Megan Morton, Senior Interior Designer and key new member of the Melbourne Team, was recently interviewed for a profile article by Architecture and Design.com.au.

Megan talks about the highs and lows of her successful 20 year design career, as well as highlighting some of the challenges we face as designers today.

To have a read of the interview click here 

From magnificent temples to beachside ‘coco-huts’, WMK’s Pip Barbary toured some of South India’s most beautiful and bustling destinations.

The small seaside town of Mamallapuram plays host to the amazing Shore Temple, a UNESCO heritage site which is believed to be one of India’s most ancient structures and the last remaining of a series of sister seaside temples that have been destroyed by nature.

Pondicherry’s French Quarter looks like a suburb plucked straight out of a European village, but thrown in with India’s typical car-honking, street-side-enterprising semi-chaos.

A speedy and seedy 5 hour train trip south brings us to Madurai, home to the vast and splendidly colourful Meenakshi Amman Temple and at two millennia old, is one of the most ancient cities in the world.

Across the mountains to South India’s west coast is the sea port city of Kochi, which was hosting India’s first Biennale, (the Kochi Muziris Biennale) showcasing local and international contemporary art around the city’s unused spaces and heritage buildings.

The last stop was Mumbai, and with a population almost that of the entirety of Australia, it’s no wonder that the city houses some of India’s finest architecture, particularly that of the Gothic and Indo-Saracenic Revival (British Indian) styles. The University of Mumbai, the Prince of Wales Museum, the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Train Terminus, to mention a few.

For the past 4 years, WMK staff have been committed to sponsoring a boy called Diego Isaac Ugarte and his community in Chile. Late last year we heard good news from World Vision that the community Diego lives in had become self-sufficient – a great outcome for WMK and a testament to the hard work and education World Vision bring to many areas.

The staff of WMK have taken on the challenge of sponsoring another child in need from World Vision– Lazaro Augusto Bacacheza. Lazaro is 6 years old and is from the Marara Project Area Development Program in Mozambique. Mozambique is one of the poorest countries in the world today, lacking a health care system or schools due to years of war and neglect. World Vision is supporting primary healthcare programs, providing agricultural and business training, improving access to clean water and sanitation and improving the quality of education for children.

We look forward to getting to know Lazaro and supporting him and his community as he grows up.

Following the devastating earthquake of 2011, Christchurch NZ has been slowly pulling itself out of the rubble to become a thriving city once more.

On a recent visit, Sarah Jelliffe explored the city centre. Despite large areas still waiting for demolition and many blocks sitting bare, there is a colourful glimmer of hope and positivity breaking through.

The temporary container mall sits at the heart of the Christchurch, a vibrant and edgy solution to draw life back into the city centre. Resembling a quirky art installation, multi-coloured shipping containers house stores where traditional shop fronts once stood.

On the other side of the city, a new container bar has arisen using materials and objects salvaged from the earthquake wreckage. Shopping trolleys and luggage trunks have been re-fashioned as seating, whilst an eclectic mix of recycled timbers clad the walls.

Although the initial feeling in the city is one of quiet and emptiness, don’t be fooled. Take the time to look around; the spirit and determination of the locals to bring their home back to life is truly inspiring.

On the 26^th of October WMK’s staff got together at their latest refurbishment project - 1 Market Street, Sydney, to host a Pink Ribbon Breakfast to raise money for Breast Cancer research.

Delicious food was served in a first rate venue, everyone had the chance to catch up over a coffee whilst raising money for a very worthy cause.

Also, did you know that ever since the National Breast Cancer Foundation was founded in 1994, 30% of women diagnosed with breast cancer lost their battle but in less than 20 years, through research, this percentage has been halved?

A grand total of $430 was raised on the day, so a huge thanks to everyone who took part.

For any additional donations please click here

WMK’s Jade Hudson was invited by Clint Zammit of Savills Project Management to join Savills for the 2012 Canberra Off Road Cycling (CORC) Scott 24hr Mountain Biking Championships at Stromlo Forest Park in Canberra on 13 & 14 October.

