Plus Architecture

City of Port Phillip Design Development Awards 2012

plus — Wed, 16 May 2012 23:13:22 +0000

Armada – a finalist in the 11^th City of Port Phillip Design Development Awards 2012 for the best new development 6 or more storeys.

VCAT Major Cases List – How it works

plus — Thu, 03 May 2012 23:55:21 +0000

Leading VCAT expert Lawyer Mark Naughton from Planning and Property Partners has written the following to help inform our clients.

Anyone who has recently been involved in lodging or running tribunal appeals will be aware of the sometimes lengthy delays in having matters heard and determined by the Tribunal, particularly for large complex matters involving many parties. High levels of development activity and increasing third party involvement has resulted in an appeal system which is overloaded and Tribunal resources that are stretched very thin.In 2010 the Tribunal successfully piloted a Major Case List that dramatically reduced the length of delays for major planning proposals in the Planning and Environment List of VCAT, however funding for this program ran out in March 2011.

On 18 November 2011 the Tribunal announced that a new Major Cases List had been funded, and it subsequently recommenced on 3 January 2012.

To qualify for the Major Cases List a residential project must have a development cost of $10 million or more. For other non-residential, commercial or industrial projects the threshold value is reduced to $5 million.

The Tribunal will normally rely on the ‘development cost’ value stated in the permit application form, however if there is a discrepancy between this value and any subsequent amount used when appeal documentation is lodged the Tribunal may ask for justification in the form of a sworn valuation. The Tribunal has also provided clear guidance about how the development costs are to be calculated in its practice note (PNPE8 – Major Cases List) which must be followed. Significantly the practice note excludes “land value, contingency fees or holding costs, consultants or architects fees” from the calculation of any development costs.

Once a project is in the list a permit applicant can expect a hearing and decision within 18 weeks of an application being lodged with VCAT. The following timeframes will generally apply:

A practice day hearing within 5 weeks of an application being lodged;

Mediation within 8 weeks of an application being lodged;
A hearing within 14 weeks of an application being lodged; and
A decision or interim decision delivered within 4 weeks of the last date of hearing.

The substitution of amended plans (which is required to occur at least 33 business days prior to a hearing) in a major cases proceeding is tricky given the rigid timelines set for hearing and the very limited scope for adjournments.

The new list will work on a user pays basis whereby applicants will pay an initial fee of $3000 to be put in the Major Cases List, and a daily hearing fee of $3,114.90.

For large complex matters the Major Cases List offers a significant improvement given the delays experienced by developers in recent years and we look forward to its continued operation beyond 2012.

Words by Mark Naughton & Andrew Natoli

Nott Street, Port Melbourne

plus — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 03:53:06 +0000

Inspired by its Port-side surroundings, the 6 storey design is informed by the characteristics of both modern day and historic shipping ports – ocean setting, towering cranes, cargo shipping containers, historic sailing ships and modern day cruise ships – whilst simultaneously overlaying a contemporary architectural language to the design.The distinctive façade framing is influenced by the skyscraping cranes scattered across the city Ports. Dark glass is set back behind the façade to generate layering and depth.

Contrastingly, the Eastern side of the building is oriented towards the CBD with picturesque views of the city skyline.

Nott St Interior

plus — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 04:21:22 +0000

Armada apartments have been configured to provide generous living spaces and maximise the amount of natural daylight. Lighting has been carefully considered as an integral element of the overall design aesthetic, with hanging pendants by famed designer Tom Dixon acting as feature lights. Generous terrace areas add to the richness of the living experience.

The kitchens are white and bright and designed to include stone bench tops with feature timber shelves, sleek vinyl gloss finishes with seamless finger pull drawers and cupboards, European S/S appliances and timber flooring. Bathrooms feature sleek floor to ceiling tiles, frameless glass showers, mirrored cabinets for concealed storage requirements, stone vanities and concealed cisterns

Glenhuntly Rd

plus — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 04:58:48 +0000

Located near the corner of Glenhuntly Road and the Nepean, this 10 level mixed use development will be a highly visable addition to the vibrant Elsternwick activity centre.The building consists of 83 dwellings over ground level cafe and retail and a 3 story basement below.

Situated on this prominent corner site means that the building needs to respond to many vantage points from both near and far and from various angles. The building will become an object in space that is viewed in the round and the design approach acknowledges this fact. The considered sculptural forms and shifting edges offers articulated movement when viewed from every direction and distance.

The proposed design scheme utilizes a pallet of natural materials to create a contemporary architectural language of clean lines and strong forms. The considered articulation of forms and selection of materials promotes a vision of a vibrant and active residential and retail future for the immediate Glenhuntly Road precinct and the wider Glen Eira borough.