News

Our heritage team leader Andrew Klenke presented a Paper to the Australia ICOMOS Conference ‘Fabric’ during November 2015.

Andrew spoke about Old Parliament House in relation to the technical approach to conserving fabric.  Andrew has also written an essay on Old Parliament House which has been published in Materiality Brick and Block in Contemporary Australian Architecture (Ron Ringer, 2015).

If you would like to read the full paper presented at ICOMOS, please click here.

Adelaide Microscopy opened their new state of the art $4.1 million ‘George Rogers Laboratory’ refurbishment on the 23rd of July, 2015. The facility is named after Emeritus Professor George Rogers AO FAA who is recognised as one of the first transmission electron microscopists in Australia and who, well into his eighties, continues to use the facilities regularly.

The facility includes a new $3.6 million atomic resolution transmission electron microscope that will form a critical part of future research work. The design involved the provision of a tailor made magnetically shielded laboratory to house the microscope which stands at nearly 3.5 metres tall.

“It is the first atomic resolution electron microscope to be installed in South Australia”, said Mr Angus Netting, Director Adelaide Microscopy, “and is the only one with its significant level of capability nationally. It’s a critical piece of research infrastructure that is now available to Australian researchers and to Australian industry nationally. Microscopy allows researchers to view nano-materials literally at the atomic level. That means being able to study material atom by atom to better understand, for example, chemical reactions critical to energy conversion or the structure of nano-crystals used for optical communication or sensing.”

The project, undertaken over the last two years, saw detailed work undertaken by a very collaborative client, design and construction team to ensure a highly successful outcome.

In late May, Wayne Grivell, Kon Michael and Dion Byas attended the 15^th National Council of Educational Facility Planners (CEFPI) Conference in Canberra. Always an excellent event, this year’s conference opened strongly with a thought provoking keynote address by learning theorist Ewen Macintosh and ended with a moving and reflective speech by the Director of the Australian War Memorial, Dr Brendan Nelson.

Our team had the opportunity to visit a number of venues, ranging from P-10 ‘superschools’ through to early learning centres, primary schools, high schools and galleries, demonstrating the various modes of learning across institutions. Other highlights included a welcome function at the National Portrait Gallery (pictured below) and the conference dinner at the National Arboretum.

The event was capped off with the presentation of the Annual CEFPI Awards, from which our recently constructed Margaret Ames Centre at Immanuel College received a well deserved Commendation in Category 3: Renovation/Modernisation over $2 Million .

We look forward to next year’s conference in Melbourne.

May saw the return of the ‘Swanbury Penglase South Australian Open’ hosted by Adelaide shores. Day one saw a professional-only field take to the course with Mike Harwood taking the lead with a 5 under par 67. Day two saw the return of last years wet and blustery conditions as a mixture of Swanbury Penglase staff and clients joined the professionals. Despite the conditions a good time was had by all who attended. Mike Harwood continued his good form, including a hole-in-one on the 13th! His a 3 under par 69 enough to take the win.

A big thank you to everyone who attended and made it a memorable day. More information and results can be found on the PGA page here.

We opened our SALA exhibition ‘Different Spokes’ last Thursday night. It was a fantastic event and a great opportunity to catch up with colleagues and friends in celebration of the exhibition theme – the humble bicycle. Thank you to all who attended, for those who couldn’t make it to the opening please drop in to view the works during business hours till the 28^th of August.

We are excited to be participating in the 2013 SALA festival! This year’s exhibition features works by Wayne Grivell, Paul Rawinski, Theftique, Dion Byas, Witold Generowicz, Peter Semple and Andrew Steele.

A collaboration of bicycle-obsessed architects and photographers present a series of images in honour of the humble yet wonderful pedal machine.

Opening night is Thursday the 1st of August at 6PM, we hope to see you there! RSVP at space@swanburypenglase.com. The exhibition will continue to the 25th of August so please drop in anytime during business hours.