The largest event of its kind in the World, the Scott Australian 24 Hour MTB Championships where the "Fat Tyred Fools" ended up riding a gruelling 19 laps of the mountain course totalling 265km, with half of these laps being completed at night! Each rider completed around 65 kms.

Savills’ entered two teams – the “Fat Tyre Fools” and the “Flat Tyre Fools” – which both gave it a red hot go with "Fat Tyre Fools" posting an impressive 48^th place out of 283.

Not to undermine the "Fat Tyre Fools" effort, "Flat Tyres" Shaun Diamond was injured while riding (and flying) and split his helmet in half (leaving a nasty cut above his right eye), impressing the organisers enough to give him a brand new helmet.

Experienced head chef, support crew member and Savill’s Senior Project Manager Mark Lederer was sadly unavailable due to work commitments but the team members enjoyed delicious BBQ chicken seasoned with LED lights by Leon Kenney. Thomas Woronowicz experienced “snow” on the mountain during his solo night ride and also rode the fastest recorded team day time lap.  David “Triple lap” Simpson performed faultlessly until “sleep deprivation” kicked in while driving back to Sydney.

Overall, the event was a huge success, with the remaining team members John Critchley, Damian Milani “surviving” with minimal injuries and the team completing the event in high spirits.

Jade has been invited to participate in the next bi-annual event as part of the Savills crew, and has already started training for the event!

WMK Architecture was selected as the Australian winner of the 2012 “Fly Forbo” competition for the YUM! project, for which the prize was a design-based 7 day tour for two to Europe, led by the Forbo team.

Petra Bonamy and Vicki Murphie jetted off in September to Amsterdam and London to soak up the sights. Highlights in Amsterdam were the visit to Forbo’s design studio in Krommenie to see first-hand how Forbo products are manufactured, the Van Gogh Museum, dinner at the gorgeous glasshouse Restaurant de Kas where organic regional produce delighted the tastebuds, and an architectural tour of Amsterdam’s newer architectural precincts. Of particular interest was the area known as the “Islands” of Java and Borneo which blends contemporary architecture with the traditional design of old Amsterdam.

The London tour included time at the V+A Museum viewing numerous art installations and a retrospective of Heatherwick Studio’s work, the 100% Design interior trade exposition, dinner at Asian fusion restaurant Hakkasan, and a walkthrough of Tent London which brought together over 200 international exhibitors of furniture, lighting, ceramics, textiles, materials and accessories.

On a recent visit to New Zealand, Project Architect Emily French visited the NZIA Supreme Architecture Award winning Peregrine Winery in Central Otago.

Etched into the landscape, the building comprises a concrete bunker-style base structure and a soaring polycarbonate roof which extends towards the landscape beyond – a juxtaposition of the light steel framed translucent blade and the rugged natural terrain.

The simple industrial palette extends into the interior spaces, with exposed concrete, timber and glazing. The winery’s barrel room is a particularly striking feature – rows of wine barrels showcased beyond the elegantly lit bar of the tasting room.

Architect Chris Kelly drew his inspiration in part from the imagery of a bird in flight, saying the roof is ‘evocative of the majesty of the Peregrine or native Falcon as it glides on the thermal uplifts off the heated land.’ It just so happens that the Peregrine is also the main image of the winery’s bottle label.

If you ever find yourself in this part of New Zealand, Peregrine is well worth a visit – for both architecture lovers and wine connoisseurs alike.

As winners of the Fly Forbo Award 2012 for their project ‘Yum!’, WMK won two tickets to Amsterdam and London for a tour around the Forbo Design Studios in Amsterdam, and access to 100% Design in London.

Director - Projects Vicki Murphie and Senior Interior Designer Petra Bonamy are jetting off to Eurorpe today, watch this space for a full update on their return.

