In recent years, an increasing number of architectural projects have demonstrated the immense value of working collaboratively. Large-scale architectural competitions often require participants to comprise a team, sometimes multidisciplinary, and many private clients also recognize the benefit of bringing together the complementary skills offered by different practices.
Here, we present a series of recent and yet-to-be-completed projects that illustrate this approach to working together. While the collaboration types are diverse, collectively they promote varied design practice and the act of pausing to reflect on our own approach to design. In-house conversation and critique have always been part of a good design process, but broadening this dialogue to include different practices, consultants or disciplines can have an impact far beyond the built work itself, such as increased cultural understanding or technological advancement.
Each project on these pages illustrates a different way of collaborating for the architect/s involved: with other architects on different buildings on the same site, to contribute a rich layering of urban fabric; on a positioning strategy with a university; with cultural consultants (importantly, prior to any design work being initiated); with artists to embed space with culture, narrative and meaning; with governments, local councils and community groups; and with scientists. All are born from continuous dialogue and result in the opportunity to see things from a different perspective – challenging us to push boundaries and to innovate.
Quay Quarter Lanes
Quay Quarter Lanes is the rejuvenation of two city blocks in the heart of Sydney at Circular Quay. The project is part of the wider Circular Quay Sydney project, which also includes the Quay Quarter Tower, designed by 3XN and BVN, and the 33 Alfred Street rejuvenation project, designed by Johnson Pilton Walker.
The Quay Quarter Lanes project comprises
