or Brisbane, what did you do on PARK(ing) Day?

Urbanism in 20-20: Subtropical Cities 2008

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400

As individuals, families, businesses and communities adapt to the challenges of climate change, peak oil and increased population growth, the way we design our cities at all scales from buildings to ‘burbs must also change. Just how they should change, though, is far from agreed. Subtropical Cities 2008 will draw together the collective experience and creativity of contributors to built form from across Australia to share, debate and explore these issues, and Deicke Richards will be right in the thick of it as sponsors, participants and presenters.

Coordinated by the Centre for Subtropical Design, the theme for this year’s conference is From Fault-Lines to Sight-Lines: Subtropical Urbanism in 20-20, alluding to recent trends towards broader urban planning and a sharpened focus on ecological sustainability. The conference follows on from the first, highly successful Subtropical Cities 2006, where 46 speakers presented on issues in landscape and urban design, architecture, concluding with a panel debate on the provocative issue: Why is there so little subtropical design in cities?

Conference chair Professor Helen Armstrong (QUT) is looking forward to the opportunity this year to define a clearer vision for subtropical cities:

The Conference will offer an exhilarating setting to share and debate ideas; ideas about what subtropical urbanism could be by 2020. Will it aspire to a new resilient urban form? Will it still maintain a centrality of landscape? Will it still focus on ecological paradigms? … We urge you to share your knowledge and ideas and look forward to meeting you on the Brisbane riverside.

Deicke Richards’ directors and associates are pleased to have the opportunity to be a conference sponsor, and support its aims of promoting appropriate and sustainable design. In particular, Director Peter Richards has a long-standing relationship with the Centre for Subtropical Design, dating back to its establishment in 2004.

Subtropical Cities 2008 will run from 3 – 6 September, 2008 at QUT venues throughout Brisbane.

To register or for more information visit http://www.icebergevents.com/subtropicalcities2008/.

RAIA Regional Architecture Awards 2008

Wed, 28 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Affordable Housing was acknowledged as a significant issue for SEQ, with a commendation awarded to Tufton Street, Bowen Hills at the RAIA’s Regional Awards ceremony held last Friday.

Commissioned by Project Services, the Tufton Street project provides high amenity affordable housing for people with physical and/or mental health issues. Located less than 1km from the Royal Brisbane Hospital, the 5-storey building contains 18 apartments, delivering high yield without compromising design standard. The need for cross-ventilation, separate entries and barrier-free access were all addressed in the final scheme, with a raw external aesthetic that responds to the area’s character and current transition towards a mixed-use precinct.

Tufton Street will now be considered for the State Awards

Click to see our project sheet in our Architecture section, and the A1 panel submitted to the Judges.

Community Development and Design 2008: Education

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0500

In the last few weeks, the office has agreed to undertake two new projects on a pro-bono basis in line with is commitment to supporting community projects and playing its part as a good corporate citizen. New master plans for Binna Burra and Our Lady of the Rosary primary school on the Sunshine Coast will both aim to revitalise existing uses that also have a potential to build the capacity of the communities around them.

Director Eloise Atkinson said the office does a significant amount of community-based design work, “usually projects that are part of an area of interest for one or more of our staff.”

Tamsin Scott, one of Deicke Richards' two senior landscape architects, is excited at the prospect of working with local residents from around Binna Burra, many of whom feel a connection with the centre and its surrounding national park.

“The Centre has reached a point where a more clearly articulated direction is needed, and a workshop process involving both key stakeholders and local community members has the potential to draw together shared aspirations for this area,” she said.

Meanwhile, up on the Sunshine Coast, the new master plan for Our Lady of the Rosary Primary will provide a clearer framework for the school as it expands its facilities.

“With a strong social justice philosophy, the school is considering how it can engage more directly with the surrounding community as part of its vision to be sustainable.” said Phil Smith, a parent at OLR. “These ideas align with Deicke Richards’ commitment to sustainable regional urbanism and community development. But, it’s also satisfying to use your professional skills to help grow your own neighbourhood.”

Both these jobs will begin work in the coming months, with a workshop for Binna Burra scheduled for early March.

RAIA Sunshine Coast Regional Awards

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Phil Smith, manager of Deicke Richards' Sunshine Coast office, has his work cut out for him before the Royal Australian Institute of Architects’ regional awards night on April 4. As Chair of the Regional Awards Jury for the Sunshine Coast, Phil and three other local jurors will have 23 entries to consider this year, spanning a wide range of building types.

Queensland’s regional jury system is unique and DR has provided a long-term support and contribution to the awards process, which recognises the importance of responsive, regional architecture. Having served on the Sunshine coast jury several times before, Phil says he’s looking forward to the challenge of assessing what has often been a competitive field in the past. “The Sunshine Coast region has a long tradition of producing high-quality architecture, with more than its fair share of state and national-level award winners,” he said.

Winners in each of the categories including the Sunshine Coast Building of the Year will be announced at the awards night.

Australian Congress for the New Urbanism '08

Mon, 21 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Just days after his return from overseas, Peter Richards will join a large portion of the office team at ACNU08 to be held at the Kelvin Grove Urban Village. The annual meeting of the Australian Congress for New Urbanism will draw together leading figures from around Australia and internationally to discuss the qualities of our built environment and the communities they sustain. Both Peter and Cameron will present throughout the Congress and at the Charrette Master Class to be held immediately prior.

Staff donate to Surf Life Saving Queensland

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Christmas celebrations took a more generous turn this year, with the office postponing its traditional Secret Santa exchange.

In its place, up to a third of staff chose to donate to Surf Life Saving Queensland, recognising the large part the organisation plays in the holiday memories of many Brisbane residents.