The Arc Agency

Melbourne, thank you for welcoming us with open arms for our final architecture & design networking event of 2024 🥂 We look forward to returning early next year to bring you more direct access to industry-leading brands.

Launched earlier this year at Walsh Street House in South Yarra, "When Robin Boyd Went To Japan” offers a unique journey into Boyd's encounter with Japanese daily life during a visit in the 1960s. The exhibition is curated by Marika Neustupny and Nigel Bertram, co-founders of NMBW and is a joint effort between the Robin Boyd Foundation, NMBW Architecture Studio, and Melbourne’s favourite Japanese café, CIBI. While visiting Japan, Boyd wrote about many acclaimed Japanese architects at the time. Specifically, the trip was planned due to a commission to write a book about Kenzo Tange. His affinity with Japan grew deeper, visiting again in 1965, writing the book ‘New Directions in Japanese Architecture’ in 1968 and as Australia’s Exhibition Architect at the iconic Expo '70 in Osaka. Transforming the Walsh Street House, the exhibition channelled the sense of everyday Japanese life that captivated Boyd. Around the time of Boyd's visits, Japanese architects were gaining popularity internationally, with the Osaka Expo '70 further solidifying Japan as an architecturally exciting and innovative country. Another topic that fascinated Boyd was preservation in a post-war and rapidly modernising Japan. It raised important questions about how to maintain Japan’s unique architectural and cultural essence while still allowing for important societal and economic shifts. Much like many historical texts, many of the questions raised continued to be applied as the world shapes and morphs daily. Pictured, Robin Boyd’s Sketch For Combined Project 60-64 Clarendon Street & Corner Site

In December 2023, Binyamin Appelbaum's New York Times op-ed, “Why Do We Build Homes in the Same Way That We Did 125 Years Ago?” questioned why there has been a lack of innovation in construction methods over the years, arguing that traditional on-site construction is too slow and expensive amid a housing crisis. In 2022, building a house took an average of 8.3 months, a month longer than in 1971. In theory, this negatively contributes to the housing shortage, drives up home prices and forces many into an expensive and overpopulated rental market. Appelbaum advocates for modular housing as a solution. Despite its slow adoption, we all know that modular construction can significantly reduce build time and costs. He cites Fading West, a start-up in Colorado that can complete homes in half the time and at 80% of traditional costs, highlighting advancements in manufacturing that make modular housing more viable. But modular homes don’t have the best reputation for being beautifully designed and lack the bespoke attention of traditionally designed homes. This perception of modularity equaling "cookie-cutter" has hindered their popularity. However, firms like Paris-based Cutwork are attempting to address these issues. Their ReHome system, initially designed for post-war Ukraine, uses stackable, flexible concrete blocks to create cost-effective, customisable apartment buildings. This method reduces on-site construction time by up to 40% and adapts to various environments while still allowing for a level of individuality. Appelbaum argues that embracing modular housing is essential for addressing the housing crisis, do you think he’s right? Pictured, A completed Fading West module is towed from the facility to its site.

Melbourne, we're just days away from our final event of 2024 and, you're invited. Savour culinary delights and beverages and enjoy live entertainment as the sounds of the jungle inspire fresh ideas and connections. Don’t miss this complimentary opportunity to grow your network and win exciting prizes. Follow this link to learn more and secure your spot: https://lnkd.in/e5pM3gWS

A top-quality sporting facility for decades to come. Named after one of Australia’s most celebrated athletes, ANNA MEARS VELOROME was designed for the 2018 Commonwealth Games and has now transcended into a vital piece of sporting infrastructure. The multi-disciplinary velodrome hosts a range of sports including a BMX track and a number of indoor sporting courts. The world-class track is 25m long and built from solid timber. The structure has been formed by a steel frame and transparent cladding, allowing natural sunlight to filter in during the daytime for energy efficiency purposes. Designed by Cox Architecture Captured by Veloshotz & Christopher Frederick Jones. #TheArcAgencyAU #NetworkingEvents #AustralianDesign #AustralianArchitecture #ArchitectureCommunity

