The second state COVID lockdown in 2021 highlighted the key ingredient for me in urban life: sociality. Despite social distancing and mask-wearing, conversations were enjoyed on the street with neighbours. I got to know the barista’s kids and the Irish convenience store attendant learnt my name. While not for everyone, the density of city living fosters a particular type of conviviality among a community of friendly strangers. Lockdown made me reflect on how important these everyday interactions are in my daily life.
Stage 1 of the Newcastle East End development was completed during this period. The product of more than a decade-long planning and design process, it has transformed the original David Jones building site to three mixed-use buildings clustered around a small public piazza. SJB developed the masterplan, which encompasses four stages and four city blocks. The firm, which went on to design one of the buildings and adapt the existing David Jones building into a hotel, invited Tonkin Zulaikha Greer (TZG) and Durbach Block Jaggers (DBJ) to design two other buildings on the same block.
Particular to this development is that, despite its compact footprint, it is the work of
