Why Australian cities should become vertical, multi-dimensional experiences
(Words only)
Place Strategy Director, Tom Oliver Payne’s recent trip to Hong Kong filled him with a love of verticality and prompted him to ask how we can bring the multidimensional experience to Sydney?
Hoyne blog, May 2023
Read more here.
More than just a pretty picture
(Words and photograph)
“It’s warming that memories can be tied to the physicality of a place”
The Beast Mag, November 2021
Read more here (page 32).
The Interrogator: Minh Bui Jones
(Photograph only)
“Minh Bui Jones is editor and publisher of Mekong Review, Asia’s answer to famous literary quarterlies from London, New York and Paris.”
Monocle Magazine (Weekend Edition), April 2021
Read more here (subscribers only).
To restore our economy, Australian cities should embrace culture and imagination
(Words only)
“What if we actively invest in making places more unique, exciting and creative? Could we make domestic travel more appealing – or even – make Australian cities the envy of the world?”
RobertsDay Thought-Piece (online), August 2020
Read more here.
Barcelona’s superblocks are a new model for “post-car” urban living
(Film - see embedded)
The most exciting question raised by the superblocks project is not how to push cars out of an area, but what happens next — what becomes of the newly liberated space, and what might become of a whole network of such spaces.
Vox (online), April 2019
Read more here.
Copenhagen's Three Key Design Cues the World Should Follow
(Words and photographs)
Copenhagen is repeatedly named as one of the most sustainable, liveable, and happiest cities on the planet. Synonymous with beautiful architecture and a paragon of people-oriented urban design, professionals shaping Copenhagen are in high demand across the globe.
Architectural Digest (online), September 2018
Read more here.
Going large in Brooklyn: Camille Walala at WantedDesign
(Photographs only)
Her largest mural and biggest NYC commission to date is a 40m, 3D effect fascia that riffs on the architecture of the structure, the existing repetitive pattern formed by the windows and – for colour inspiration – the play of sunset light that bathes the building at dusk.
Zetteler (online), April 2018. Read more here.
Wanted Design (online), May 2018. Read more here.
Pol Mauri Carbonell
(Photographs only)
Since he was young, he's loved art, architecture, design, and creating masterpieces with pen and pad.,, we catch up with Pol at his home and talk more about his design approach and life in London.
Celestial Objects (online), March 2018
Read more here.
New Planner Magazine
(Photographs including cover photo)
Photographs for a feature article on Sydney’s Resilient Cities project led by Cred Consulting and JOC consulting.
Planner Magazine (Print and Online - subscription only, June 2018)
The Brutal End For Robin Hood Gardens
(Photograph only)
It takes just a few clicks of a mouse to launch any sort of campaign these days, so it is not surprising that the demolition of Robin Hood Gardens social housing estate in east London, designed by Alison and Peter Smithson and completed in 1972, generated so much opposition.
Interwoven (online), January 2018
Read more here.
This Is Why Brutalist Architecture Is More Important Now Than Ever Before
(Words and photographs)
For decades brutalist architecture was a symbol of the underclass. Soulless, grey, crumbling concrete structures were something to escape from. Today, however, brutalism is back in style. In an age where gentrification is a dirty word, these hulking masses represent an extraordinary period of incredible optimism and determination to use architecture to transform society.
Architectural Digest (online), December 2017
Read more here.
What Sydney can learn from London's approach to Brutalist architecture
(Words)
Unlike 18th-century houses, their importance is about historic interest, rather than an aesthetic interest. Sirius, just like Trellick, Balfron and the Barbican in London, illustrates important aspects of the nation's social and cultural history.
Sydney Morning Herald (print and online), November 2017
Read more here.
Toronto from above: Views from the CN Tower
(Words and photographs)
After an initial building boom in the late 19th century, the ‘60s and ‘70s saw Toronto undergo its second major urban transformation. As the city refocused itself from manufacturing industries to the services economy, it began tower upwards, rather than just outwards.
Maptia (online), November 2017
Read more here.
Rant: Sydney's addiction
(Words)
The New South Wales Government is desperate. It ignores ongoing advice from friends, family and experts to seek alternatives. It fights all obstacles in its path for more. It cares only for the short-lived gratification, euphoria and high, to the detriment of healthy decades ahead. I guess when life feels is so good right now, why would it care?
Ciao Magazine (print and online), May 2017
Read more here.
