HASSELL commitment to China recognised
The long term commitment to China by HASSELL is recognised in an Australian Government report released by the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard.
The report, called Australia in the Asian Century, profiles a number of companies originally founded in Australia that are successfully working in China. We are profiled under a heading that says "HASSELL seizes opportunity in Asian markets".
The report says: "HASSELL is one of the largest multidisciplinary design practices in the Asia–Pacific region, with expertise in architecture, interior design, urban planning and design, and landscape architecture. HASSELL entered the Asian market in 1991 when it acquired a Hong Kong firm, EBC. After winning early master planning and urban design commissions in China, it broadened its Chinese practice to include the full range of disciplines it offers in Australia.
Today, HASSELL is China's largest foreign multidisciplinary design practice and employs more than 250 people in studios in Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Shenzhen. Elsewhere in Asia, it has studios in Bangkok and Singapore. HASSELL has maintained its commitment to Asia since the early 1990s—even while other designers switched focus after the downturn of the late 1990s, HASSELL stayed its course. Its commitment to China has been fundamental in gaining the trust of its Chinese customers.
HASSELL has also retained control through its wholly owned entity rather than the looser arrangements chosen by less successful entrants into China. Full ownership of its practice has allowed it to bring the best of its global capabilities to bear for clients.
For more information about the Australia in the Asian Century report, visit http://asiancentury.dpmc.gov.au/
Images:
_HASSELL Shanghai studio
_2012 World Architecture Festival award-winning project, Man-Built Islands at Dongqian Lake, China
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Scott Walker presents at Orgatec Trend Forum
Scott Walker, Head of Interior Design at HASSELL, will present at the Orgatec Trend this week in Cologne, Germany.
The Orgatec Trend Forum features discussions about current themes related to the modern office environment. Experts from the fields of business, architecture, interior design, planning and consulting will be presenting examples of best practices from the modern office and working world.
In his presentation, Scott talks about two key influences currently driving workplace design:
_The breakdown of barriers between the design disciplines producing unexpected and innovative design solutions including the borrowing of ideas from one project type to another
_Technological and social changes impacting the way people work and their expectations of the workplace
Click here to download a summary of Scott's presentation
Orgatec Trend Forum
Cologne, Germany
23–27 October 2012
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INDEX RMIT Interior Design Graduate Exhibition
INDEX is an RMIT Interior Design Graduate Exhibition that celebrates emerging interior design talent. Now in its 27th year, INDEX is a week-long public exhibition that takes place in a different Melbourne location each year and 2012 will see it housed in a vacant Art Deco building in the CBD.
A unique, collective expression of the students graduating in a particular year, INDEX will showcase projects spanning from the built environment on an urban scale through to curatorial, research and community-based propositions.
HASSELL is proud to be a major sponsor of the 2012 INDEX graduate exhibition and we warmly invite lovers of design to go and have a look at some of the amazing work that the graduate students have produced this year, giving us a glimpse into the future of design.
INDEX – RMIT Interior Design Graduate Exhibition is open between 9-14 November at 17-23 Wills Street, Melbourne
Student work images courtesy of RMIT University
Image 1 - Danah Gochman
Image 2 - Phoebe Baker-Gabb
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New Green Star Interiors pilot rating tool supported by HASSELL
HASSELL has designed over 1,000,000 square metres of projects certified or registered under the Green Star and LEED sustainable building rating tools, including the 6 Star Green Star rated ANZ Centre and the LEED Platinum rated Google office in Mumbai.
As such, it was only natural that the practice would support and help pilot the new Green Star – Interiors pilot rating tool launched by the Green Building Council of Australia this month.
"Over the past 10 years, HASSELL has been a strong supporter of the Green Building Council of Australia and the Green Star rating tools. Our sponsorship and involvement in the development of the new Green Star - Interiors pilot rating tool provides a great opportunity to help shape the future of sustainability, not just for commercial workplaces but for a wide range of other interior project types," said Brett Pollard, Head of Knowledge and Sustainability at HASSELL.
"Our Sydney studio is moving early next year and we want our new home to be an exemplar of the latest thinking in workplace design, as well as sustainability. Being involved in piloting the new rating tool will allow us to really get to grips with the new tool and apply the lessons learnt to our clients' projects as well as our own new workplace," said Brett.
The new Green Star Interiors pilot rating tool, unlike the previous version, is able to rate all types of interiors projects including hotels, schools, universities, hospitals as well as offices. Further information about the new Interiors rating tool is available here
Images: 6 Star Green Star rated ANZ Centre Melbourne, designed by HASSELL
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HASSELL supports Archikidz!
