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  • Croudace Architects Blog
  • Perth Foreshore
  • My initial reaction to the new Perth foreshore proposal was a cautious one.  The way computer graphics are used in architectural presentation is powerful and it is interesting that the main sell of this proposal is through beautiful computer renderings.  These projects will morph a thousand times before getting to what is actually built.  And even if what is built looks exactly like what they are presenting, the actual 'feel' of it will not have the ambience and magic they are able to convey with computer graphics.  I have confidence in Perth architects but not always in the financially driven, fast tracked, cost cutting financing and procurement process.  It is mind boggling that such a complex, and long process of logistics, commercial reality, buildability, and the like can be all wrapped into a neat little computer rendering and be ticked off and sent out to the market to be produced like wrapping a christmas present. 

    I would like to see some more meaningful functional relationship diagrams, showing how this sideshow relates to the city itself, which I feel is getting sidelined in favour of the beautiful Swan River. 
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  • RENOVATIONS
  • There is an apparent trend in Perth at the moment towards renovation in lieu of detonation.  Some market uncertainty, increased builder availability, and a softening of real estate growth has encouraged a move toward the upgrade.  Renovations can have many positive benefits.  Depending on the age and layout of the existing house, it is possible to gain a richness in design and feel by living in a house that incorporates the old and the new.  It is a more energy-conscious approach by recycling the already embodied energy of the existing structure. 
    It is also surprising in some cases the amount of improved functionality that can be gained, from even minor changes in spatial planning. 'Front end' design  investigation into different concept options can quickly determine the pros and cons of renovating a particular property.  A classic example of where paying for good design up front can result in huge rewards.
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  • PERTH V MELBOURNE - CONTEMPORARY HOUSE DESIGN
  • I couldn't help reflecting on the state of Perth contemporary building design when reading about the recent home open programme in Melbourne. Melbourne as a whole collective conciousness has a much stronger design aesthetic than Perth. Certainly Perth is a younger city, and has less time to develop a cultural identity, but even still the mainstream in Perth thoughts about housing are dominated by off-the-shelf housing solutions. Melbourne recently opened 30 or so architect designed homes to the public for a day and had 50,000 visitors through them in one day. Something like this is entirely do-able in Perth. I wonder would it generate the same level of interest? Only one way to find out I guess.
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  • CITY OF SUBIACO'S 'MIDDLE THIRD RULE'
  • Two recent projects and one current project allowed us to experience the full brunt of the City of Subiaco's 'middle third rule'.  The rule was set up  to protect the subiaco streetscape and requires 2nd storey additions to be in the middle third of the lot.  Ie not near the front (thus impacting streetscape) and not near the back (thus impacting rear adjoining landowner).

    The policy causes confusion when one tries to push the second storey away from the street but then ends up in the rear third of the lot.  The contradiction becomes apparent when one is asked to move proposed second storey additions toward the front of the lot and out of the rear third, whereby it becomes visible from the street and therefore contradicts its own intention of preserving the character of the existing streetscape.

    Resolution in our case required the assistance of SAT, the state administrative tribunal.  Our understanding is that there have been numerous problematic cases of interpretation of this rule and any similar experiences are welcome to be shared here.  We  are hopeful this policy will be modified or abolished based on the confusion inherent in its application.
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