What would Erno Goldfinger think of Balfron Tower today?
(Words and photographs)
Designed by Hungarian-born architect Erno Goldfinger in 1963, Balfron Tower has become a global icon of brutalist architecture. As the last social tenant is forced-out of one of the world’s most famous brutalist buildings, I wonder what Erno Goldfinger thinks of his building, and architecture, today?
Maptia ( online), December 2016
Read more here.
Without urban strategy is Australia planning to fail?
(words)
National governments across the globe are showing a growing appreciation for the economic importance of cities. In taking an increasingly strategic approach to the development and management of powerful economic and cultural urban nodes, they're attempting to diversify economies and invest money where it matters most.
Smart Cities Dive (online), December 2013 (Republished 2016)
Read more here.
Camden Lock Market: early engagement and the creation of new ideas
(Words and photographs)
One of London’s most iconic neighbourhoods, Camden Town, attracts millions of visitors each year. Home to public figures such as the late Amy Winehouse, the neighbourhood is synonymous with alternative music and grungy nightlife.
In Place Magazine (print and online), December 2016
Read more here.
The rise of the rooftop
(Words)
Two friends lean on a railing as they chat and look across at London’s patchy skyline. Music pounds from speakers above and beers flow from the bar behind. Atop this grey multi-storey car park in the south of the River Thames, ‘Frank’s’ has become one of the city’s most popular weekend drinking spots.
Smart Cities DIVE (online), September 2016
Read more here.
In a time of uncertainty mayors can fix our environment
(Words)
While the current political climate doesn’t appear too good for our environment, politicians at the local level can help. But they need all the support they can get.
Smart Cities DIVE (online), November 2016
Read more here.
The revolution of the wheel
(Words and photographs)
As cities across the globe wean themselves off their addiction to cars, bicycles have become a pretty attractive alternative. Today, just like the revolution of a wheel, are we — perhaps — returning now to where it all began?
MAPTIA (online), March 2016
Read more here.
Imitate to Innovate: Vitoria-Gasteiz shows how cities can address 21st century challenges
(Words and photographs)
The Spanish city of Vitoria-Gasteiz has recently transformed itself from a congested and car-dominated city into one of the most pedestrian and bicycle-friendly places in Europe. It didn’t achieve this by going at it alone. Its key to success was learning from others.
This Big City (online), July 2015
Read more here.
Not just for hipsters: how East London street art is helping the homeless
(Words)
Depaul UK, a national service to help young people who are homeless, vulnerable and disadvantaged, has teamed up with a group of graffiti artists that tells young people’s stories.
Trending City (online), March 2014
Read more here.
Australia's political dark age: the spark for action
(Words)
The outcome of Australia’s recent federal election isn’t just disappointing. As an Australian, I think it’s shameful. Newly elected Prime Minister Tony Abbott is a well-known climate change sceptic with seemingly no regard for science. Under his guidance, it seems that Australia is headed straight back to the Dark Ages.
Forum for the Future (online), October 2013
Read more here.
Mikael Colville-Andersen: the modern day Jane Jacobs
(Words and photographs)
Jane Jacobs reminded us of the city's most important element and inspired a generation of urbanists. Through a single photograph, Colville-Andersen has sparked a new movement that is helping to solve the greatest urban challenge of our time.
The Urban Times (online/now defunct), August 2013
Read more here.
Are our greatest cities losing their greatest assets?
(Words)
Around the world, city authorities are redeveloping unstructured creative spaces into more lucrative commercial or residential zones - but the desire to generate more income comes at a cultural cost.
The Urban Times (online/now defunct), June, 2013
Read more here.
Philanthropy is not the solution: bright ideas light up Africa
(Words and photographs)
On a recent trip to Africa, correspondent Tom Oliver Payne discovered new business ideas lighting up the communities across the continent.
The Urban Times (online/now defunct), June, 2013
Read more here.
How cycling in London could be more like Copenhagen
(Words and photographs)
I researched the histories of both cities, making links between past events and contemporary transport planning culture.
Future Cape Town (online), December 2013
Read more here.
Bicycle revolution or urban fad?
(Word and photographs)
Cities across the world are seeing a dramatic increase in cycling. is this a short lived fad - or are we witnessing the start of a revolution in urban transport?
The Urban Times (online/now defunct), March 2013
Read more here,