Neri&Hu Design and Research Office is an acclaimed interdisciplinary architectural design practice based in Shanghai. Within the rapid development context of Shanghai, Neri&Hu see their firm at the centre of a 'contemporary chaos' where the city’s cultural, urban, and historic contexts function as a point of departure for design. Experts at adaptive reuse projects, the firm relishes working within existing conditions. One such project is a hotel, The Waterhouse at South Bund, a project built into an existing three-story Japanese Army headquarters building from the 1930s. The renovation is anchored in an exciting interplay between tradition and innovation. The existing building, a brutalist concrete structure, has been restored and revitalised but is juxtaposed with Corten steel additions, a nod to the area's industrial heritage along the bustling Huangpu River docks. Internally, the old and new are clearly distinguished, reminding the guest of what once was. Outside of Shanghai, the firm completed another boutique hotel, Tsingpu Yangzhou Retreat, situated near Yangzhou’s scenic Slender West Lake. This time, the brief called for the adaptive reuse of several of the old buildings on the site and the addition of new buildings to accommodate the hotel’s needs. Neri&Hu’s strategy to unify these scattered elements was to overlay a grid of walls and paths onto the site to tie the project together, resulting in multiple scenic courtyard enclosures. This strategy originates with the courtyard house typology of vernacular Chinese architecture and transforms it into a contemporary context. As we tackle sustainability issues, adaptive reuse projects are becoming increasingly common. What architects do you think are doing an amazing job at breathing new life into historic buildings? Pictured, Aerial view of Tsingpu Yangzhou Retreat

We rubbed shoulders with some of Sydney's most influential specifiers at JUNGLE last week 🥂 Thanks to all who came to our last large-format NSW networking event for the season! See the full album here: https://lnkd.in/gwgSyywM

Design is about process, but community-based design often fails to follow through, becoming a tick-box exercise. An effective design process is iterative and involves the people who will use the space. This process has been demonstrated by Yuwaya Ngarra-li, a partnership between the Dharriwaa Elders Group (DEG) and UNSW. This partnership aims to enhance the well-being and environments of the Indigenous community in Walgett, NSW, emphasising community control, reduced justice system contact for youth, and improved food, water, and housing security. In a recent article for Architecture AU, co-authored by Yuwaya Ngarra-li partnership members, including Samantha Rich, they generously share their toolkit for robust community-led design. Let the community lead. Don’t assume you know the need and how to solve every problem. Listen and respond directly to what is needed. Develop partnerships based on trust. Allow for equitable and genuine relationships to form and collaborative knowledge exchange. Think holistically. Designers need to work, design and act in relational ways, understanding the importance of a circular process. Make meaningful design decisions based on community needs and requirements. Listen and carefully consider your design decisions. Work reciprocally. Embed protocols into the process, deliver community assets and build capacity. I’ve linked the full article below and recommend you read it. It’s full of important lessons for all architects and designers in Australia. Link https://lnkd.in/gYtSZj85 Pictured: The circular, community-led process to embed social impact. Image: Courtesy Yuwaya Ngarra-li

Melbourne, we're heading your way for our final event of 2024 with JUNGLE. Here's what you need to know: 🗓 Wednesday, October 30th 📍 The Timber Yard ⏰ Commencing at 6pm (AEDT) Savour culinary delights and beverages and enjoy live entertainment as the sounds of the jungle inspire fresh ideas and connections. Follow this link to secure your spot: https://lnkd.in/e5pM3gWS

Thank you so much, Sydney, for another unforgettable architecture & design networking event. This was our final event in Sydney for 2024, but, next year’s calendar is filling up fast with event dates. A final thank you to all of the professionals and brands who have joined us for JUNGLE and all of the events we’ve hosted this year 🥂