Ah... Paris

I do lament the demise of the East End Market, however one small benefit personally exists for me..

This is Charlick Circuit in the East End. Not that it is particularly beautiful or outstanding, it's just that within a short stroll I'm transported back to the inner city streets of Paris again and that alone gives me such a rush. It's the feeling I like most here.

That shrinking feeling

Lots of construction and 'improvements' in the city at the present time. Ok, work needs to be done but I question some of the needs and whether the improvements are just that.

Take for instance the re-landscaping of the inner city squares.

This is Hindmarsh Square. This inner square has seen some dramatic changes, namely the construction of surrounding high-rise apartments as well as landscaping, -the latter being mostly the widening of the pedestrian footpath.

It could be argued that this is an improvement, providing better public walkways. But to me these vast aprons of grey concrete actually reduce the physical size of the square and in effect shrinks the size of the original green belt. More hard surfaces, additional water runoff and an reduction of oxygen providing foliage.

A footpath is just that, it's not meant to be a service lane.

Again, same argument. This is part of the beautification effort of Victoria Square completed within the last year. More concrete, less vegetation! It seems our city council has adopted this as a good solution. Sorry, but more concrete is not the solution. It's ugly, it diverts valuable soaking water into runoff and encroaches onto the square.

Take a close look at this photo. Shot at midday it is clearly vacuous of people, hardly an inviting space for nearby jaded office workers to relax. It appears more like a space for car-parking. Sure, there are pretty trees but you can't sit on concrete.

If this was to remain then I would seriously consider installing decent outdoor artworks and sculptures as well as good seating. Perhaps this would improve public interest and the functionality of the location as a 'my time' breathing space. PS, check out the groovy cafe 'Dragonfly' nearby.

Still relevant today

I just love this structure. Built in 1988, its contemporary design is still relevant today. It is timeless. This design captures the imagination. It really does articulate the message I'm trying express in this blog .

It is The Bicentennial Conservatory in The Adelaide Botanic Gardens.

Powerful yet graceful, it has appeal and interest from any angle. Sweeping curves, organic, sensual but also futuristic and bold.

I consider this design to be 'pure'.

Contemplate this structure situated at the end of Anzac Highway, the Holdfast Shores site (posting June 07). Hmmm... I might render this concept in Photoshop. Later.

Shore up the beaches

Just when you thought is was safe to enter the water... DUCK FOR COVER! ENEMY AHEAD! Another disaster on our beaches. And the loss is great.


Have I missed something? Is there a design movement influenced by all things military? Is it because of the war in Iraq? Why are so many new homes excellent examples of army bunkers? Do we feel threatened? Well... environmental terrorism is real and happening right here, right now.

And the threat is moving ever northwards along the Brighton coast.

Build 'em up and build 'em high. Concrete and steel. Fortify the beaches. No parcel of coastal land shall be spared.

Repeat... No parcel of coastal land shall be spared. Over and out.

Back on the beach

Hey, I'm back on the beach again. At Broadway in fact, a small strip of beach about 1 kilometre south of infamous Glenelg Beach. A popular 'old-shack-beside-the-seaside-deli' has been recently demolished making way for a shiny new one. And what a pleasant surprise!



Only halfway completed the new model looks a winner. It has retained its intimate size, it is low slung as to not blot-out the view, it is tempered in its design statement and is welcoming. Nice! I can't wait to share a bag of fish n chips with the local seagulls this summer. No poshy, '$15.00-for-a-glass-of wine' upmarket eatery for the establishment to claim, this deli is for the people.

What shall I be?

I walk past this vacant corner almost every day. Located just off busy Rundle St in the city, it remains full with potential but low with pro action. I can remember before the NOVA cinema was built, how, for a short while the vacant site become a real meeting place for people. Not just with market stalls selling trinkets but an open space away from noisy traffic and bustle, filled with happy, content people hanging out in the sunshine on a Sunday afternoon. It was a small Fringe venue, a basketball ring was erected for us to lazily observe the 'new' American/Australian street craze, you could chat outside with friends or even watch a band. Nothing radical. It just felt right to be there, bang in the middle of retail mecca. It's passing was a disappointment for many.


Rundle St has lost its bohemian vibe long ago. The original markets have been demolished making way for the first wave of the apartment building craze to take hold.

We should have learnt from these mistakes. Our educated urban planners should have taken notice of this positive energy, the people patterns, the movements, the flows, -and the spiritual needs of an urban society. By now we should have understood. But I think we still don't get it.

What is old is new again

This makes sense and is spot-on . Re-furbishing existing infrastructure into serviceable apartments. Old, tired, ugly buildings can have a longer shelf-life by means of re-design and re-modelling. The bones remain but the skin is gets the Botox treatment.


Take for example the above image. It illustrates how the existing John Martins/David Jones carpark has been extended upwards to accommodate apartments. The smaller building at left of the photo has also been extended upwards creating new city dwellings.

By taking the time to solve a problem often produces the right result. Sometimes it's beneficial to keep the integrity of the street scape and incorporate the existing rather than to demolish. And I don't mean by just retaining a part of the original facade. And it's cheaper too.

Building frenzy

Adelaide is really caught in a building frenzy at the moment. Corner block after corner block is torn down, the earth scraped clean and re-built shiny new. Everyday it seems a new press release heralds the virtue of living in building A, or B, or C etc. City living is where you can now find the 'Great Australian Dream'. Sky homes, penthouses, New York style lofts, funky Parisian apartments. C'mon lets all move up in the world. But hurry, selling fast, buy yours off the plan today, get with the program, but don't delay.

This is all ok. The city is becoming more cosmopolitan as the young sophisticates stake their claim. But a certain blandness is creeping in. These new, cubist blocks of steel and glass seem well... boring. Not too much to differentiate between them. To me they seem to be lacking in something. Oh, that's it. Originality!

If you have been to the Docklands in Melbourne or stood in Federation Square then you will witness first hand a city that values original expression and embraces unique and compelling design.

In Adelaide our biggest failing is mediocrity.

And the award goes to...

Speaking of water conservation, a recent scientific study has come up with some interesting stats. Crunching the numbers, it reveals the highest water consumers by suburb in the Adelaide metro area.

And the award goes to... Burnside!

Yep, Burnside is the largest consumer of water in Adelaide, nearly double to that of the lowest user, Elizabeth. If fact all of Adelaide's affluent eastern suburbs ranked highest including Walkerville and Unley as well as the CBD.

The same study also revealed that these leafy eastern suburbs were the largest polluters compared to their neighbours in Adelaide.

The residents of these affluent suburbs purchase a lot of goods, that we know. This in fact adds to their high ranking. Why? Well to manufacture these material goods en mass requires large water usage with increased pollution in the production, manufacture, packaging, transportation and waste process.

Another study also revealed that these same eastern suburbs ranked only second from the top for sexual assaults and rape.