The old adage says never work with children or dogs. Matthew Pullinger of HASSELL is hoping the same saying doesn't apply to designers.
Matthew will be leading a group of children aged seven to twelve at Archikidz!, an architectural workshop for children being held as part of the Sydney Architecture Festival. Together they will have four hours to design and make the city of the future. Archikidz! aims to inspire, excite and educate children about architecture and the built environment.
It is a big challenge, but the children of Sydney are up for it. Over 300 signed up for Archikidz! in a day and a half, booking out the event. HASSELL is a Gold sponsor of Archikidz! which will be held in Sydney on Saturday 27 October.
"I am really looking forward to seeing what ideas the kids come up with," says Matthew. "If my kids are a guide, they have high expectations for the cities they intend to grow up in, and we all have an exciting future to look forward to."
Archikidz! image courtesy of Christine de Bree and David Tins
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A new chapter on solar retrofitting
Brett Pollard, joint Head of Knowledge and Sustainability at HASSELL, recently authored a chapter of the new book Sustainable Retrofitting of Commercial Buildings.
Published by Routledge in the United Kingdom and launched in Sydney earlier this month, the book focuses on improving the environmental sustainability of existing commercial buildings, particularly in regions with warm climates.
Brett's chapter, Solar Retrofit, explores the technical and economic feasibility of using photovoltaic panels to improve the energy performance of commercial buildings.
Based on a detailed research project into a 6,000 square metre commercial building, the chapter provides insights into design issues such as space requirements, panel tilt and orientation as well as financial aspects such as payback periods and return on investment.
Described as a "must-have guide for all involved in the design and engineering of retrofitting projects in warm climates" by reviewers, the book includes chapters written by Dr Ken Yeang from Malaysia and Professor Richard Hyde of Sydney University. Further information about the book is available here
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Common Ground Sydney achieves 5 Star design rating
The Common Ground Sydney project recently became the first project in New South Wales to achieve a 5 Star design rating using the Green Star Multi-unit Residential v1 standard.
The project addresses chronic homelessness by providing stable, high quality permanent housing. The building itself is indistinguishable as social housing or an institutional building but rather presents as a contemporary and comfortable living environment. Common Ground Sydney adopts the 'street to home' approach of the Common Ground model originating in New York.
Some of the sustainability initiatives that have led to the project achieving a 5 Star design rating include:
_A unique natural ventilation strategy resulting in naturally ventilated apartments with ceiling fans and a central atrium with a passive stack effect to drive the ventilation system
_Solar thermal panels that provide 50% of domestic hot water needs
_A communal worm farm and composting facilities
_Recycling of 95% of construction and demolition waste
_A location well-serviced by public transport and extensive bicycle parking
_Communal garden beds for residents to grow food
_A plain language building users' guide to ensure people know how to make the best of the building's green features
The building achieved two innovation points for the ventilation strategy and zero car parking for residents and was recently highly commended at the 2012 World Architecture Festival in the Housing category.
HASSELL worked with developer and builder Grocon on a pro-bono basis to prepare preliminary design feasibility studies, before providing full design services at cost to Housing NSW. Many other specialists also contributed to the project on an 'at cost' basis which fostered a collaborative approach throughout its delivery.
If you would like more information on this project or to find out about tours of the building, please contact James Sandwith jsandwith@hassellstudio.com
Find out more about some of our other Green Star rated projects:
_Dandenong Government Services Offices
_ANZ Centre
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HASSELL participates in Green Building and Energy Efficiency Conference
HASSELL participated in the recent International Green Building and Energy Efficiency Conference, held for the fifth time in Shanghai and attracting more than 5,000 delegates this year.
In conjunction with the conference, the HASSELL studio in Shanghai hosted 60 conference delegates at the studio to learn about how the space had been converted from a motorcycle factory into a LEED Gold-rated open-plan workspace. The guests included representatives from the property industry, planning bureaus and green building councils from numerous cities.
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Cardiff studio fitout wins Best of Welsh Design Award
The HASSELL studio in Cardiff was recognised at the Best of Welsh Design Awards over the weekend for turning the top floor of an unloved 1970s building into its new studio.
The Best of Welsh Design Awards is part of the two-week long Cardiff Design Festival and is judged by an international panel of design experts and previous winners of the award.
