Unknown to the public, Sydney has adopted a mandatory competitive design process that resulted to over 26 completed projects and 46 approved proposals.
Out of the 26 completed project starting 2018, 62% have won major industry awards and 50% have received awards from the Australian Institute of Architects. Sydney’s mandatory “compare, critique and commission” model for private development is truly pioneering and innovative.
The year 2000 was the time when connection between global city aspirations and good architecture was becoming better appreciated. So the Sydney City Council, led by independent lord mayor Frank Sartor, implemented the Sydney Local Environmental Plan provisions to enforce “design excellence” for all department.
Early projects were not always exceptional. Over the past decade, most of central Sydney’s best buildings are from the competition. At the same time, concerns have surfaced such as the high costs and risks for competing architects, the risk of hyper-gentrification, the strive for iconic ‘look at me’ architecture and the missed opportunity to engage the public more deeply.
Nevertheless, competitions encourage for a fuller exploration of possibilities and enhances prospects of the best outcome. The council has already extended the competitive regime to major projects outside the CBD.
Image source: Mark Merton
Article source: https://architectureau.com/articles/reshaping-sydney-by-design-few-know-about-the-mandatory-competitions-but-we-all-see-the-results/?mc_cid=1e6b1383af&mc_eid=836999e7f1&utm_source=ArchitectureAU
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