Bird Hide at Westgate Park

Last year we linked the architecture firm, MAKE Architecture, with the non-profit community group, Friends of Westgate Park (FOWP), to create a Birdhide in the inner-metropolitan park under the Westgate Bridge, Melbourne.

The park is popular with bird observers and FOWP felt there was a need to build facilities to provide close viewing opportunities for park visitors, bird observers, school groups and others. When complete the proposal will benefit the environment, local birdlife as well as local communities who use the area.

MAKE originally set up this project as a summer school design studio at RMIT which was presented in February 2008.

More updates on the design work which MAKE Architecture have undertaken on the Birdhide please click here.

Neighbourhood house project in Timor Leste

The cities of Yarra and Darebin in Victoria developed a Friendship Agreement with the province and township of Baucau following Timor Leste’s independence. At next month’s words night, members of Friends of Baucau and Yarra and Darebin councils will speak about a recent building project in Timor Leste. With the help of agencies including Australian Volunteers International and the Rotary Clubs’ Roofing Project, a building damaged during the independence violence was restored and established as a neighbourhood house.

Friends of Baucau are planning to restore a building adjacent to the Buka Hatene neighbourhood house and on the night will be presenting details of the new project and happy to speak to anyone interested in getting involved. Speakers will include Clare Murrell, Project Officer at Friends of Baucau and Roderick McIvor, Manager of Social Policy at Darebin City Council. More details coming soon!

Bush Camp, Bunyip State Park

Architects for Peace Pro Bono Referral Service seeks expressions of interest from graduates or registered architects to provide architectural services for a bush camp adjacent to the Bunyip State Park. The prospective service provider (SP) can either do the project alone or be partnered with another SP (one architect is familiar with the project and is able to work on it if a partner can be found).

The project is for Pathways Foundation, a harm minimisation programme for youth. They have been lent land on which they are currently building ecotoilets. They have requested assistance with Design research, conceptual design, construction documentation, consultant liaison for a bush kitchen, large covered gathering space, and storage shed. Materials would mainly be timber and adobe bricks. There are no services on site.

The budget is low (under $50,000) and most labour will be volunteer. The programme is not yet confirmed. All prospective Service Providers should be Architects for Peace members.

If you are an arch-peace meber, you can email your Expression of Interest to probono stating your name(s), availability, relevant experience, and whether you would like to partner with another practice.

This promises to be a rewarding project for a respected organisation.

related link: www.pathwaysfoundation.com.au