Similar to other HASSELL studios, the Cardiff studio is another re-use of existing space and is a physical demonstration of the practice's commitment to design environmentally responsible and sustainable communities.
Other examples of similar projects include the HASSELL studios in Brisbane, Melbourne and Shanghai which are accommodated in disused existing buildings which include a former bakery, a bread storage and factory and motorcycle factory assembly shed.
The approach to fitting out the open plan Cardiff studio was one of minimal intervention, stripping back and revealing the existing concrete structure and creating a datum display wall separated from the floor and concrete ceiling. The light fittings are minimal in size and neutral in tone, while the furniture is loose and easily adaptable to the changing needs of the work space.
"The studio has now been occupied for several months and we've received favourable comments from all our visitors. We're very proud to have won this recognition from our local and international industry peers," said Kieren Morgan, HASSELL Principal in the Cardiff studio.
The Cardiff Design Festival Awards ceremony was held on Saturday over an afternoon high tea party. As well as receiving a certificate, winners were able to choose from a selection of second hand tea pots – the HASSELL team naturally chose the most architectural looking teapot. Is this a classic case of form over function?
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Tony Grist re-appointed as Civic Trust Architect Assessor
Tony Grist, Head of Architecture at HASSELL, has been re-appointed as a Civic Trust Architect Assessor for Westminster, London in 2013.
Launched in 1959, the Civic Trust Awards is one of the oldest built environment award schemes in Europe. From cafes and churches through to housing and hospitals, the Civic Trust Awards have acknowledged over 6,500 projects that have made a positive cultural, social or economic contribution to the local community.
"I'm pleased to be re-appointed as an assessor for the Civic Trust Awards," said Tony. "They are unique and recognise some of the best projects in the built environment, from architecture to planning, townscape to infrastructure. But more than this, they recognise the public realm in its wider context and our continuing belief that development should be for the benefit of people," he said.
Results and outcomes will be announced in January 2013 with the winners revealed at the Civic Trust Awards Ceremony on 9 March 2013 in Cardiff.
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IDEA People's Choice Award – now open for voting
The People's Choice Award as part of the annual Interior Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) is now open for voting.
The People's Choice Award enables the public to vote for their favourite designer or design practice in a range of categories. The winner will be announced at the IDEA Gala Party on 9 November at the Seymour Centre in Sydney.
The HASSELL projects in the running are:
_Chasing Kitsune – Event
_University of Melbourne Giblin Eunson Library – Public Space
_University of Adelaide Learning Hub – Public Space
_George Apartments – Multi Residential
_Urban Attitude – Retail
Invite your friends and family to vote for their favourite design from Australia and remember you can only vote once – so choose wisely!
Click here to access the shortlist and to vote.
Voting is open until the end of October.
Images:
University of Melbourne Giblin Eunson Library
George Apartments
Chasing Kitsune
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HASSELL wins three categories at the World Architecture Festival
HASSELL has won the top awards in three categories at the World Architecture Festival (WAF), currently underway in Singapore.
The projects are:
_Man-Built Islands, Dongqian Lake – Ningbo - China (Future Projects – Experimental category)
_Perry Park – Sydney, Australia (Future Projects – Competition Entries category)
_Tianjin Binhai Transport Interchange – Tianjin, China (Future Projects – Infrastructure category)
In addition, the Common Ground Housing project in Sydney, Australia, received a High Commendation in the Houses category.
"It is great to have our work recognised on the world stage amid such competition. It is testimony to both our talented designers and the trust placed in us by fantastic clients," said Rob Backhouse, Managing Director of HASSELL.
The three winning projects will now go into the super jury competition for Future Project of the Year, which will be announced tonight.
This year's festival has seen presentations for 301 shortlisted entries, with over 1,750 architects attending from more than 60 countries. It includes a wide range of talks and seminars by some of the world's leading designers and the opportunity for delegates to network with other architects from around the world.
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World Architecture Festival begins – Common Ground Highly Commended
The 2012 World Architecture Festival (WAF) is underway in Singapore, with a series of awards already being announced and a wide range of events taking place over the past few days.
Among the award announcements, the HASSELL-designed Common Ground Housing project in Sydney was highly commended in the House category. The project addresses chronic homelessness by providing stable, high quality permanent housing and the HASSELL involvement in the project was partly on a pro-bono basis.
Tuesday night at WAF saw the traditional Pecha Kucha event, while Wednesday was the first official day of the Festival.