Click here for more information on Fly Forbo 

For more information about YUM! please see the below links

WMK's YUM! Australia Office Fitout

architectureau.com

On the fine Saturday morning of the 14th July, Sarah Jelliffe and May Fong journeyed across a sunny Sydney Harbour to Cockatoo Island for the 18th Biennale of Sydney.  As always, the island venue never ceases to amaze, with its dramatic location, industrial architecture and stunning views. 

During the Biennale, the place comes alive with Australia’s largest and most exciting international exhibition of contemporary art. Highlights included the interactive installations of Dune in the Dog-Leg tunnel and the cyborg-like mechanical creatures in the Hylozoic Series. Others worth seeing include Sand lace by Cal Lane and the strange but mesmerising paper cutting session by Sachiko Abe. Definitely worth a visit before it closes on 16 September.

Click here for more information on the event  

An early Sunday morning start and a brisk 10˚C coastal wind didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of WMK’s bare-footed, singlet-clad soft sand run team. 

Following the fun and excitement of the recent Andrew Boy Charlton biathlon, WMK’s team of Justin, Pip, Guy and Richard decided to start training (sporadically for some of us!) for the Bondi Barefoot 4km Soft Sand Run. 

Each year, the event attracts over 400 recreational runners of all ages, and involves four laps of Sydney’s infamous Bondi Beach. Funds raised go towards the new club house for the North Bondi Surf Lifesaving Club. Under the guidance of one of our more experienced soft sand team members, Justin, we grasped the technique, dug our toes in and finished with varying time results but all with bright spirits.

Thanks to our small but dedicated fan club for braving the early Sunday chill with us and making the day even more enjoyable!

Saturday evening saw Sarah Jelliffe, Interior Designer, venturing out to explore her second Vivid Sydney; A yearly creative treat that turns Circular Quay into a hub of bright lights and excitement.  Various light sculptures are dotted throughout the area, each surrounded by a curious babble of kids (young and old!).

The MCA, Opera House and Customs House are turned into enormous blank canvasses for the most amazing 3D moving projections. We won't try to explain them, you have to see to believe. The festival is on until the 11th June so check it out, it is well worth it.

For more information on the Vivid Festival -Vivid Sydney

Guy Blunden, Director-Projects, visited Milan in April to attend the Salone del Mobile 2012. As the largest and most prestigious trade fair for furniture in the World, the Salone is held at the spectacular 350,000sqm FieraMilano exhibition complex designed by architect Massimiliano Fuksas and located on the outskirts of the city.

Each year, furniture designers and manufacturers from around the world present their latest and greatest new products and ideas. And this year was no exception with well-known manufacturers such as Vitra, Minotti, Arper & Magis all unveiling new products and collections.

As always, the most interesting work was the result of collaborations with leading Architects, Industrial Designers and Fashion Designers, with high-profile names such as Jean Nouvel, Issey Miyake, Konstantin Grcic and Antonio Citterio delivering innovative and commercially appealing furniture collections, individual pieces and accessories.

Noticeable trends across the Salone were an emphasis on the strategic expansion of existing product ranges, a focus on sophisticated detailing, quality construction…and comfort, in design, materials and colour palettes.

Overall, the mood was upbeat among exhibitors. While the global economic crisis remains top of mind, it was encouraging to see a growing confidence and renewed vigor across the Salone del Mobile and throughout the city during Milan Design Week.

Guy travelled to Europe as a guest of Artemide, the Italian lighting manufacturer famous for its design focus and broad range of architectural and decorative fittings.

While in Milan, Guy visited Artemide’s headquarters and also dropped into the Frankfurt Lighting Fair, the largest of its kind in the world. Look out for blog posts on these visits soon! 

For a bit of fun (and fitness) some of the WMK family participated in serval of the Andrew Boy Charlton Biathlon series races, this Biathlon consists of a 4km run followed by a 300m swim at the Domain Sydney.

For the weeks leading up to it the training begun (and so did the competitive streak) including special diets and the running to (and from) work, until eventually the day of the race came… along with the nerves, but all was good and the guys did amazing.

For more information on this Biathlon - http://www.andersonevents.com.au/CompetitionsEvents/Biathlons/tabid/841/Default.aspx