The first keynote speaker was architect and urban designer Moshe Safdie. He talked on the topic of invention, fitness and humanising the megascale. The second keynote speaker was architect and writer Peter Buchanan, who talked about rethinking architecture for the future.
Peter Duncan, HASSELL Chairman, was interviewed before the beginning of the Festival by Singapore's The Straits Times, and he noted that hosting the event is an acknowledgement of Singapore's international standing in urban practice and design.
Peter also noted that HASSELL is extremely honoured to be shortlisted for ten awards at the Festival, making HASSELL one of the firms with the most award entries in WAF this year.
"The projects are in categories spanning housing, residential, master planning and infrastructure, a reflection of the calibre, depth and range of our work. A third of our shortlisted projects are from China and this also reflects our leadership position in the various design fields," he said.
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Addressing China’s urban development
China has been experiencing rapid urban development over the past few decades with many millions of people moving from rural areas into new and growing cities.
These processes have huge social, environmental and infrastructure implications which need to be addressed through urban planning and design to ensure a sustainable future for China.
HASSELL has been present in China for over 20 years and has worked on many significant urban development projects.
Three recent projects that address various urban design issues in China are the Shenzhen Affordable Housing Design Competition, Man Built Islands at Dongqian Lake and the Tianjin Binhai Transport Interchange.
The Shenzhen Affordable Housing Design Competition called for a solution to house the city's huge transient working population comprising a large proportion of young people, in particular single women. The city is rapidly running out of space, with only limited land available to house future population growth. The competition brief called for ideas that relate to three scales of thinking – 1 unit, 100 families, 10,000 people.
The HASSELL scheme adopts the concept of "reciprocal living", whereby people are able to interact with each other, share experiences as well as spaces, and develop a stronger sense of community. This idea is applied at each of the three scales of the project.
HASSELL is also participating in the development and design of the Man-Built Islands at Dongqian Lake. Intense usage of the Dongqian lakeside areas for tourism is leading to significant negative impacts on the environment - the depletion of natural resources, the pollution of waterways and the reduced health of the lake's fish population. The long-term viability of the tourism industry, which relies heavily on the natural features of the surrounding area, is also affected. The HASSELL scheme seeks to develop a more sustainable approach to tourism for Dongqian Lake, especially the opportunity for increased interaction of people with the environment.
Tianjin is one of the largest cities in China and is rapidly expanding. As a result, the Tinajin Binhai Transport Interchange is a vital infrastructure project. It will be a planned point of interchange between high-speed rail, three metro lines, local and regional bus services and taxi services. The public domain design by HASSELL aims to seamlessly integrate these services through connections above and below the plaza surface, opening lines of sight between the previously planned entry points and the creation of a series of strategic spatial manoeuvres that will provide for comfortable and efficient passenger movement.
Shenzhen Affordable Housing Design Competition, Man Built Islands and the Tianjin Binhai Transport Interchange have been shortlisted for at the World Architecture Festival awards to be held in Singapore this week.
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Parkroyal Darling Harbour
HASSELL has been working on the Parkroyal Darling Harbour and the new lobby was recently unveiled
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Scott Walker reflects on IDEA
Scott Walker, Head of Interior Design at HASSELL, reflects on his time as jury member for this year's Interior Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) on Australian Design Review
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ArchDaily on Bjarke Ingels' visit to Sydney
ArchDaily covers the news of Bjarke Ingels' visit to Sydney, sponsored by HASSELL
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Designing for integrated education and research
How HASSELL designs for integrated education and research
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Rundle Mall in Adelaide
Ben Willsmore, HASSELL Senior Associate, discusses the Rundle Mall redevelopment in Adelaide that he is working on as project design leader
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Open plan offices - the pros and cons
Steve Coster, Head of Knowledge and Sustainability at HASSELL, discusses the pros and cons of open plan offices
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Developing Australia's regional towns
The SuperTowns initiative in Western Australia is discussed on Design Build Source
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Palm Island on IndesignLiveAsia
The Palm Island project takes its inspiration from the unique geography of Chongqing where the Yangtze River and Jialing River converge into one
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We Love Perth profiles young architect Carly Barrett
Young HASSELL architect and Creative Director of Open House Perth was profiled on We Love Perth
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Common Ground Sydney featured on Inhabitat
The World Architecture Festival award-winning Common Ground Sydney project features on Inhabitat with a special emphasis on its sustainability features
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Changing the face of Perth through architecture
Design Build Source looks at how the Perth CBD is changing with developments like the HASSELL-designed Brookfield Place
